I don't think there is any secret answer other than you choose to do it, modern philosophers notwithstanding, you have free will. Translating your ideas and the

I don't think there is any secret answer other than you choose to do it, modern philosophers notwithstanding, you have free will. Translating your ideas and theories in into practical action is part of being human but I suppose that it is natural to stress the theoretical because it feels safer, more controllable, etc. They call this analysis paralysis in the business schools. Taking consistent action toward a goal is fraught with new challenges and the need for new skills that will push you out of your comfort zone. After a certain age many people try to avoid it. In any case, it sounds like you are making a lot of progress in a positive direction in your life but mostly by removing negatives instead of achieving positives. Nothing wrong with that and given your context that is where you needed to start. But the process doesn't stop there, eventually you'll run out of negatives to remove and have to start thinking about actual positive achievements in your career or personal life. This might be the step that caused you to flame out before so you might want to consider what you really value and what you want to do with your life in terms of positives[1]. As a fellow dropout I know the state of not feeling "ready" once you are on the school/work/career/family path but now that you are presumably older, wiser and more mature things have changed so figure it out. [1] More theory but also relevant to your question and very practical, Ayn Rand's "Philosophy:Who Needs It" and "The Virtue of Selfishness."