And what you can do to make sure that doesn’t happen to you.
The system teaches you how to work, not how to think.
You’re taught to follow instructions, not question the path.
You’re trained to specialize in one subject, but not encouraged to understand yourself.
And that’s the real reason so many people wake up one day in jobs, cities, and lives that feel like a trap.
A real story that sparked this thought:
I was talking to a friend recently.
Brilliant guy.
Final year of his M.Tech. Just got placed in a prestigious government job.
Only six states in India offer this role.
I said, “Wow, you must be excited to travel and live in different places.”
He replied: “No, that’s not how it works. You don’t choose where you go. They assign you. If you want the job, you go where they send you.”
And just like that, something clicked.
It’s not just about the job.
It’s the whole system.
The hidden training:
To get into a good college for B.Tech or M.Tech, you often have to leave home.
People say, “It’s for better education, better faculty.”
But look deeper.
You’re being trained to live away from your roots. To become self-reliant. But also, to adapt to a system where your choices shrink over time.
You’re taught one thing. To do it well. And to not ask questions beyond your syllabus.
You’re not taught how to explore your inner world. You’re not given time or tools to figure out who you truly are or what you actually want.
The cost of a life not designed by you:
You start your job. You work hard. You earn well (hopefully).
But somewhere inside, you feel like something’s missing.
You want to try something new. But you don’t know what. Because no one ever taught you to explore outside the plan.
And with time, the risks feel bigger. You now have responsibilities. Family. Bills. Expectations.
So you stay. Not because you love it. But because you don’t know what else is out there.
“Most people tiptoe through life, hoping to make it safely to death.” — Earl Nightingale
This isn’t a criticism of the job.
A stable life isn’t bad. A job isn’t the villain.
But a life that was never really yours? That hurts.
When your dreams are replaced by duty, And your growth is replaced by survival, You slowly stop believing that anything different is possible.
“It’s not hard to live a life that others approve of. It’s hard to live a life that you approve of.”
So what can you do?
You don’t need to quit your job tomorrow.
You don’t need to start a company overnight.
But you do need to start learning about yourself.
Your values.
Your curiosity.
Your natural talents.
Create something small.
Write.
Design.
Learn a skill.
Share something online.
That’s how you break the script.
That’s how you build clarity.
That’s how you create a life that feels right to you.
Because clarity gives you direction.
Direction gives you confidence.
And confidence makes you unstoppable.
“The privilege of a lifetime is to become who you truly are.” — Carl Jung
If this message resonates with you:
Check out my digital product One-Person Empire — made for people who want to:
- Understand the digital economy
- Build a life around their curiosity
- Learn how to earn independently
- Create content and offers that feel real and aligned
And if you need help with Web Design or Digital Strategy to turn your ideas into income, I offer 1:1 services too.
Visit our website’s digital presence and schedule a call with us to turn your dreams into reality.
Let’s build a life that feels as good as it looks.
