When We Know Who We Are

I stood in line at Target holding a blue poster board. I couldn’t help but wonder what would fill the blank spaces.

My son, Jack, texted earlier that day asking me to grab a few supplies for his Ten Year Plan- a project for eighth graders to start thinking about life as they prep for high school.

Eek.

I couldn’t quite grasp how we got here. But I was particularly curious about his discoveries while creating this plan. My mind flashed to my sweet little curly-haired preschooler—building elaborate block structures and calling out the answers from the other room as I quizzed his older sister on her math facts.

Engineering for sure, I thought. I figured he would say he wants to be an engineer. Or maybe something in business. Or a profession that involves the sports he loves.

Of course this was just some preliminary planning at the ripe age of fourteen, but I was eager to check out his finished product.

I scanned the board, organized with bullet-points for each year until 2028! It took him through high school, college, and a couple years out in the real world.

And within the sea of typed words about his future, there was not one mention of a career path. Nothin. Zero.

I was surprised and I asked him why he left that part out.

“Because I don’t know yet.” He responded confidently.

As I looked more closely at what he had created, I started to feel a bit weepy. And proud.

He talked about things like hard work and effort. Commitment. Being a dedicated student and athlete. Having friends who build him up. Staying focused. Making good choices even if people around him choose not to. Steering clear of trouble. Keeping the trust and respect of his parents (a personal fave:)

This was so much better than “I want to be an engineer.” He created a plan for success in any circumstance.

He may not know what he wants to be, but he knows who he wants to be.

Life is filled with surprises. For better or worse. Things change. We change. Plans change. Even as adults we can wrestle with what to be when we grow up! But if we focus on our values, we will shine.

This week, let’s take a few minutes to create a future plan for ourselves. Our very own list of life goals—goals that keep our feet planted in who we are, so we will thrive wherever we are. (Blue poster board optional!)

Happy Wednesday and Happy Halloween!

“I know who I am, and who I may be, if I choose.” Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra