What Should I Do with My Life? - Po Bronson
Posted: Fri May 13, 2022 1:37 pm
Stumbled across this one via my library:
https://www.amazon.com/What-Should-I-Do ... B00008ANZU
Bronson profiles roughly 50 people in their search for work that resonates. The material is about 20 years old, so a little dated. There is a bias towards white collar high achievers. The paths tend to be meandering, a bit unpredictable.
What stood out - people often talk about getting paid first, then finding a passion job. In practice, it doesn't happen. The process of chasing financial success changes a person. Excluding some rare exceptions, there's no going back. Much more common - someone either makes an incremental transition around their lucrative field, or they opt out entirely.
While opted out over the past year, I have casually considered how to participate in society. Volunteerism, paid work, whatever. Thus far, nothing has stood out. Bronson's observation mirrors my experience.
Looking at fields I might have chosen, there's no appetite to start from zero at 40. My desire to people please was never high. Having tasted success, knowing financial security, it's largely absent. I have no tolerance for posturing games or pandering to authority.
It's a good argument for making the FIRE path one you want to live today, rather than chasing maximal resources for tomorrow.
https://www.amazon.com/What-Should-I-Do ... B00008ANZU
Bronson profiles roughly 50 people in their search for work that resonates. The material is about 20 years old, so a little dated. There is a bias towards white collar high achievers. The paths tend to be meandering, a bit unpredictable.
What stood out - people often talk about getting paid first, then finding a passion job. In practice, it doesn't happen. The process of chasing financial success changes a person. Excluding some rare exceptions, there's no going back. Much more common - someone either makes an incremental transition around their lucrative field, or they opt out entirely.
While opted out over the past year, I have casually considered how to participate in society. Volunteerism, paid work, whatever. Thus far, nothing has stood out. Bronson's observation mirrors my experience.
Looking at fields I might have chosen, there's no appetite to start from zero at 40. My desire to people please was never high. Having tasted success, knowing financial security, it's largely absent. I have no tolerance for posturing games or pandering to authority.
It's a good argument for making the FIRE path one you want to live today, rather than chasing maximal resources for tomorrow.