I still remember those days of 2020 when I had just passed out of college and was talking with my girlfriend over the phone about future planning.
I can’t tell you about the worries running through my head about marriage, home, career, health, etc. I couldn’t sleep properly at night; my whole day was just wasted thinking about the future.
I still believe I haven’t achieved much in my life, but the best thing I have is that I work remotely, I have a loving family, and most importantly, I have peace of mind.
Things didn’t happen magically; it took hard work and a clear vision. I made two simple mindset shifts that changed everything….
Mindset 1: Be Obsessed
Do you know what separates us from animals?
You can give me 1000 logics, but here is the fascinating one: animals can’t be obsessed.
Yes, obsession!
When you’re obsessed with something, you think about it 24×7, even while doing daily activities.
And that’s what I did. I was obsessed with earning money online by creating some apps.
Although I didn’t succeed, in the journey of solving that problem, I learned a lot. Later, those learned skills helped me land a remote job with a good salary.
How to use obsession
Most people focus on their lack of skills, but skills naturally develop when you’re obsessed with solving a problem.
So, first, start with a problem you’re obsessed with solving, and then learn things as you move along.
I take problems as projects. The project could be based on my life experiences or my family or friends’ experiences.
For example:
- I wanted to earn money online but had no coding experience. So, I became obsessed with learning about no-code tools and started building simple applications.
- I found job interviews difficult. So, I made it a project—studied how interviews work, improved my communication, and cracked the code.
- I struggled with my diet and fitness. I started reading about nutrition and health every day, and it changed my lifestyle.
Your love for solving problems can lead to a better life. Let obsession drive your learning.
Mindset 2: Don’t Do Things You Hate Doing
Have you ever had a scary dream and suddenly woken up, relieved it wasn’t real?
That feeling of “I never want this to happen” is powerful.
Use that same feeling in real life—avoid things you hate doing.
Fear is a great motivator—even more than rewards.
For example:
- I hated being financially dependent on anyone. So, I learned digital skills to earn my own income.
- I hated city pollution and traffic. So, I built a remote career, bought land in a village, and now live peacefully.
- I hated the thought of being stuck in the same boring job for 10 years. So, I kept upgrading my skills to stay free.
Make a list of things you hate. Then, build your life in a way that helps you avoid those things.
Hating things is good for motivation, but you need proper planning to avoid that scary dream.
And you can’t do planning without understanding things, which brings you to the point.
Develop an Understanding towards things in life.
Put this on a sticky note where you can see it every day:
“You’re suffering because you’re not understanding. And to understand, you need honest curiosity.”
When I was starting my career, I didn’t have a degree, network, or money. I felt insecure.
But instead of getting scared, I became curious.
I asked myself:
“How can I become a good designer?”
I found free resources, practiced, learned from others, and took action.
More examples:
When working in a low-paying job, I asked:
“How can I earn one lakh per month?”
That led me to learn product design and digital freelancing.
When struggling to get hired, I asked:
“How can I stand out and get a remote job?”
I researched, built a portfolio, and reached out to people—eventually landing my dream job.
When you stay curious, the answers come. Keep asking good questions and keep taking action.
Conclusion
Looking back, I never imagined that a guy serving tables in local restaurants would one day design products for a global company like VWO. But it wasn’t luck. It wasn’t magic. It was mindset.
I didn’t wait for the perfect opportunity—I created it by becoming obsessed with solving problems and avoiding everything I hated. These two mindset shifts not only gave me clarity but also pushed me to take consistent action, even when things felt impossible.
If you’re feeling stuck right now—whether in a job you hate, a city you want to leave, or a life that doesn’t feel like yours—just remember:
It only takes a few powerful mindset shifts to change your entire path.
Start asking better questions. Get curious. And don’t be afraid to turn your pain into a project.
Because if a waiter can become a designer at VWO, so can you.
