Some days I still wonder what it would feel like to chase prestige.
To work at a Tier-1 law firm. To post a picture on LinkedIn holding a trophy. To be on a stage. In a suit. Talking about “disruption” and “the legal future.”
A younger version of me wanted that.
In fact, early on, I thought that’s what I had to do. Because everyone around me seemed to be chasing that version of success.
And honestly, a part of me still respects it.
There’s nothing wrong with wanting to be recognised for your work. But that’s not what I’m building toward anymore.
I’m building around peace.
That means something very specific to me:
Not working with 10 clients at once
Not waking up to back-to-back calls
Not saying yes to every deal just because it pays well
Peace, for me, is being able to look at my calendar and not feel dread. It’s being able to say, “I don’t want to take this on,” and not apologising for it.
It’s having time to think. To write. To rest. And to do great work with fewer people instead of average work with everyone.
I still admire people who build differently. But I’ve learned I can’t copy someone else’s definition of success.
Because when I tried to - when I ran after things that weren’t really mine—I started resenting the work.
Even if the money was good. Even if the praise came in. These days, I measure success by how quiet my mind is.
Not how loud my achievements are.
If you’re building something of your own:
Ask yourself what you want your version of success to feel like.
Not what sounds impressive. Not what looks good online.
But what brings you peace. And then build around that - deliberately, even if it’s slower.
Because no title or recognition is worth building a life you secretly want to escape.
— Akhil
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