Chapter 1: The Pursuit of Growth

In life, I've let go of numerous opportunities and experiences.

From promising job offers in bustling, modern offices to trips abroad that required extra vaccinations.

I've even walked away from businesses I started from home or a nearby café, all in pursuit of elevating my journey.

Whenever discontent arose, I would abandon the situation, believing that what came next would surely be better.

It's fascinating how our minds can convince us of almost anything. They naturally justify our decisions, even the most absurd ones. Some individuals' minds can even rationalize heinous actions.

I've relinquished many things, and in the process, I penned an article on how successful individuals often let go of certain aspects of their lives, which surprisingly resonated with 80,000 readers. I deluded myself into thinking that my choices were superior.

I thought, "Forget the corporate grind; I’ll start my own venture."

Then I thought, "Forget the business; I’ll share my insights on Medium and watch the opportunities roll in."

And later, "Forget Medium; I’ll become the next bestselling novelist."

Richard Feynman once said, “The first principle is that you must not fool yourself — and you are the easiest person to fool.”

My awakening was tied to financial realizations.

I came to see that many of my close friends were far more affluent and knowledgeable about business and life than I was.

While we all walk different paths, I started to wonder if I had lost my way.

Could it be that I had made my journey unnecessarily challenging?

Feelings are indicators of what matters, and if I felt envy toward my friends, perhaps they possessed something I desired.

So, why was I lacking it? What crucial lesson was I overlooking?

This epiphany wasn't a pleasant revelation.

It felt more like a harsh slap to the face, revealing the truth: I didn’t abandon pursuits because I was superior. I quit because I struggled to cope.

When challenges arose, I retreated. I thought I could find easier paths in work and relationships, believing I deserved better without the struggle.

The truth is, the lesson you may be avoiding is just as absurd.

What stands between you and that six-figure income, promotion, fulfilling relationship, or weight loss is often a misguided belief that keeps you stagnant.

Ironically, I convinced myself I wasn’t seeking an easy road; I believed I was looking for a better fit that would play to my strengths.

That’s how we develop “inattentional blindness.”

One well-known illustration of this phenomenon is the “invisible gorilla test” conducted by Christopher Chabris and Daniel Simons.

In this study, participants were asked to count basketball passes in a video, while a person in a gorilla suit walked through the scene.

Surprisingly, about half of the viewers missed the gorilla entirely, focused solely on the task at hand.

This tendency to overlook the unexpected stems from concentrating solely on what we deem significant, relying on our preconceived notions to interpret experiences.

Recognizing my blind spots, I began to observe how my successful friends approached their goals with patience and consistency.

They commit to their efforts, regardless of whether the tasks come easily or not.

When faced with obstacles, they adapt and persist.

Listening to their perspectives on success has been enlightening.

It's not that I haven't heard this advice before; it’s just that you only notice the gorilla when you're prepared to see it.

Mark Cuban aptly stated, “To be one of the best, you have to put in effort. So don’t follow your passions, follow your effort.”

Your lesson is out there, likely obscured by your belief that your approach is the only correct one.

It’s time to reassess.

I took a step back.

Four years after moving away from it, I returned to my copywriting business.

Part of me felt guilty, as if I was regressing.

Yet, I also felt a sense of relief.

The idea of perpetually running from pressure and success was daunting.

It was time for that cycle to end.

Now, my motivation is grounded in three pillars:

1. Running a business teaches me emotional resilience and perseverance.
2. I aspire to achieve financial success; money is a common metric for success, and I desire a fulfilling life without financial constraints.
3. Building on past successes will empower me to tackle future endeavors with confidence.

Why do you face setbacks?

You don’t need to answer that immediately, but perhaps reflecting on this will lead you closer to the truth.

If it feels like you’re hitting a wall, consider pausing.

Breathe, find clarity, and identify solutions. Then, continue moving forward and pursue your goals relentlessly.

I believe in your potential.

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Chapter 2: Embracing the Challenge