Another great essay, Andy. So much of it resonates with me and has some similarities to the journey I am on. It's not an easy path, but certainly a rewarding one with more truth and joy (at least for me). I really like how you frame asking for career advice as asking for someone else to decide your life path. It's so true and I have several times received advice that is so counter to what I need and want and is mostly what society deems as the path to success: up, up and up the corporate ladder. Breaking free and unlearning this all is hard and I am still very a much at the beginning of this journey. Your writing has been a great inspiration to me along the way. Thank you.
Thanks, Deema! Breaking free of the pattern is difficult. Just know that by doing so you become more in touch with yourself, and there's not better relationship to cultivate than the one we have with ourselves.
Your comedic writing skills are 🤌 chef’s kiss! I love how you unapologetically are documenting such a radical shift in your life after achieving so much career “success”. I am not able to fake being into the written word but yours has me reading voraciously. I am definitely going to be waiting for new content with my 💨🍃and coffee.
Side note: I am patiently waiting on the Andy Johns podcast/YouTube as well as some merch. 😊
Merch! Interesting :) What kind of merch are you thinking? I've toyed around with the idea but haven't put too much thought into it. If I do make merch, I'll make it for sale on clues.life
Hey Andy - love your article. Your point that you should do what you want to do and not what society wants you to do is both obvious and also something most people are unaware of (or lack the courage to do)- this includes me as well.
Just wondering- what are some things you are doing in your career that are fulfilling to you at the moment and potentially unconventional in others' eyes?
Well, the biggest shift is that I've stepped away almost entirely from my career in tech (at the peak of it), which most people would consider unconventional. Instead, I've shifted towards writing as a new "career" (I don't make money as a writer, hence the quotes). I find the writing I'm doing, the flexibility it gives me, and the significantly lower stress to be very fulfilling compared to how I used to work non-stop.
Andy, I appreciate your write. Its seems to be a bit an extreme take (i.e "Why you should never ask for career advice"). For me (after reflections), I took career advice until I realized that I no longer need it. Its like you having training wheels on your bike (until you don't need it).
In the process (when you have training wheels), you develop confidence and wisdom to help you make your own decisions.
Thus, isn't the conclusion more like "take it until you need it" then let go of the training wheels?
That's a reasonable approach, up until the point that you come to utmost clarity on who you are and what you want out of life. But once you know that, asking others for career advice is self-deceptive.
This was wonderful. A great reminder to me, to keep enquiring inwardly. I seem to stop at a blockage somewhere - and my ego making excuses and reasons why not to continue - but this is inspiring me to keep going. Thank you.
This post is absolutely beautiful!! As a tech bro, I can relate to every step of this journey and I'm at the inflection point you've described. It was really helpful to hear your account of your journey!!
Solid. Reading this late, but right when I needed it. I appreciate you for putting this out in the world. It matters.
🙏
Another great essay, Andy. So much of it resonates with me and has some similarities to the journey I am on. It's not an easy path, but certainly a rewarding one with more truth and joy (at least for me). I really like how you frame asking for career advice as asking for someone else to decide your life path. It's so true and I have several times received advice that is so counter to what I need and want and is mostly what society deems as the path to success: up, up and up the corporate ladder. Breaking free and unlearning this all is hard and I am still very a much at the beginning of this journey. Your writing has been a great inspiration to me along the way. Thank you.
Thanks, Deema! Breaking free of the pattern is difficult. Just know that by doing so you become more in touch with yourself, and there's not better relationship to cultivate than the one we have with ourselves.
Your comedic writing skills are 🤌 chef’s kiss! I love how you unapologetically are documenting such a radical shift in your life after achieving so much career “success”. I am not able to fake being into the written word but yours has me reading voraciously. I am definitely going to be waiting for new content with my 💨🍃and coffee.
Side note: I am patiently waiting on the Andy Johns podcast/YouTube as well as some merch. 😊
Merch! Interesting :) What kind of merch are you thinking? I've toyed around with the idea but haven't put too much thought into it. If I do make merch, I'll make it for sale on clues.life
*and coffee ☕️ cups
“Don’t need to be like them, just need to be like me.”
Hey Andy - love your article. Your point that you should do what you want to do and not what society wants you to do is both obvious and also something most people are unaware of (or lack the courage to do)- this includes me as well.
Just wondering- what are some things you are doing in your career that are fulfilling to you at the moment and potentially unconventional in others' eyes?
Well, the biggest shift is that I've stepped away almost entirely from my career in tech (at the peak of it), which most people would consider unconventional. Instead, I've shifted towards writing as a new "career" (I don't make money as a writer, hence the quotes). I find the writing I'm doing, the flexibility it gives me, and the significantly lower stress to be very fulfilling compared to how I used to work non-stop.
Andy, I appreciate your write. Its seems to be a bit an extreme take (i.e "Why you should never ask for career advice"). For me (after reflections), I took career advice until I realized that I no longer need it. Its like you having training wheels on your bike (until you don't need it).
In the process (when you have training wheels), you develop confidence and wisdom to help you make your own decisions.
Thus, isn't the conclusion more like "take it until you need it" then let go of the training wheels?
That's a reasonable approach, up until the point that you come to utmost clarity on who you are and what you want out of life. But once you know that, asking others for career advice is self-deceptive.
Thanks.
Andy, your substack came into my world at just the right time. All can say is thank you and please keep at it; I look forward to each new post.
Thank you very much, Erika :)
One of the best articles I’ve read on this platform to date
Thank you
Not sure why this oldie popped up in my Substack feed but damn, it’s a banger.
Such a powerful essay Andy! Thanks so much!
I appreciate it 🤙
This was wonderful. A great reminder to me, to keep enquiring inwardly. I seem to stop at a blockage somewhere - and my ego making excuses and reasons why not to continue - but this is inspiring me to keep going. Thank you.
This article really resonated with me. Thank you for writing this, Andy.
Thank you for sharing that with me. I truly appreciate it.
Your thoughts inspire me to take action and discover my true self.
I love how infectious it is -- the fire you've built from the ashes of your earlier life. ️🔥
Thanks brother! 🙏
What a beauty!
This post is absolutely beautiful!! As a tech bro, I can relate to every step of this journey and I'm at the inflection point you've described. It was really helpful to hear your account of your journey!!