Blind Can You Can

Tag: personal-growth

  • 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.

  • The Real Buy-In: Fueling Your Dreams Beyond the Whys

    The buy-in has to be bigger than the prize. Let me say that again—what you want must be more powerful than all the “whys” holding you back.

    Most of us start by asking, “Why am I doing this?” or “Why should I even try?” That sounds logical. But here’s the problem—if your “why” isn’t solid enough, you’ll fold the moment things get hard. You’ll lose the energy to get back up when life knocks you down. Worst of all? You’ll lose the willpower to even get out of bed.

    Let’s be honest—life has a way of wearing us down.
    Work. Bills. Kids. Relationships. Health. Hustle.
    There’s always something trying to sap your energy.

    But life doesn’t hit pause just because we’re tired.
    The kids still need to be cared for. The job still needs to be done. The relationships still need attention.

    Too often, we burn out—not because we’re lazy or incapable—but because our buy-in was too weak. We were aiming halfway down the track instead of the finish line.

    Here’s the truth:
    If all the “why” questions in your head can convince you to stop, it’s a clear sign—you didn’t want it enough.
    And that’s okay! But it’s something we need to recognize and own.

    Because if you don’t believe in yourself—if you don’t truly want that goal—no motivation, no podcast, no guru is going to carry you through the hard days.
    The “why am I here?”, “why am I doing this?”, “why is this worth it?” questions will start echoing back with answers like:
    “You’re not good enough.”
    “This isn’t worth it.”
    “This is too hard.”
    Until finally, the loudest thought becomes: “Maybe I should just give up.”

    So how do you fight back?

    You get crystal clear on what you really want.
    Not what your parents want. Not what society tells you to chase. Not what looks cool on Instagram.
    Your dream. Your desire. Your calling.

    You will never fully buy in to someone else’s dream. If you try, you’ll end up half-hearted, uninspired, and exhausted. But when you know deep in your bones what you want—something that speaks to your spirit—your motivation becomes limitless.

    Think of it like Iron Man’s arc reactor.
    When your dream is truly yours, it powers everything—your focus, your courage, your energy, even your patience.
    With that in your arsenal, you’re not just fighting to win a single battle—you’re equipped for the whole war.

    So what’s the takeaway?

    • Find your dream.
    • Tune out the noise.
    • Don’t let your life be scripted by well-meaning friends or scrolling social media.

    How do you figure out what you really want?
    For me, it’s about getting quiet.
    Find a peaceful space—maybe out in nature. Silence the distractions. Quiet the mind. Breathe. Reflect.
    Let your soul guide you toward the truth. I know, it sounds a bit woo-woo, but hey… it just might work for you too.

    Because at the end of the day, your goal, your dream, your life—it’s your arc reactor.
    Only you can switch it on.

  • 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.

  • Dig Deep, Push Forward: Growth Lives Outside the Comfort Zone

    Digging Deep and Pushing Forward

    I was reading The Way of the SEAL by Mark Divine today. Tons of great takeaways, but one really hit home: pushing yourself outside of your comfort zone.

    Let’s be honest—humans love habits. We’re practically programmed to stick with what’s easy, convenient, and comfortable. That’s great for ordering takeout or watching the same Netflix show on repeat—but not so great for personal growth.

    Getting too comfortable can quietly trap you in a rut. It stunts your potential, locks you into bad routines, or worse—makes you settle for a life that’s “just okay.”

    I truly believe that no matter where you are in life, there’s always room to grow. As a Chinese saying goes:
    “Live till you’re old, learn till you’re old.”
    (Or in modern terms: lifelong learning > lifelong lounging.)

    Yes, growth is uncomfortable. But that’s why it works. That’s when we have to dig deep.

    You’ve heard it before: “No pain, no gain.” Mark Divine, a former Navy SEAL, shares stories from his training that sound like something straight out of an action movie… but with way more sand and shouting. Still, through it all, he learned to calm his mind and push through. And if it works for SEALs crawling through freezing mud for fun, maybe there’s something to it.

    The truth is—it’s hard, not impossible.

    Our minds are incredibly powerful. With the right mindset, we can endure far more than we imagine. When things get tough, finding the joy—or at least the purpose—in what you’re doing can make all the difference.

    Look at elite athletes. They train relentlessly. But when they’re in the zone? They say things like:
    “We just went out there and played our game.”
    “We just had fun.”
    That mindset—being fully present, enjoying the process—is what helps them perform at their best.

    For me, one of my “happy places” is Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Being blind limits what I can do in many sports, but on the mats? I feel free. For those few minutes, I’m not thinking about bills, stress, or anything else. I’m just rolling, learning, flowing. No distractions—just focus. And that, my friends, is the zone.

    That’s how I want to take on life.

    Whether it’s work, school, or parenting—I want to show up, dig deep, push forward… and crush it. I want to learn from my mistakes, grow a little every day, and keep stretching that comfort zone. Not because it’s easy—but because it’s worth it.

    So, let’s challenge ourselves.

    Shake things up a bit:

    • Take the stairs instead of the elevator.
    • Try a cold shower (yep, they’re brutal but oddly energizing).
    • Visit a new restaurant instead of the usual spot.
    • Say hi to a stranger—who knows, they might be awesome.

    Each small step outside your comfort zone is a step into a bigger, bolder version of you.

    We’re all capable of more than we think. So don’t wait for the perfect moment.
    Get in the zone, dig deep, and push forward.

  • Delegation Isn’t Lazy—It’s Smart: How Outsourcing Everyday Tasks Can Help You Reclaim Your Time and Purpose

    Delegation Isn’t Lazy—It’s Smart

    Yesterday, I read something that gave me a fresh perspective on the idea of delegation. It reminded me that we all get the same 24 hours in a day—it’s how we use those minutes and seconds that makes the difference. And lately, I’ve been binge-watching (okay, more like binge-listening) to The Food That Built America. I’m fascinated by how many of our household-name food brands came into existence—and more importantly, how they reflect the evolution of how we save time.

    Think about it: human history has been one big experiment in buying back time. Back in our cave-people days, we spent most of our waking hours hunting and gathering food. That was survival mode—no spare time for hobbies or deep thinking (unless your hobby was inventing fire).

    Then came agriculture. Suddenly, not everyone had to hunt. Some could farm, others could build, trade, or daydream about inventing sliced bread. With the invention of food-processing and ready-to-eat meals, we shaved even more time off daily survival. Next, cooking equipment came along—microwaves, toasters, air fryers—giving us hot meals in minutes. Fast food and restaurants took it a step further. And now? We tap a screen and DoorDash or Uber Eats brings dinner to our door without us even needing to put on real pants.

    All of this is delegation in action.

    We’ve gone from spending hours making meals from scratch to outsourcing food prep to businesses, technology, and services—all so we can spend that saved time on other parts of life: our goals, our families, our peace of mind.

    And no, delegation doesn’t mean hiring a full-time personal assistant or living like a billionaire (though hey, we can dream). It can be as simple as buying pre-cut veggies instead of whole ones. Or picking up a deli-prepared meal instead of cooking every night. These may seem like tiny changes, but they can add up—minutes saved become hours, hours become days, and soon, you’ve bought back weeks of your life.

    Here’s the key: delegate with purpose.

    Not everything needs to be outsourced. Maybe you love folding laundry or find peace in vacuuming. Great—keep doing that! But if cleaning the bathroom feels like the ninth circle of hell, maybe it’s time to budget for a cleaning service once a month. It’s not weakness—it’s wisdom.

    Personally, I’ve had to come to terms with my own limitations. I wish I could help my son with all his homework, especially math. But with my blindness, it’s a challenging (and time-consuming) process. Yes, I could do it—but it’s not the most efficient use of our time. Instead, I’ve started looking into a tutor or after-school learning center to make sure he gets the best support possible. I had to let go of that picture-perfect “dad helping with homework” moment—and I’m okay with that, because what matters most is his success.

    In my business, I delegate the visual tasks to my team while I focus on backend operations—because that’s where I shine. We all have strengths. Play to them.

    Even history shows us that delegation is natural. We’ve outsourced laundry to washers and dryers. We let robots vacuum our homes. (Thank you, Roomba.) The trick is not to feel guilty about it.

    Yes, there’s the cost factor—I get it. I don’t have the budget to Uber everywhere either (though if I did, trust me, I’d be rolling up everywhere like a VIP). But even if you can’t afford to delegate everything, you can probably afford to delegate something.

    Start small. One task at a time. Let go of the ego that says “I must do it all.” You don’t. You shouldn’t. You were meant for more than just doing dishes.

    So what are the little switches you can make in your life to reclaim some time? What can you let go of today that frees you up to focus on your true purpose?

    Because at the end of the day, delegation isn’t about doing less—it’s about making space to do what matters more.