A ₹70 LPA offer sounds like the kind of news most people would celebrate instantly, maybe even post about it online with pride. But for one IIT student, the moment brought something very different. Instead of excitement, it triggered doubt, pressure, and an uncomfortable question about whether this “dream life” was actually the right one. His honest message to Ankur Warikoo has now struck a nerve with many young professionals feeling the same quiet confusion behind successful resumes.Ankur Warikoo shared that he recently received an email from a final-year IIT student who had secured an internship at an MNC and later received a PPO with a Rs 70 LPA CTC. On paper, it looked like everything was falling into place. A high-paying job, a strong college background, and a stable career path ahead.But the student admitted that, despite how it looked from the outside, he no longer wanted this. He explained that from childhood, life had been about marks, competition, and meeting expectations rather than discovering personal interests. He shared that his school training focused on scoring above 90 per cent and staying ahead of toppers, which eventually led him to and staying ahead of toppers, which eventually led him into IIT.Enrolment at IITHe described entering IIT as a quiet, underconfident student who still feels the same internally even after achieving what many would call success. The offer of Rs 70 LPA, which others might see as a dream outcome, instead made him question the direction of his life. He wrote that it felt like a cycle of corporate competition where promotions, switching roles, and adapting to changes like AI would define the next decades of his life, eventually ending in a large retirement corpus but possibly without real enjoyment.You Might Also Like: Farming backgroundThe student also shared a deeper conflict. Coming from a farming family, he felt strong financial responsibility toward his parents and could not simply walk away from the opportunity. At the same time, he felt stuck between obligation and personal dissatisfaction. He mentioned that while he enjoys fitness, gym routines, and discipline, he does not see a clear way to turn that interest into a stable income. In his words, a high-paying job often forces people to give up their passions in exchange for financial security and family comfort. He ended his message by questioning whether this constant race ever truly ends. Ankur Warikoo's responseWarikoo responded by appreciating the honesty behind the message. He noted that the student’s feelings are completely valid and pointed out that success, as defined by society, can still feel empty when it is not aligned with personal choice. He added that the student appears to be playing a game designed by external expectations rather than one he has chosen for himself.Ankur Warikoo further added that the real shift begins when a person accepts that what the world labels as success may not actually match their own definition. He said the first brave step is “admitting that what the world calls success isn’t your idea of success.” He added that the next step is even harder, which is choosing to listen to your inner voice even when people around you tell you to be “grateful” and stop overthinking your choices.You Might Also Like:Warikoo also reflected on long-term regret, saying that on the last day of life, nobody wants to feel like they should have lived differently or had the courage to make their own decisions earlier.