Blind Can You Can

Author: rchen168

  • Strengthening Your Mindset: A Daily Practice

    Mindset Is a Muscle

    Everything I read, watch, listen to, and learn is shaping my mindset—bit by bit, day by day. There’s this idea out there that successful people all share a certain mindset, right? That’s what I grew up believing. And honestly, I think it’s true… but it’s also something I’m still figuring out.

    Mindset isn’t something you just “get” one day and then keep forever. It’s more like a muscle—a mind muscle, if you will. And like any muscle, it needs to be trained, stretched, fed, and sometimes given a good talking to. Reading one inspiring book, attending a single training, or watching a killer motivational video might give you a boost—but without consistent practice, the strength fades.

    Life has a funny way of throwing unexpected twists and turns, sharp lefts, and a few potholes just to keep things interesting. Your mindset is your vehicle through it all, and if it’s not maintained, you’re going to feel every bump.

    Acceptance… and Then Some

    In an earlier blog, I talked about acceptance—and honestly, it’s foundational. For me, that means accepting my visual impairment. No amount of frustration, sadness, tears, or tantrums is going to change that reality.

    But acceptance is just step one. Step two? Letting go.

    That’s the one I’m still working on. I tend to get fired up when things don’t go as planned—when people don’t meet my expectations, or when life simply refuses to follow my script. For example, I get frustrated when drivers can’t find my drop-off location. In my mind, I’m thinking, “It’s right there! You have a GPS and two eyes—what’s the problem?” But then I remember: sometimes GPS is wonky, drop-off points are chaotic, and people are just doing their best. (I mean, I’ve never driven a car—I probably shouldn’t be too hard on those who do.)

    What’s really happening in those moments is that I’m projecting my standards—my vision of perfection—onto others. And let’s be honest, that’s a one-way ticket to disappointment.

    I even catch myself doing it with my son. I want him to focus, to get things right, to be just like me—but sometimes, kids just want to play in the moment, not hit every checkbox on a to-do list. And really, maybe they’ve got it right.

    Let It Go (Yes, Just Like the Song)

    So I remind myself: let it go. Don’t project. Don’t assume. Don’t expect perfection. Instead, think of others first. Be thankful.

    Thankful that someone’s out there driving a paratransit van or working long hours to help people get where they need to go. Thankful that I have a support system, options, and chances to grow. Thankful that I even get to think about mindset and share it with you.

    Final Thought: When the Mind Is Distracted, the Heart Is Weary

    The real takeaway today? Gratitude clears the mind. When you’re angry, stressed, or annoyed, your mental space shrinks. You can’t focus, you can’t create, and you definitely can’t be your best.

    But when you can let things go, shift your perspective, and stay grounded in gratitude—that’s when your mindset gets stronger. That’s when your mind muscle shows up and says, “I got this.”

    So if today feels messy, chaotic, or not at all how you planned—take a breath. Maybe even laugh a little. Life isn’t perfect, but our attitude doesn’t have to be either. Just work that muscle.

  • The Honest Truth About Time Management”

    There’s never enough time!
    Sound familiar? I catch myself thinking this all the time. It feels like I’m constantly rushing, playing beat-the-clock in a game where the clock always seems to be winning. And yes, I’ve played the blame game too: If only everyone else would just cooperate! Then I’d surely have more time… right?

    Well, no. That’s not entirely true.
    The reality is, I am the one responsible for how my time is used—or misused. No one else can manage (or mismanage) my time, because it belongs to me. It was given to me by God, and I can either honor it or squander it. The choice is mine. And yours too.

    Here’s the beautiful (and slightly terrifying) truth:
    We all get the same 24 hours each day. Rich or poor, introvert or extrovert, night owl or morning rooster—it doesn’t matter. We all get 86,400 seconds daily, just like Jim Kwik says. At midnight, that account resets. Whether we spent the day conquering our dreams or deep-diving into cat videos is up to us.

    If we were to divide our time like a well-balanced pie, it would look something like this:
    8 hours for sleep, 8 hours for work, and 8 hours for free time. But let’s be real—when was the last time any of us followed that perfect little equation?

    In my world, it’s more like:

    • 5 hours sleep
    • 10 hours work
    • 9 hours wondering why Outlook won’t connect my Gmail account. (Seriously, that happened. I spent hours trying to fix it, only to have a Microsoft rep remote into my computer and solve it in minutes. Technology humbles me.)

    But here’s the lesson: I could have asked for help sooner. And there’s no shame in that. We were put on this planet with other people for a reason. Working with others—whether it’s fixing email or chasing big dreams—makes the journey faster, easier, and a whole lot more meaningful.

    What I’ve learned (and am still learning) is the importance of prioritizing the tasks that move the needle. The actions that get me closer to my goals. The rest? They can usually wait—or be delegated. Especially in a work setting, everyone plays a part. If we each focus on our own piece of the puzzle, the whole picture comes together more quickly and beautifully.

    That’s why I wrote out my 3 main goals in my last blog. Just three. Not thirty. I wanted something simple and focused—goals that touch different parts of my life like finances, work, family, and relationships. Because when we manage our time with purpose, we tap into something powerful.

    Time is power.
    We can always make more money. But we can never make more time.

    That’s why clarity is key. Knowing what we’re working toward helps us say no to what distracts us—whether it’s social media, spam emails, or that chatty neighbor who wants to tell us their life story again while we’re just trying to check the mail. (Bless their heart.)

    The goal isn’t to become a productivity robot, but to live with intention. To find balance. And yes, moderation—that underrated word that helps us juggle a million things without losing our minds.

    Right now, my mental to-do list looks like a circus:

    • Hire employees for a new location
    • Find a new warehouse
    • Look for a new place to live
    • Save more money
    • Research investment options
    • Write an ebook
    • Keep up this blog
    • Get my kid to all  his activities
    • Oh, and maybe remember to breathe

    But even in the chaos, I believe things will fall into place—as long as I keep managing my mind and my time.

  • How Setting Big, Bold Goals is Helping Me Reinvent My Life (And Maybe Even Save It)

    A journey without direction is just… wandering. And trust me, I’ve done more wandering than I’d like to admit—mentally, financially, and sometimes even in Target (where time and money both go to die).

    But what I’ve learned—thanks to way too many self-help audiobooks—is this: goals give life direction. They’re not just to-do list items. They’re signposts. Motivation fuel. The difference between moving forward and spinning in place.

    Why Goal Setting Changed Everything for Me

    One thing every life coach, motivational speaker, and success guru seems to agree on? Goal setting is everything. Whether it’s short-term or long-term, goals act as a roadmap. And the beautiful part? Once you reach one, you just set another. Constant evolution.

    So, in this new season of reinventing myself, I’m finally taking that advice seriously. I’m not just setting goals—I’m speaking them out loud, writing them down, and chasing them like they owe me money.

    What Should My Goals Be? The Million-Dollar Question (Literally)

    Should I aim to become a millionaire? A real estate mogul? The world’s greatest dad? (Trick question—it’s all three.)

    That’s the magic of goal-setting: your goals can be as big, weird, or wild as you want them to be—as long as they pull you forward and reflect your real values. But I’ll admit it: for a long time, I was low-key terrified of setting goals.

    Because goals feel like promises. And breaking promises (especially to yourself) stings. So I kept my goals vague, quiet, and super flexible—like a yoga teacher with commitment issues.

    But vague goals don’t work. They don’t push you. They don’t build momentum. And they definitely don’t pay bills.

    Time for Some BHAGs: Big, Hairy, Audacious Goals

    If I want to reinvent my life, I need to go bold. Think Big Hairy Audacious Goals—the kind that scare you a little and excite you a lot. So here they are, out in the open (no backsies):

    🧠 Goal #1: Win That Big Account (AKA Feed My Business, Not My Anxiety)

    I recently submitted a bid for a new account, and if I land it, everything changes. More work? Yes. More revenue and growth? Also yes. Fewer nights stress-Googling “how to make payroll with $13”? Absolutely.

    This account could be a turning point for my business—and my sanity. Entrepreneurship isn’t for the faint of heart, but it gets a whole lot easier with solid clients and predictable income.

    🏡 Goal #2: Move Out of My Parents’ House (Again… Sigh)

    Yep, I’m a grown adult temporarily living with my parents. While I appreciate the support, building an empire from your childhood bedroom has its challenges—especially when family drama is a daily feature.

    It’s time to reclaim my space, reduce distractions, and finally stop fighting over whose turn it is to take out the trash. Independence isn’t just about living alone—it’s about creating an environment where I can focus, parent, and prosper.

    💳 Goal #3: Crush $70K in Credit Card Debt (With Extreme Prejudice)

    Let’s talk debt. I’ve racked up about $70,000 in business and personal credit card debt—and it’s not exactly the 0% interest kind. This debt has been hanging over me like a Netflix subscription I forgot to cancel.

    The goal? Pay it all off by next year. That means grinding harder, saving smarter, and skipping impulsive “window shopping” that ends in cartfuls of things I definitely don’t need (I’m looking at you, home decor aisle).

    Getting debt-free won’t just boost my finances—it’ll free up mental space, improve my credit health, and let me start building real wealth instead of just treading water.

    Wrapping It Up: Why These 3 Goals Actually Matter

    Sure, these goals are about money, business, and life logistics. But more than that, they’re about building a life that doesn’t feel like I’m constantly playing defense. These are my keys to peace, progress, and maybe even a little pride.

    And hey, maybe I’ll finally sleep through the night without doing imaginary math in my head.

    What Are Your Big Goals?

    I challenge you—yep, you reading this—to do the same. Set a few scary goals. Speak them out loud. Write them down. Heck, shout them into the void if that’s your thing.

    Because the more real your goals become, the more likely you are to chase them—and the more powerful your transformation will be.

    Let’s hold each other accountable. Let’s aim high. Let’s get uncomfortable and grow anyway.

    Together, we can turn ambition into action—and become the bold, goal-chasing, life-reinventing legends we were meant to be.

  • What Is My Purpose in Life?

    That’s a question many of us ask ourselves at some point—or maybe all the time. I know I do. For me, it often comes up during moments when I feel lost, doubt my abilities, or when I’m simply unhappy with where I am in life. Whether it stems from a lack of direction, a low emotional state, or comparing ourselves to others, the question remains: Why am I here? What am I meant to do?

    Most self-help books suggest prayer, meditation, or quiet time to reflect deeply and uncover what we truly want out of life. Coaches, gurus, speakers, and authors often tie purpose to wealth or success—selling the idea that fulfillment lies in financial achievement. But is that really why we were placed on this Earth? Just to chase money?

    Don’t get me wrong—I’m not against having money. It may not buy happiness, but it does offer choices and freedom. Still, I’ve never chased wealth for the sake of being rich. That just doesn’t feel like my true purpose. I’ll save the deeper dive on money for another blog post. This one is about purpose.

    I’m reminded of a simple story:
    A wealthy businessman sees a fisherman relaxing by the shore, not out at sea. The businessman tells him, “If you worked harder, you could catch more fish, buy a fleet of boats, and eventually be rich like me.”
    The fisherman replies, “And then what?”
    The businessman says, “Then you can enjoy life.”
    The fisherman smiles and says, “What do you think I’m doing right now?”

    That story always grounds me. It reminds me that chasing more doesn’t always bring joy—it often just brings more stress. We might already have what we need to be happy but are too busy chasing something else to realize it. It’s like the saying: A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush.

    I’m not saying we should settle. I’m saying that our purpose in life should not be defined by what society deems important—it should be defined by what we find meaningful. For me, I need to figure out what truly brings me joy, not what looks good on paper or impresses other people. Lately, I’ve realized I feel most at peace and purposeful when I’m spending time with people who genuinely care about me.

    Right now, I can’t even fully write down what I want to do with my life—my mind feels clouded by outside expectations and noise. But I do know this: My purpose is somewhere in the quiet, in the simple moments, and in the connections that matter.

  • Acceptance: The First Step Toward Moving Forward

    Acceptance: The First Step Toward Moving Forward

    How can I move forward if I can’t accept where I am in life? That question has been echoing in my mind as I reflect on everything I’ve read, felt, and lived. Nearly every self-help book I’ve come across shares a common message about the past: let it go. While it’s important to learn from it, your past doesn’t have to define your future.

    But if I’m honest, I often find myself stuck there—reliving old memories, regrets, and mistakes. Those thoughts don’t inspire action; they paralyze me. They leave me feeling like a better future is just out of reach, lost in the fog of who I used to be.

    Making Peace with the Present

    To move forward, I know I need to do more than just release the past—I need to accept the present. This part is trickier. While most self-help experts agree on how to deal with the past and future, there seems to be conflicting advice about how to view the present moment.

    Some say to fully accept where you are. Others urge you to be ambitious, never settle, and dream big. Then there are those who say to ignore your current reality because anything is possible if you believe hard enough.

    After taking it all in, I’ve formed my own belief: you must accept your present in order to transform it.

    Acceptance is not surrender. It’s not approval. It’s simply acknowledging what is—whether it’s good or bad. It’s like setting the GPS in your car: you can’t map out where you’re going until you know exactly where you are.

    Facing the Reality of Now

    The truth is, I don’t like where I am in life right now. I’m blind, I’m struggling financially, and I often feel alone. But denying that won’t help me. Wishing things were different won’t create change. Anger, sadness, regret—they don’t fix anything.

    What will? Honesty. Acceptance. And action.

    Until I’m fully honest about where I am, I’ll keep spinning in circles. But if I accept the present moment—however uncomfortable it is—I can finally begin to build a path forward.

    It starts here. It starts now.