Where do you see yourself in 5-10 years?
For as long as I can remember, I’ve been asked the same question during my yearly performance reviews: “Where do you see yourself in 5-10 years?” And I never liked answering it. Why? Because I’ve always liked keeping things open, staying flexible and enjoying variety. I’ve always been a bit of a "Jane of all trades."
It doesn’t mean I didn’t have a plan. I simply didn’t like sharing it. Beyond my inclination to keep my options open (and to myself), truth be told, the question always stressed the perfectionist within me. What if I get “it” wrong? What if my plan doesn’t unfold the way I envisioned it? But mainly; what if I fail and already told everyone about it?
When I committed to teaching yoga, I thought, “Finally! I won’t have to answer that question anymore.” I imagined a world where I could be present, without the pressure of having to project myself into the future. It seemed it would protect me from the stress of planning my career trajectory. Every. Single. Year.
The question that never goes away
But guess what; I was wrong! As a solopreneur, I quickly realized that the question didn’t vanish; it just took on a different form. Instead of hearing, “Where do you see yourself in 5-10 years?” during performance reviews with managers, now it comes in the form of, “What’s your long-term vision?” or “How do you see this yoga project evolving?” It turns out that even in the world of yoga, the “pressure” to have a clear, long-term vision remains.
I’ll admit, at first, this new version of the question was just as intimidating. But with time, I began to shift my perspective. I’ve learned that the journey isn’t about having a perfect blueprint for the future. Sometimes, it’s about trusting that the right opportunities will unfold along the way. It’s about staying present and knowing that growth, both personally and professionally, happens in the process, not necessarily in the destination.
Embracing the journey
Rather than stressing over the uncertainty of the future, I now focus on my journey and what I want to learn along the way. Yoga, in a way, is helping me do that. Yoga is teaching me to surrender, to let go of the need for control. When I allow myself to be open to whatever comes next, rather than obsessing over the future, things have a way of aligning themselves. Networking, learning and engaging with new opportunities often lead me to the next step; whether it’s a new class, a retreat, or a collaboration with like-minded individuals.
The beauty of this approach is that it doesn’t tie me to a rigid idea of where I should be in 5-10 years. It gives me the freedom to explore, grow and trust the process. And that’s something I’m continuously grateful for.
Your thoughts: where do you see yourself in 5-10 years?
So, back to that age-old question; Do you know where you see yourself in 5-10 years? I’m genuinely curious to hear your thoughts. Have you ever struggled with the need to have a clear vision of your future, ready to be shared to whomever asks about it? Or do you embrace the unknown? Let’s chat in the comments or feel free to drop me a line. I’d love to hear how you approach this journey of self-discovery and growth.
