Aspirations & Their Origins

I often tell people that I have an expansive list of aspirations. I want to be on Shark Tank, I want to be the founder of a nonprofit organization, or I want to become a spin instructor in the morning and a custodial worker at night. Some people would take a look at this list and think: "how does one come up such oddball aspirations?" to which I would likely respond with "great question! I'm not exactly sure."

My theory is that the more aspirations I have, the more I can accomplish. In example, if everyone is to accomplish 12% of their future aspirations in their lifetime then the best way to accomplish as many of them as possible, is to have... many aspirations.

Honestly, this theory can be easily debunked for it's not merely about how many aspirations one has, but rather how diligently one works to achieve these feats. It is, however, fun to imagine oneself in many different roles even if they never fully get accomplished.

But from where do these aspirations stem? What made me want to become a writer as a sixth grader despite being a below average reader? And why do I wish to become a successful businesswoman one day even though I'm on track to become an occupational therapist? Do these aspirations stem from jealousy or admiration? Or is it possible that they stem from the desire to prove others wrong; for it is possible for someone of lesser abilities to achieve a goal they are passionate about? Perhaps I want to achieve these goals because I see other successful individuals doing them or because I truly think these career goals and achievements fit my ideal and authentic self?

Thousands of questions flood my mind, but I struggle to come to a solid conclusion. I think one's aspirations are one aspect of the component puzzle pieces that make up a person's identity. I have yet to delve too deeply into the topic of personal identity, but my interest in the the topic has been sparked ever since attending a philosophy professor's colloquium a few weeks ago about her book on personal identity.

Who am I? Am I the same person as I was yesterday?

What are the determining characteristics of one's identity?

Many philosophers have examined these questions in depth in a quest for the truth. Hume would say that in any given time or moment, one has a different identity than yesterday or even 2 minutes ago. This viewpoint poses that one's identity is just a bundle of perceptions at any one given time.

Hume may have been onto something, for my identity when I was 12 years old was clearly quite different from what it seems to be today. The question is then posed about whether one's identity is composed of more than mere conscious perceptions. Even though I don't remember traveling and vacationing when I was 4 years old, is it possible that these events have had an effect on who I am today?

Clearly, I am not an expert on the topic of identity and how aspirations develop from one's personal identity, but there are many questions to be posed and pondered surrounding the topic of identity. Additionally, what is it that inspires and motivates a person to work towards their aspirations?

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Think now about the one career goal that you would do anything to reach. What made you come to the conclusion that this is what you could see yourself doing and loving for the full extent of your lifetime?

Were you intrigued by the idea of becoming a teacher because of your favorite teacher freshman year of highschool? Did you decide management was the safe option and later fell head over heels in love with it? Or was becoming a physical therapist your top choice because it seemed the most rewarding and pays well?

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Dreams and aspirations come in waves and oftentimes one's motivations for accomplishing their goals is constantly changing. The root of it all is what lies deep within a person's identity. Factors that are clear to the person and factors that cannot be seen or understood by the person all contribute to the person's hopes and dreams.

Who knows where everyone will all be in 10, 20, or even 30 years. Perhaps one's path has already been set and it simply hasn't been made aware to anyone. Even if this is the case, the human experience offers more than one can imagine and it is truly a wild ride. Who knows, maybe in the future, the aspirations of today will have changed drastically or completely dissolved to make room for aspirations more pressing.