Adventure is Liberty

Lesson? 7

To choose my own adventure is my literal take on Charlie Munger's advice to never mimic the herd and blindly follow the crowd. For me, it is the concept of taking control of my own life, making decisions, and shaping my path based on personal preferences, values, and aspirations.

It is my means of self-discovery, through self-reflection and exploration, to identify personal interests, passions, strengths, and values. It has helped me discover what truly matters to me.

Overall, taking the path less travelled is about forging one's own journey, embracing uniqueness, and being open to the possibilities that come with charting a course that diverges from the norm. Reflecting on some of the defining decisions I have made in my life thus far, I can think of many instances where I chose to take the path less travelled and the consequences of going down said path having a pivotal impact on the trajectory of my life. Below are a few notable examples:

On the back of a sports injury when I was in grade 10, I chose to participate in an extramural activity run by Junior Achievement Africa , where as a group we had to ideate, then run a small business over the course of a few months, then ultimately liquidate and share in the profits. While I made no significant contributions, it did expose me to the world of entrepreneurship and led to an opportunity to partake in YLED during my final school year at Jeppe High School For Boys in 2008. The YLED flagship program was essentially a Saturday school that focused on leadership & entrepreneurship training. This time around, I grabbed the opportunity with both hands and was way more invested. I was recognized as the overall best student. As a reward for my efforts, I was awarded a scholarship to fund my undergraduate degree in Finance at the University of Johannesburg , followed by two more scholarships to complete postgraduate degrees at the University of Johannesburg and Wits Business School

Moving to Ireland in 2015 to pursue an opportunity in aviation finance on the back of the International graduate programme with 渣打银行 was another turn in the road where I chose my own adventure as opposed to more traditional banking routes available to me in either London or Singapore. A happy consequence of that decision led to the privileged opportunity of becoming a dual citizen of South Africa and Ireland.

2022/2023 was no different in me deciding to intentionally do my MBA outside of the UK or USA as my career up to that point had played out within Anglo-Saxon markets. The decision to live and study in Spain gave me the opportunity to study at a IE Business School a leading European business school, learn a new language, immerse myself in the experience of a new country, as well as expand my network and build relationships with people whose lives had played out in countries within Latin America, the Asia Pacific, and beyond.

Choosing my own adventure was not all sunshine and a bed of flowers though. Going against the grain and pursuing unconventional paths required courage and often tested my resilience in the face of criticism, self doubt and setbacks. Dealing with the unknown required determination and perseverance.

I was fortunate to have mentors by my side, people who have walked the path before me and provided valuable guidance and advice based on their own experiences and expertise, going as far as sharing their skills, networks, and resources to enable me to chase down my goals. They were able to help me explore different options, provided me with a sounding board to weigh the pros and cons of various choices, and ultimately make better-informed decisions.

Choosing one's own direction in life ultimately comes down to personal agency. You may receive all the advice in the world, but without individual autonomy and agency in decision-making, you will end up passively accepting predetermined paths or societal expectations.

Choosing my own adventure is not just about living life on my own terms, it's about creating a life for myself that is meaningful and fulfilling. It involves setting goals, pursuing passions, building relationships, and contributing to something larger than myself in a way that resonates with my values and aspirations.?

As you navigate the twists and turns of your journey, remember that every decision you make shapes the narrative of your life. So, I urge you: dare to be bold, dare to be different. Seize the reins of your destiny with unwavering determination and a sense of purpose. Embrace the challenges, learn from the setbacks, and celebrate the victories along the way. It's up to you to write your own story. Go forth with courage, resilience, and an unwavering belief in yourself.?

Your adventure awaits.