Where to find this idea:
The Pathless Path: Imagining a New Story For Work and Life by Paul Millerd
What if we told you there were 2 paths in life: the default path and the pathless path, which one would you take?
Probably neither before you understood the difference between the two.
So, let us explain it.
Disclaimer: this is not to say that one path is better than another. The pathless path is not for everyone, especially if you value security and comfort. This is to give you the idea that the default path is not the only option.
The default path is making life choices, especially career ones, based on what is seen as a definition of success in your culture. Usually, it goes like this: attend college, graduate, find a job, get promoted, retire and squeeze marriage, kids and buying a house somewhere in between. We want to achieve things that others see as impressive, although they might not be what we want.
The pathless path is an alternative to the default path. It’s doing what you believe is the best for you (whatever that is), not what society believes. It’s saying no to the achievement narrative and working on things that matter to you. The pathless path is to define your own success. It can be starting your own business without the intention to make it big, living a nomadic life, prioritizing leisure over work…you get the point.
With the pathless path, we’re not even supposed to fully understand what it is because it’s different for everyone.
But here are a few principles to guide you:
* Experiment
If you think that taking the pathless path is waking up one morning and deciding to quit your job and start a life of freedom and happiness, you’re wrong. You need time to experiment — hobbies, skills, thinking or side jobs. People on unconventional paths eliminate risks by prototyping life. At some point, that means not prioritizing work, working less or going on sabbatical to give yourself time to discover what life you want for yourself.
* Be ready for uncertainty and discomfort
The pathless path can be scary. Change can be scary. It’s easier to find mechanisms to cope with known suffering than to reinvent yourself — my boss is annoying, I’ll find ways to tune him out. That’s why having deep conversations with yourself about your fears is important. Do you fear what others will think and that you might disappoint them, do you fear that you’re not good enough or do you fear that you’ll go broke?
* Find people on a similar path
You’ll need inspo and wisdom from those who’ve already done what you want to do. Learn from them and have them join your journey. Those people are usually ahead of you on a similar path and they’re living proof that a different way of living is possible. You’ll get criticized for sure, so surround yourself with people who support you, love what you do and believe in you.
* Be ready to feel lost.
While you’re discovering your path, you’ll feel like you have no clue where you’re heading. Deep down, you know this is the right thing, but you don’t know why. Faith is an essential part of the pathless path. There’re so many possibilities, it’s your task to discover them.
* Aspiration not ambition
Shift your focus from what you want to achieve to what you want to offer. Outcomes like money, recognition and rewards are only a by-products of your journey.