Take the Risk or Lose the Chance
The opportunity cost will never be lower than it is right now
“The easy thing to do is think you will have your thirties to do the hard things. But this is your moment to make sacrifices and do what you say you’re going to do.”
Wise words from a twenty-five-year-old.
Originally from Barcelona, Spain, Pablo Torné has lived more lives than most at his age. He has called over eight cities home in the U.S., pivoted careers twice, published a book, and become a founder.
Pablo’s journey to the U.S. started in North Dakota when he was eighteen to pursue his dream of becoming a professional soccer player. Hoping to get more time on the field with a better team, he transferred to a new school in Fort Wayne, Indiana his second year.
Facing a nearly career-breaking injury and constant rejection on the field after graduating, Pablo had no prospects for making it pro and barely enough money to stay afloat. Already three months behind on the job search, he was completely lost.
What am I doing with my life? What should I do next?
Determined not to let one setback derail his life, Pablo made his own luck — a quality that follows him today.
Applying for any job in sight, Pablo packed up and settled in California to work in engineering. Rising quickly up the ranks, he has since pivoted to work in consulting, moved to the Big Apple, and co-founded Kinnek, a community of future entrepreneurs in Spain. His next chapter is in Los Angeles where he plans to pursue an MBA.
Pablo and I met up in New York City to talk about what helped him bounce back from failure, make it on his own far away from home, and stay grounded in the face of so much change. Hopefully, his advice is the right dose of inspiration to get you moving if you’re not sure where you’re headed next.
On trusting your instinct
I was curious how Pablo fearlessly decided to change careers, move cities, apply for an MBA at such a young age, and start a business. He seemed unafraid to make a jump or fall flat on his face.
“During my first year in the U.S., as part of a high school exchange, I wanted to become the basketball team mascot. Everyone said it was a lame thing to do, but I still wanted to do it. I put on the costume and people loved it. Their perception changed.”
“I realized that the people who have done something will usually tell you to go for it. The people who haven’t will likely tell you that you shouldn’t. Trust your instinct. That’s what matters.”
There are so many paths we can take. Often, we rely on the guidance and advice of others to help us make a decision, trying to find more clarity amid the unknown. Yet, we can end up with more doubt and confusion than when we started.
Listen to others to find the weak spots in your next step, but always stick to what you hear yourself saying deep down.
On networking
Last year, Pablo co-founded Kinnek, a community of future leaders in Spain helping nurture entrepreneurial ideas and shape them into reality. The group has over 45 members across 7 countries and has since helped raise over $4M in startup funding.
“I believe the types of conversations we have everyday matter. The more they challenge our ways of thinking, the more likely everyone is to move forward. It enriches my life. People’s lives. It’s the core idea behind Kinnek.”
Growing up, our parents, teachers, and friends push us to make certain choices. Steering us in what seems like the right direction. But as we get older, we need people who help us think bigger. Bigger than ourselves and about where we want to go, not just what we should do.
Different thinking opens doors.
“If there is one thing I hope everyone my age does is be a part of a networking group. Reach out to others your age who live a life you aspire to live. Who are doing incredible things. Learn from them instead of comparing yourself. This is where you will find great inspiration.”
On taking responsibility
I asked Pablo what advice he received that would be most helpful to others his age:
“Keep pushing to be uncomfortable. Keep asking yourself the hard questions. The easy thing to do is think you will have your thirties to do the hard things. But this is your moment to make sacrifices and do what you say you’re going to do.”
Sometimes it’s hard to face that reality so early in our lives when we are truly alone for the first time. Responsibility confronts us like an assault on our freedom. We think we will find better answers in letting go and moving with the flow of life. Instead, responsibility is the key to real freedom. Once we take it, everything opens up.
“The opportunity cost will never be lower than it is right now. So will the risk of failure.”
This is the moment in our lives where we have less to tie us down, but it doesn’t mean being careless with the road ahead. It means taking ownership over our next step, making leaps we thought we could never do, and opening up the door to greater possibilities instead of waiting for someone else to open it for us.
On moving cities
Pablo has moved more times than I can count on one hand as he figured out what was next for him. I was curious what gave him the courage to keep saying yes to big changes. Leaving behind versions of home and newly minted friendships in different places.
“The more you move, the more it becomes normal to be alone and comfortable with yourself. Learning how to be new somewhere helps you feel invincible anywhere.”
The first few months in a new place can feel isolating, so unfamiliar it’s uncomfortable as you grapple with relearning how to go about your day-to-day life. Having done it several times myself, I expect the first few moments to feel strange.
But, I love how transformative it is. What used to scare me becomes exciting, another chance to learn something new about the world and myself.
“I’ve been happier at times in the middle of nowhere in North Dakota than in New York City or San Francisco because of my attitude. Who surrounded me made it easier for sure, but at the end of the day it’s how I approached my surroundings that mattered most.”
“Happiness doesn’t depend on the place. It depends on the people. And before the people it depends on yourself.”
On a favorite quote
“People overestimate what they can do in a day and underestimate what they can do in 10 years.” — Bill Gates
Do the right thing daily and results will multiply down the line.
