A Values-Based Response to “What is Your 5-Year Plan?”
I can’t stand being asked what my 5-year plan is.
What a limiting question that is. To think I know who I’ll be in 5 years? It’d be brave of me to assume I know who I’ll be even a year from now.
Ironically, the people most frequently asked of their 5- or 10-year plans are likely just trying to figure out what the hell life is or what it means to them. They’re searching for something they find value in. Something that makes them happy.
So that 5-year goal you’re hearing or telling others? My bet is that it’s absolute BS most of the time. It’s a naïve question to ask. It’s a naïve question to answer.
To make matters worse, our answer (and expectation of the other person’s answer) is almost always career-aligned. Our society tells us that we’ll find fulfillment in a 40-hour work week, as long as we choose the right role at the best companies.
How the hell did that happen? How is the worth of a human now defined by a job title? How are pressures to be in a certain field causing suicide rates to skyrocket for high school and college students? How are college students actually convinced that their purpose in life is tied to a job role or company?
…
Next time I’m asked what my 5-year plan is, I want to be prepared. I want to give an answer I actually love, not for the sake of getting a stamp-of-approval by the interviewer, but because I cannot stand saying things for the sake of satisfying the other person in the conversation. It’s not fair to either of us.
A Mission-Based Response
When I’m asked of my 5-year plan, the first thought that comes to mind for me is I want to be happy.
Most interviewers will probably smile, nod, and cross my name off a list.
I didn’t lie! I do want to be happy. But I didn’t tell the whole truth either.
When I say I want to be happy, what I really mean is that I want that everything I do, say, or interact with in life aligns well with my mission and values.
Most of us know what our values are to some degree. They shine brightest when they don’t align with someone else’s in the room. But have you ever really thought about your values altogether? Strung together, these words and commitments write the poem of who you are. They are what make you you and are are therefore critical to think about.
Defining Your Mission Statements
Please take a few minutes to think about these questions and ideally, write them down.
What are some words you’d use to describe yourself? (Example: a leader, creative, considerate)
What are some words others would use to describe you? I literally sent a Google form out to close friends and family for this one. Collect this data as you see fit, but don’t assume you know. Ask and you’ll uncover how the world sees you.
What are some of your values? (Example: my friendship soulmates, authentic interactions, runnings errands, not being on a time-crunch, laying on a warm beach, blasting music with my car windows down, learning about a new culture, laughing uncontrollably, any form of art)
Other ways to ask what are some of your values? are:
What makes you feel happy, liberated, and human?
What interactions with others do you love?
What interactions with yourself do you love?
You’re doing great.
Now take all of these aspects of what makes you you and create 3–5 statements to live by. You’ll want to find the sweet spot between vague and specific. “I want to help others” is a little too vague. “I want to help my roommate clean the house” is a little too specific and too time-restricting.
At the end of the day, these statements should create a guide for you to follow long-term, but should rightfully reflect you (as you described yourself, as others described you, and your values) as best as they can.
Mission Statements Examples
They should be formatted to all follow the clause “To feel fulfilled in life, I will…”
Some examples:
Empower others in my community to reach their fullest potential.
Remove toxicity in my life whenever it’s spotted. If it doesn’t pay me, inspire me, or make me feel human, I will find an alternative.
Ensure that those I love and care about never have to question it.
See? Not too bad. And ideally, this made you think a bit about how you’re living right now and if that rightfully reflects what you love in this world, love in others, and mostly love in yourself.
So, the next time I’m asked about my 5-year plan, an answer a bit closer to the truth is:
I don’t know. Life is beautifully unpredictable. But as long as what I’m working on and where I’m working align with my values, then I’ll feel fulfilled.
Cheers to empowering your human self. We aren’t robots built to satisfy others. You deserve to have your own values and mission statements to live by.
I’m rooting for you to follow them.
