Blind Can You Can

Tag: mindset

  • You Are the Product: How to Sell Yourself Without Selling Out

    You Are the Product: How to Sell Yourself Without Selling Out

    We might roll our eyes every time a telemarketer calls—but let’s be real: in some way, we’re all doing the same thing. Maybe not cold-calling strangers 100 times a day, but every day, we’re selling ourselves.

    Think about it. In a job interview, we’re pitching our skills and experience. On a date, we’re showcasing our best selves. At a networking event, church, or even standing in line at the DMV—we’re presenting who we are through how we talk, how we dress, how we carry ourselves.

    And don’t even get me started on social media. Every post, every caption, even this blog is part of how I “sell” my mindset to the world.

    But here’s the truth:
    You can’t sell yourself if you don’t believe in yourself.

    You are a walking, talking reflection of your inner world. If you don’t believe you’re good enough, chances are no one else will either. The deal won’t close—not because you’re not worthy, but because your self-belief didn’t show up to the meeting.

    Yes, I take some inspiration from sales tactics. Not the sleazy stuff—but the deeper truths. Because being a great salesperson isn’t about manipulation. It’s about understanding yourself, connecting with others, and knowing your value.

    This all comes down to mindset—the one I try to live by and encourage here:
    🧠 Understanding. Acknowledgment. Acceptance. Growth.

    If you “fail to close the sale”—that’s okay. The beauty is, you are the product. That means you can evolve, refine, and come back better. Failure isn’t the end. It’s just market feedback.

    Believing you’re already perfect and never need to change? That’s not confidence—that’s ego in disguise. Real confidence includes self-reflection and a willingness to grow.

    Even when we bring our best game, the work isn’t done. We still have to show up, hit the gym (physically or mentally), and do the reps. Whether you’re coming off an MVP performance or a night you’d rather erase from memory, the key is the same:
    Show up. Do the work. Keep growing.

    That’s what it means to sell yourself—not with desperation, not hoping others feel sorry for you, but with grounded confidence. You attract what you believe you deserve. Someone once gave me a hard truth:

    “You’ll never get anywhere by making people feel sorry for you.”

    And they were right.

    So stand tall. Own your story. Do the inner work.
    Be your own best closer. Because the deal you’re making? It’s the one that shapes your life.

  • Don’t Be a Slave to the Outcome: Your Journey Is the Real Win

    Let’s just say it—“slave” isn’t the most politically correct word, but I’m using it here to drive home a critical point: if your entire self-worth depends on the outcome, you’re giving away your power.

    We’ve all been there.

    You study hard and still fail the test.
    You prep for an interview and still don’t get the job.
    You pour your soul into a business or project and end up losing money.
    You eat healthy, follow doctor’s orders, take your meds… and still don’t get better.

    Yeah, it sucks. It really does. But here’s what we often forget—you still gained something. Something meaningful. Something that can’t always be measured by the final result.

    In our society, we celebrate the winners—NBA champs, Oscar winners, viral success stories. But nobody cheers for the long nights, the quiet failures, or the invisible grit it took to even show up.

    And yet, that’s where the real success lies—in the process.

    Now, this isn’t a message about accepting mediocrity. No, not at all. This is about not letting failure define you. It’s about realizing that setbacks are setups for comebacks.

    You always have a choice: let it crush you or let it build you.

    “Wait, do I choose to be sick? Poor? Disabled?”
    No, of course not. Some things, like my own hereditary blindness, are out of our control. What is in our control is how we let it shape us.

    You can let the hardship destroy you—or you can let it empower you.

    Even trauma, as heavy as it is, doesn’t get the final say unless we allow it to. That may be hard to hear, but your mindset is the deciding factor in whether your past becomes a prison or a platform.

    You’re alive today. That means you’ve been given another shot—to grow, to learn, to move forward.

    So don’t let a single outcome define your entire story. Don’t give one moment that much power. Success isn’t always instant, but it’s always brewing when you keep showing up.

    You may not win this year. You may not land the dream job or break free from your limitation today. But every step, every failure, every lesson—it all compounds.

    Each setback brings wisdom. Each lesson brings strength. And with every milestone, the path to happiness gets a little shorter.

    So celebrate the process.
    Refuse to be a slave to the outcome.
    And remember: the journey is the win.

    Because you’re not defined by the outcome.
    You’re defined by your decision to keep going.

    And that’s power.

  • Gratitude vs. Growth: Can You Be Thankful and Still Want More?

    At this very moment, I find myself torn—do I fully accept what I have, or do I dare to want more?

    It’s like one of those age-old debates: love vs. money, or which came first—the chicken or the egg? But for me, the internal tug-of-war is between acceptance and ambition.

    There’s this message we often hear: “Be thankful for what you have.” Sounds nice, right? But depending on your mindset, it can feel either peaceful… or like a polite way of saying, “Just settle.” Some interpret it as a way to justify not reaching higher—like telling yourself, “I didn’t make it, but hey, at least I tried.” Others see it as a beautiful reminder to appreciate the blessings in life, even when they’re not perfect. It’s the classic glass-half-full perspective.

    Then there’s the flip side: wanting more.

    Some see the desire for more as a sign of drive and courage. The hunger that fuels greatness. Others might see it as greed, or worse—restlessness with no gratitude. Society loves to both glorify ambition and judge it at the same time.

    So where do I land in all this?

    Personally, I lean into being thankful for what I have. But not in a “throw in the towel” kind of way. For me, acceptance is about neutral awareness. It’s not saying “This is good” or “This is bad.” It’s just acknowledging, This is where I am. Financially. Physically. Mentally. Emotionally. It’s like checking in on social media—no filters, no ratings—just letting the world (and yourself) know: “This is my location in life right now.”

    Why does this matter? Because in life, no matter what happened yesterday or what others have done to you, you always have a choice. That choice defines you.

    When people say, “Well, that’s just how I’ve always been,” it’s often a sign of resistance to change. An unwillingness to reflect or grow. They’re stuck—not because they have to be, but because they choose to be.

    And that’s where wanting more becomes a vital part of the mindset. Not “more” in a greedy, power-hungry way. But “more” as in: growth, evolution, abundance—not just for yourself, but for the people you love and the community around you.

    Wanting more so you can give more.

    It’s not selfish to dream bigger. It’s not greedy to want to improve. It’s about building on the foundation of gratitude—because without accepting where you are, how do you even know where to go?

    So here’s what I’ve come to believe:

    ✅ Acceptance gives you solid ground.
    ✅ Ambition gives you a ladder.
    ✅ And abundance? That’s the roof you build to shelter others.

    If you’re feeling conflicted between being content and chasing your goals, maybe it’s not an either/or. Maybe it’s both. Be grateful. And keep growing. The world needs your best—and so do you.

  • 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.