7 Questions That Will Define the Next 10 Years of Your Life
By Glenn Azar – Founder, The Building Better Humans Project
If you care about personal development and you’re serious about designing a life of meaning, success, and purpose—start here.
After nearly two decades of leading transformational treks across the Kokoda Track, Mount Kilimanjaro, Everest Base Camp and more, I’ve discovered that real growth begins with asking better questions. These are the questions I use in coaching high performers, leading self-discovery workshops, and mentoring people on their own personal development journey.
These seven questions will help you reset your trajectory—and they might just define your next 10 years.
1. Am I climbing the right mountain?
Too many people are sprinting up mountains they don’t even want to be on. We confuse busy with meaningful. We chase titles, money, or validation—only to feel empty at the summit.
During a Kokoda Track adventure, I walked alongside a corporate executive who finally admitted that after years of sacrificing everything for work, he barely knew his teenage son. The jungle stripped everything back and gave him clarity: he wasn’t climbing the right mountain.
Life’s a hard climb either way—make sure the view is worth it.
2. What would my ideal day look like, and how far is it from today?
Self-awareness is the foundation of all personal growth. When I left the Army, I visualised my ideal day—physical activity, deep conversations, impact, time with family, and freedom. That vision led to the creation of the Building Better Humans Project and my adventure business.
This isn’t some fluffy exercise. It’s the cornerstone of intentional living. Write it down. Then act.
If your current life doesn’t reflect pieces of your ideal life, you’ve got work to do.
3. What am I avoiding just because I know the answer is painful?
Pain avoidance is the killer of progress. We pretend we don’t know the truth, when deep down—we do.
One of the best parts of leading the Kokoda Trail is that people can’t escape themselves. The jungle is honest. I’ve seen trekkers admit long-ignored truths about relationships, careers, even health—because silence isn’t an option out there.
Your breakthrough is often hiding behind the truth you’re avoiding.
4. Are the results I’m expecting aligned with my habits?
You can’t cheat the process. I’ve mentored hundreds of people who say they want results—better health, more purpose, financial freedom—but their habits don’t align with those outcomes.
Your future is the sum of your habits. Every trek I lead proves this—physical and mental fitness are not negotiable.
This is where goal setting meets discipline. Want a better life? Audit your routines. Then level up.
5. If I died 10 years from today, what would I regret NOT doing?
Morbid? Maybe. But it’s also powerful.
On a recent Mount Kilimanjaro expedition, one woman said this trek had been on her list for 15 years. She finally did it after losing a friend to cancer. At the summit, through tears, she said: “I’m proud of myself for showing up—finally.”
Regret is heavy. Use it as fuel. Do the thing.
6. Who brings out the best in me, and can I spend more time with them?
Personal development isn’t just internal—it’s relational. You’re the average of the people you surround yourself with. I’m blessed to walk alongside adventurers, athletes, leaders, and everyday warriors. They push me. Inspire me. Keep me grounded.
During every Kokoda Track trek, you see it happen: people lift each other up. They connect. They transform together.
Audit your circle. Then get intentional.
7. What skills will still matter in 10 years—and am I building them now?
AI will evolve. Markets will shift. But core human skills—leadership, communication, resilience, adaptability—will still matter.
These are the same skills we train in our personal development programs and what I teach on every trek through the Kokoda Trail or the Aussie 10 Peaks.
Don’t just chase trends. Build timeless capability.
The Challenge:
If you’re searching for a growth mindset, clarity, and direction, this is where it begins. Reflect on these seven questions. Journal on them. Sit in the discomfort. Then—act.
And if you’re ready to take this work off the page and into the real world, maybe it’s time for a transformational adventure. I’ve seen more personal breakthroughs in 96 crossings of the Kokoda Track than in any boardroom or self-help seminar.
The next 10 years will pass no matter what. The question is—will they be by design or default?
Glenn Azar
Founder – The Building Better Humans Project
High Performance Coach | Adventure Leader | Host of The Building Better Humans Project Podcast
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