🌅 Not everyone works in tech
There is value in expanding your horizons
I’ve been out of the Bay Area for about two months now and it has been refreshing. I miss my friends, I miss the natural beauty but I really appreciate the opportunity to meet a broader array of people. Not everyone works in tech, and the value of expanding your horizons cannot be overstated…even if you want to stay in tech. Silicon Valley's tech echo-chamber, while captivating, is just one facet of the vast world we inhabit. Every locale, from LA's film and TV scene to NYC's finance hub and Nebraska's cornfields, boasts its own unique characteristics and insular cultures.
This blog post isn't a sermon but a gentle nudge towards some of the significant benefits of stepping outside your comfort zone.
Beyond the obvious advantages like proximity to family, lifelong friends, cost of living, and space, there are more nuanced benefits.
Aperture: it becomes easier to see new opportunities to build in that you may not have if you stayed in the same environment. This is sort of like the fact that you end up feeling drunker when you stand up.
Network: broadening the circle of people in your life, helping make you more empathetic and curious about different groups of people is wildly valuable.
Hobbies: you may find your absolute new favorite thing! Â
Stress: for me, moving to Maine from the Bay Area has drastically reduced my stress levels on a daily basis. Touch some grass.
As I recently embarked on the journey of redefining my 2-5 year plan, I found myself reflecting on what truly makes me happy, what saddens me, my strengths, my aspirations, and the motivations that drive me. This process is helping me recognize and reprioritize my values with the hope of living a life filled with rich, meaningful connections, optionality, freedom, and diverse experiences, alongside a fulfilling family life.
Additional lessons and reminders that this change has highlighted for me:
Talk to literally everyone: I have been amazed at how many incredible, like-minded people live in Maine. It hasn’t been hard to start to build out a network and while not every person you meet will be your best friend, you never know where each and every connection could lead.
Connect over shared interests: try to forge at least some relationships based on shared passions rather than just professional backgrounds or work ethic. This is typically where you find people who broaden your perspective.
Embracing change as a founder: For aspiring founders, the shift in location opens up the potential to tackle novel problems and find exciting solutions.
In essence, the journey outside your comfort zone is not just a physical relocation; it's a mindset shift that opens doors to a more fulfilling and diverse life. It's about embracing change, seeking meaningful connections, and constantly discovering new facets of yourself. As you venture into uncharted territories, remember that life's richness lies in the diversity of experiences, people, and opportunities that await beyond the confines of your familiar surroundings.