April 24, 2025
Dear Fellow Traveler,
Have you “made it” in life?
I had a fascinating conversation with a friend recently about what it means to "have made it" in life. We were debating who has "made it" and who hasn't, when suddenly I realized something: I've been operating under the assumption that I haven't "made it" yet.
Which got me thinking - what does "making it" even mean?
Before we dive deeper, I want you to pause for a moment and ask yourself: "Have I made it?" Really think about it. If you're like most people (and like I was until very recently), you probably answered "no."
But why? What are we waiting for?
I was so intrigued by this question that I asked ChatGPT to give me 10 facts that define whether someone has "made it" or not. The results shocked me - I fit 9 out of 10, possibly even 10 out of 10 of those markers. Here are some of the factors:
Looking at this list, I had a moment of clarity: "Holy shit, I actually have almost everything I want." And I'm only 23!
The one criterion I might not fully satisfy is being a "well-regarded expert in an industry." But even that's debatable - there are a few thousand people who consider me an authority in online business and software engineering job acquisition. I've given lectures, talks, and coached hundreds of people to achieve their goals. What exactly is the definition of being an expert anyway?
Plus, most people never become high-level experts in their field. Think about your parents - are they considered forerunners in their industries? Probably not. Yet you'd likely say they've "made it." So why hold yourself to a different standard?
This realization was liberating. If I literally fit the definition of someone who has made it in life, what is there to worry about? There's nothing missing. Nothing that needs fixing. Nothing that could substantially improve my situation.
So what does this mean? Should I just coast? What's the point of setting new goals?
This is where it gets interesting. Once your basic needs are met, motivation shifts. I can't motivate myself by thinking, "I just need more money to feel secure" because I already have enough. I'm not hustling to put food on the table.
Alex Hormozi talks about this - at some point, you have to start loving the game itself. For a long time, I didn't feel that way, but I'm beginning to. When you already have everything you need on paper, your goals become more about intrinsic satisfaction than external rewards.
For instance, one of my major goals is to write a New York Times bestselling book. Will that materially change my life? Probably not. It's a prestige goal - I love books and want to overcome the challenge of creating something meaningful that resonates with others. It's similar to someone whose goal is running an ultramarathon - the accomplishment doesn't change your external circumstances, but it gives your life direction and meaning.
I'm curious if you feel a sense of inadequacy in your life. If so, I challenge you to break it down and look at the facts. What specific area do you feel is holding you back from having "made it"?
For me, my social life could still improve a bit. But even that is pretty good - I have close friends I care about deeply, great family connections, and a solid relationship. When I really analyze it, there's nothing substantial missing.
The narrative that we haven't "made it" yet is powerful. But it's often untrue. We're constantly chasing the next goal without stopping to appreciate that we might already have everything we need for a fulfilling life.
So take a moment this week to ask yourself: "What would it mean to have made it?" Then check how many of those boxes you've already ticked. You might be surprised to find you're already living the life you once dreamed of.
I'd love to hear your thoughts on this. Have you "made it" by your own definition? What's still missing? Or have you realized you already have everything you need? Hit reply and let me know.
Here's to recognizing how far we've already come, Aman
P.S. If you're looking for a way to "make it" in software engineering, check out the Software Engineering Accelerator. We've helped hundreds of students land six-figure roles at top tech companies, often when they thought they weren't "ready" yet. Many of our graduates now realize they were closer to "making it" than they ever imagined - they just needed the right guidance to cross that threshold. Applications for our summer cohort are open now, and spots are filling quickly 🚀
"The fundamental delusion: There is something out there that will make me happy and fulfilled forever."
-Naval Ravikant
💘 Chris Williamson & Arthur Brooks: A Masterclass on Relationships
I thoroughly enjoyed this recent conversation between Chris Williamson and Arthur Brooks on the Modern Wisdom podcast. For those unfamiliar with Arthur Brooks, he's a Harvard professor, social scientist, and author who specializes in happiness, leadership, and social dynamics. What made this episode stand out was the nuanced exploration of romantic relationships - they dive deep into why relationships fail, the real challenges of making long distance work, and how to build lasting connections. Brooks brings a fascinating blend of research-backed insights and practical wisdom that goes far beyond the usual relationship advice. Their discussion on the distinction between happiness and satisfaction in relationships was particularly eye-opening. If you're interested in understanding the mechanics of human connection from both a scientific and philosophical perspective, this episode delivers on every level. I found myself pausing multiple times to reflect on how these concepts apply to my own relationships.
📖 The Alloy of Law — Mistborn Era 2
I just finished rereading "The Alloy of Law" by Brandon Sanderson, which kicks off the second Mistborn series. Every few months, I find myself recommending one of his books because they're simply that good. What makes this particular book special is how it takes the meticulously crafted magic system from the original trilogy and transplants it into a world that's undergone an industrial revolution - imagine magical gunslingers in a fantasy version of the Wild West. If you haven't dipped into Sanderson's work yet, I'd recommend starting with the first Mistborn book ("The Final Empire"), which sets up the original trilogy. Once you get hooked, you'll have your fantasy reading sorted for the next 3-5 years - his Cosmere universe spans multiple series that all subtly connect, creating this immense, satisfying narrative tapestry. The best part is his legendary consistency - he somehow manages to release multiple 400+ page novels annually without sacrificing quality.