"Cancel everything and come back home. I'll pay for it."

It was late into March 2023.

I was still in India for the school semester, calling my dad to update him on the newly-discovered (but thankfully trivial) hole in my heart.

Then we came to the topic of where I'd be during May - August 2023—4 months of summer vacation.

I presented to him my reasons and research on Medellín, Colombia:

• Similar timezone to my next semester's city (Buenos Aires, Argentina) → less flying + easier transition into the semester
• Growing expat community, including people with similar goals as me (digital nomads & entrepreneurs)
• Good public transportation; safe and affordable Uber for private transportation
• Affordable cost of living (compared to the US or Singapore)

And I'd found another classmate to stay with, so I wouldn't be truly alone.

Well, my dad dismissed all of it.

I felt hurt, but I also knew that my plans were grounded in good data.

And after 4 months of following those plans, I realized that I'd proven a quote I'd encountered 5 years ago:

Their understanding is not required for your progress.

— Brendon Burchard

💡 Their understanding is not required for your progress, because...

THEIR understanding is derived from:

• What they know about "the possible options out there"
• What they feel is the "best" possible path, in alignment with
  • their values & principles
  • what they know about your current context

However...

1. For most people, the "possible options" they know are limited to the paths they've taken.

And very few people have the time (nor are willing) to research alternative paths.

As such, alternative paths—like the one they're cautioning you against—feel "unsafe" and "too risky".

2. It's not possible for them to share all of your values & principles

This is because there are millions of nuances to how we define our values and principles.

Take "honesty", for example. I'm okay with telling "white" lies because it can minimize emotional or psychological damage.

And I'd still consider myself an honest person.

Meanwhile, I know a few people who define "honesty" as "telling the truth, even if it is hurtful".

These friends would consider me a dishonest person.

No one but you knows all of your nuances.

3. It's not possible for them to know everything about you

Unless you have a camera hanging around your neck, recording your life 24/7...

And that person you're seeking "understanding" from has:

• watched all of those recordings, AND
• kept in mind your definitions of your values and principles while watching those recordings

No one but you knows all of your experiences, context, and current circumstances.

↑ This is the #1 reason why I refrain from giving advice when I coach.

Instead, I try to ask neutral, exploratory questions to help my coachees:

• consider alternative paths and opportunities
• eliminate paths that would lead to misaligned living

on their own.

✅ When you seek "understanding" from others, you're really waiting for their permission. But...

1. You might never get that permission.

And so you continue living your life in misalignment—and endure the suffering it brings—until life hits you with a "wake-up call".

2. Even when you get their permission, it often comes with what they think you can or cannot do.

So you'll play on the safer side, never truly pushing your boundaries and growing as much as you could've.

📈 So, what's required for your progress?

Getting clear on YOUR understanding of:

• What you want
• Where you are now
• Where you're headed next
• Whether you like where you're headed next
• What action(s) you need to take to reach your goals

AND taking action will help you a lot more.

↑ I'm sharing my step-by-step framework for this in a FREE 5-day email course! It will launch in late September 2023.

Click here to join the waitlist.

(The email course will expand on the "map" concept I developed on my Zero-to-Noob journey.)

⚔️ Note: There's no need to start a war

My dad dismissed my research because he was concerned for my safety.

My dad has also lived in Singapore for most of his life. And it's true that very few countries are as safe as Singapore.

The people who don't understand what you do likely come from a similar position: They mean well.

But if you've done objective research...

👉🏻 and you know what you're getting yourself into...

👉🏻 and you know how to minimize your risks...

Give yourself the permission to take action.

I'll see you next week, from Buenos Aires ❤️