⏳ Erebus Growing | 0054 - Stop thinking small

Welcome to Erebus Growing, a weekly email where I share little snippets of life to help you change and grow into your highest life.

I have three interviews lined up in the next two weeks which is a huge jump from where things were at just a week ago!

I’m excited about all of them for different reasons. Some are in a better place in terms of weather, others in terms of finances, and still others are giving me opportunities in things that I have done only very briefly before.

Each of them would be a huge change from my current life and I’m excited about the possibilities.

Beyond that, I’m patiently packing up my apartment and working on winding things down.

One of my biggest commitments in life has been to leave each thing I encounter better than when I found it.

It’s important to me that I genuinely help to improve and raise the world around me.

👨🏻‍💻 Meditation

It’s been over seven years since I’ve interviewed for a new 9-5 position.

I know, from having served on multiple search committees, that there is one question that will come up at some point in some form or fashion.

“Where do you see yourself in five years?”

Or ten years—the other timeframe typically provided.

And for me, the answer is: “I don’t know.”

But, if you’ve been a part of any interview, you know in your head that’s not the answer they’re typically looking for.

They want some variation of: “Working here and going deeper in my practice” or something similar.

The reality is, that’s not me anymore.

That’s not my understanding of life, nor do I want it to be.

— ⏳ —

Yesterday, while at the part-time, I talked with a co-worker for a good forty minutes (if not longer) and he shared his entire work-life with me.

Just a small sampling of what he’s been in his work-life:

• A licensed electrician

• A law enforcement officer

• An investigator specialised in domestic violence

• A consultant for engineering firms

• and an associate in multiple departments at a home improvement store

I also recall him mentioning a couple more positions that I just can’t remember right now.

And his children are no less impressive. A daughter who is an internationally published nursing professor at a prestigious university in the states. A son who is a law enforcement officer in a major metropolitan area. And another daughter who is an accomplished artist and museum curator.

What strikes me, though, is that neither he nor his children appeared, based on what he shared, to know where they were going to be in the end.

That’s my own assessment, but it lines up with how I am coming to feel right now.

— ⏳ —

Life is just too unpredictable to confidently answer a question about “Where do you see yourself in five years?”

If I knew where I was going to be in five years, I would be thinking too small.

I would be limiting myself based on what I know and who I am now.

After all, the entire world crawled to a stop almost four years ago with the emergence of COVID-19. (Yes, it’s been almost four years since the first major states of emergency were issued across the world.)

Four years ago.

But it feels like yesterday.

So, how can I realistically say where I see myself in five years?

What I can do, however, is trust in the universe.

I can trust that I show up every day, do the work, and the universe will rise to meet me.

As Jay Yang shared in his email from this morning, instead of worrying about where I’ll be, I need to focus on taking the steps every day in the direction I want to go.

📚 Inspiration and Resources
Every week we all consume content and I share my favorites here.

Learn.
One of the coolest videos I’ve come across in recent weeks I found this past week. It’s from Rajiv Surendra and talks about handwriting and calligraphy. To me, there’s always something about learning the intricacies of simple things (admittedly, this isn’t simple, but the point rests). Give it a watch here.

📓 Journaling Prompt
Journaling is one of the most important things to do when exploring our own lives. A new prompt for you to use this week is below.

Do you know where you’re going to be in five years? Are you thinking too small?

Until next time, I wish you enough and send you off with love and a sense of urgency in your life.