I cared a lot about my career when I was 20.
In fact, a lot isn’t right. I cared only about my career. After all, surrounded by hyper-ambitious, insecure, talented IITians, this was it. The winners of the career game were life’s winners
I had planned everything
I would get into a consulting firm the next year. I would spend two years. I would then move to a PE or VC firm. Spend two years. Build my profile with not-for-profit activities. Make it to Harvard Business School. Join a US firm. Make hundreds of thousands of dollars.
I had my whole life planned out for the next 8 years
You would notice that a 20-yo effectively extrapolated 50% of his life. It was, to put it mildly, stupid. Of the 4 big career moves I had planned over 8 years, I did a sum total of 0. I didn’t even do what I had planned for the very next year
I ended up at IIM A straight out, stayed in India for good, and never did consulting
You’d notice that I said I had my whole life planned out for 8 years. The reality was that I had only planned my career, not my life. In my young head, life equalled career. But life was much bigger
Over that 8-year time frame, I began to ask and act on, “What is a life worth living?”
I first realised that relationships are important. My decision to stay in India was driven not just by my belief in India but also being close to home. I derived energy and happiness from it. I could have earned thousands of dollars, but would have no one important to share moments
Life was now career and relationships
A few years later, I had a fairly big health scare as I hard-charged into my career. It wasn’t life-threatening, but enough to shock me. There was another aspect that I had completely overlooked
Life was now career, relationships and health
As I turned 26, I understood I was motivated by creating things. I loved working with small, committed teams. I loved to write. My understanding of career was, in fact, flawed. Career to me had meant work that paid. It really meant work that paid but was creative
Life was now an impactful career, relationships, and health
As I grew older, my circle became smaller, yet more enriching. I searched for meaning. By 28, I also wanted to be very fit. I soon discovered the answer to my question, “What is a life worth living?”
A life worth living was an impactful career, meaningful relationships and great health
I don’t think I would have gotten here if I had focused on my set path at 20. Perhaps I would have been thrilled. Perhaps I would have been lost and confused
But I would certainly not have discovered myself
Looking back, my biggest learning was that life was not about just executing a plan. It was to allow yourself to go with the flow. This was the hardest mental reset for someone who thrived in the life of ambitious plans. But I am glad I did the reset, if just accidentally. Looking back, I realise everyone has their answer to a life worth living
All you have to do is allow yourself to discover it