Why We Choose the Road Less Traveled

What truly defines success, and how does one achieve happiness? As we wrap up the season finale of Not a Doctor or an Engineer, I reflect on these profound questions that have driven our exploration this season. From the initial excitement and fear of stepping off the beaten path to discovering the deeper meaning of success through the eyes of our diverse guests, this episode is a personal and collective journey of growth and introspection. Financial stability once seemed like the ultimate goal, but the stories we've shared reveal that true success is about the impact we make on others' lives and the fulfillment we find in aligning our work with our values.

Throughout this season, we've heard from artists, entrepreneurs, adventurers, and innovators who have all redefined success on their own terms. These conversations have highlighted that happiness isn't a fixed destination but a state of being, influenced by small moments, meaningful connections, and staying true to oneself. Join me, Deepika Rao, as we celebrate these powerful stories, reflect on our shared journey, and embrace the authenticity and purpose that bring a deeper sense of contentment and joy. Thank you for being a part of this incredible season, and here's to many more stories that inspire and transform our understanding of what it means to live a fulfilling life.

Transcript

Speaker 1: 0:10

Welcome back everyone to the season finale of Not a Doctor or an Engineer. I am Deepika Rao, your host, and I can hardly believe we have reached the end of the season together. Over the past few weeks and months, we have explored the journeys of remarkable individuals who have chosen to follow their passions, even when it meant stepping off the well-worn path and forging their own way. Their stories have been eye-opening, inspiring and deeply moving. As I sit here today, reflecting on all we have shared and learned, I find myself revisiting my reasons for doing what I'm doing. You see this podcast, these conversations. It's not just a project for me. It's a reflection of my own journey, my own choice to pursue a life that's true to who I am and hopefully make some money on the way. And today, as we wrap up the season and take a break till the new year, I want to take a moment to share some of my own thoughts, experiences and reflections with you. When I think back to when I first started this journey, I remember a sense of excitement, but also a bit of fear Bit, I'm lying A lot of fear. Choosing a path that isn't laid out for you, that doesn't have a clear roadmap or guarantees, can be daunting, but it's also exhilarating. The idea of creating something that was mine, something that could inspire others and bring about change, was too powerful to ignore. I've always believed that our work should be an extension of our values and passions. It should reflect who we are at our core. But that's easier said than done, isn't it? It's one thing to have a passion and another to turn that passion into a career, and yet every person we have spoken to in this season has done just that. They have taken their dreams and molded them into something real, something that sustains them not just financially, but emotionally and spiritually as well.

Speaker 1: 2:19

One of the most powerful themes that emerged from our conversations was the idea of success. What does it really mean to be successful? For some, it's about financial stability or recognition. For others, it's about freedom the freedom to choose how they spend their time, who they work with and what they focus on. I will be honest for me, success has always been, or for the long time has been, about the money Show me the money. But I learned along the way that it actually was about the impact. It's about the ripples we create in the lives of others.

Speaker 1: 2:56

When I first embarked on this journey, my idea of success was somewhat traditional. I wanted to build something from the ground up to see it grow and thrive. But as time went on, my perspective shifted. I began to see success not just in terms of numbers or accolades, but in the connections I made, the stories I shared and the lives I touched. I still want money, of course I do I live in this world after all but it is not the only metric I measure anymore.

Speaker 1: 3:31

Each guest we had on this season brought their own definition of success, and each one was different, but there was a common thread fulfillment. Whether they were artists, entrepreneurs, adventurers or innovators, they all found success in doing what they love, in staying true to their passions and in making a difference in their own unique way. And then there's the question of happiness. It's a big, complicated question, isn't it? Are you happy, are you? It's something we don't ask often, you know, we don't often ask ourselves, but it's so important.

Speaker 1: 4:09

In my own journey, I have come to realize that happiness isn't a destination, it's a state of being. It's found in the small moments, in the satisfaction of a job well done, in the connections we make and in the alignment of our work with our values. But happiness isn't constant. It ebbs and flows. There are days when everything feels right, when I'm in the flow and everything just clicks. And then there are days when the challenges feel overwhelming, when doubt creeps in and when the path ahead seems unclear. And, yeah, I put my head down, cry for a bit and feel better. Head down, cry for a bit and feel better. But even in those moments, there's a deep sense of contentment in knowing that I'm living a life that's true to who I am. That's the kind of happiness I strive for, a happiness that's grounded in authenticity and purpose.

Speaker 1: 5:04

As I reflect on this season and all the incredible stories we have shared, I can't help but think about the advice I had offered to anyone considering a similar journey. Over the course of these episodes, we have heard so many pearls of wisdom from our guests, and I've been thinking about how to distill that into something meaningful for you, our listeners. First and foremost, trust yourself. Trust your instincts, your passion, your vision. The world is full of noise, people telling you what you should do, how you should live, what success looks like, but only you know what's right for you. Your passion is your compass. It will guide you even when the path isn't clear, even when others don't understand. It's easy to doubt yourself, especially when you're forging a new path, but remember every great journey starts with a single step, often in a direction that others might not understand.

Speaker 1: 5:59

Second, redefine success on your own terms. We have talked about this a lot this season, but it's worth repeating. Don't let society dictate what success should look like for you. It's your journey and only you can decide what will make you feel accomplished. For some, success might mean financial freedom or professional recognition. For others, it might mean creative fulfillment or the ability to spend time with loved ones. Whatever it is, make sure it aligns with your values and your vision for your life.

Speaker 1: 6:34

Third, embrace the unknown. The unconventional path is often unpredictable, but it's in those uncertain moments that you find your true strength and resilience. Many of our guests face challenges, setbacks and moments of doubt, but they push through and in doing so, they discovered aspects of themselves they never knew existed. The unknown can be scary, but it's also where the magic happens. It's where you grow, learn and, ultimately, where you find your true self. And finally, remember that it's okay to pause, reflect and even change direction.

Speaker 1: 7:13

The path less traveled is not a straight line. It's winding with ups and downs, twists and turns. It's full of surprises, both good and bad, but that's what makes it so rewarding. If you find yourself at crossroads or if you are feeling stuck, take a step back, reflect on where you've been, where you are and where you want to go, and don't be afraid to pivot if something doesn't feel right. Pivot, pivot, pivot, as Ross would say. Flexibility and adaptability are key on this journey. Your path doesn't have to be linear, it just has to be yours.

Speaker 1: 7:55

As we close out the season, I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for joining me on this journey. Your support, your messages and your stories have been a constant source of inspiration for me. This podcast wouldn't be what it is without you, our listeners. I'm incredibly excited for what's to come in the next season. We have some amazing guests lined up and I can't wait to share their stories with you.

Speaker 1: 8:19

But until then, take a moment to reflect on your own path. Ask yourself am I following my passion? Am I living a life that's true to who I am? If the answer is yes, keep going, keep pushing, keep growing, keep creating. If the answer is no, that's okay too. It's never too late to change direction, to start something new, to follow your heart. This is Deepika signing off for now. Remember the pathless. Travel may be challenging, but it's also the most rewarding. Keep following your passion, stay true to yourself and, until next time, stay inspired. Bye-bye. If you like what you hear, subscribe and follow us on Spotify, itunes and Amazon Music. A new episode will come out every first and 15th of a month. You can also follow us on Instagram on the Inspired Life Podcast. If you want to mail me to discuss some of the things we are talking here or have a story to share on this podcast, email me at theinspiredlifeindia at gmailcom. This is Deepika and I thank you for listening.