As children, we are taught to strive for something big, that we can be anything, or to make something of ourselves.

The traditional path is that you finish grade 12, go off to university or college and then begin on your way in your new career.

Start small. Accept the entry position within the company. Do well with that and you will get noticed which ideally will present the next opportunity in your career. Celebrate. Work harder. Do more great things. Get a promotion. Move up yet again. Onward and upward you as you climb each rung of the corporate ladder.

This trajectory was one that I followed, like so many people today and before me, and likely a path that you are on as well. But if there is one thing that we are seeing more and more of, it is that this traditional path is exhausting and is one that can diminish our passion.

Why does the path have to look like this? Is it because we feel a lateral move or a detour will disrupt all that we have worked for? Or is it simply a fear of change or the unknown?

I had to share this Ted Talk because the speakers, Sarah Ellis and Helen Tupper, make a great point about making our career paths a little more squiggly and exciting.

Enjoy the watch!