What Makes You Tick? Questions to Ask Yourself

The idiom “What makes you Tick” is a question that explores a person’s life purpose, passion, and motivation. This article helps you explore what makes you tick with three simple questions to ask yourself.

By Brad Nakase, Attorney

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Table of Contents

1. What Makes You Tick?

2. What does “What makes you tick?” mean?

3. What is the source of your happiness?

4. If an obstacle is in your way

What Makes You Tick?

Have you ever stopped to consider “What Makes You Tick,” to explore your passions and motivations? Whatever our identities or points in life, I believe it’s reasonable to suggest that each of us can always look for methods to give our existence greater purpose. You could be heading into your 40s, moving into an older phase of life, or even in your 20s, fresh out of college. We’re all affected by it. Numerous factors can contribute to the concept of meaning, but ultimately, meaning is about finding fulfillment and what keeps you going every day. Other aspects of meaning include passion, purpose, and soul nourishment.

It takes a specific kind of thinking to connect with our souls and hearts in order to create it. We can decide to dive in and take on life, or we may choose to sit back and let it pass by. Life is a type of job, and it doesn’t need to be difficult. In other words, you can choose to be a passenger in your own story or take the wheel. In interviews, employers often ask “What Makes You Tick” to understand candidates’ drives and interests.

Our lives are given greater significance by extremely personal things. Since we are all unique individuals, there are differences in what nourishes our spirits. Some of us are artists who play our favorite instrument; a few of us are sportspeople who live on physical activity; yet others are scientific enthusiasts, mathematicians, painters, or other creative types. ‘What makes you tick’ keeps changing with life. It’s amazing that every one of us has unique motivators that must be modified at different stages of life to accommodate our development. Understanding “What Makes You Tick” can significantly influence your career path and personal satisfaction.

What does “What makes you tick?” mean?

The question “What makes you tick?” is an idiomatic expression that asks what motivates someone or what gets them excited. Some examples of what makes you tick means:

What interests you or gets you very passionate?
What drives you or makes you very enthusiastic?
What’s important to you or what do you care deeply about?

Basically, “what makes you tick” is asking about the core things that give someone purpose, excitement, or joy in their life. The question aims to understand what’s meaningful or impactful to them. The idiomatic expression tries to get at someone’s inner thoughts, priorities, and also source of energy. Friends and family can offer valuable insights when you’re exploring “What Makes You Tick.”

Here are a few reasons why it’s important to ask yourself what makes you tick: He is very smart and also he is hard working.

It helps you to understand your core motivations. By reflecting on what deeply motivates you, what you care about the most, and what gets you out of bed in the morning, you gain clarity about what matters to you. This helps to guide the major life decisions.
It aids the personal growth. Examining your innermost hopes, fears, needs, and also wants is part of the process of self-discovery and personal development. You can learn to play up your strengths and manage your own weaknesses better.
It improves self-awareness. Asking what makes you tick leads to a much higher emotional intelligence and a stronger sense of who you are. You become more attuned to your own authentic self. This self-awareness bleeds into how you show up in the relationships and professional pursuits.
It promotes better mental health. Taking time for honest self-reflection helps you to process the emotions and also relieve the stress. Understanding your inner workings is the key for coping with life’s many ups and downs from a centered, peaceful place.

In short, gaining the insight into what makes you tick fulfills the ancient injunction to “know thyself.” It is very important for living an examined life oriented around your core needs and values. The better you know your own workings, the more purposeful and also fulfilling your pursuits. Self-reflection exercises that focus on “What Makes You Tick” can reveal hidden passions.

What is the source of your happiness?

“What Makes You Tick” isn’t just about work; it encompasses hobbies, values, and what you find meaningful. Numerous individuals are uncertain about what truly brings them joy, and it’s acceptable if finding the solution causes them to feel afraid. It might take significant adjustments to make it work. The lessons I gained from my personal search for deeper meaning are as follows: first and foremost, practice self-compassion and patience. Your perspective must also be adjusted in order to complete the mission.

Finding a hobby that aligns with “What Makes You Tick” can enhance your overall well-being and happiness. Be interested in things that catch your eye or make you feel something when you are your own version of Sherlock Holmes. Remember that every person experiences this differently and that it is a unique process. Take action based on what motivates you to move or what makes you tick at the moment. Forget about meaning’s ultimate purpose. Take a single step, just get moving, and remember to believe in yourself—the rest will come to you if you feel stuck. Ultimately, it’s personal to each individual how they respond to different situations. Some people require strong love, while others require subtle prodding in the right way or even a threat to move.

Seeing your personal mission as a lifelong treasure hunt is an entertaining way to approach it. As soon as you go out on the hunt and advance toward your objective, you will encounter more encounters and allies. Nothing is meaningless, so try not to pass judgment on what other people find significant. You might not find it relatable, but this is what keeps the globe turning. Just keep in mind that you make a difference in the world and spread love when you follow your passions.

If you’re not sure what makes you tick or where you should start, I recommend posing the following questions to yourself first:

Question 1: How do you prefer to pass the time?

Relieve the stress if you’re feeling uncertain. That’s the answer. When was the most recent time you did something without giving time a second thought? As a child, what was your favorite activity to do with your time?

Question 2: What, in your opinion, gives life purpose?

What daily activities can you incorporate into it? How can you contribute to this now for five minutes?

Question 3: What is something you haven’t done but would like to try?

Go in that direction with one step.

If an obstacle is in your way

Got too much on your mind? Get hands-on. Now go exercise. Proceed to sprint. Move around and experience life by taking action. We can experience mental blockage and numbness occasionally. Once you identify “What Makes You Tick,” setting goals and making decisions become much more straightforward.

Take a walk, practice yoga, or just move yourself out of your thoughts and into a peaceful place if you need to approach things more gently.

If you find yourself being your own worst enemy, list two qualities about yourself that you find valuable or admirable when you get up in the morning or right before bed. Acknowledge that maintaining optimism is a necessary aspect of your own growth.

And lastly, recognize that most people have been unsatisfied at some point in their lives and that it’s a normal part of the path. At whatever point in your life you choose to pursue your interests, we are here to support you and assure you that you are not lonely. Knowing ‘what makes you tick’ is the most fulfilling quest you’ll ever embark on, I can assure you of that.

Have a quick question? We answered nearly 2000 FAQs.

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