June 24, 2007

Further Down The Path We're Already On

I suggest that the only books that influence us are those for which we are ready, and which have gone a little further down our particular path than we have gone ourselves.
--- E.M. Forster

The quote above has had me thinking for days. It's so true. When I started reading personal finance blogs a few months ago, I tried many different ones because they were novel. Now, I'm finding there are only a few I revisit. Time is scarce, after all. My preferred sites feel more comfortable, perhaps because I'm on a similar path already. Do you find the same yourself?

For exposure to new ideas, we might read publications we'd otherwise skip or talk to folks we'd otherwise avoid. Even so, when it comes to being influenced, we're more likely to follow someone on our own path.
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I -- I took the one less traveled by, and that has made all the difference. --- Robert Frost
So rather than taking the road less travelled, we follow a tad further down a path we've already selected. Followers, not pathfinders. Maybe you feel the same?

1 comment:

the money diva said...

Very interesting idea! I think that you may be right, and I can already think of several examples from my own experience. I will certainly be watching for this...
MD:)