Who do you want to be in 5 years?

What do you see yourself doing in 5 years?

This is a question I have received several times recently. And frankly, I was not sure how to respond. I have been reflecting on this very question. 

First, I want to ask you my preferred version of that question – who do you want to be in 5 years?

One year ago, I left my corporate job in finance to start coaching and personal training. Hence, focusing even more on my athletic pursuits and starting on a new journey that has been the most fulfilling and rewarding year of my life. If you would have asked my 2 years ago what I saw myself doing in 5 years, I most likely would have said that it was advancing my finance career, getting a promotion, a raise, a new cubicle. Funny how times change.

It is impossible to foresee the future and exactly what we will be doing. My life took a dramatic turn as I pursued my bodybuilding and powerlifting passions. This lead me down the path I am on today. I never could have anticipated the opportunities and blessings that were to come my way.

I prefer to think of life in this way – WHO do you want to be in 5 years? Every single day we have the opportunity to be one step closer to that individual. I want to be a better friend, daughter, competitor, coach, and more confident in the woman I am.

For me, I cannot exactly say where I see myself in 5 years. The person I want to be in 5 years is the person I am trying (and many times failing) to be more like each day. In the future, I want to be able to have a bigger impact on others. I want to make a difference in the world and use my gifts and talents to reach others.

For me, becoming the person I want to be in 5 years takes steps each day. These include short term goals. The future is never guaranteed. There is no end point in life – if we are constantly striving for monetary possessions that will fade away, fame that will come and go, or a job title that will sink into the past eventually – we will always be left unfulfilled.

I want to live a life I love NOW. I want to make the biggest impact I can this very day.

I have goals. I hope you do too. However, I do not want to focus so much on the future that I forget to live in the present.

I have some random and odd goals. These may not have direct carry over to the individual I will be in 5 years – but they will make me a happier individual today. This DOES have carry over into the impact I can have on others. You cannot be the best YOU for others until you find what brings you joy and meaning to your life. Loving yourself is the first step in being able to love and help others.

What do you want to do? What do you enjoy that you have been neglecting because you are too focused on the future? Have you been neglecting the present and failing to enjoy the gift that is life?

Some of my goals:

Take more walks outside each week.
Learn to hip hop dance.
Create more recipes and post them for others to enjoy.
Find a church and feed my spiritual life more abundantly.
Travel as much as possible.
Meet as many new people as I can.
Ask people more about themselves and focus less on me.
Take coffee adventures… Or adventures that involve caffeine.

And most importantly, focusing on the blessings of today… And not getting lost in the future.

Who do you want to be in 5 years?