Where will you be five years from today?
My "Act 2" -- a whole new chapter of my career doing exactly what I'm doing now, including writing my first-ever blog post -- all began with that simple question from a simple book with the same title. It caught my eye when I first spotted it at a kiosk at Disney World several years ago. It was around my 50th birthday.
I bought the book, read it on the plane home, and was instantly intrigued and inspired. Then I foolishly placed it on a shelf when I returned from vacation and resumed my regularly-scheduled life for the next five years or so.
Fast forward to the cold and bitter winter of January 2021 -- in the midst of the worst pandemic in a century. I was fighting both winter and COVID blues, working remotely and tirelessly, and turning 55. But for some reason, the book caught my eye again for the first time in five years. I picked it up, blew the dust off its cover, re-read the enlightening pages, and acknowledged that I really hadn't done much different in five years. In fact, how could five years have passed so quickly? The next five would be different, I told myself. Because this time, the book didn't just catch my eye; it captured my heart.
My wife still laughs whens she recalls me working feverishly at the computer those long winter nights creating what I called my "Thrive in Five" plan as the pandemic raged on. Inspired anew by the book and this time moved to action by its many insightful quotes, probing questions, and fascinating facts, I created what has now become my "blueprint" for dream-chasing and getting even more out of life than I already do. To live life, as the book says, on purpose. Or as I say, with greater purpose.
I loved defining my personal mission statement and writing down the values I hold most dear for the first time ever. I even drafted "rules to live by," 20 goals for the 2020s, and created other goals for how to enhance my already blessed life in many areas -- personal, professional, spiritual, physical, and more -- in ways I had then only spoken of or dreamed about. Near the top of my professional list was "embark on a meaningful Act 2" that "leveraged my experience and skills so I can work for myself someday."
That someday is here.
Two years and a few months later -- after tremendous thought, lots of prayers, considerable planning, six months of working with an exceptional professional coach, and remarkable support from my wife and son -- I am ecstatic and grateful to begin this exciting new chapter. I am so grateful for all the ones that came before and have made me who I am today. But saying "YES" to this chapter places me in the starring role of something I had until now only dreamed about: being an independent communications consultant and content writer, publishing his first blog post, and realizing that a little less can be a whole lot more. In taking this leap of faith, I chose change over comfort -- leaving a rewarding job in a great company after nearly 18 successful years to chase new dreams, embrace an empowering journey of transformation, and better align my work with my heart, mind, and spirit. Some people may call it crazy; I call it being alive to thrive. Because I learned a long time ago that we often regret more the things we DON'T do than the things we do.
Where will I be five years from today? I have no idea. I certainly pray that I'll continue to be happy, healthy, loved, and thriving professionally in a new way. I'll strive to be kind, compassionate, and caring -- because our world needs more of that, not less. I want to shine bright, laugh a lot, and help others as best as I can, while remaining open to new possibilities and grateful for each day. Finally, I hope to have the courage to keep learning, growing, and living life to the fullest.
I think the late-great Robin Williams may have it summed it up best in the powerful film Dead Poets Society -- one of my favorites: "Carpe diem! Seize the day, boys. Make your lives extraordinary."
To me, seizing the day and making life extraordinary are dreams well worth chasing -- and is what this writer's new chapter is all about.
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