What I've Been Thinking About
👣 Do not be tempted by following the footsteps of the wise
Do not seek to follow in the footsteps of the wise. Seek what they sought.
- Dan Simmons, from his book Hyperion
When it comes to emulating those we look up to, we focus too much on their specific path and outcomes, instead of emulating their values, systems, and habits. The path that was taken and the outcome reached is simply the manifestation of these important precursors.
Following in the footsteps of others is a case of missing the forest for the trees. Whenever we look to be where others are, there are many possible paths to get them where they are now. The specific path taken can be misleading if treated as a blueprint.
There is also an important difference in context that changes everything: time. Time will alter what paths are possible, which are most likely to succeed, and which ones will contain headwinds or tailwinds. The surest way to not become the next Bill Gates, Jeff Bezos, or Elon Musk is to do the exact same things they did.
Instead, we want to know the mindset, frameworks, and processes they used to get to where they ended up despite the path taken.
When we overly focus on our path to where we are today, we end up using it as a way to shut ourselves down. We compare and contrast with others, treating differences in path as dealbreakers to a similar outcome.
Here's an image Tim Urban recently shared:
"We think a lot about those black lines, forgetting that it's all still in our hands."
If you only see a single destination with a narrow path ahead of yourself, it's only because you've put blinders on and haven't yet taken them off.
You're driving using your rearview mirror, not the massive windshield right in front of your face.
As humans, our nature is to mimic one another. It's impossible to avoid. We just have to be intentional with what aspects of others we mimic. Having that intention in our life is what re-orients our eyes to the open road ahead of us and lets us end up somewhere of our own accord and enjoy the winding path taken.