LIFE LESSONS

6 Questions Every Gen-Z Needs to Ask Themselves

Making a few key decisions early on can make all the difference in living a happy, fulfilling life

Most of us finished high school with a basic understanding of math, science, history. Some of us may have learned a little about our government, geography, and literature.

And for those who went on to college, there were classes designed to dive deep into the specifics of their chosen subject or discipline.

But unfortunately, very few of those traditional learning experiences included a course about making important life-choices

Especially the ones that can increase the odds of being happy, productive, and healthy — the ones that can give your life meaning.

The following six questions — at least in my opinion — are the ones that count. And while they’re relevant at any age, they can have the greatest effect when implemented during our youth.

1. With whom will you associate?

Our personal motivation and aspirations tend to rise and fall to meet the level of those we spend the most time with. Jim Rohn summed it up with one of his most repeated quotes: “You become the average of the five people you associate with.”

Choose your companions as carefully as you would your career or spouse. They are just as important.

2. Where will you live?

Remember the old saying that people are pretty much the same regardless of where you go? That may have been accurate fifty years ago, but today, things have changed.

People are very different, displaying different values, priorities, and lifestyles based on age and the influences of their environment. For example, if you enjoy the personal involvement that comes from town hall meetings and a regulatory process steeped in history, you might want to consider living in the Northeast.

But if your thoughts of a good life tend to be more freewheeling and casual, perhaps Florida would be more appropriate.

While it’s obvious the majority of people want to be around others who have similar values and interests, studies also show that we tend to be more successful, live longer, and get more out of life when surrounded by spirits of our own kind.

3. What kind of career will you choose?

Determine your personal priorities in defining career success.

Is money more important than the rewards that come from helping others? (This isn’t a trick question — make your choice and follow it. It’s your life, and if you decide to change your career direction later, that’s also your prerogative.)

What part of your life will be about the work you do?

Do you want a clear and distinct dividing line between your personal life and work? Or do see yourself abandoning personal pursuits to put in a seventy-hour work week?

If money is your primary consideration, decide if you’ll be satisfied with the maximum pay rate when you reach the top of your chosen field. If not, reverse the strategy and determine the professions that offer the money you want, and make those your priority.

If you’re willing to balance the need for a fat paycheck with your desire to do work that’s interesting and rewarding, always look for opportunities to move into the upper echelons of your chosen field. Not only will this raise the income ceiling associated with the profession, you’ll typically earn more freedom and autonomy while doing work that is personally satisfying.

Realize that your first choice of a career is seldom your last. Be prepared to outgrow your job. New challenges are a necessary ingredient to personal and professional growth.

4. Whom will you choose to marry?

Do you both want children? How many? Does your potential mate satisfy you intellectually and physically? Do you enjoy your in-laws enough to want to become a permanent part of their family? Have you spent enough time together to really know if he or she is the “right one?” Do you share the same interests and values?

No, sorry, opposites do not attract. They simply fight all the time.

5. How will you provide for a sound financial future?

Another way to say this is, who will you pay first?

Keep debt from ruling your life. If you need to budget your income against expenses, that’s fine. But when it’s time to pay the bills, remember that the very first check you write should be to yourself.

Start saving with a small amount, and make it a regular habit. If you work for a company that offers a 401K with a matching contribution, contribute the maximum matched amount.

Everyone should start and contribute to some sort of personal retirement account.

Weigh financial risks by determining how much you can stand to lose. While higher-risk investments have the potential to earn bigger rewards, the most important aspect of risk is being aware of exactly how much you could lose if everything goes wrong.

The majority of financially successful people may allocate a limited percentage of their wealth to high-risk investments, but they also typically shield a large portion of their portfolio — including their personal home, emergency savings, and the majority of their retirement funds — from loss.

6. Are you guarding your health as one of your most important possessions?

Your mind and body are inextricably connected.

Maintain both with rest, exercise, and proper diet. If you smoke, quit. If you’re overweight, begin making healthy dietetic choices — not a diet — that fits comfortably with your mindset, attitude, and identity. You already know the negative effects of eating fat and sugar, so make better choices at the supermarket by refusing to put unhealthy items in your cart. If you don’t bring them home, you’ll never have to talk yourself out of eating them when you’re most vulnerable.

Be aware of obvious dangers. Always consider the possible outcome of any risky activity. Racing motorcycles can get you killed. So can rewiring your house if you don’t know what you’re doing.

Don’t take unnecessary or foolish risks with your life.

“Happiness can be defined, or at least in part as the fruit of desire and ability to sacrifice what we want now for what we want eventually.” — Stephen Covey

© 2021 Roger A. Reid. All Rights Reserved.

Roger A. Reid is the author of Better Mondays and Speak Up.

Roger A. Reid, Ph.D. is the host of Success Point 360 Podcast and author of Better Mondays and Speak Up. A certified NLP trainer with degrees in engineering and business, Roger offers tips and strategies for achieving higher levels of career success and personal fulfillment in the real world.