5 Comments
User's avatar
Deb's avatar

This really resonated with me. I also received an award for graduating top of my class in college. Took nearly a decade of trying to live up to that potential, trying out terrible jobs and a lot of soul searching and I'm finally somewhere I feel at peace. Maybe I'd have reached somewhere better if I'd stuck to one path but I don't want to keep thinking about what ifs and focus on enjoying where I am. Great work! Really enjoy your content

Expand full comment
Shreya Chandwadkar's avatar

Can feel this post in my bones.

Wrote about this recently!

About how we have to carve our own path regardless of what the world around you is doing. Eventually we do find success.

Expand full comment
Nigel Yeung's avatar

Yep. Same same. Won a scholarship to UK Boarding School age 11. Then mediocrity for 6 years. Won a place at Oxford, them mediocrity and a Desmond 2:2. Got a fancy job in London. And did really bad at it. Tried to restart my job again in HK and failed again. Restarted my job again in Singapore. Was not particularly successful. But from each job I learned. Did a fancy MBA and was near the bottom of the class vs any English speaking classmate. Retired at 54 so that I do not have to compare in the rat race. Now living in JB. To avoid comparisons. But now happy.

Expand full comment
Chelle's avatar

Felt this a lot, feeling stuck now.

Expand full comment
Peter L's avatar

I volunteer to help write Sheila’s book! (This is a genuine offer)

Expand full comment