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.
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!!
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.”
...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...
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!
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
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.
"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!
> "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.
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 :)
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.
Yay Michelle! I love the reframe. Definitely helpful for me as people tell me about the realities of the creative writing path. Excited for your course!
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.
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!!
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!!
...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...
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!
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
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.
"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! :)
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!
> "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.
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 :)
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.
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.
go Michelle!
Yay Michelle! I love the reframe. Definitely helpful for me as people tell me about the realities of the creative writing path. Excited for your course!