The five life pillars that guide me
My journey with the Big Five for Life started when I read the book The Big Five for Life by John Strelecky.
I still remember exactly where I was.
On a campsite in Italy. Sitting in front of the caravan. Half in the sun. A cup of coffee next to me.
And I simply couldn’t put the book down.
Not just because it was a good book, but because it gave words to something that had been in my head for a long time. Why do certain things give me so much energy? Why do some moments feel like everything just clicks? And why do other things feel like they don’t really belong to me?
That book opened my eyes.
In the book, the Big Five for Life are described as the five things you want to do, see, or experience before your life feels complete. A beautiful concept, but for me, it didn’t feel sustainable enough. It felt a bit like a checklist you tick off.
So I chose to look at it differently.
For me, the Big Five for Life are not a list of goals, but five life pillars. A personal compass that helps guide my decisions, both in my personal life and in my work.
Whenever I make a choice, I try to ask myself:
Does this align with who I want to be?
Does this fit my Big Five for Life?
What’s interesting is that the core of my Big Five hasn’t really changed since 2018. The wording may have evolved slightly, but the essence is still the same. And if I’m honest, I think I was already living by these pillars long before I became aware of them.
These are my Big Five for Life.
The most powerful moments in my life are the ones where everything comes together. The moments where I realize: This touches all five of my pillars.
Touching all pillars? That doesn’t happen all the time, and it doesn’t have to.
But I do believe that the more you fill your life with things that align with your own Big Five, the closer you get to who you really are. Closer to energy. Closer to meaning.
And ultimately, closer to a life you can look back on with pride.
To create memories
For me, memories are more valuable than possessions.
Of course, a nice car is great. A good phone is useful. But in the end, those are not the things that stay with you.
Moments do.
Some memories are big, like climbing Alpe d’Huez ten times or organizing an event people will never forget.
But often, the most meaningful memories are the small ones.
Taking my parents to the movies.
A special moment with my kids.
Laughing together over something simple.
Those are the moments that last.
I love capturing memories through photos. At home, I have an old cabinet where each section represents a year, filled with pictures of moments that mattered. Big experiences, but also small, meaningful ones.
That, to me, is real wealth.
To tell a story
I want to tell stories.
Sometimes that’s through a keynote like this. Other times through a blog, a podcast, a video, a demo, or just a meaningful conversation.
This pillar has evolved over time. It used to be To Share My Story. Today, it’s intentionally changed to To Share a Story.
Because it’s not just about me.
I find it just as important, maybe even more, to help tell the stories of others. For example, through podcasts where we don’t just share our own journey, but invite others to share theirs.
Everyone carries stories. Stories that can inspire, connect, and move people.
To inspire
I want to inspire people. Through stories. Through experiences. Through the way I look at life. Sometimes in big ways, sometimes in small moments.
In my professional life, I do this in my role as a pre-sales consultant, through presentations, blogs, videos, and podcasts. But it’s just as important to me in my personal life. Participating in Alpe d’HuZes, organizing Dreamrides, or creating meaningful experiences for others, it all comes from the same place: wanting to make a difference and show people that there is often more possible than they think.
To grow personally
Personal growth is essential to me.
When I stop growing, I feel restless. I want to keep developing, as a person, as a father, as a professional, and as a speaker.
Growth doesn’t always have to be big. Often, it’s found in small steps. Doing something that feels uncomfortable. Challenging yourself. Staying open to new perspectives.
Even creating and sharing a keynote like this is part of that journey. It’s a step outside my comfort zone, and exactly where growth happens.
For me, personal development is never finished. And maybe it shouldn’t be.
To live outside the border
This pillar goes far beyond traveling or being abroad.
Yes, I love exploring the world. But the deeper meaning is something else.
To live outside the border means allowing yourself to think beyond the obvious. Beyond expectations. Beyond the lines that seem fixed.
You don’t always have to follow the standard path. You can be creative. You can step outside your role. You can try things people don’t expect from you.
That’s where energy lives.
That’s where growth happens.
That’s where new possibilities are created.
The most meaningful moments in my life often happened just outside my comfort zone, just beyond the borders I once believed were fixed.