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Thank you!

Thanks Nathalia! :)) happy to see you here

Thanks JJ! I love that’s you listed so many people who did multiple things. I often think of Ken Jeong for example, who was a doctor most of his life and then pursued acting (played Mr. Chow in the hang over). He gave a very nice graduation speech at Cornell (I think it may be on CZcams) about how you can take different paths in life. There’s many more, as you say. But what they all have in common is that they didn’t have a blueprint on how to do it. They just had to try things and create their own path, which - naturally - is scary and hard. I was willing to trade security for a bit more freedom (an “outlined” career for a career that I build as I go). A lot of people will relate to this and some, of course, may prefer a safer path. So long as we’re accepting of the choices we make, we’re in good shape 💪. It only becomes tough when we are unhappy in one path but are not letting ourselves exit it and do something else.

@@karaebelofficial yes ! Ken Jeong is another great example ! you said it right there.. when we become unhappy with what we are doing and don't exit for fear of losing our so called security... there's a video of Jim Carey Ging a speech on that subject at a graduation somewhere..is so moving !!! so cool Ken Jeong gave a speech at Cornell !!!

Will have to check the Jim Carrey speech out!

m.czcams.com/video/nLgHNu2N3JU/video.html&pp=ygUfamltIGNhcnJleSBjb21tZW5jZW1lbnQgc3BlZWNoIA%3D%3D

This is the 1 minute Jim Carrey speech !!!

Nice! I enjoy crime related reading (Tana French and other authors).

@@karaebelofficial Wow, That must be a lot of fun. Hoping to see more great content

Henry, thank you for sharing! This habit you've developed is something you can change, and it starts with remembering that happiness and satisfaction are actually choices we make. I’ve met many people who haven’t got much in life and are still so happy. How? Naval Ravikant, an entrepreneur, puts it this way: 'Happiness is a choice you make and a skill you develop.' He suggests that we can train ourselves to be happy, just like we train our bodies at the gym. Here's a practical way to start: Each day, look for one small moment where you can consciously choose to be content with what you have, rather than focusing on what's missing. It could be while drinking your morning coffee, during your commute, or even when doing a mundane task like washing dishes. In that moment, pause and really engage with your world. Notice the good things about it. This isn't about forcing positivity, but about shifting your focus. To make this a habit, try to do this at roughly the same time each day, or tie it to a specific daily activity. Over time, you might find yourself naturally looking for these moments more often. Remember, this is a skill you're developing. It might feel awkward or even silly at first, but stick with it. You're essentially rewiring your brain to notice contentment instead of lack. It's important to note that this doesn't mean you should stop wanting to improve. The goal is to reduce negative thinking that doesn't serve you. Constructive thinking, where you plan how to improve things, is still valuable. It's about finding a balance between contentment and growth. Give this a shot for a couple of weeks. I'd be really interested to hear how this approach works for you and how you adapt it to fit your life.

@@karaebelofficial I am immensely grateful for the feedback. ❤️

In a couple weeks time. I will tell you how it went. Once again I appreciate the time you took to carefully point me in the right direction. 🙏 I truly do appreciate

Great, thanks!

I’ll have to check him out! Thanks for this recommendation 🙏

It's wild how moving countries can shift your whole career - I'm sure many people can relate! Thanks for sharing your experience - it adds another layer to this conversation. Kudos to you for navigating this as best as possible 👏 what was the biggest reason that pushed you to go back to your old career, from an identity perspective?

@@karaebelofficial I couldn’t get an equivalent job in the U.S. and as time passed the anxiety to continue my old job took over. Also the want of finishing what one has already started.

@@jackslate99 got it - that makes sense!

J.J., it's awesome to see you here! Thanks for the thoughtful feedback. You're totally right - from embracing courage to focusing on possibilities. I especially love your point about remembering we're all in the people business. Really appreciate your support and you sharing your insights!

You’re welcome Kara ! And glad to see you here as well.. this format serves you well so you express in detail your thoughts,ideas,etc.. plus your video quality is tip top !!! Looks great,sounds great and the editing is flawless !!! Keep it up and looking forward to see more of your universe here !!!

@@gallo9 Thanks again J.J.! Awesome to hear :)

Thank you so much 🙌 this means a lot!!

Thanks for sharing your thoughts. It's clear you're being thoughtful about how you make this change. I like how you're building skills and doing side work while keeping your main job for now - I've done it the same way. What's your favorite part of running your own business so far? And what are you looking forward to most when you can do it full-time? It's great to see how you're planning this out step by step. Keep us updated on how it's going!

@@karaebelofficial The favorite part of running the small business is that I can get information about what is going on in different fields from my clients since I do talk a bit with them, and I also get feedback what I can upgrade. Probably same as one of the reasons why you enter comment section and ask out people, which I find it interesting way to gain more ideas. The profession which currently I invest my time to learn it's mainly because I just find it entertaining and I know it is future oriented.

@@takijeden9222 very cool! Connecting with people is a great way to get new ideas, improve, see things from a different perspective. Glad you're enjoying it.

That’s so awesome 👏 I wonder where you picked that mentality from. It’s a great way to live life! I can completely relate to it and have learned to do it along the way but ambition definitely “stood in the way” of that for a little. Though personally I think it’s all part of the journey - there’s a more “stereotypically ambitious” period in my life which served me very well (lawyer) and then another period where I decided to do my own thing (now) which also is serving a great purpose. Anyways, glad you found my channel! 😊

@@karaebelofficial Actually, I readjusted myself mentally and spiritually again only a couple years ago through the help of philosophy. Mainly Stoicism, Buddhism, and Taoism. 🤗 Mmm yes definitely I agree. I realized the root of my ambitions initially actually just came from "superficial" things, like societal ideologies, peer pressure, other's opinions, etc. Rather than my own desires, spirit, and beliefs. It definitely is all part of the journey! At one point I did regret mistakes or inefficient life choices I'd made, but then I realized without those points in time, I probably wouldn't have arrived where I have. We need those negative perspectives and mistakes in order to see the right path sometimes. Just like silence and breaks are needed in between musical notes, otherwise it's just a mass amount of noise that doesn't make sense. lol That's when I shifted from regretting the past, to endeavoring to ensuring I live without regrets by always pursuing things that bring wonder and growth to my life. I'm glad you've found a better way to live life as well! Would you say there was a pivotal moment or epiphany that brought you to this realization that being a lawyer wasn't what you wanted? I'm gad as well! Sorry for writing so much 😅

@@AznPrzsn Amazing, no please feel free to share, I could talk about this stuff all day hahah. I can really relate to what you're saying. I haven't tapped into philosophy, stoicism, buddhism, etc. much myself but completely see how that would be helpful. I usually think that there wasn't an "epiphany" moment for me (just a slow realization that law isn't where I want to be). Buuut there are a couple of things I often think back to: (1) looking up at the lives partners (or people senior to me at the law firm) are leading and realizing I don't want to have their life, (2) covid (I started working with my mom's small coffee shop business on the side helping her with marketing when her coffee shops were closed - the more I did it the more I didn't want to do law), and finally (3) realizing that I'm working with a nice team, a very supportive supervisor, have all the chances to continue "climbing up the ranks" and maybe even make partner and I still feel miserable every day. Those are some of the things that came up for me and made me realize I really need to make a change :)

@@karaebelofficial Haha thanks! Same here ☺ You should really check out philosophy! It just helps expand your way of thinking, which I can see you've already done yourself. But it can introduce you to new perspectives and paradigms about approaching life and human psychology. I see, that's awesome. I think it does take a good amount of introspection, self-reflection, and awareness that those factors brought you to a realization you weren't where you want to be, despite the difficulties and challenges it might present! Not to mention courage of course! 🤗 Did you face any opposition or ridicule when you made your choice and rejected continuing a life of being a lawyer? Thank you for chatting with me thus far by the way! It's been a treat. 😌

Money definitely changes how we see our options, especially when there's a safety net. I have been very surprised though many times: I've both met people who make a lot of money and are mentally fully stuck in the job they're in (despite having a financial runway) and also people who may not have room for discretionary expenses and still choose to take the work that they like vs. work that just pays better (some of those people are in this comment thread even). That last category of people is very inspiring. They're usually very wise with the little money they have.

lol

Haha thank you! So kind of you. I’ve been fortunate to get to know India along the way and look forward to spending more time here 😊

Wow, that is very cool! Way to highlight pivoting not just once but many times 👏 I also love that you mention that for you the baseline is your morals and principles + just being a person. Is there anything about all these jobs that is a common thread for you? Meaning: what are the things you gravitate towards in most roles? Thanks for sharing your story, very inspiring. And glad to hear you enjoyed the video.

@karaebelofficial Thank you! 🤗 I suppose 2 things that I always pursue, is improving the lives of others and whatever my current passion is. Ideally both at the same time of course. Thank you too and glad to chat with you! I just realized I didn't answer your comment question, but I think a helpful tip for people is live simply, so you can live freely 🤗 Abstain from the income creep. Meaning, no matter how much my income increases, I maintain my living expenses. In... 16yrs of working, I've increased my income by 40K, but have only gone from $1K-$1.5K in monthly expenses. This allows me the ability to travel and switch jobs at almost anytime 😁🤗

​@@AznPrzsn That's definitely a great tip! Having started my career in NYC, I've met a lot of people who feel very trapped in their career because rent alone (studio) starts at $3.5K+ and then the expenses pile on from there. The lifestyle creep is a real thing and I would also add that, when you're working a job you really dislike, you may experience "feel-good expense" creep to compensate for the dread that the job brings you on a daily. So nice to hear how well you've navigated all this! 🙌

@karaebelofficial True that. I've mainly lived in the Mid-West to Southern parts of the US, where rent is around $600 and a house is about $1.5K. But oddly enough I've met just as many people who are stuck in their jobs, because as you said, they feel it's all they've ever known. Nothing wrong with that, but they also complain daily about living life elsewhere or doing other thing. I say just go do it!! Life is short. You do need good financial discipline mainly in the end, I think 🤔 And courage. Delayed gratification is a must, instead of those instant band-aids in the moment. I think it's awesome how you got to live in India as well! I bet that was amazing. Are you French by the way? I see you're a first-gen immigrant?

@@AznPrzsn totally agree - I think my experience was that financial discipline and courage is what helped me get over the edge (and do it) but it’s true that having at least some type of direction is helpful (e.g., I knew I wanted to coach people on career at least and then I let it evolve but at least I was starting with something in mind). Ah, yes, I’m actually from Prague! :) But studied law in France for a while too and most of my education growing up was actually in French. Yes exactly, first gen immigrant to the U.S.

That's so nice of you, thanks! Hoping to help more people for sure

Thanks for sharing your story! I totally get that pull between stability and passion and felt the same way leaving law for entrepreneurship. I took the same route as you: worked in my full-time job until I felt like I could make the switch. Have you considered setting specific milestones for your woodworking business? Like "I'll go full-time when I have X number of client orders for the next Y number of months"? I've also met a number of people who were full-time, then gradually went part-time, then made the switch. Rooting for you!

​@@karaebelofficial You know, Now that you mention it, I haven't given that any thought. I have had many plans but I haven't thought about when. I always figured that when I get a decent amount of customers, I would leave my job. Thank you! I'm going to start setting these goals and I'm setting them now! I really appreciate the advice!

Awesome, that's great :) happy this helps. Hitting smaller milestones along the way is also a nice way to keep motivation alive.

Thank you! Awesome 👏 What kind of work do you do?

@@karaebelofficial digital marketing and stock market.

Thank you! Very happy to hear that. Totally, I’ve been using Davinci (free version) to edit + Epidemic Sound for music. Hope this helps 🙏

Thanks, Eric!

Thanks! I’m all set for now but appreciate you reaching out.

@@karaebelofficial "Thank you for your message! I have now set a suitable time, but I appreciate your contact and assistance."

Thanks! So happy you liked the video :) and glad to hear you’re close with your family. Health, wealth and relationships: when one of them is off balance, it’s good to tap into the others for support. I can definitely relate to living abroad-making close friends was so important. Glad you found that support as well!