You’ve probably heard the claim: only 3% of people plan their future, and they’re the ones who go on to achieve success. Investigations, however, have failed to verify the existence of this so-called research. It’s likely an urban legend.
Thank goodness for that! If it were true, the rest of us—the 97%—would be doomed to failure.
But don’t dismiss the sentiment entirely. Benjamin Franklin is credited with saying, “If you fail to plan, you are planning to fail.” There’s undeniable wisdom in that.
The Trap of Professional Education
You may have spent five or more years in professional education, laser-focused on earning a degree that lets you step into your chosen career. You graduated with heaps of information but little real-world experience. And then what?
You likely dove straight into your career, following the flow laid out for you—doing what professionals in your field do, buying what they buy, and living how they live.
For many, this works…until it doesn’t.
As time passes, the pressure can mount. The demands of your profession, combined with debt, expectations, and a lifestyle dictated by your career, can lead to stress and burnout. If you’ve ever felt like the walls are closing in, you’re not alone.
And if your job is no longer working for you—whether because of stress, burnout, or physical or mental health—it’s okay to step away. There’s no shame in realising that the career you worked so hard for isn’t the right fit. That’s not something you could have known at the start—it takes real-life experience to figure it out.
But stepping away doesn’t mean failure. It means you’ve learned something invaluable about yourself. A degree doesn’t lock you into a single path. While it may be specific, it also represents your ability to learn, your academic prowess, and your discipline to complete challenging tasks. Those skills translate far beyond the narrow confines of your profession.
You have options. It’s never too late to pivot, redefine success, and create a life and career that align with your needs and values.
Reverse Engineering Your Life
Instead of making your career the focus of your plans, make your life the focus.
Ask yourself:
- What kind of life do I want to lead?
- How do I want it to look 10, 20, or 30 years from now?
- What do I want to look back on and be proud of?
- How does my work fit into that life—not the other way around?
This is the essence of reverse engineering your life. Start with the ideal outcome—the life you truly want—and work backward to design the steps that will get you there.
When life is at the centre of your plans, everything aligns. Your career becomes a means, not an end.
The Conundrum and the Answer
If you’re struggling, you’re not alone. You don’t have to suffer in silence—it’s not worth it. And if your current situation doesn’t work? You can find something different.
I know it’s easier said than done. What else offers the position, prestige, purpose, income, and pride of your current role? But here’s the truth: only you can define your status. Only you can decide what success looks like. And only you can live up to it.
You can find status in any role if you approach it as a profession rather than just a job. Design your life first, and choose the vehicle that will fund that life intentionally.
Make it a career. Make it stand out. Make it the 3%. Make it the 1%. Make it elite, desirable, and respected.
When Success, Significance, and Purpose align, your life transforms into something truly remarkable. It’s no longer dictated by your career but intentionally created by you.
Let’s Work Together
If this resonates with you and you’re ready to design your life rather than letting it be dictated by your career, I can help. Together, we can create a plan that aligns you with your true purpose and builds a life of success, significance, and legacy. Let’s start designing the life you deserve today.
contact: docbillread@gmail.com
