Opening This is a Risk

In 2019 I entered my freshman year of college to pursue my degree in finance to graduate and get a high paying finance job

I essentially had my entire life plan drafted up for myself, get good grades, get good finance job, live below my means, save and invest, and retire “early” probably somewhere in my 40’s or 50’s

That path isn’t guaranteed per say, but it’s a pretty safe route to take, except it’s not!

You can get fired for no reason, AI can take your job, or even worse, you can spend decades of your young years working at something you don’t enjoy

In 2019 I stumbled upon a youtube video that reframed how I thought about risk - let me share it

you can watch the minute long clip here

basically - he says it’s all risky, from the moment you’re born

starting a business is risky

investing is risky - but wait till you see the bill for not investing

trying is risky - but wait till you see the bill for not trying

driving your car everyday is risky

you get in an airplane and you have no clue who the pilot is

and so as I thought about this, if everything is risky, then I can assess everything the same, and just think about what I want to do

because if everything is risky (and it is) why wouldn’t you at least go for what you like then?

Go for the audacious career path

Move to the place you’ve dreamed of living

Start the business

because as Jim Rohn says, if you want to live a comfortable life, you can hide from the world, shelter yourself, and live a long comfortable life

but what fun is that? To know you never took a single shot on yourself and the life you actually want

So many people are alive but not actually living 

I optimize my life to minimize regret - I couldn’t imagine getting older and looking back and thinking about not taking “risks” in my young years when I have the most energy I’ll ever have

Chase adventure, not comfort.

best,

Alex