Do we ever stop asking ourselves this question? Since I was child I can remember that I always wanted to be a soldier, just like my dad and for the past decade I was. Now, as I prepare for the next part of my journey without the uniform I feel the since of freedom, but also the weight of failure and wasting time…
I began writing this article at the start of last week but paused to focus on enrolling in college, but I continued mentally writing about what I wanted the message to convey. The week was filled with veteran affairs appointments, medical appointments, new student orientation, and ensuring I have all my applications for funding and class schedules ready for next week as I start my college career. It has been extremely busy to say the least.
Amidst all this, I found myself repeatedly asking myself, “What do I want to be when I grow up?” As a millennial on the cusp of turning 30, it was an humbling experience to be surrounded by young faces of students embarking on the same journey. We all shared a common goal: to better ourselves through education and answer the eternal question, “What do we want to be when we grow up?”
Before new student orientation, I grappled with doubts about wasting time, choosing the wrong course, fitting in, and whether I should wait until next semester when the timing was better.
During my time in military recruiting, I frequently asked applicants, “What do you want to do in the Army?” I’ve enlisted individuals as young as 17 and my oldest enlistment was at 37 years old. I worked with a diverse group of wealthy, middle class, poor, homeless, young, old, athletes, intellectuals, citizens, and immigrants, you name it. They all began their journey with me, sitting across from me as I posed the same question
A significant obstacle that deterred most from joining was simply time. Too long of time commitment, no time to study, no time to get in shape, time away from family, time to pursue personal goals, and the fear of wasting time. Ironically, I found myself sitting in the same chair across from my desk where many of my previous applicants had sat.
Throughout my career, I’ve had the privilege of assisting countless individuals in making significant life decisions, whether it was for them to join the military or not. The underlying argument remained consistent: there’s never an ideal time to take action. There will always be an event you can’t miss, friends and family you can’t leave, not in shape enough, but it comes down to the fear of failure and time. It’s a natural thing we try and avoid, but there is no success without failure. I’ve let a multitude of opportunities pass me by cause of this fear.
One thing I firmly believe is true: tomorrow’s time is not guaranteed, and I don’t know if I’ll ever stop asking, “What do I want to be when I grow up?”
In conclusion, there will never be a perfect time for action because there will always be an excuse to justify inaction. I can vividly recall numerous instances where I procrastinated enrolling in college. It’s a simple yet significant action—submitting an application and following through—yet I allowed excuses to prevent me from taking that step.
So, what do I want to be when I grow up? I aspire to be a person who uses their time effectively to take action.
