The Power of Saying No to the Safe Path

A note to young leaders.

In 1992, I was offered a USD 100k p.a. scholarship to pursue a PhD in empirical accounting at the University of Chicago Booth School of Business.

That’s a significant sum even by today’s standards – but in 1992, it was the equivalent today of about USD 230k.

Much to my mother’s dismay, I declined the offer.

My reasoning was simple: I didn’t want to dedicate my life to doing something I knew I could do. I knew I could become a Professor – teaching and research came easily to me.

I wanted instead to try something I wasn’t so sure I could excel at. I wanted to test and stretch myself, so I chose to become a property investor and tech entrepreneur.

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There’s a restlessness in the soul of man that’s very much akin to that of ants.

We come to the world with an itch to scratch, and we must scratch it or else go mad.

We do not enter the world “tabula rasa” (a clean slate), as is commonly supposed. We arrive on Earth with leanings, longings, aversions and a draft agenda.

Comprehend that about yourself – and others – and you will gain much in wisdom and understanding.