Do these 3 things to improve your life significantly (10X), starting from today

 

Q1, 2025 was ending on a good note, until the hack attempts, especially on my social media accounts. My WhatsApp and Facebook got disabled in the process. It was devastating, really. I couldn't keep in touch with people. I couldn't continue conversations. I lost access to my contact pool of 1600+ people. It was a lot. "Where do I start from?" "How do I fix this?"

But amidst all the chaos and confusion, it also felt refreshing. I finally had some 'peace'. I had time to myself, and just found a perfect opportunity to stay away from social media. I guess I found a way to focus on my 'paper', think thoroughly, and re-invent myself.

I revisited some of my old notes and journals, and started asking questions. I wondered: "What happened to these dreams, these goals? Why haven't they been realised?" I also asked: "Why is this happening to me? I'm so tired of all this friction and 'discomfort'. Couldn't it have been easier?" Then I got a light bulb!

It wasn't an answer. It was a question.

"Where do you want to be in 5 years?"

 

I had been asked this question a couple of times, especially last year (2024). But this time, it was different. I was working on a project with a 5-year timeline. And so, I needed to have an end in mind. But at the same time, this question brought me asking myself: "Who exactly do you want to be in 5 years' time?"

That question was the catalyst.

I started erupting with answers. And this created some sense of urgency and responsibility inside me:

• I want to look back 5 years from now and see that I have made significant progress.
• I want to look back 5 years from now and clearly see how much impact I have made.
• I want to look back 5 years from now and precisely point out the things I have done, and the change I have been able to make in our world.

I don't want to look back 5 years from now and think, "Ah, time has gone oo." "5 years have gone just like that!"

• I don't want to just pass time.
• I don't want to live life as it comes.
• I want to create the future I want now.
• I want to have control of the life I envision.

I have kind of already envisioned what I want my '5 years' time' to look like: Where I'll be, what I'd have done, Who I'd have become, and it continues. I am trying to position myself for that life; going to the rooms where I can get what I need, talking to the people that can get me there, learning all that I can learn about my future life, and doing what I must to make sure I am taking a step towards that direction.

But this isn't about me 'bragging'. This is about YOU;
How you can improve your life 10X starting today.

Here are 3 pointers for you, based on my story:

1. Be curious:

You need to be genuinely curious. I have realised that most people are not curious. They are not interested in how things happen, why they happened, or anything. They just want to live their lives. But you, please, be curious. Ask as many questions as you can about anything and everything. This is what will set you apart from most people.

Here's a secret: The most curious people are the most valuable people. Yes. The person who asks a lot of questions gets a lot of answers. The more questions I ask, the more likelyI get answers. And less questions mean less answers. If I ask 60 questions and get 20 answers, am I not better off than someone who asks 5 questions and gets 1 answer? Even if they got all 5 answers, I am still ahead.

The world is looking for answers. It needs people who have answers. The more answers you have, the more they'll need you. Curious people are valuable people. Question everything and anything. Don't just accept what 'they' say. Don't be like most people, ask questions. I believe it's one of those things we need more of.

2. Envision your future:

"Where do you want to be 'x' years/months from now?" Maybe you want to have learnt something new, met someone, gotten something, or become somebody. Write it out. Be as detailed as possible: live it, feel it, touch it, smell it, be there! Genuinely ask yourself for the end goal. You should read my post on What do I want?

3. Take a step everyday:

This is where everything comes together. You need to ask: "What ONE THING would I do today that will improve or change my life?" or "What ONE thing can I do today that would move my life forward?" It's easy to get caught up, and busy doing activities. It's so easy to get caught up in movement, but not forward movement. It's so easy to fall into the trap of busy-ness. But you can do better. You don't create your future by being passive, or by being a spectator in your life.

You've set a goal for the week/month/year... and now, look at the vision ahead, and pinpoint what you can do today to advance that. Just one thing. Maybe I want to get a job in consulting in 3 months' time, so today I have decided to take a virtual internship with BCG through Forage, and get my certificate by the end of the day. Just one thing...

By the end of the day, I'd feel fulfilled, productive, and ready to take the next day. When I do this constantly, my mind is renewed towards 'productivity' rather than 'activity'. I begin to take intentional steps forward effortlessly, and I am not wasting time. At the end, I would become my dream, or even surpass it. And if not, I'd definitely have lived a more purposeful and fulfilling life, and I'd have grown significantly and progressively from then. So no regrets.

Either way - growth, purpose, fulfillment. That's how you improve your life significantly.

To sum it all

If you want to improve your life - 10X or 1000X - you have to be firm about it. Growth isn't given, it is taken. It is not comfortable, it's demanding. You have to be intentional, and consciously decide and choose to be the pilot of your life, not a passenger or spectator. So 3 things:

• You need to be more curious, and question everything and anything
• Picture your future - "Where do I want to be in X years/months/weeks/days' time?"
• Take ONE step everyday -"What ONE thing can I do TODAY to move my life forward?"

At the end, you'd love, enjoy, and be proud of the person you'd become.

Till the next one,
Gee.