Five years from now you will be pretty much the same as you are today except for two things: the books you read and the people you get close to.
CHARLES JONES.
One of the most often asked questions at interviews is about a candidate’s goal for the next five years. The effective mastery of this all important question may determine who gets employed. Do you have a vision of where you would like to be in the next five years? Have you written it down? Are you committed to its actualization? A serious minded person should be able to envision where he or she intends to be in the next five years.
Influence is the effect that somebody or something has on the way a person thinks or behaves or on the way that something works or develops. This shows that influence is powerful and is capable of making or marring a person’s future. Who and what influence the way we reason, behave, talk and response to issues go along way to determine our failure or success in life. What’s your source of influence?
Aside God, the other two things that will determine where we’ll be in the next five years are the books we read and the people we get close to. The books we read can derail us from achieving our full potentials. What do you read? Some read books, magazines, articles, and newsletters that fan their ember of lust and therefore crash their marriage. Some read books that empowered them with strategies for perfecting frauds and they end up in jail. Today several millions of people all over the world are in jail, wrong marriages, wrong professions, wrong businesses, wrong places of worship, and wrong clubs or associations as a result of the people they get close to. Look before you leap. Be wary of that person trying to get close to you at all costs. The union could mar your future and reputation. Watch it!
How do we know what to read? Books that relate to our profession or field are not harmful; they are written to enrich and empower us to deliver superior performance on the job. Books to be avoided are books that encourage lust, anger, bitterness, immorality, revenge, obsession and crime. Books and materials that promote principles that negate the scripture or teach heresy should also be avoided at all costs. Always go for books and materials that promote love, peace, service, truth, godliness, moderation, fear of God, and integrity.
Who should we get close to? We must have fantastic relationship with people around us. Those we should have fantastic relationship with include our customers, clients, co-workers, church members, and neighbors. To have fantastic relationship with people is to value and acknowledge them for who they are. This is different from having a close relationship with them. The person with whom you have a close relationship with is that person that you can confide in and even stand surety for. Make sure you know a person more intimately before you develop a close intimacy with him or her. Take your time to know people before having a close relationship with them. Know what they believe, value, hate, love, do, and read. Get to know the kind of company they keep as well.
To be where God wants you to be in five years time and for the rest of your life; read the right books and keep the right company.
About the writer
Ajiboro Ayodeji is a Chartered HR Practitioner based in Lagos, Nigeria. Tel: 2348027807452. Email: hutrenconsulting@gmail.com.
©Hutren Consulting 2011
