Where do we start as it relates to your future?

Before we look at the future, let’s look at some things that have changed over the years, and some that have not changed. As it relates to things that have changed, there are more children than ever living in a single parent family. Many children are also being raised at or below the poverty line. Tuition rates have only gone up at colleges. Guns, AIDS, and violence in our schools have also had a big impact. The price of housing has gone up dramatically and many families have both parents working just to pay the bills.

As the future relates to things that have not changed, there is only one factor, and that is change remains constant! The economy goes through cycles. There are periods of prosperity, and periods of recession. There are times when the labor market is great, and times when unemployment is high. The job market is extremely competitive. For people already in the workforce, those who are focused, prepared, and apply themselves will get through the good times and the bad. They have learned to adapt to change and make the best of any situation. As it relates to those about to enter the workforce, there are countless great opportunities for graduating students every year, regardless of a period of prosperity or recession. The only difference today, versus 25 years ago, is that employers that provide the best opportunities have a lot more talent to choose from.

If you want to be successful, whether you are a welder, mechanic, accountant, sales person, nurse, whatever…the best opportunities go to the best graduating students. Remember, come graduation time, you are not only competing with others who graduate from your school, but you are also competing with individuals from other schools in your city, your state, and from every other state across the country.

And what separates the “best” from the “rest”? Usually, the “best” have focused on a field they really liked while in high school, went to college to learn more about it, and gained experience outside of the classroom relevant to their desired field. The “rest” struggle well into their twenties, and sometimes thirties, because they still have not figured out what they want to do with the rest of their lives. The “best” also had the ability to plan, set, and achieve their goals (we’ll discuss goals a little later on).

Reality Check Questions

But, how do you focus on your future? Where do you start so you can properly channel your energy and time? Let’s start with three questions I have used throughout my life. I call them “Reality Check Questions.” They are simply:

1. Where am I now?
2. Where do I want to go?
3. How am I going to get there?

Ask yourself these three questions right now.

Number 1 is easy, right? You probably are at home or at school in your town or city reading this book, but I’ll bet many of you cannot answer #2, and if you cannot answer #2, there is absolutely no way you can answer #3.

Question #2 is the critical question, because knowing where you want to go requires setting some goals, and if you cannot get focused on clear goals, how are you going to put in place an action plan to achieve them?

Where Do You Want To See Yourself In 25 Years?

To help you answer question #2, let me ask you another question, and this time I want you to look at the pyramid below. The question is, “Where do you want to see yourself in 25 years?”…