A Thought Exercise Worth Taking

Remember your senior high school years, and you had to think about your future? If you were heading for college, you’d mull over the course you’d take or the place where you’ll relocate. Tons of factors that will dictate the rest of your life.

I sat down in our guidance councilor’s office and was taking a test. It was meant to tell me what kind of profession would best suit my current skill set, personality, and intelligence. I was given a chance to articulate what I wanted in life.

“Where do you see yourself Ten Years from now?” The counselor asked.

I was stumped.

It made me think, and I had to pause. The words that will come out of my mouth will determine my future.

If I can’t remember what I told him that day, does that discount the effect it had on my future?

I’m now entering my thirties in a few weeks, and I am looking back at the past ten years of my life. I was so afraid of entering my twenties. I was so sad about the thought that I’ll never be a teenager anymore. The feeling was intense that I remember being teary-eyed during my 20th birthday.

Your twenties is likened to a rollercoaster — there are massive highs and lows, twists and turns, it makes you sick, but it exhilarates you.

During my twenties, I thought the theoretical question was stupid. Who wants to commit to ten years of their life? I had too many interests in my life that I had to switch back and forth week after week. One day I’m dreaming about getting an acting gig, the next day I’ll be talking about building a business, and the next day I’m partying till the wee hours.

But when we enter our thirties, we crave for stability, and legacy — with our relationships, career, and craft.

I am consistently asking myself to commit to one thing. What kind of career do I want to put all my chips in?

“Where do you want to go all-in?”

There’s power in having a long-term vision of ourselves. Good things take time, so you need patience and resilience.

“How do you see yourself ten years from now?”

Talk to you soon my friend.

How Do You See Yourself Ten Years From Now? was originally published in The Ascent on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.