Taking Responsibility — How I Changed My Life

Throughout my entire life I always did what people told me was the best idea.

During High School I took an extra course one hour before school started and participated in extra curricular activities for 3–6 hours after classes had ended.

I took AP and college courses starting in 11th grade, and even joined a 6-week summer program that took place every summer break for 3 years just to get ahead.

By the time I graduated I had 3 Semesters worth of college credits already, all because I was told I needed to be smart, talented and have a great resume to get into a great college and get a great job.

This is what everyone around me was doing, what my teachers said and what my parents trained me to do… so I did it, never questioning whether that was the right path.

The only question that I ever had to answer was, on that path, which specific career would I pursue? And just like that, I stopped considering any and all alternatives.

I blindly trusted them, handing the wheel to my life over to them, believing that they would know the road better than me and drive me where I wanted to go.

I gave up any and all responsibility and just did as I was told.