5 Mindset Shifts I Made to Become Self-Employed
#5 Choose hope no matter what
Do you read about people doing really well and wish you could do something similar? Have you at least once thought about how different life would be if you did something you genuinely like and could get paid for it? Do you sometimes feel that you’re stuck in the wrong place doing work that doesn’t fulfill you?
I was at your place just 7 months ago. The world online is full of people telling us how big they made it, but I thought it’s only for a few outliers because people like us follow the rules and take the conventional path. But in September’20, something different happened.
I was reading a book that asked me to write my ideal life. I realized that the reason I feel demotivated to work is that I’m not driven towards this path. But that doesn’t mean I am not driven at all.
I always felt the issue was not being capable enough, but the issue was not exploring enough opportunities and believing that there could be an alternate path. That just because most people are happy doing certain things doesn’t mean I need to be happy doing the same.
“I’d tell men and women in their mid-twenties not to settle for a job or a profession or even a career. Seek a calling. Even if you don’t know what that means, seek it. If you’re following your calling, the fatigue will be easier to bear, the disappointments will be fuel, the highs will be like nothing you’ve ever felt.” ― Phil Knight (Founder of Nike)
If you’re reading this and don’t fit in your current situation, know that you can move. Strategies will come later, but the belief that you can move comes first. Here are the five mindset shifts which helped me earn well and get golden clients to pave my way to self-employment.
1. Be free of logic and validation
Society is so weird; they tell us to follow a traditional path but applaud those who do something drastically different.
Which of these situations sound like something a sane brain would do:
- Competing against bestselling shoes globally for 8 years with an aim to become the world leader in sport’s shoes
- Dropping out of Harvard (!!)
- Graduating from Cornell but going to a developing country to work for the family business
The examples above are all billionaires:
- Phil Knight: Founder of Nike
- Mark Zuckerberg: Facebook CEO
- Ratan Tata: Former chairperson of Tata Group
These three believed in their dream and were hungry to go after it. What is stopping you?
2. Crash the glass ceiling
This glass ceiling could be the surrounding people or even your inner voice, which is hampering your growth.
We are all products of our environment and get influenced by it. You are told what degrees to pursue, the safe ones you know.
You’re told the safest options to invest your money in. You’re told what you cannot do, which is risky, but we forget that high risk = high returns.
“Create a vision and never let the environment, other people’s beliefs, or the limits of what has been done in the past shape your decisions.” — Tony Robbins
Don’t fall for it. Just like we have a comfort zone, this is our safety zone. Crash this glass ceiling because growth exists when you walk with your head held high with fire in your soul.
3. Want more money? Believe you’re worth it
I haven’t done a single low-paying gig, and I’m proud of it. I say it bluntly not to show off but to tell you this could be you, easily.
Help people make money, and they will put their money on you.
You can either cry about the number of low-paying gigs that exist or fetch a high-paying gig for yourself. You can either read about how much low-paying work to do to get your high-paying client or upskill yourself and make yourself worth the price, maybe even up your negotiation game from YouTube videos or books.
I love money; I am unabashed about my love for it. And come on, you do too, which is why you’re still reading. Won’t you like an extra $100 or $1000? People will pay you when you add value. Business is all about making money. Help people make money, and they will put their money on you.
4. One day at a time > Stressing about tomorrow
My 9–5 ends in a few weeks, and I do not know how life will be after that. What I know is that it’ll be alright. If it’s been good while handling a full-time job, I expect it to get better when I go all in.
I’d be lying if I say it doesn’t worry me. Every now and then, I’m scared about the path I’ve chosen. While I’ve chosen to be a writer, I don’t even know which type of writer I want to be as I’m currently doing a little bit of everything.
This reminds me of my time when I lose 50lbs. The result of having lost all the weight wasn’t as fun as the journey! This comforts me to enjoy the curiosity and uncertainty instead of stressing over it, which won’t really help.
Take one day at a time. When you feel overwhelmed, just think of making today a good day, and we’ll stress about tomorrow when it comes. As for 6 months later, this entire journey of 6 months can help you to answer the questions you have right now about that time. Have fun; this time won’t come again.
5. Choosing hope no matter what
How you feel impacts everything around you.
When you’re happy, studies show that chemicals in your body function in a way to make you feel your best. Similar to when you’re in love, and everything feels so energetic and delightful (I knew you’d be able to relate to this one).
If you’re feeling sad, angry, or upset, you’re inducing negative chemical reactions in your body. This will not help you function better or even help you get out of the situation.
Choose hope no matter what, whether you feel sad or whether you fail. There is always a scope for something better, but you have to be open to see it. Choose to stay hopeful through the toughest times, and it’ll help you get through.
Takeaways
Here are 5 mindset shifts that helped me become self-employed during the pandemic:
- Be free of logic and validation
- Crash the glass ceiling whenever it hampers you from growing
- To get more money, you need to believe you’re worth it
- One day at a time> Stressing about tomorrow
- Choosing hope no matter what
I know you’ve read many quotes, but I couldn’t resist adding the last one before you leave -
“If you don’t set a baseline standard for what you’ll accept in life, you’ll find it’s easy to slip into behaviors and attitudes or a quality of life that’s far below what you deserve.” — Tony Robbins
Subscribe to my (free) weekly newsletter about health, travel, and personal development — https://niharikasodhi.substack.com
