How pursuing unusual paths leads to success: Episode 43

We are all born with a survival mentality.

From an evolutionary perspective, we are wired to seek out the things that bring us the most safety and comfort.

So it’s only logical that as we grow up, we seek validation in the status quo and diligently follow the career and lifestyle paths that others have set before us.

But in order to achieve success, we have to be willing to pursue unusual paths.

Our guest on Episode 43 is no stranger to exploring unfamiliar territory.

From undertaking his education in various countries to running three companies while at law school, Paul Powers’ life choices have always been unconventional. Yet it’s the pursuit of these unusual paths that have set him up for success and earned him a coveted spot on the Forbes 30 under 30 list.

So how exactly does pursuing unusual paths lead to success?

Breaking free from the status quo

“To do unusual things, you have to take unusual paths. If you have big goals, you can’t look at what paths are available to me to attain them. If it were that simple, everyone would be doing it. Start at the goal and work backwards. Ask yourself what you have to do in 5, 10 or 15 years to get to where you want to go.”

Why we should take the leap

“I’ve never met an entrepreneur who really regret following their dreams. But I’ve met many people who regretted not following their dreams. No one is holding you back. You’re holding yourself back. If you don’t take the jump, there’s no one to blame but yourself.”

Finding support in unusual places

“It’s helpful if you have people around to support you but it won’t always be the people you think. Sometimes the people closest to you won’t do that because their instinct is to keep you safe. Being an entrepreneur means that you’re running away from safety and shelter because you think there’ll be something better out there.”

Having a consistent work ethic

“To be an entrepreneur, you have to be autonomous and a self-starter. The only way to train is your mind is to just start and plan carefully. You also need to be both micro and macro focused. You can do both if you focus on the large goal down the road and then work backwards. The stuff you’re doing now will never feel mundane or useless because you know it’s part of your larger goal.”

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To learn more about how Paul Powers became a successful serial entrepreneur and qualify for the Forbes 30 under 30 list, listen to the full episode here: https://thepeersproject.com/ep-43-paulpowers/