Focus on reinventing yourself every 5 years. I’ve been obsessing over this for months in regards to business. Many businesses are created and sold within 5 years (e.g., Therapy Brands). Industries are started and revolutionized in 5 years (e.g., Drift.com with Conversational Marketing).
Lex Friedman interviewed the undisputedly best BJJ coach of all time, John Danaher. John is the coach of the now-dissolved Danaher Death Squad and the greatest BJJ practitioner ever, Gordon Ryan.
In the almost 4-hour podcast episode, John goes on to explain how he thinks every good BJJ athlete needs to reinvent themselves every 5 years. It’s almost required for athletes to reinvent themselves.
This is the first example I found proving my theory. And I think the reasoning equally applies to business.
What you can do
Tim Ferris, the author of the 4-Hour Workweek and podcast host said you overestimate what you can do in a day and understatement what you can do in a year.
This is attributable to business and thinking in 5-year increments.
Five years is the target. It’s a big audacious goal. However, the path is unclear. Some of the years will feel like you didn’t move.
If you don’t believe me, look back at the last 5 years. Think about how much has changed. Then look forward and see if you’re closer to your goals.
If you’re not putting a plan together for the next 5 years, you should. The “you†now does not have to be the “you†forever. You’re the only one who can change it, it’s never too late. Just 5 more years and you can accomplish your dreams.
It’s similar to the overnight success fallacy.
Gordon Ryan is an example. Heck, Jake Paul is an example. He went from a kid in a flyover state to Vine famous to Disney star to Youtube influencer and now a professional boxer.
So, where do you want to be in 5-years?