Embracing the suck of doing something different
I stumbled upon this post about betting on yourself by Alex Su and it blew my mind. I say this as someone who has been contemplating and dipping my toes into the idea of self-employment over the last year while on sabbatical--my first major career break since I graduated from college. If you've read any of my previous posts, you know that I spent my life thus far doing all the things you're supposed to do. I got my undergraduate and graduate degrees from Ivy League universities, worked a prestigious IB job right after college, worked at multiple unicorn startups, etc. all before getting laid off last year. Getting laid off was life's cue to hit a giant pause button on my life and take some time to reflect on where to go next.
Su writes that "we can either (1) go along the conventional path or (2) do something different that better aligns with out talents, ie. betting on yourself." I love this definition of betting on yourself, because it acknowledges that many of us could do something truly incredible if we are brave enough to take the leap of faith. As Su points out, most of us don't bet on ourselves, because we're "afraid of financial instability and loss of prestige." Bingo. Many of us who have the desire don't want to have to give up the comforts of what we have to take a risk with many unknown factors and even more uncertain outcomes.
What resonated with me is that things are going to get worse before they get better. In Su's words, "at first, it's going to suck." While everyone else you know is carrying on in their respective paths of stability, prestige, and fat paychecks, you're doing something new. Whether you're leaving your old career path to start a business, become a creator, or take a job in a new but interesting industry, the odds are high that you'll make less than you did in your usual line of work. In Su's case he went to a totally different job in a different sector to make one quarter of what he used to make as a lawyer. But, he bet on his ability to catch up.
I've been thinking a lot about the stress that I've been experiencing to find a job that will pay be around $200K-$300K a year. It's a good amount of money but when I see entrepreneurs earnings multiple 7 figures a year or 17 year olds posting 2 minute videos of themselves that bring in $5K, $10K, $50K, I think that there has to be a better way to do things. I already know that I don't want to be chained to my desk while working on projects that I don't believe in to sell more [insert whatever the company makes] to more people who don't need it. And yet, here I am still applying to situations that will end up with me in that situation. To be fair, I've broadened my search to focus more on interesting sectors and/or experiences on early stage/founding teams. However it still feels like it's within the safety of the path that I've been on.
In some ways, it's reassuring to know that this process generally sucks at first for most people who choose their own path. It is comforting to know that this, too, is a sort of path with milestones and phases. I have known for a long time that I have never worked at a place where I was capable of tapping into my full potential. I have felt time and time again that I need to go out on my own. I was never ready to take that risk and embrace the suck that is in some ways unavoidable.
The piece I've referenced is truly a gem and the takeaways are excellent because they include actionable pieces of advice. Lastly, I know for many fellow children of immigrants, we have been our whole lives to prioritize financial stability, prestige, power, and the likes, but I am excited to see role models of people who are betting on themselves. When talents and purpose align, these are not just calculated risks, but potentially life-changing investments. I dream of a much bigger and brighter life than I experienced in my twenties. I know that it will take something more than a different job along the same path to experience the kind of satisfaction that I know I'm capable of building.