Over the course of my reading last night, I came across an interesting question. The author, a famous life coach, provided the reader a set of questions to see if they were ready to make a change in their life. Aside from the standard “are you happy?”, “are you where you want to be?”, and “do you feel fulfilled?” questions, there was one that really stood out to me:
If nothing changed in the next five years, would that be OK?
This question stopped me on the page. If nothing changed in the next five years, would that be OK? For a minute I ran through what that would mean for me and considered it seriously. What a fabulous question – I thought – something other than the usual self-help junk. Would I be OK if five years from now I was still self-employed, making my own schedule, interacting daily with interesting and inspiring people, and reveling in the journey of self-discovery? Sure! Would I be OK if I was still driving my little coupe, with my beloved boyfriend, and spending time with the friends I’ve had for five, ten, and fifteen years? Heck Yes! Would I be fine if I was still the same person, still wearing the same clothes, still thinking the same thoughts, and still feeling the same feelings? Yes…and then no.
Of course there are things I’d like to stay the same on the surface, but for most things in my life no, I wouldn’t. I wouldn’t be OK if I hadn’t developed past this thought stage. I wouldn’t be happy if I was still living in my little apartment. I wouldn’t even be OK if my romantic relationship stayed exactly the same – after all the beauty of any relationship is the way it develops and matures over time.
I would not be OK. And I the question I am left with is, would anyone else?
It seems this man’s barometer for life change is really a trick question. If you answer “no, I would not be OK,” then you should change you life, and if you answer, “yes, I would be fine with that,” you may want to consider changing your life as well. Because if after five years you are still in exactly the same place you are in today, then you have violated a major principle of living uncommonly: forward motion.
As we consider this original question, I have a few follow-up questions of my own to stimulate thought:
- What do you like about the way things are now?
- What specifically would you want to stay the same?
- Think ahead five years from now and look back on the time: how would you feel if you realized you had stayed in the same place all that time?
- Are you afraid of losing something if things change? What would that be and can you think of any way change might positively affect it?
These are questions for all of us to think about, whether you fall into the “yea” or “nay” answer category for the original question. The work you are doing today, in your personal, professional, and internal life, is laying the foundation not only for tomorrow and the next day, but all the days after, through the next five years, ten years, and twenty years. As we begin this new year together, let’s take a minute to consider change and the role we want it to play in our lives.
So, if nothing changed for you in the next five years, what would that mean to you, and how would you feel?
{ 5 comments… read them below or add one }
As most around here know, I’m on a journey to fabulous-ness. So I certainly want to be light years beyond where I am now in just a year, let alone five.
But I do like the question. It makes you stop and really think. If your answer is Yes, then did you REALLY think about it? I mean, come on. We’re here on earth to progress. You don’t have to move mountains, but hopefully you’re better at that hobby you spend your free time in, you’ve made an extra friend to spend time with… something. Don’t just sit there – that’s what too many people do and if that’s what you are content with then life will pass you by.
Ok, that’s my overt opinion (sorry Nacie) – next!
Twitter: evanhadkins
Well, it is a trick question.
I’m pretty healthy at the moment.
My primary relationship is going well – so I’m OK with keeping the growing unchanged.
I need more money and to know how to make it. What I need to change is mostly the material side of life. (Which I find not nearly as interesting as the stuff going on inside me and others.)
For me, if nothing has change after 5 years.. That would means boring! Of course we need something that would excite us, even just a little details in our lives… I want something that will add some more color which I always look forward to each day..
And of course I want some changes on my lifestyle most especially on the financial aspects..
I promised myself to be a life long learner years ago. The theme of the learnings changes but not the promise of being one. I think it is very dull without change in your life. Nice post.
I like with my life know…!
cause that it enjoy the life whatever and what happen that’s it…!