It all comes down to listening. In the same way we listen to the wind, or rain, or the sound of animals in nature, we also have to listen to ourselves and notice that our path is carpeted with all the things that come most naturally to us, the things that bring us the most joy and things we'd probably do automatically, be it a vocation or not.
Listening to yourself means to pay close attention to how you feel, and more importantly, to not ignore what you hear. Some of us never notice the first part of that (i.e., how we feel), and others can hear how it is they feel, but then make the mistake of ignoring it, and that is nothing more than self-abandonment. There is no faster path to depression or anxiety than that.
Anxiety and depression are not just indications that we have been ruminating about the past or worrying about the future, but also that we have abandoned ourselves in order to be what others want us to be instead of hearing what we know is most true for ourselves. When we abandon ourselves, we can feel it right to the core of our being because it goes against the fiber of everything we know is true about ourselves. That's how you can recognize that you are not on the right path. When we say that we are "not listening to ourselves" it means there is part of our inner being that is not being heard. The true self is being ignored and left behind.
Many times we abandon ourselves in order to not be abandon by others whom we fear will reject us unless we conform to the path or demands that they place on us. This can lead to a tremendous amount of anxiety and depression as in some cases it is very true--we really will be abandoned by others unless we conform. For example, disapproving parents, disappointed bosses, or resentful friends. But the price is even higher if we are the ones that abandon ourselves and stop listening to our natural tendencies. So closing our ears to the sound of our own inner voice has a price as well and we have to decide at some point when the price has gotten too high to walk the path that others demand, and not the path that is our true way.
What are you good at? What do you enjoy the most in life? Know that what you are good at is not always what brings you the most joy. What is your passion? How does your mood change when you abandon your own passions and conform to the passions of others? Are you doing things for money or for joy? Are you in relationships or jobs out of fear or comfort, or because they are what you truly feel called to?
You will know you are on the right path when if feels comfortable and natural to you. You will recognize it like a good friend. It doesn't typically come with force. It may or may not be impressive (at least not to others). It will fit you like a golden slipper. Like a glove custom made just for you. It may bring you wealth or poverty, but you will know that money is not its point. The most important thing at the very core of your path is that it's a true reflection of who you really are. You and the path, are one and the same thing.
"Be there for others, but never leave yourself behind." ~Dodinsky
Thanks to kitty terwolbeck for the great photo, https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/
