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Pursuing something in life is rarely a straightforward journey. It's more like navigating a winding road where the scenery changes unexpectedly; sometimes, we change too. My journey into successful freelancing didn't begin with a stroke of genius. In my early thirties, I had ticked off all the boxes of conventional success: a stable job with a reliable income, a beautiful apartment in the charming city of Kraków, and the luxury of working from home, all while indulging in fine dining and fashionable outfits. Yet, despite outward success, something felt off. My heart was still beating for literature, art and creative insight.
The idea of leaving my secure job, moving back to my mother's house, and starting from scratch seemed like the worst decision imaginable. It felt like a moment of self-sabotage, teetering on the edge of uncertainty. However, everything changed when I stumbled upon a freelance opportunity that blended writing with video creation. Building a business around my passion required a shift in my perspective—a willingness to navigate the complexities of an entrepreneurial mindset with resilience and determination. This journey has taught me that success isn't found on a straight path but in navigating life's twists and turns confidently, guided by our perceptions and beliefs—our mindset.
For many, intelligence and hard work are the ultimate keys to success. But there's more to the equation. Success isn't solely about working hard or being naturally intelligent. Intelligence isn't fixed; it can be developed. And while the idea of a “self-made” person is rooted in meritocracy, we must acknowledge that not everyone starts with the same opportunities or circumstances. Neuroscientist Matt Jonhson says about this topic, “Believing in the ‘self-made man’ also entails believing in the ‘self-destructed man.’” This suggests that we might blame ourselves for every failure, even those beyond our control. So, it’s urgent that we adapt this narrative and see success in another light. In reality, many factors contribute to success, including luck. Chance encounters, random opportunities, and being in the right place at the right time often play a crucial role.
So, how do we deal with the elements of success beyond our control? It comes down to managing our mindset. By focusing on what we can influence—our reactions, adaptability, and outlook—we can better navigate the unpredictable journey to success. Embracing a growth mindset and staying aware of our capacities and surroundings allows us to seize opportunities and maximize our abilities.
The truth is life is often more chaotic than following a simple cause-and-effect system. Our minds tend to create patterns out of random events. We see challenges as opportunities when we’re in a good mental state. Genuine opportunities are a mix of luck and context, but luck isn't just about random chance; it’s about making the most of what happens. When we doubt our worth or think a challenge isn't for us, we might miss out on the luck presented to us. This highlights how crucial mindset is. Many studies show the power of the placebo effect, where belief alone can bring about physical healing, demonstrating how powerful our minds and emotions are. So, if mindset can influence our health, imagine what it can do for our success.
A positive mindset can shift the rules of the game. It might even mean realizing we don’t need to chase after more; we’re already in an excellent place to enjoy life. By adopting a positive mindset, we can value our present circumstances and recognize success throughout our journey.
Don't we all love digging into the stories behind the geniuses? It's no surprise that biographies are a hit in the literary world. At some level, we all crave a connection with these extraordinary figures, hoping to uncover the little secrets behind their success. We've all heard about Bill Gates dropping out of college and Oprah Winfrey's humble beginnings in a low-income family. But my favorite is Albert Einstein: he only started speaking when he was four, and he failed the entrance exam for the Swiss Federal Polytechnic School at sixteen. What do they all have in common? Failure – or rather, not fitting the typical mold of success. This ties into the “Mindset Theory,” a psychological concept by Stanford's professor, Carol Dweck. She explains, “Even in the growth mindset, failure can be a painful experience. But it doesn't define you. It's a problem to be faced, dealt with, and learned from.” From my perspective, there's nothing better than shedding the shame of failure. It shows that we try and can keep trying without letting our ego get in the way. Embracing failure means acknowledging our efforts and recognizing that each attempt brings us closer to success.
So, I left my corporate job to dive headfirst into freelancing and writing. Now what? Do I just fill my mind with positive thoughts and hope for the best? As I told a good friend, “enlightenment” can strike during the journey of the Camino de Santiago or while doing the dishes. The point is developing an “Entrepreneurial Mindset” isn't all sunshine and rainbows. It’s about self-knowledge, which can be a tough pill to swallow, far removed from comforting words like “growth” and “positivity.”
All of us have pain points we must confront in our lives. These pain points are so impactful that even the most effective marketing strategies leverage them to persuade consumers. When we truly recognize our pain points and understand which ones trigger negative thoughts, we can begin to take control of our behavior. In my experience, my primary pain point was about my self-image and how I perceived my identity as a writer. This carefully crafted writer persona, which I had invested so much effort into developing, ultimately restricted my potential for success. Acknowledging this allowed me to break free from those self-imposed limitations and embrace a broader horizon of possibilities.
We can never predict where our next brilliant idea, valuable client, or crucial business partner will come from. Too often, we overlook individuals outside our immediate network or those with whom we have no prior connection. However, maintaining an entrepreneurial mindset requires us to pay attention to everyone, even those beyond our close circle. The server serving dinner at a restaurant can be just as significant as the high-profile CEO messaged on LinkedIn. Adopting this inclusive perspective broadens our potential business opportunities and enriches our professional lives. By valuing each interaction and recognizing the potential in every person we meet, we open ourselves up to a world of possibilities and cultivate a more dynamic and successful entrepreneurial journey.
Sometimes, the best thing we can do for ourselves is to step out and explore the world firsthand. Sure, you've seen countless photos of the Leaning Tower of Pisa, but have you ever experienced it in person? This principle extends beyond travel; it encourages us to delve deeper into subjects we've only heard opinions about. We shouldn't accept things at face value or as unchangeable truths. Adopting this mindset fosters a better understanding of the nature of businesses and industries, paving the way for those elusive "outside the box" ideas. When we seek to see the world with our own eyes, we uncover opportunities and insights that are uniquely ours. This proactive approach creates new opportunities by revealing perspectives that others might miss. By valuing firsthand experiences, we enhance our ability to innovate and succeed in our entrepreneurial endeavors.
Gratitude, often seen as a cliché, is the emotional fuel for a growth mindset. Life isn’t linear, and the events that shape us are never neutral. We should focus on what makes us happy and become active learners. Recognizing everyone and everything that contributes to our success sets the stage for even more positivity in our lives. Think of it as a chain reaction. Even if you only have one good thing happening, being thankful for that one thing can attract many more positive experiences. This mindset shift occurred in my life. Had I not acknowledged my first opportunity as a profitable creative in writing and arts, I would have missed the subsequent opportunities that followed. I wouldn't be here writing this article today if I had only focused on my failures (like the countless “we decided to proceed with another candidate” emails).
Most importantly, gratitude is directly tied to being kind to ourselves. It helps us appreciate the journey as a whole and embrace the idea of being lifelong learners. By celebrating our successes and learning from our experiences, we cultivate an entrepreneurial mindset that attracts more growth, more opportunities, and more reasons to be grateful. So, let’s give thanks and watch as our paths light up with even more possibilities.
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