And . . . she's back!! So good to see you in my inbox. This is a critical distinction. "When people tell me to be realistic, what they are saying is that they do not think that I am resilient." And your course idea is brilliant. Who ever thought of building community around this specific segment of the population. Great idea.
Thank you so much, Rick! It feels so good to be back. Writing is such a joy. I appreciate the kind words about the course too. I'm looking forward to hosting it!
haha a couple people asked if they had to be on a sabbatical or laid off, I may have to structure a live course that's just hanging out with friends :) and also thank you, that intention means a lot to me!
I loved this, Michelle! You actually have the realistic perspective that there will always be problems to solve not the people telling you to be realistic!!
I think entrepreneurs anyways need a mix of naivety, perseverance and luck!
So excited for you and the new course launch. Good luck!!
Thank you Alex, I'm glad you enjoyed it! Sometimes I do feel like the most realistic perspective is recognizing that there is no such thing as realistic. I agree and love the idea that we need a bit of naivety, perseverance and luck! I appreciate the comment!
Great articulation of a not-so-often talked about mindset, Michelle. More people would benefit thinking like this and knowing less than usual when going into a project/path. I would even argue it is necessary to achieve great things.
These two guys would agree with us. This quote by the great Paul Theroux: “It is fatal to know too much at the outset. Boredom comes as quickly to the traveler who knows his route as to the novelist who is over certain of his plot.”
Thank you for the comment Oscar, this video of Orson Welles made me laugh. This quote is so perfect too. It's true, life is also a bit more fun with a little bit more ignorance and embrace the unknown. I appreciate all your support with the live course and throughout this whole journey!
...so inspiring Michelle...you are a bad ass and every time the nerd in me tries to play it safe i have to remember what a drag that would be (albeit with a 401k)...cheers to building the life we want instead of the life we could have...
haha CansaFis *you* are a bad ass and inspire me to be more weird, funny and unconventional too. 401ks are tempting, so I won't comment there but yes cheers! Thank you for the kind words!
This essay was so timely Michelle, and such a source of courage. Being naive is an audacious, wonderful thing, and I'm grateful that this essay reminded me to hold on to it.
Congrats on launching the course, I hope it's a massive success!
I'm so happy it was well timed for you, Saalik! Audacious is the perfect word here. I love seeing the projects your launching as well. Thank you so much for the good vibes too, I'm excited for the live course!
You’re already ambitious and winning. Keep going! I don’t think naive is even the word. I think you are less naive about your own interests and motivation than most people
This is an interesting point. I love Michelle's use of "naive" because it's a word of warning I've always received and been afraid of (I clicked real quick on this essay and related to it), but Paul is right. I think you're quite aware, Michelle. Good luck.
Thank you Paul and Zoe! I love this discussion. I feel ambitious, winning, naive, all of the above at all different times. I'm happy to hear the piece resonated and appreciate the support! It's a little reminder to me too that embracing "naive" is sometimes the more fun path too.
I so appreciate the way you embraced your naivety as a superpower. And it sounds like it’s paid dividends—more than just money. Thanks for inviting us into your journey!
You’re narrating so much of my inner experience as I contemplate my own move(s). For me it’s not just other people but an inner part that feels safer where I am (professionally and financially) and wants to choose that over the more internal drive to go out on my own. Thanks for sharing your experience and this perspective.
Thank you for the kind words Josh! I agree too, the inner part drives so many of my decisions too, including wanting me to be safe. Maybe that's why people's words hit me, it's something I'm worried about too. I'm glad that the piece resonated! Best of luck on your journey!
"I have embraced naivety. I follow my intuition and my interests. No one has to warn me that this journey will be difficult. It has already been difficult.
Reading this gave me some peace and reaffirmation Michelle :) I think it is only in naivety that one can find courage, the more we "know" the more we have reasons to resist and fear. I love the idea of the course, I definitely need some advice on navigating this "sabbatical" better than I can by myself. Wish you the best of luck with it!
Thank you for the comment Abhishek, I'm so happy to hear it gave you some peace and reaffirmations! What you said so beautifully summarizes my same feeling. Also, thank you for the kind words about the course!
> "When people tell me to be realistic, what they are saying is that they do not think that I am resilient."
Being adaptable has always been a useful trait and is becoming *increasingly* valuable as the world becomes more uncertain and faster-changing (with globalization and AI and whatnot).
So, you're ahead of the game. Those emotional skills are what matters.
Thank you, Ryan! I agree, I think it's the people who embrace adapting to new situations that will be doing the coolest things in the next decade. I want it to be us!
This was lovely to read, Michelle. So relatable as I find myself having walked away from a stable, well paying job to write full time and pursue a more meaningful long term career. This is a post I’ll revisit in those dark hours of uncertainty, questioning, and self doubt. Thanks for writing :)
Thank you for the kind words Jack, I'm so happy to hear it resonated! It's the words I need to remember too in those dark moments of uncertainty. I think those moments are normal, as is wanting to be a little "abnormal" and embracing the unknown.
A lot o advice to be "secure" comes from peoples own insecurities.
In my now 13 year enterepreneuship journey, I gave up once, an took a job at my old company. It was a very short stint. Was simultaneously one of the best and worst decisions I made. Worst because I couldn't stand the job. Best because it fully clarified what I won't be doing ever again.
This gives me so much hope! I agree about people projecting the insecurities too. I love that your journey include going back to your old company for a bit. I think it shows that there is no linear path regardless of which one we choose. Thank you for your encouragement too!
And . . . she's back!! So good to see you in my inbox. This is a critical distinction. "When people tell me to be realistic, what they are saying is that they do not think that I am resilient." And your course idea is brilliant. Who ever thought of building community around this specific segment of the population. Great idea.
Thank you so much, Rick! It feels so good to be back. Writing is such a joy. I appreciate the kind words about the course too. I'm looking forward to hosting it!
For a brief moment I thought about going on sabbatical to join in. : )
haha a couple people asked if they had to be on a sabbatical or laid off, I may have to structure a live course that's just hanging out with friends :) and also thank you, that intention means a lot to me!
I loved this, Michelle! You actually have the realistic perspective that there will always be problems to solve not the people telling you to be realistic!!
I think entrepreneurs anyways need a mix of naivety, perseverance and luck!
So excited for you and the new course launch. Good luck!!
Thank you Alex, I'm glad you enjoyed it! Sometimes I do feel like the most realistic perspective is recognizing that there is no such thing as realistic. I agree and love the idea that we need a bit of naivety, perseverance and luck! I appreciate the comment!
Great articulation of a not-so-often talked about mindset, Michelle. More people would benefit thinking like this and knowing less than usual when going into a project/path. I would even argue it is necessary to achieve great things.
These two guys would agree with us. This quote by the great Paul Theroux: “It is fatal to know too much at the outset. Boredom comes as quickly to the traveler who knows his route as to the novelist who is over certain of his plot.”
And the also great Orson Welles: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iiHeNyY629A
Also, exciting to hear about your course!!
Thank you for the comment Oscar, this video of Orson Welles made me laugh. This quote is so perfect too. It's true, life is also a bit more fun with a little bit more ignorance and embrace the unknown. I appreciate all your support with the live course and throughout this whole journey!
...so inspiring Michelle...you are a bad ass and every time the nerd in me tries to play it safe i have to remember what a drag that would be (albeit with a 401k)...cheers to building the life we want instead of the life we could have...
haha CansaFis *you* are a bad ass and inspire me to be more weird, funny and unconventional too. 401ks are tempting, so I won't comment there but yes cheers! Thank you for the kind words!
This essay was so timely Michelle, and such a source of courage. Being naive is an audacious, wonderful thing, and I'm grateful that this essay reminded me to hold on to it.
Congrats on launching the course, I hope it's a massive success!
I'm so happy it was well timed for you, Saalik! Audacious is the perfect word here. I love seeing the projects your launching as well. Thank you so much for the good vibes too, I'm excited for the live course!
You’re already ambitious and winning. Keep going! I don’t think naive is even the word. I think you are less naive about your own interests and motivation than most people
This is an interesting point. I love Michelle's use of "naive" because it's a word of warning I've always received and been afraid of (I clicked real quick on this essay and related to it), but Paul is right. I think you're quite aware, Michelle. Good luck.
Thank you Paul and Zoe! I love this discussion. I feel ambitious, winning, naive, all of the above at all different times. I'm happy to hear the piece resonated and appreciate the support! It's a little reminder to me too that embracing "naive" is sometimes the more fun path too.
for sure! was labelled this by many for years too!
I so appreciate the way you embraced your naivety as a superpower. And it sounds like it’s paid dividends—more than just money. Thanks for inviting us into your journey!
Thank you Amanda! I'm lucky to see others embody it so well that it has inspired me to do the same. Always a journey too. I appreciate your comment!
You’re narrating so much of my inner experience as I contemplate my own move(s). For me it’s not just other people but an inner part that feels safer where I am (professionally and financially) and wants to choose that over the more internal drive to go out on my own. Thanks for sharing your experience and this perspective.
Thank you for the kind words Josh! I agree too, the inner part drives so many of my decisions too, including wanting me to be safe. Maybe that's why people's words hit me, it's something I'm worried about too. I'm glad that the piece resonated! Best of luck on your journey!
"I have embraced naivety. I follow my intuition and my interests. No one has to warn me that this journey will be difficult. It has already been difficult.
But, we are resilient."
YES. I love this & love the course! :)
THANK YOU! Appreciate the love 💖
🪿💙✨
Reading this gave me some peace and reaffirmation Michelle :) I think it is only in naivety that one can find courage, the more we "know" the more we have reasons to resist and fear. I love the idea of the course, I definitely need some advice on navigating this "sabbatical" better than I can by myself. Wish you the best of luck with it!
Thank you for the comment Abhishek, I'm so happy to hear it gave you some peace and reaffirmations! What you said so beautifully summarizes my same feeling. Also, thank you for the kind words about the course!
> "When people tell me to be realistic, what they are saying is that they do not think that I am resilient."
Being adaptable has always been a useful trait and is becoming *increasingly* valuable as the world becomes more uncertain and faster-changing (with globalization and AI and whatnot).
So, you're ahead of the game. Those emotional skills are what matters.
Thank you, Ryan! I agree, I think it's the people who embrace adapting to new situations that will be doing the coolest things in the next decade. I want it to be us!
This was lovely to read, Michelle. So relatable as I find myself having walked away from a stable, well paying job to write full time and pursue a more meaningful long term career. This is a post I’ll revisit in those dark hours of uncertainty, questioning, and self doubt. Thanks for writing :)
Thank you for the kind words Jack, I'm so happy to hear it resonated! It's the words I need to remember too in those dark moments of uncertainty. I think those moments are normal, as is wanting to be a little "abnormal" and embracing the unknown.
Totally. people are just projecting their fear on her and others on an uncertain
A lot o advice to be "secure" comes from peoples own insecurities.
In my now 13 year enterepreneuship journey, I gave up once, an took a job at my old company. It was a very short stint. Was simultaneously one of the best and worst decisions I made. Worst because I couldn't stand the job. Best because it fully clarified what I won't be doing ever again.
Don't stop! You're writing beyond good.
This gives me so much hope! I agree about people projecting the insecurities too. I love that your journey include going back to your old company for a bit. I think it shows that there is no linear path regardless of which one we choose. Thank you for your encouragement too!
I loved the energy and message Michelle. I find myself on a similar sometimes scary path & this was like having a friend tell me it’s gonna be okay.
Thank you Tommy! The energy comes from the rant draft haha which I somehow turned into an essay. It is going to be okay!
rant drafts so underrated
go Michelle!
Thank you Matt!