Why blanking on 'Where do you see yourself in 5 years?' is perfectly normal

Many professionals, including experienced engineers, struggle to answer the classic five-year career plan question and wrongly interpret that as a personal failing. A perspective piece on DEV Community argues that people are motivated differently — some by necessity, some by a clear goal, and some simply by the joy of the work itself. The author draws on a scene from the manga Hunter × Hunter, where a character reflects that the journey and connections mattered more than the destination he had long pursued. Understanding these different motivation types can ease anxiety for individuals who lack a defined career roadmap and help managers avoid mislabeling such employees as unambitious. The core message is that the absence of a five-year plan reflects a difference in orientation, not a deficiency in drive or seriousness.