“Where do you see yourself in 5 years?”
I’m sure you’ve either been asked or have asked yourself that question before. It’s a good thing to have goals. It’s even better when we make plans and put them into action to reach those goals. But what do we do when the goal is reached?
Many times after we reach our goal, we become complacent. We soak in all of the enjoyment that comes with reaching what we’ve targeted for so long. We feel proud of our accomplishment. We puff out our chest a little bit; confident and self-assured of our abilities.
Then we stay there.
We sit, enjoy, and rest. “Mission Accomplished” some might say. And as we sit there, satisfied with our position, the world passes us by. Here we are thinking that we've “arrived” only to realize that we've actually stepped off of the moving train of life while it chugs on to the next destination.
Having goals is a very important part of manhood, but beyond that we should understand that each time we set a goal and accomplish it, we should be setting a NEW goal. Whenever you think you've reached the mountaintop, find another mountain to climb. Whenever you think you've arrived, hop on another train. Setting goals, accomplishing them, then setting new goals is fundamental to growth. When you’re content with your accomplishments and no longer have the drive to achieve more, you’re finished. You’re done growing at that point, and anything not growing is dead.
So where do you see yourself next year? In 2 years? In 5 years? Wherever that place may be, once you get there ask yourself the same question again. Set a new goal, make a new plan, and continue to grow, because once you begin to act as if you’ve arrived, it’s the end of the line.