The Pathless Path by Paul Millerd – Book Review

“Beyond the headlines of dramatic life changes are almost always longer, slower, and more interesting journeys” – Paul Millerd

Quick stats:

Full title: The Pathless Path: Imagining a New Story for Work and Life
Author: Paul Millerd
Number of pages: 220
Publication year: 2022

Thoughts and Summary

The Pathless Path is a snippet of the life story of author Paul Millerd as he moved away from a “traditional” corporate career to becoming a digital nomad, working in freelance as he travelled the world. This type of story is nothing new, and it is becoming increasingly common in the age of the internet. The only “new” ideas here are the specifics of Millerd’s journey. But the increasing popularity of life journeys like Millerd’s makes this story relevant to many people today. Stories in general are some of the most compelling agents of inspiration and Millerd’s story is indeed inspiring.

Throughout the early years of his career he built, from what appeared on the outside, a successful portfolio of experiences and material success in New York City. He was making good money by most measures, and was on his way to being traditionally very successful. But through the years he came to realize how out of alignment his values were with his career; so he quit his job and, without a backup plan, built a new life for himself.

At its core it is a journey of self-discovery; of finding happiness and who you truly are. It stresses the importance of aligning one’s life with one’s values. Millerd’s story proves that it is possible to escape a life that is uninspiring even when others might not understand what you are doing. Your life is important and you should strive for happiness.

Who is this book for?

If you are stuck in a job that is misaligned with your values, if you believe you would regret staying in it for the rest of your career, then this book is for you. Stories are powerful and this one is particularly inspiring for people in this situation.

However, if you have heard similar stories before, and have been uninspired, then this one is unlikely to win you over. Similarly if you are perfectly content with your career and/or your finances it would be best to find something else to read.

What to expect? How is it structured?

The Pathless Path is a relatively short read at 220 pages and the chapters are very short — no more than a few pages each. It is written in plain, accessible language. The overarching narrative is Millerd’s personal journey. Interspersed among the story are nuggets of wisdom from the lessons he learned along the way.

Rating

9/10