Get-It-Together Guide for Figuring Out What to Do with Your Life | Nathan Gebhard | Talks at Google

TL;DR

Roadtrip Nation, a platform that empowers individuals to create livelihoods around their interests, presents their new book "Roadmap," encouraging readers to follow their interests, shed societal expectations, and embrace failure in order to define and pursue their own unique paths in life.

Transcript

FEMALE SPEAKER: Thanks everyone for coming. So this is Nathan. And he is the co-founder and Creative Director at "Roadtrip Nation." And he started his first road trip back in 2001, I believe. NATHAN GEBHARD: 2001. FEMALE SPEAKER: So he's going to tell you a little bit more about his current book, "Roadmap." And he has a few co-authors with them tod... Read More

Key Insights

• 😑 Pursuing one's interests is more important than rigidly following a pre-determined career path.
• 😯 Shedding societal expectations and embracing failure are essential steps in finding and defining one's own road in life.
• ⚾ The roadmap to success involves iterative steps, constant learning, and adjusting one's path based on newfound interests and goals.
• 🥶 Society often limits individuals to predefined identities or careers, but it is important to break free from these constraints and explore new possibilities.

Questions & Answers

Q: How did Roadtrip Nation start and what inspired its founders to embark on their first road trip?

The founders of Roadtrip Nation started the company after realizing that their future careers did not align with their interests and passions. They decided to embark on a road trip to speak with individuals who had built successful lives around their interests, inspiring them to create a platform to empower others to do the same.

Q: How does Roadtrip Nation help individuals identify and pursue their interests?

Roadtrip Nation encourages individuals to let go of societal expectations and shed the noise that stops them from pursuing their passions. They provide resources, such as a television series, online interview archive, and curriculum, that showcase real-life examples of individuals who have successfully built livelihoods around their interests.

Q: How does Roadtrip Nation handle the fear of failure when pursuing one's interests?

Roadtrip Nation encourages individuals to embrace failure as a natural part of the learning process. They promote taking small steps, called adjacent possibilities, and encourage individuals to "teeter" and take risks in order to grow and pursue their passions.

Q: Does Roadtrip Nation's message differ for individuals who are not in their early 20s or just starting their careers?

Roadtrip Nation's message is applicable to individuals at all stages of life. They emphasize the importance of continuously reevaluating one's interests and taking small steps to pursue them. Whether it's a career change in the middle of life or exploring new interests during retirement, Roadtrip Nation encourages individuals to continue defining and pursuing their own unique paths.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Roadtrip Nation was founded by three college graduates who felt trapped by societal expectations and embarked on a road trip to find individuals who had built fulfilling lives around their interests.

• The company has since evolved to include a television series, online interview archive, and a nonprofit organization that turns their content into curriculum for high school students.

• Their book, "Roadmap," provides a framework for individuals to let go of societal noise, define their interests, and become the best versions of themselves.