Steve Jobs once said, “… you can't connect the dots looking forward; you can only connect them looking backward. So you have to trust that the dots will somehow connect in your future.” It’s true — we often find opportunities, once-in-a-lifetime chances, and obstacles along our path that we never could’ve predicted. It’s only in hindsight that we appreciate how we’ve managed to adapt to these unexpected situations, and how we’re all the better for it.
Looking backward, what were those unplanned and unexpected dots that led you to where you are now?
Let's connect the dots …
Think back to how much you’ve changed in the past 5 or 10 years. Draw a circle and split it in half with a line in the middle. On the left side, write down significant milestones and life lessons that you’ve planned for — maybe it’s finishing your degree, getting a job at a company you’ve always wanted to work at, moving to a big city. On the right side, write down significant milestones and life lessons that took you by surprise. These are the ones you never would’ve guessed would ever happen to you — maybe it’s not finishing your degree, getting a job in a completely different industry, or staying in your hometown. When you’re done, take a step back and look at how each point makes up your entire self: the unique combination of rich life experiences (planned and unplanned!) that make you, you. Which side has more points? How can you make space for more surprises in your journey?