The Unconventional Path

In 2024, we really glorify the unconventional path. You see the startup founders who made it big, the track stars who win the Gold Medal, the directors who made it to Cannes.?

But should we really glorify the unconventional path??

It is something that I have been thinking a lot about the last couple of weeks. A couple of years ago, I was of the opinion, that almost everyone can get benefit from taking the unbeaten path. Now I am starting to see the wisdom in not necessarily going down it.?

There is a lot of credence to taking the front door. It’s less risky, it’s more spelled out, it’s easier. But somehow it seems as if we have started to shame people for making that choice.?

But what is the front door? What is the unconventional path??

The front door is taking the path that has been seen as the best direction by those in the path. It’s what a lot of your friends are doing. What your parents want you to do. In Engineering it would look something like:?

You get a degree.?

You apply online for jobs.?

You go through interviews.?

You get a job at Big Tech.

You work your way up the corporate ladder.

You get a Master’s Degree.

You get into Leadership.

You retire.?

All things considered, a pretty great life. An amazing life. A life that no doubt has its ups and downs but still has gone relatively stress free, where you most likely retire a multi-millionaire, have worked on some of the most amazing products in the world and be with a loving family. A life where you have provided your kids, your family the most comfortable life.

For a long time, I held major reservations in taking this path.?

Quite honestly, somewhere I think I looked down upon it.?

There is probably still a part of me that does.?

But I have started to see more that the unconventional path isn’t necessarily the “right” or better path. While it offers a lot that you can gain, it also takes a lot as well. Especially as you get older, there are real tradeoffs that you have to make staying on it.

Being on the unconventional path means there is a lot of times where you are alone

That you might not be able to spend as much time with family

That plans will be made in days or weeks not in months and years.

That many people won’t understand the way you live

That constant failure is almost inevitable and success is never guaranteed

I say this not to dissuade one from taking the unconventional path, but rather to help paint a more grounded perspective of what the truth is. I feel like people only look at the end results of what taking this path allowed others to achieve and we never talk about the reality of what it is.?

Perhaps that is a good thing, or else as Jensen puts its, no one would ever embark on the journey.?

In that vein, I think once you embark on the unconventional path, the only way to stick with it, is to truly embrace it.?

Embrace being on a path that is different than your peers.?

Embrace that you will not be able to have everything.?

Embrace that there are major sacrifices that have to be made to be on the path.?

Embrace being delusional. Being an optimist. Working under the belief that things will change even when the deck seems stacked against you. When most people would quit, you double down.?

Embrace the stress, the anxiety, the unanswerable questions.?

Embrace not the results but the process building up to it. As only the process is truly in your control.

And to know that despite doing all of this, you will fail over and over again. Perhaps you never stop failing. Life can be cruel and you are being greedy asking for more out of it. Behind every winner is a cohort of people who put the same effort but struck out on the 11th hour.?

But hopefully along the way you will learn a lot. You will develop skills that last you a lifetime. You will meet people along the way who fascinate you, and spark your curiosity. You will find different ways of thinking about things that may create real change in the world. Your understanding on both yourself and world expands.?

Do it enough times that no matter the results, there was some meaning to embracing the journey. And should you be so lucky, be able to experience success time and time again.?

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Daivik Goel

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