When we start our life journey, society often presents us with a predetermined path that we follow, or at least this is our first thought.
This path typically involves going to school, attending college, finding a stable job, getting married, and having children. It’s a linear roadmap that suggests a particular order and predictability. However, life is far from predetermined, and our careers and goals often follow unpredictable and unique trajectories.
As we navigate through various experiences and challenges, the concept of ourselves evolves. Each twist, turn, obstacle, and triumph shapes who we are and alters our direction. The path we once thought we would follow becomes a winding road of discovery, leading us to places we never imagined.
Consider the story of Matt McDonnell, whose career journey defied conventional expectations. From his early days as a sailor to becoming a lawyer, venturing into startups, and ultimately thriving in real estate development, McDonnell’s path is one of the many ways we can embrace change and follow our passions. His journey underscores the importance of flexibility, continuous learning, and the courage to pivot when necessary.
Much like a sailboat on the open sea, life is subject to changing winds and shifting tides. The goals we set today may evolve into new aspirations tomorrow. In facing and overcoming challenges, we discover our potential and carve out a unique path that reflects our true selves.
As we start our story, we find ourselves at sea; Matt shares his experiences dealing with fears while leading sea kayaking expeditions.
He recounts a particularly poignant story about a student who had been struck by lightning during a previous course and returned to confront his fears. The student’s determination to face his fears and McDonnell’s role in supporting him through this process underscore the importance of empathy, support, and guidance in overcoming personal challenges.
“The hardest one was I had a student who was struck by lightning on a course the previous summer. He returned to our course and went sea kayaking, and we had two pretty big storms blow through. I sat in a lightning drill next to this kid, and he knew that he would have to confront that. He had this wild scar on his leg from where the lightning had exited. He knew he came back because he wanted to work through it, and he didn’t want that to be something that he would fear for the rest of his life.”
Fear is a natural part of adventure and growth. Overcoming your fears means helping others to do the same.
As Matt moved away from the sea, he felt the need to explore and pivot drastically to a new unexplored territory in his life: law. Initially drawn for its perceived stability and professionalism, he quickly found that the conventional legal career path did not resonate with him.
“Within about two weeks, it was painfully apparent that that was not my career. The world needs good attorneys, and they don’t need attorneys who would be the kind of attorney I would be.”
Despite the time and financial investment, he decided to redirect and use his legal education in ways that aligned more closely with his passions and skills. Instead of abandoning his education, McDonnell leveraged the skills and knowledge he gained from law school to support his entrepreneurial ventures. This approach allowed him to find value in his education, even if it wasn’t in the way he initially envisioned.
His entrepreneurial journey began in law school when he joined a startup called Famigo. This experience allowed him to explore his interest in delivering high-quality early childhood content at scale. He participated in a program called Three Day Startup, which provided a crash course in entrepreneurship and connected him with like-minded individuals. McDonnell’s involvement in startups like Famigo and Notley offered valuable lessons in navigating business complexities, from content licensing to regulatory compliance.
Throughout his entrepreneurial journey, McDonnell emphasized the value of mentorship and learning from others who have successfully navigated similar paths. He often sought advice from experienced individuals, finding that their insights and experiences were instrumental in guiding his ventures.
“Anything interesting that’s ever been done before has been done by somebody who has no idea what they’re doing. I think one of the other lessons that I had was that you would have this option set at any given time, whether it was one or ten or whatever. If you always picked the best option that you thought would move you the furthest, fastest towards your goal, that would be a way to kind of maximize your career velocity.”
Eventually, Matt transitioned into real estate development after recognizing the instability in his previous career paths. The financial crisis played a significant role in his decision, as he observed the impacts on various industries, including sailing and real estate. He emphasized the similarities between sailing and real estate, particularly the need to manage big projects with small groups of people and handle unpredictable outcomes.
Expressing optimism about the future of real estate, he believes that the evolving real estate market presents a generational opportunity for smaller developers and those passionate about creating unique, functional spaces.
McDonnell’s story highlights the importance of adaptability and being open to change. By recognizing and acting upon his career misfit early on, he could redirect his efforts toward more fulfilling and suitable endeavors. He leveraged his diverse background in law, finance, and outdoor education to address various challenges in his entrepreneurial endeavors. His ability to integrate different skill sets enabled him to approach problems creatively and find innovative solutions.
So, as you reflect on your journey, remember there is no one-size-fits-all path. Embrace the unexpected, learn from every experience, and allow your goals to evolve as you grow. Your career and life are not confined to a predetermined order; they are an ever-changing adventure waiting to be explored.
Join us as we delve into Matt McDonnell’s inspiring story and explore how embracing an unconventional path can lead to a fulfilling and dynamic career.