As children, we’re often asked, “What will you be when you grow up?” The question sparks our imagination and encourages us to dream big. Doctor, artist, firefighter, astronaut—the possibilities seem endless.
But then, at some point, the question stops. We reach adulthood, and suddenly, the expectation is that we’ve “arrived.” We’ve either become what we set out to be, or we haven’t. It feels like a binary outcome: success or failure. Dream achieved or dream missed. And if we didn’t land where we thought we would, it can leave us feeling like time’s up, game over.
But what if that isn’t the end of the story?
Kim Thomas, host of the Creative Thinking podcast, offers a refreshing twist on this question: “What will you be when you grow up, more?”
This subtle change shifts the question from something finite to something infinite. Instead of feeling like our path is fixed, it invites us to see growth, exploration, and reinvention as ongoing. There’s always a chance to expand who we are and what we do.
Life is rarely a straight path. It’s full of twists, turns, and disruptions—those unexpected moments that shake up our plans. At first, disruptions can feel like setbacks, but what if they’re actually opportunities in disguise? What if they’re the perfect chance to ask ourselves, “What will I be when I grow up, more?”
– A health challenge might force you to slow down and ask: How can I care for myself better? What new priorities can I embrace?
– A job loss could be the push you need to pursue a new career path, start your own business, or learn a new skill.
– Changing customer demands could open the door to that innovative idea you’ve been toying with but never acted on.
Disruption doesn’t have to mean the end of the road. It can be the nudge you need to step onto a new path.
The question “What will you be when you grow up?” suggests there’s a single, fixed destination. It’s easy to get frustrated or anxious if you feel like you missed your shot. But “What will you be when you grow up, more?” is a reminder that growth doesn’t stop. It frames the future as an open canvas, ready to be explored and created.
This mindset invites us to:
– Reinvent ourselves professionally or personally.
– Reinvest in relationships that matter.
– Rediscover passions or hobbies we’ve set aside.
– Reimagine what success looks like.
Life is full of opportunities to expand, stretch, and evolve. Disruptions that seem like obstacles may actually be openings if we have the courage to ask the right questions.
So, the next time life throws you a curveball, don’t ask, “Why did this happen?” Ask yourself: “What will I be when I grow up, more?”
The answer might lead you to places you never imagined.
Make it a great day!
Patrick
P.S. Know someone who could benefit from this message? Share the article and invite them to sign up for my Disrupt Everything newsletter. Each week I will share ideas to help you chart your own disruptive path.
#disruption #success #innovation
