As a freshman at Georgia Tech, I squirmed in my seat during Psych 101 as we talked about our future professional life. I had just gotten back from a free-spirited summer in LA, and here I was sitting in a classroom getting drilled on networking, career paths, and retirement plans. I remember one assignment where we had to come up with a five and a ten-year-plan. The professor said that we probably wouldn’t stick to every part of the plan, but it was important to at least have one.

In my rebellion, I sneered at the thought of mocking up a map for the next five and ten years of my life. How can you live when you are always looking down to make sure you are aligned with a plan you made as a freshman in college? I humored the professor and turned in the assignment.

By my sophomore year, I realized the importance in making a plan for my professional life. Just like a road trip, you have to have a good idea what you are going to do. Pulling out of the driveway with no destination seems like the first step in a journey filled with adventure, when in reality it is a road trip that’ll take a while to get exciting. Random excitement and adventure is an integral part of a well laid-out plan. Life is random like that.

So here I am entering the fourth year of my five-year plan. My half-decade got a severe spike when I stepped into the Belfort Mansion in New Orleans a year and a half ago. I can’t imagine picking up exactly where I left off. I also can’t let go of everything I had going on before I moved to New Orleans.

You know, I don’t really remember what I pulled together for that assignment. I couldn’t tell you how well I am living up to the aspirations of an eighteen-year-old Matt. I don’t know where I will be at the end of my five years, much less the end of my ten years. I know that if I remain prayerful and selfless, the Holy Spirit will lead me where I need to be. Where that is, I don’t know. But I am sure going to live life while getting there.