Designing the Future You

“The best way to predict the future is to create it.” — Peter Drucker

Here’s a classic interview question that most of us haven’t thought about in a while: Where do you see yourself five years from now? At one point, you started on the path that got you here, wherever here is right now. My invitation to you is to take some time to reflect on where your current path is taking you and whether it’s the right one.

Ten years feels like a long way off, and it is. But broadly, the decade you’ll be in determines what your priorities will be. If you’re in your 40s now, you’ll still be working toward your career goals when you hit your 50s. You’ll still have a lot of gas in the tank and drive to achieve your goals. You may be planning to pay for college or weddings, or starting to pay down debt.

If you’ll be in your 60s a decade from now, you’ll be more focused on retirement. You might be planning to travel, explore your interests, or simply have more time to spend with family. What does that look like for you? Is your financial plan on track?

If the answer is anything like “I’m not sure,” you might want to take a more proactive approach to designing the Future You. The average employment tenure for U.S. workers is around 3.9 years, based on 2024 data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Workers aged 55 and older average closer to ten years on the job, but that was before AI threatened to disrupt almost every industry. Chances are, your job will either change significantly or be replaced by new technology within 10 years.

How do you eliminate the risk and uncertainty? The answer is, you don’t. But you can choose to bet on yourself rather than leaving it all to external forces. Here are some steps to consider.

Within two years: become a business owner. You may be thinking that it’s crazy to start a business while you’re still employed. Actually, that’s the very best time to become an entrepreneur, because you still have income, and lenders are more willing to finance deals. One of the reasons I choose to connect people with franchise opportunities is that they provide a blueprint for owners and support from a large corporation. Franchisees come from very diverse backgrounds, including business, government, and the military. In fact, people who have worked in highly-structured environments do well as part of a franchise. They appreciate having a proven model for financial success limited only by their own effort.

Within five years: build a business that supports your financial and personal goals. Another advantage of the franchise model is that it fits any kind of business owner you want to be. You can be involved in the business, employ family members, or be as hands-off as you’d like. Franchises offer many more options than the retailers you see and patronize. National franchisors operate food and beverage, fitness, health and wellness, home repair and service, education, child or senior services, hospitality, and even business-to-business services. You should certainly be able to find a model that works for you.

Within 10 years, decide to expand or prepare to sell. Whether you leave your corporate job or keep your franchise as a side business, you’ll be in control. If you have a business of your own, you always have a way to earn income. You will decide when and how to exit your corporate career. You’re in charge of your own strategy and timing. Over time, you may be able to achieve all your lifestyle goals, whether it’s extended travel and other time spent doing the things you love, with a predictable and steady income stream to support them. When you’re ready to retire, there will be a long line of motivated, viable buyers eager to make an offer on your company.

If nothing changes, nothing will change. But if you’re ready to take charge of your future this year, start by taking the franchise assessment. There’s no obligation to go any further, but you’ll be able to consider options for becoming financially independent and having a fulfilling life as a business owner.