In episode 25, Paul Millerd comes on the show and we question the default path to work and life.
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Topics covered
[00:40] Adrian introduces Paul Millerd and how much he loved his book The Pathless Path.
[02:59] “I have this sense that something is off…….and writing for me was really this search for my own truth..” – Paul
[04:24] Paul gives a synopsis of his coming of age, his early career, and how he landed in entrepreneurship.
[06:56] Paul discusses his discontentment with the traditional path.
[08:52] “Have my principles won out against this environment, or have they been undermined?” – Paul
[09:40] Adrian asks Paul to define what he thinks of as the default path.
[10:44] “A vast majority of people….don’t have the energy to crush it…” – Paul
[13:07] Adrian talks about his early career work obsession and why he was chasing success by working himself unsustainably.
[14:41] “Since everyone else is doing the same thing, you don’t realize you’re becoming this…way.” – Paul
[16:00] “Alright, it’s 5, 6 o’clock…I’ve been working like 12 hours straight…I’m gonna walk down to the bar…..” – Adrian
[17:08] Adrian asks Paul how he developed the courage to break from the typical cycles in the midst of criticism.
[19:38] “I was using the story of freelance for the first year, but I had no idea what I was doing…it was really scary..” – Paul
[20:19] Paul discusses the way that some people are still critical with his way of life even though he has been able to find some success.
[21:22] “My need to question things is what has led me to this” – Paul
[22:08] Adrian asks Paul to define success.
[24:02] “Success very practically for me is, can I keep this journey going without harming the people in my life?” – Paul
[26:13] Adrian references Jordan Peterson talking about the hero’s journey and “slaying the dragon.”
[28:39] For someone starting a career at times in the past, you did have to put your head down and “trust the company and keep working.” (Paul)
[30:21] Paul introduces his concept “Ship, Quit, and Learn.”
[33:19] Adrian talks about being self-employed and having the ability to make your own schedule and create the life you want versus being forced into a particular schedule in a traditional job.
[35:30] “I’m very good at non-work” – Paul
[39:25] Adrian asks Paul for advice for beginner writers.
[36:55] Adrian comments on being able to take time off from work for self reflection and the importance of that.
[41:06] Paul recounts that writing is infinitely interesting and challenging to him. Even after writing a book he still struggles in a good way to find the words.
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