Create Your Own Path as Systems Lag Behind
I recently came across my new favorite Latin phrase: “Aut viam inveniam aut faciam.” I will find a way, or I will make one. It's a perfect description of the life philosophy I've had long before I had language for it. As a rambunctious and often oblivious kid with ADHD, I was constantly bumping up against systems that weren’t designed for how my brain works. The message (explicit or not) was: try harder to fit. And sometimes that worked... but a lot of the time, it just didn't ¯\_(ツ)_/¯. Instead, I learned to adapt the system, or build my own: - Finding unconventional ways to focus - Asking for support or work-arounds - Turning struggles into unique advantages And this mindset - find a way or make one - is about to become necessary for everyone. We’re entering a moment where the pace of change is outstripping our existing systems: at work, in how we define productivity, and in our relationships. The old paths won’t always be there. And even when they are, they won’t always be the right ones. Which means more of us will need to question inherited norms, prioritize adaptability over rigidity, and trust ourselves enough to take the less obvious route. Not everyone will feel comfortable with that. But if you’ve ever felt like the system wasn’t built for you, you may already be ahead. Because you’ve been practicing this all along. Aut viam inveniam aut faciam. Find a way. Or make one. In what ways have you found or made your own path?
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