What Were You Born To Do?

A fireman, an astronaut, a scarecrow. Kids have some strange answers when asked what they intend to do once grown. But then we're not usually expecting a detailed, thoughtful answer from a 6-year-old. But what about a 20-year-old college student? Wouldn't you expect them to have some idea of what they intend to do once graduated?

I asked a friend recently about his plans and was surprised by the answer. I won't give his answer—he reads this blog—but here's the same advice that I gave him.

The $100 Million Question

Many college students have a hard time deciding about jobs, so start with this: you've been given $100 million USD but then you're told you've got five years to live. You don't have an inexhaustible amount of money but it should cover anything you want to do. But you've got to get moving, you've only got five years.

Don't be vague. Don't say something like "I'd start a business." You've got $100,000,000 ... You don't need money so what will the business do—what will it accomplish?

Most people say they'd travel—again, too vague. You can see every continent and most countries in one year. Now you've got four years left... You'll get very bored, very quick sipping Mai Tai's on the beach all day.

What'll be your legacy? You're on your death bed and someone asks what you did—how do you want to be remembered? You've got $100,000,000 to make it happen.

Three Circles

Tom Kelley has a great presentation on the three circles theory, so I'll let him explain.



This is only part one—the idea phase. Think about the $100 million question and the ideas in Kelly's presentation. What were you born to do?