There is a book I enjoy very much called The Big Five for Life: Leadership’s Greatest Secret by John P. Strelecky. Strelecky, a motivational author I admire, introduces a fascinating concept inspired by the “Big Five” animals that people often aim to see on an African safari. In his book, the “Big Five for Life” symbolize the five most important goals or objectives a person wants to achieve in their life. The idea is simple but profound: align your personal and professional life with these goals to cultivate happiness and fulfillment.
One of the most illuminating ideas in the book centers on a question: Is today a museum day? Imagine a museum dedicated to your life, a place where every day contributes to its exhibits. Every decision, action, and experience becomes a reflection of the life you’ve lived. A “museum day” is a day worth remembering, filled with meaning and in alignment with your values, or in other words, your Big Five for Life.
This idea reminds me of another concept I deeply value: Ikigai. Originating from Japan, Ikigai translates to “reason for being.” It’s the intersection of what you love, what you are good at, what the world needs, and what you can be paid for. Both The Big Five for Life and Ikigai emphasize living a purposeful life by aligning your passions, values, and actions. While Strelecky focuses on defining five key life goals, Ikigai provides a framework to explore broader aspects of fulfillment.
“Live each day as if it were to become a part of your museum of life.”
– John Strelecky
Reflecting on My Big Five for Life
Inspired by the book, I decided to reflect on my own Big Five for Life. Understanding what is truly important to you, your strengths, passions, and areas for growth, can significantly boost your self-esteem and sense of direction. In my post, Recognizing My Strengths and How I Work on My Weaknesses, I shared how identifying my skills and acknowledging the tasks I don’t enjoy helped me feel more confident, especially during job interviews. Extending this focus beyond your professional life to your personal life can have a similar effect, helping you gain clarity and confidence in all aspects of your life.
To begin this reflection, I asked myself a simple but powerful question: What would make me say, “Yes, that was a life well lived”?
I found prompts like this helpful in sparking ideas:
- What brings you the most joy and satisfaction in life?
- What are your greatest passions?
- What activities make you lose track of time?
- What kind of legacy do you want to leave behind?
Organizing these questions into key areas such as personal growth, relationships, career, health, hobbies, travel, spirituality, and contribution to others helped me avoid missing anything. Here are some examples of more focused questions you might ask yourself:
- What kind of person do I want to become?
- How do I want to nurture my most important relationships?
- What are my career dreams or aspirations?
- How do I want to impact the world or help others?
- Are there specific experiences or milestones I’d regret not pursuing?
How to Define Your Big Five for Life
- Brainstorm freely: Write down any patterns, topics, or goals that come to mind as you look at the answers to the previous questions. This is a creative exercise, so don’t worry about perfection at this stage.
- Refine your list:
- Be specific
- Align with your values. Make sure your goals are in line with who you are.
- Think long-term. These should be lifelong goals, not short-term ambitions.
- Prioritize and finalize: Identify your top five and frame them as clear, inspiring statements.
My Big Five for Life
Here are my own Big Five for Life.
Identifying your Big Five for Life can be a deeply empowering process. Whether you share them publicly or keep them private, knowing these goals helps align your actions with your values and aspirations.
I really enjoyed this exercise and hope it inspires you to reflect on your own life and goals. Take the time to discover your Big Five for Life and enjoy the benefits it brings.
Live every day as if it’s a museum day,
Rebe