What do you want to be when you grow up?

It's probably one of the most common questions little kids get asked. At face value, it's a pretty harmless question, and because kids have amazing imaginations and no concept of fears or limits, the answers are typically very exciting - Fireman, astronaut, ballerina, doctor, professional baseball player, unicorn. Yes, unicorn.

But here's my problem with this question - it socializes us from a very young age to focus on the job we want to have when we grow up and not the type of life we want to live or why we even want that job to begin with!

I'd like to pose a different question - what if we started to ask kids "What do you want to DO when you grow up?" It might not seem like much, but this one small change in wording could make all the difference in changing mindsets from one of jobs or careers, to one of purpose.

I want to save lives.

I want to travel.

I want to make people laugh.

I want to fly.

Think of the power this can have. "What do you want to be when you grow up?" gives you an answer that is a noun (doctor, astronaut, unicorn) and a noun is a thing. It is what it is. Discussion closed. It's also focused on a specific job title, not a larger purpose or why.

But "What do you want to DO when you grow up?" gives you an answer that is a verb (save lives, travel, fly). There's movement. It's open-ended and it's not focused solely on a job. You can fulfill this desire through a career, hobby, or lifestyle choice. There's a stronger connection to what gives us purpose or fulfillment.

So, here's my challenge. You may not be a little kid anymore, but I want you to ask yourself this question. "What do you want to do when you grow up?" (You're still growing, so it works. Even if you're 85, you're still growing!)

Look at your answers. Are you living the life that will help you fulfill those desires? Yes? Great! Be proud that you are creating a life for yourself based on fulfillment. No? It's not too late! Let's talk and make those dreams come true. Your 5-year old self will thank you.