What’s your plan to become what you want to be when you grow up?
What happens if you realize your not doing what you dreamed of doing after high school and changed your major 3, or more, times in college?
How do you feel about your past Dreams and plans when you look back the past 5 years?
I’m going to share a little bit over the past 6 years how my “plans” have changed a decent amount.
Going into college I had the Best Plan Ever. I wanted to be an Air Force pilot flying cargo planes, preferably a C-17 or KC-135. After a while, then I would work for a private company or airlines company. I was Set For Life. This Was IT! I tried out with the AFROTC Det. 172 at Valdosta State (South GA), and it was a great experience. However, it never clicked within me, and decided to not continue after 3 semesters. It wasn’t the program or people, and I still have mad respect for all my buddies who are now 2nd LT’s or higher in the AF.
I got that “Bright” idea of wanting to maybe become a coach of Something, preferably football. Of course, I’ve never played my entire life within a Team…because I was 5’8″ and 135 lbs. So, I switched my major to P.E., and no more dream of a job studying the Earth for some major mining corporation.
After a while, being in that role was not very “fun” and my grades were not doing so well. I decided to not have that position anymore to have more time and attention to my major. Later that season, the football team went on to win the 2007 DII National Championship…and I didn’t get a ring. However, I was still in the stands yelling for my team.
Idea of being a pilot…gone, but not forgotten. Idea of studying the Earth as a job…gone, but still personally study geography. Thoughts of being some kind of a coach…still there. Wanting to get out and Do Something…Always there. What am I going to do with my life? Good question.
I went on the World Race instead of getting a PE job or taking Masters classes (like everybody else it seems like). I had to get out and experience life. Normal life is boring to me. I needed adventure, and tired of the false sense of “accomplishment” from video games. There are some of you folks out there who went to school, got a degree, and then immediately are doing what you set your mind to when you were like 18 or something. You are what I call crazy (in a good way). Awesome job! Hope you’re doing great, and Keep up the work! It’s impressive!
13 countries and 3 years later I am thankful for not getting a full-time job yet (I do want to get a legitimate job one day). I’ve gotten to experience the world, cultures, places I’ve only Dreamed of going plus more, and an even greater desire to work with kids/youth, especially the under-privileged ones, in sport settings. Of course, by being blessed through truly generous supporters.
With the personal growth I’ve experienced, I’m confident that when I have my own P.E. classes I’ll be 10X more effective than when I graduated college. Whenever one thinks back to where they were 5-10 years ago, God surely does work in crazy ways. I have an idea where I want to go and what I want to do using the skills I’m blessed with. God has everything under His control, but I’m the one putting my foot forward and “sticking my neck out”. The ability to Choose is simply mind-blowing, but also a part where people freeze up and live a life they don’t want any part of. I’ve experienced this 1st hand.
To those still pursuing dreams, which is everyone really. Keep it up. The middle of the “walk” is always the toughest, because one can lose focus and direction. Choose something and Go for it. Sitting around doesn’t get anybody anywhere…Duh.
Ex-coach Tony Dungy has his own share of plans not “going according to his way”. Enjoy.
