For a long time, I've known I wanted to be in control of my future. The traditional route—working for a large company, climbing the corporate ladder—never felt right to me. It lacked the excitement, the risk, and the freedom I wanted for my life.
When I thought about pursuing a traditional career, I could easily picture myself at 50, following a set path, and that vision actually scared me.
For many, the unknown is intimidating; the idea of creating your own path is overwhelming. Building something from scratch, developing routines to sustain it, and making it all financially viable feels like an insurmountable challenge.
But for me, the thought of knowing exactly what my future looked like in 30 years was far more terrifying. The unknown was liberating—a space of endless possibilities. It just meant the responsibility to make it work lay solely with me, and that’s where I found my drive.
What I find most thought-provoking about this topic is the reality that working for someone else means placing your well-being and financial security in someone else’s hands. You hope that your hard work will be compensated fairly, maybe even rewarded.
But when times get tough, the most vulnerable position to be in is one where someone else determines your value to them. By taking the risk to build my own income streams, I’ve removed that reliance. My value doesn’t hinge on anyone else’s assessment, and I have the freedom to focus on positioning myself exactly where and how I want to be.
Time To Grow:
I love sharing with younger people the importance of building their own income streams or starting a company. It’s one of the best ways to create a secure, empowering future for yourself and your family.
Starting early is a huge advantage. Many plan to wait until their 30s, once they’ve established their reputation and knowledge, but by then, they often have more to lose—like family responsibilities or a mortgage.
Launching a business can mean a lower initial income, and growth takes time. Those first ten years, from 20 to 30, are a golden period to take risks, fail, learn, and grow—without the weight of major obligations holding you back.
Starting early gives you the time to grow and learn exactly how you can build something and be successful.
Comparison:
One of the hardest challenges is resisting the urge to compare your progress with others around you. Forging your own path often feels like stepping away from the well-worn, fast-paced route that many of your peers are taking.
There will be moments when it feels like you’re moving into uncertainty—even a dead end—while others climb the corporate ladder. But if you stay focused on your vision, taking the time to truly understand it and move steadily toward it, you’ll ultimately go further than most. Building something meaningful takes time, and starting early gives you the space to pursue those unique dreams.
Many people rush into the short-term pursuit of money and success, believing it will bring happiness and fulfilment. But often, this isn't true. When you give yourself the time and freedom to pursue what you truly want, the sense of success and fulfilment that follows is far more complete and deeply rewarding.
Never let insecure comparisons shape your decisions or limit your potential. Only you know the true scale and brilliance of your dreams—and what you’re capable of achieving.
Isolation:
Sometimes, chasing your dreams means embracing what makes you different. It means standing out, being misunderstood, and facing moments of doubt, suffering, and loneliness. But know this: every challenge will start to make sense once you begin making progress.
These feelings of isolation stem from not being understood. You may feel like the only person in the world who sees or thinks the way you do. It can be lonely, but trust me, as soon as you make even the smallest strides forward, others will begin to align with your vision.
At the core, people don’t want to stand apart from the crowd or be seen as an Outcast or Outlaw 👀. But when you show progress and achieve success, you become the leader—the beacon—for those who never had the courage to dream big or take the first steps toward making their dreams a reality.
Take The First Steps:
Five Key Questions to Help You Find the Right Career Path:
What do I love to do that fills me with excitement and joy?
What skills or activities am I naturally good at, where I can lose track of time?
What limitations am I placing on my decisions and dreams that might be holding me back?
What are my biggest insecurities, and how could they be affecting my choices?
How do I define happiness and success for myself?
If you can answer these questions and envision a future version of yourself where those answers align, it may be a strong signal to dive deeper into this path. This vision can serve as a powerful indicator that this direction holds genuine potential for fulfilment and success.
Once you identify a dream that excites you, begin planning. Visualising the version of yourself who has already achieved that dream means you’re halfway there. Now, work backwards from your ultimate goal, breaking it down into actionable steps that will guide your progress. Each step brings you closer to making that vision a reality.
Create a roadmap for your journey, marking key milestones and goals along the way.
Remember - Start small, build steadily, and grow at a pace that ensures long-term sustainability.
I am Will Flindall, host of the Valley of Outlaws Podcast where I speak to those who have decided to take control of their life and follow a passion or instinct.
If you feel like you could be getting more from your life, then maybe one of the conversations I’ve had with the Outlaws might help you kickstart a change.
Peace x
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