Don’t let other people’s judgement decide your life
During my second year at Wharton, I approached one of the top finance professors for advice. I had one goal in mind — to land a role in private equity.
He listened to my background, which at that point was quite unconventional for finance. Before my MBA, I had served as a police officer.
His response was honest — and blunt:
“With your background, it will be very difficult.”
When a Smart Person Tells You “No”
I walked away disappointed. This wasn’t just anyone offering an opinion — this was someone deeply respected in the finance world. He had seen hundreds of students come through the program and knew the typical playbook for breaking into PE.
So, I took his words seriously. I already had an offer from McKinsey, so I stopped pursuing private equity and accepted the consulting role.
And to be fair, McKinsey turned out to be a fantastic learning ground. But over time, I began to question the advice I had received.
A Year Later, The Door Opened Anyway
Just a year into my consulting role — in the middle of a global recession, no less — a private equity firm offered me a job.
That moment stayed with me. Because when I had asked my professor for guidance, the economy was booming. Ironically, I got the PE offer when the market was at its weakest.
Looking back, I realised something important:
Had I made more targeted efforts back then, I probably had a decent shot at breaking into the field right after school.
So, what was the real takeaway here?
The Danger of Letting Others Define Your Limits
This isn’t a story about job applications or missed opportunities. It’s a story about how easy it is to let other people decide what’s possible for us.
My professor wasn’t wrong or ill-intentioned. He was smart, experienced, and trying to be realistic. But his advice reflected conventional wisdom — not necessarily what could be done, but what usually happens.
And there’s a big difference.
Conventional wisdom is just the average of other people’s experiences. It doesn’t account for your hunger, your persistence, your background, or your edge.
You Are the Only One Who Truly Knows Your Potential
Since that day, I’ve rarely let someone else’s opinion define what I can or can’t do.
That doesn’t mean ignoring advice or becoming unrealistic. It means listening carefully, staying grounded, and then making your own decision — based on your strengths, your context, and your willingness to push through.
Because no matter how smart or experienced someone else is, they don’t know what you’re capable of.
Take Responsibility for the Course You Choose
Major life decisions will always attract opinions. Some of those will be helpful, some will be discouraging, and many will be well-meaning but limited by other people’s frames of reference.
In the end, it’s your life. No one else has to live the consequences of your choices — you do.
So take responsibility. Make informed decisions. But never let someone else’s judgment become your boundary.
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