Most people are just plowing along…

You got to love those good old interview questions.

Last week I had a conversation about interview questions. The person I talked to shared her annoyance with questions like, “where do you want to be in five years from now.”

She shared with me that she didn’t see how that was relevant to someone landing a job right now.

“Look at how the world has changed over the past five years. How can anyone predict where one will be five years from now?”

It’s a fair point, but I still disagree with the statement that those questions are worthless. Here’s why.

Most people are just plowing along.

Erikjan Lantink

They are doing their job, paying the bills, lucky if their employer is willing to put money into their development, looking forward to Friday, and dreading Monday.

There’s a reason why most people like to work from home on Friday and Monday. 

It extends the weekend. Traffic can be avoided, and the mood is simply different. 

I’m not saying those people are not productive, don’t get me wrong. I’m a firm believer that people can be more productive at home. I know, I am.

It changes the rhythm enough to make you enjoy your work week a little more. I believe that’s how most people feel.

But I also believe that if people had a clear perspective on their future, knowing what path they were on to grow themselves living a fulfilled work life, things would be different.

That’s why the question of where you want to be in x years matters.

I rather have somebody work for me who knows where they want to be in five years from now than someone who has no clue.

You own your career; your employer can help but is not the one who owns it for you.

You should ask yourself regularly whether your job is still fulfilling, helping you grow, and supporting some of your other goals in life.

You work to live. 

You don’t live to work. At least, that’s what I believe.

So if you’re not doing your job at the moment with a clear purpose, it’s time to make a move.

That reminds me of a quote question I received last week from Simon Sinek:

“If you say your job is something you “don’t plan on doing forever,” then why are you doing it now?”

Simon Sinek

If you already know how you’ll make a career change at some point, why not do it now? What are the reasons you’re staying in your job now?

You may have excellent reasons for postponing your dreams, but they have to be good reasons. 

Only you can decide why you’re staying somewhere; you know you don’t want to be long-term. 

One reason could be that you’re in your comfort zone and, deep down inside, afraid of making the change.

If that’s the case, you’re just plowing along.

Your turn: If you say your job is something you “don’t plan on doing forever,” why are you doing it now?

Do more of what makes you happy!

Erikjan