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Ever feel like you're slogging through life, trying to meet everyone else's expectations, only to end up exhausted and unfulfilled? It's as if society, our jobs, and even our families have set up this elaborate maze of "shoulds" and "musts," pushing us down a path that's not only convoluted but downright tiring. Instead of carving out a life that genuinely resonates with us, we get caught in a cycle of pursuing success as it's traditionally defined—climbing the corporate ladder, chasing after more, and somehow ending up feeling unfulfilled. Perhaps you're at a point where you're questioning if the grind is worth it, or maybe you love your job but crave deeper meaning outside of your work hours. You could be juggling the demands of parenthood while aiming for that next big career move or even standing where I once stood: an ambitious entrepreneur with a vision but no clear road map.

What if, instead of constantly trying to meet external benchmarks, we took a step back and reevaluated? Imagine simplifying the process, focusing on what truly matters, and building our lives around those pillars. That's the headspace I was in and have tried to live in since the fall of 2016 when I called my father while I was on the side of the road, declaring it was time for something new.

"I'm quitting," I said as I walked down 6th Street in San Francisco. I'd called home feeling drained, uninspired, and completely dissatisfied with my job at a Silicon Valley tech company.

"Morgan, that's not a responsible decision."

My dad's voice was firm. He wasn't totally wrong. I'd be lying if I said I hadn't had the same thought. However, it was quickly overshadowed by the unshakable belief that I was here to do more than work my way up the corporate ladder at a large tech company. And while the free food, laid-back office environment (this was prime-time Silicon Valley, there were literal puppies running around), clear upward mobility, and a fast track to a brag-worthy job title sounded good on paper, I knew I would never be satisfied on that path.

To be clear, it wasn't like I was quitting without a plan. I already had an out. I'd been working on a side project for a few months and, while it was far from a safety net, I was fueled by blind passion.

I was twenty-three and had spent months watching tech bros launch start-up after start-up and raise millions in funding for projects that did almost nothing to impact culture in any real way. Yet they were racking up all measures of what we all consider to be "the good life": a flexible work schedule, creative freedom to build, friends as colleagues, and respect. And, I thought, why not me?

It wasn't their superficial signals of success I set my sights on, but rather the ability to see a real dream come to life and make an impact on millions. Not worrying about performance reviews and corporate politics seemed pretty appealing too.

Staring at a computer in a sea of cubicles, I longed for meaningful work. So I left behind the bureaucratic rules that were suffocating my spirit. The rigid structures and chain-of-command mentality stifled my creativity.

The time had come to press forward with the vision simmering inside that I just knew could drive lasting social impact. A vision that would allow me to truly care about the work I was doing. Was it a guaranteed success? Absolutely not. But continuing on an unfulfilling path felt even more risky. I took a leap guided by self-awareness—understanding my core values and strengths. I leapt with resilient purpose, determined to build my skills on my own terms. My entrepreneurial mind would either soar or fail to take flight. A risk I was willing to take.

My journey has taught me that it's entirely possible to design a fulfilling life and career without succumbing to the relentless hustle culture and the success metrics of others. In Rewrite Your Rules, we're going to debunk the myth that success is a one-size-fits-all formula requiring endless sacrifice. By questioning the status quo and shedding the unnecessary burdens society has placed on you, you can uncover a more straightforward, more satisfying path

to personal and professional fulfillment. This book isn't about throwing all rules out the window but discerning which ones actually serve you, which ones you're better off without, and rewriting a few to fit the grandest vision for your life. Let's explore how to build a life that's not only successful on the outside but deeply rewarding on the inside, using principles that cut through the noise.