Who Will You Be In 2016?

“Five years from now you will be the same person that you are today except for the places you go, the people you meet, and the books that you read.”  I first heard this quote from Dr. Jay Strack at a leadership event.  Some attribute the original quote to the legendary Coach John Wooden, however Dr. Strack added the phrase “the places you go”.  When you stop to think about the person that you have become you realize the truth in those words. 

Places – The places that we go impact us more than we can fathom.  Memories are forged.  Cultures are absorbed.  Perspectives are changed as we see it first hand.  Staying in the same pathways of life creates a narrow view of the world around us.  Getting out of those pathways literally expands our horizons.  Where will you go in the next 5 years that will shape you?  On a mission trip? To a new culture? The world has never been more accessible.

People – Each of us has people who have changed the way we thought, lived, and dreamed.  People we interact with influence us.  A mentor, a friendship, or even casual acquaintance can make a real difference.  This can be a positive OR negative thing.  The key to being sure it is a positive influence is to be intentional in your relationships. Make sure you form at least a couple of relationships that add value to your life in addition to all the other relationships life throws at you.  Who are the people you will take with you over the next 5 years?  They may be the catalyst to creating change in your life.

Books – Whether you are an avid, recreational, or occasional reader, books have a way of getting inside of us.  You probably still remember some of your childhood favorites.  It has become a part of your story over the years.  The same is true for any book you pick up and push through today.  Books have the power to strengthen your resolve on an issue or challenge your thinking.  People of incredible personal depth are most often readers.  What will you read in the coming days that will lead your thinking over the next 5 years?  Pick up a good book and start reading.

All of us will change and grow into a slightly different version of ourselves in the next 5 years.  Choosing wisely in the above categories will ensure that the future version of you is a better one.