Why You Should Follow Your Own Path, Not Someone Else’s
The hard thing to do is choose your own path and play your own game
We live in a world that urges us to fall in line, to comply, and to follow the norm.
But let’s break that down. Life isn’t a one-size-fits-all game.
This is especially true in entrepreneurship, where forging your own path isn’t just encouraged, it’s required for survival.
It’s quite a bit like what Steve Jobs said,
“Don’t let the noise of others’ opinions drown out your inner voice.”
The world will never lack opinions on how you should run your business or live your life.
You could follow the crowd, join the trend, and easily find a team that will have you.
But…
Is that what entrepreneurship is about?
Following the herd?
It’s comfortable to be part of a crowd, to say what’s already been said, to believe what’s already been believed.
It’s less risky, less scary, but also less rewarding. Isn’t that right?
Think about the entrepreneurs who’ve made a dent in the universe.
Did Elon Musk achieve what he has by sticking to societal norms? No.
He envisioned the future and set out to create it, irrespective of the world’s opinion.
Ever since you came into this world, you were handed a script. Your race, religion, social class — these were pre-assigned roles you inherited.
In the business world, this extends to the kinds of business that are “acceptable,” the “proven” models, and the “safe” markets.
Sure, following these pre-set paths can give you success. But will they bring you fulfillment? As entrepreneur Gary Vaynerchuk often says,
“You have to understand your own personal DNA. Don’t do things because I do them or Steve Jobs or Mark Cuban tried it. You need to know your personal brand and stay true to it.”
The trouble begins when you decide to edit that script, or better yet, tear it apart and write your own.
People will doubt you, criticize you, and even mock you.
They’re uncomfortable because your courage to defy norms highlights their own conformity.
Your venture into the uncharted terrains of business and life is a challenge to their complacency.
Isn’t that the real threat you pose?
It’s the labels and the pre-assigned roles that weigh you down, whether in life or in entrepreneurship.
Ever thought about that? Why do you do what you do? Is it because it’s what you believe in or is it because society, or even the startup ecosystem, has dictated it to you?
Can you imagine a world where you’re not just an entrepreneur but a revolutionary? No tags, no adjectives, just you and your vision.
Jeff Bezos once noted,
“One of the only ways to get out of a tight box is to invent your way out.”
What box are you in, and how can you invent your way out of it?
Labels can be comforting, I admit.
They offer a certain amount of predictability, and a sense of belonging, especially in the uncertain world of entrepreneurship.
And if those labels align with your purpose, your goals, and your vision, then they’re not just labels; they’re badges of honor.
But remember, these should be labels that you choose, not ones that are thrust upon you.
Let’s take Warren Buffett’s advice here,
“It’s better to hang out with people better than you. Pick out associates whose behavior is better than yours, and you’ll drift in that direction.”
Apply this to your…
- belief systems
- business model
- life philosophies
Keep evaluating, keep questioning, and keep drifting in the direction that elevates you, not just fits you into a mold.
I can’t give you a formula for your life or your business. I’ve got my own to figure out. Your journey is yours alone.
Your questions, your challenges, your solutions — they’re all yours to explore. Keep in mind what Oscar Wilde said,
“Be yourself; everyone else is already taken.”
So, what’s the take here? Challenge every title, every label that you’ve either been handed or have picked up along the way.
Don’t just accept them passively. Scrutinize them. Flip them over and look at them from different angles.
Ask the difficult questions. And remember, this is not a one-time audit.
Keep doing it as you evolve, as you grow, as you learn. Because life’s not static, and neither are you.
At the end of the day, it’s your call. Your game. Your move.
What’s it going to be?
Peace & love,
-Wayne
