From an early age, we are influenced by our parents, friends, relatives and society in general to get us on the treadmill of achieving success. By the time we are in college, career choice and what we want to do with our life have been heavily influenced by everyone around us. After several decades of pursuing someone else’s dream, it is hard to switch and focus on what we really want to do. It is too late and most just carry on.
I am no exception. I followed what was expected of me, worked hard and achieved some success in my career. No regrets. If I had chosen a different path, would it have been better? Not sure, and I will never know. Retirement gives me freedom to ask fresh questions now and choose what I want to do.
Did you just fulfill the expectations that others had for you, or did you go against the grain and chart your own course? This could include choosing a career, partner, buying a home, having children or making investment choices. How did it turn out?
I did what was expected of me because when I announced I was not going to college my mother went apoplectic and said we didn’t come to this strange country for you not to educate and make something of yourself. I didn’t have the guts to tell her I wanted to be a DJ.
all these years later I’m glad she pushed me to go to college.
You earned it now. You can become a DJ.
Not me, but my father. After he got out of the army in 1946, he was making $300 a week as a machinist. But he wanted to go to college. His father thought it was a stupid idea when he could make so much money in a trade. But his mother encouraged him, and he went to Columbia on the GI Bill. He got an MBA, too, and was very successful in his career.
Parents and family may not have the experience and knowledge to help when you are looking for guidance. Some role models, teachers and mentors may provide best advice.
I think that perhaps the worst advice ever given is “follow your dreams”. It’s almost always given by someone who has beaten the odds and often due to skills 99% of people can never attain, grabbed the rainbow and made it work.
Sadly that would be going against the grain these days