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BigBen · 04-19-2006, 01:34 PM

Journal Entry, now as a Thread: Mods, please move if necessary, delete if a duplicate;

Well, I thought I would talk about one of the main philosophies that I adhere to:

A Harvard study asked newly-minted graduates what their plans were for 5 and 10 years. Of the respondents, graduates who had a 5 and 10 year plan were (insert number I forgot here) more successful than those who didn't.

That struck home with me. I realized that having a long-term goal was not only something to work towards, but achievable if you set out and actually model your current decision making with that in mind!

Now, when I ask people younger than me "Where do you want to be in 5 years? 10 years?" I get a wave of blank looks. Are we failing our generation? When did we start to allow people to float along through life? Ask a teenager what they want, and you parents will know what I am talking about.

I want to challenge others to give a little reflection here. What do you want to happen in 5 years? Putting this into perspective, look back at 5 years ago; did you think you would be where you are? What were you doing? Who were you spending time with?
Now go back another 5. What were you doing 10 years ago? Well, since this is the TFP, you were at least 8 years old. Maybe you were in school, maybe you were with your folks at home. What did you want (besides that cool new video game for the Playstation)? Were you working a crappy job to save money for a car? Were you freshly married, with no kids? Still in the Honeymoon phase?

2001 was 5 years ago, folks. Y2K was debunked.
1996 was 10 years ago. Clinton was in power. The internet was fresh and booming.

2001, I was just finishing 3rd year university. I was happy I switched majors at this point, because I didn't know how hard 4th year was going to be. When people asked me what I was up to, I would gush about school and how everything was going well. I didn't think about being an officer. I wanted to trade stocks, or be an analyst for a big company. Economics consumed me, and I looked at every decision as a payoff matrix or a sum of utilities. It was incredible.

I had very little money, since it all went to books and tuition, but I still managed to get by. I ate healthy, and my circle of friends was small and tight.

10 years ago, I was stationed in British Columbia, and spent hard time in the Army. I was in excellent shape, but I was getting tired of the bullshit. People were telling me what to do because that is what they were told to do. It was like absolutely no thought went into planning anything. Everything had settled into a boring (and tough) routine. Why should I listen to people who are not as bright as I am? What was keeping me back? I saw that most of my high-school friends were almost done University, and their futures looked brighter than mine. I should look at going to school. I like computers. I would probably go for Computer Science.

5 years from now: Shit. I used to have a plan. Be where my boss is, be happy. Starting a family. Paying off student loans, but with enough money to be comfortable and happy.

Today, I look at that and question the fundamental principle. What the fuck do I want to do my boss' job for? How can I start a family when my marriage has fallen apart? What does money matter for?

10 years from now: I will be fourty-fucking-years old. The big 4-oh. I should be set, with revenues > expenses; I should be setting a nest egg for my children's education (paying for it myself sucked. I want better for my kids) and for retirement. I should have a couple of toys (boat, ski-doo, collection of pretentious single-malt scotch and a humidor of Cuban cigars) and the like. I want to fall asleep with the most perfect woman in the world. She should think I am perfect. I want to be in shape, not let myself go the path of the pudgy middle aged guy. I want to learn blacksmithing and the Bagpipes. I want to have travelled. Many places. I want my house full of things bought in far away lands, and everything has a story that takes me an hour to tell. I want a group of friends who are genuine, and share similar interests.

Well. hmmmm. That was off the top of my head. Does it make sense? I guess so. A little weird, but not bad. I guess if I found myself in that position, would I still want more or would I think that I won the Life Lottery?

10 years ago, I just wanted to work with my brain, instead of my back. I wanted enough money in the bank to pay the bills and have beer in the fridge. I got that. I guess Kaisen, the Japanese word for 'Continuous Improvement' is applicable here.

At least I have a goal. At least I can ask myself "Does this fit?" when a major life decision comes up. I have allowed myself to make these goals flexible. It is not necessary to write these down on a stone tablet. Things change, and one needs flexibility, or else break.

What is your 5 year plan? 10 year? Do you look back fondly at the progress you have made in the last 5 years? 10? Are you happy?

I am. Even though I am sad today, I am happy about my past, and my future.

04-19-2006, 01:34 PM	#1 (permalink)
BigBen Comedian Location: Use the search button	5 and 10 years : Ago and From Now Journal Entry, now as a Thread: Mods, please move if necessary, delete if a duplicate; Well, I thought I would talk about one of the main philosophies that I adhere to: A Harvard study asked newly-minted graduates what their plans were for 5 and 10 years. Of the respondents, graduates who had a 5 and 10 year plan were (insert number I forgot here) more successful than those who didn't. That struck home with me. I realized that having a long-term goal was not only something to work towards, but achievable if you set out and actually model your current decision making with that in mind! Now, when I ask people younger than me "Where do you want to be in 5 years? 10 years?" I get a wave of blank looks. Are we failing our generation? When did we start to allow people to float along through life? Ask a teenager what they want, and you parents will know what I am talking about. I want to challenge others to give a little reflection here. What do you want to happen in 5 years? Putting this into perspective, look back at 5 years ago; did you think you would be where you are? What were you doing? Who were you spending time with? Now go back another 5. What were you doing 10 years ago? Well, since this is the TFP, you were at least 8 years old. Maybe you were in school, maybe you were with your folks at home. What did you want (besides that cool new video game for the Playstation)? Were you working a crappy job to save money for a car? Were you freshly married, with no kids? Still in the Honeymoon phase? 2001 was 5 years ago, folks. Y2K was debunked. 1996 was 10 years ago. Clinton was in power. The internet was fresh and booming. 2001, I was just finishing 3rd year university. I was happy I switched majors at this point, because I didn't know how hard 4th year was going to be. When people asked me what I was up to, I would gush about school and how everything was going well. I didn't think about being an officer. I wanted to trade stocks, or be an analyst for a big company. Economics consumed me, and I looked at every decision as a payoff matrix or a sum of utilities. It was incredible. I had very little money, since it all went to books and tuition, but I still managed to get by. I ate healthy, and my circle of friends was small and tight. 10 years ago, I was stationed in British Columbia, and spent hard time in the Army. I was in excellent shape, but I was getting tired of the bullshit. People were telling me what to do because that is what they were told to do. It was like absolutely no thought went into planning anything. Everything had settled into a boring (and tough) routine. Why should I listen to people who are not as bright as I am? What was keeping me back? I saw that most of my high-school friends were almost done University, and their futures looked brighter than mine. I should look at going to school. I like computers. I would probably go for Computer Science. 5 years from now: Shit. I used to have a plan. Be where my boss is, be happy. Starting a family. Paying off student loans, but with enough money to be comfortable and happy. Today, I look at that and question the fundamental principle. What the fuck do I want to do my boss' job for? How can I start a family when my marriage has fallen apart? What does money matter for? 10 years from now: I will be fourty-fucking-years old. The big 4-oh. I should be set, with revenues > expenses; I should be setting a nest egg for my children's education (paying for it myself sucked. I want better for my kids) and for retirement. I should have a couple of toys (boat, ski-doo, collection of pretentious single-malt scotch and a humidor of Cuban cigars) and the like. I want to fall asleep with the most perfect woman in the world. She should think I am perfect. I want to be in shape, not let myself go the path of the pudgy middle aged guy. I want to learn blacksmithing and the Bagpipes. I want to have travelled. Many places. I want my house full of things bought in far away lands, and everything has a story that takes me an hour to tell. I want a group of friends who are genuine, and share similar interests. Well. hmmmm. That was off the top of my head. Does it make sense? I guess so. A little weird, but not bad. I guess if I found myself in that position, would I still want more or would I think that I won the Life Lottery? 10 years ago, I just wanted to work with my brain, instead of my back. I wanted enough money in the bank to pay the bills and have beer in the fridge. I got that. I guess Kaisen, the Japanese word for 'Continuous Improvement' is applicable here. At least I have a goal. At least I can ask myself "Does this fit?" when a major life decision comes up. I have allowed myself to make these goals flexible. It is not necessary to write these down on a stone tablet. Things change, and one needs flexibility, or else break. What is your 5 year plan? 10 year? Do you look back fondly at the progress you have made in the last 5 years? 10? Are you happy? I am. Even though I am sad today, I am happy about my past, and my future. __________________ 3.141592654 Hey, if you are impressed with my memorizing pi to 10 digits, you should see the size of my penis.