Who do you want to be in 10 years and what can you start doing today to become that person?

This is the question that I have been set to reflect and act on today in a 30-day coaching program I am part of with Brian Dixon. We are going through his new book Start With Your People. There have been some stretching challenges set but I felt almost a sense of rebellion about this one. In an effort to take my own advice and get curious, I am processing why here with you. I’m guessing that someone else out there is just as challenged by this as I am.

The idea of taking small steps today and forming habits to become the person you want to be isn’t an issue for me, provided the person you are aiming to be is more fully yourself and not someone else completely. This is, at its core, self-leadership. This is what drives eating healthier, exercising, creating time in my schedule for what is important and so much else. That part of the challenge spurs me on and helped me to hit reset after being in bed sick for the past few days and letting myself check out of life a bit.

Digging into my reaction, I have realised that it is the “ten years” part that stirs up the emotion and rebellion in me. I don’t think I would feel the same way for five years. Maybe I would. I have a chapter in my book called “Giving up on long-term planning” after all. I still stand behind the reasons why I give in the book. I need to be able to let go of control and not using planning as an ineffective strategy for anxiety. Have I given up on truly dreaming in the process?

My life looks completely different now than I had thought it would ten years ago. I’m simply open to what God has planned for me next. I want to focus on the present. I can’t possibly know where I will be ten years from now. As I dig through the excuses and reasons, I see the truth hiding beneath. I’m scared.

I’m scared to allow myself to dream about who I will be in ten years. I’m scared of sounding arrogant or unrealistic. I’m scared of writing it down or verbalising it and “failing” to achieve those dreams. I’m scared to do the hard work it will really take in the present to become that person who emerges when I let myself look forward that far.

So here is my step of courage today. I am going first so that you can have the courage to do this too- in a journal, with a friend or even in the comments. Some of these are big picture reminders of what is important. Some are more specific and feel out of reach.

• I want to be a deeply connected and supportive wife to my husband.
• I want to be a present and active part of my daughter’s life while releasing her to be fully who she is (she will be 18 by then!)
• I want to be physically healthy and strong with regular exercise and healthy eating habits.
• I want to have published at least one more book.
• I want to be an international speaker and coach who is a catalyst for women stepping up in leadership and becoming fully who they were created to be.
• I want to be in a financial position to bring my family on those travels while giving generously to causes making a real difference in this world.

All of these parts of who I want to be in ten years start in the here and now. Today I can make the choice to really listen to my husband, to engage with my daughter, to eat well and move. Today I choose to write. Today I can choose to work on a talk I have coming up to keep practising the craft of speaking. Today I can make better financial decisions and give regardless of the amount.

What about you? Take some time to think about who you want to be in ten years and decide on an action you can take today to step towards making that a reality.

Jo Koepke is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com.au