Self-realization is not as how in America these days discovering oneself is confused with work wherein we find fulfillment, the activities that enrich you and makes you feel at home. In our intellect, mind, and personality (samskaras), we have a set of talents which comes into play and we find "this is for me". All of that is superficial self knowledge on the level of the subtle body (sukshmasharira). In a Vedantic perspective, this is close to what is called "swadharma".
In ancient India, there is a mathematical way of computing what missions suit you in this life based on your current situations. Swadharma is a function or matrix of five factors:
1. varna dharma ― nature (svabhava स्वभाव); character role developed over lifetimes of your story
2. ashrama dharma आश्रमधर्म ― stage of life
3. varnashrama dharma वर्णाश्रमधर्म ― conjunction of varna and ashrama
4. visesha dharma विशेषधर्म ― special roles on occasion
5. samanya dharma सामान्यधर्म ― general universal basic humanity
