7 Mindset Shifts I Learned After Leaving a Career Without A Plan

Happy Monday-Funday! Welcome to my LinkedIn edition of The SMRT List . Monday's rock because it's the beginning of a new week and the feeling of fresh starts are simply divine. I've always lived by the philosophy that it's "Friday every day" because why not? We have one life to live.

The greatest thing (and biggest challenge) I ever did was take the leap and left the grind.

In 2016, I left a stable and lucrative career at 28 without a plan. Wow! I can’t believe it’s been that long — time sure does fly. I’ve collected so many experiences since then and I wouldn’t change anything in my life.

I grew up as a black sheep, a contrarian thinker, who resisted conforming and I always knew there was more to life. Not to say there is anything wrong with a 9–5 because it works for many people, but not for me.

We also go through different stages in our lives and who knows, I say 'never say never' and I may be back one day but with life, you have to follow your intuition.

Here are some valuable MINDSET SHIFTS I?learned:

1. Life is too short to only live for weekends.

I left a stable job with a cushy salary and benefits because I valued my time.?

I was an outdoor athlete and an ever-so-curious explorer — I hated sitting inside an office and being constrained to a 9–5!

Unfortunately, after I resigned, I still had the 9–5 mindset, and it sure was difficult normalizing partying on Tuesdays! Some Saturday nights when I felt I had to stay in and work, I felt FOMO, resulting in a lack of focus.

This is always going to be a work in progress because many of my friends have a fixed 9–5 schedule and I still have to somewhat spin with the rest of the world but everything works out as long as you set your intentions.

2. Always be confident and believe in yourself.

Last year, I noticed everyone who came into my life had this mindset: no matter how tough of a time they are going through, they verbally declared that?they KNOW they will always make it no matter what.?

That is something I have always strived to live by but the insight didn't surface in my consciousness until recently. Was it conditioning? Being more intuitively connected? Probably a combination of everything is confidence is built over experience and consistency.

Let’s normalize this mindset.

Confidence is a skill you must have if you are to survive in the entrepreneurial space. The great thing is that I see any skill as a “muscle” that you grow (practice) over time to get better at.

3. Unconventional lives are more conventional than society makes you?think.

I left my life and career because I thought it was too “white-picket-fence perfect” — as in the typical path society says is the right way: school, career, good friends, supportive significant other, owning your own property, etc. I had all of this by the time I was 22 and I ALWAYS knew that?there was more to life?by my mid-20s, I was getting bored.

When I made my decision to leave in 2015 — I discovered a whole new world and lifestyle that some would never be able to imagine if you don't step out of your comfort zone.

One day, I hope to write a book on my experiences but right now, it’s way too much and completely off-topic for LinkedIn!

4. Time is the most precious currency.

Money comes and goes but you’ll never ever get time back.

I left my career because I valued the freedom to do whatever I wanted.

I bought a beautiful apartment but was never home during the day because I was at the office.

I wanted to ride my bike whenever I wanted.

Those were simple things that made me so happy.

Luckily, I never really saw “money” as the end goal because my parents always taught us to do what we loved so it wasn’t difficult for me to leave everything behind.

5. Entrepreneurship is constant problem-solving.

It takes hardcore grit and resilience.

It’s not for the faint of heart.

A lot of people aren’t raised with resilience due to circumstances (upbringing, family, finance, mental health) yet they need to learn how to step out of their comfort zone consistently to survive in this space.

My parents are not entrepreneurs or business owners but I got my first freelance job when I was 11 and tasted time freedom at an early age. Since then, I had to forge my own path because I had no mentors growing up.

Every day has its ups and downs but I spent a decade building up resilience by getting uncomfortable to prepare.

Every single day is a work in progress.

Perhaps because I had a clear vision of my future, I directed all my life choices to reach this point in my life where I am in control of my own destiny. In all honesty, it’s scary but knowing that failure isn't an option is a great motivator.

6. Nothing lasts?forever.

You have to learn to find happiness in everything.?If you still believe in fairytales, it’s time to snap back to reality.

How do you feel about doing the same thing your entire life?

Do you want more stories to tell?

If you can accept the grim fact that nothing lasts forever, your life will seem more effortless because you will take more risks and become more receptive to new experiences— and when you expose yourself to more, opportunities will fall into your lap.

7. We live in an abundant world full of endless opportunities.

Unfortunately, your world isn't going to expand until you are willing to get uncomfortable.?

I grew up in a middle-class immigrant family in Saskatchewan so I still struggle with a scarcity mindset. After I experienced the unlimited wealth and opportunities in the world through my travels, I learned the importance of embodying an abundance mindset.

I’ve lived amongst the top 1% and the bottom 1% (started a business in one of the poorest towns in the county). Because of that, I’ve experienced so much through multiple lenses. It's one thing to hear about it than to live it. You also can't 'unsee' what you see.

A common problem with the top 1% is that they have it all but can’t find fulfillment — nothing will ever be enough. The bottom 1% doesn’t understand what a growth mindset so they are trapped in a toxic cycle where they only do the bare minimum, for the bare minimum.

Yes, there are difficult social-economical issues to overcome but what if we can start teaching those at the bottom how to have an abundance mindset? And train others in mindfulness so we can truly appreciate the present?

Not all problems can be solved right away but?we can begin to rewire their brains to better future generations.

It can begin with a few mindset shifts to get the ball rolling.

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If you enjoyed this edition of THE SMRT LIST, I would appreciate it if you share it with your friends who may find this helpful. Because if we want to be happy and successful, everyone around us must be the same. Sharing is caring. :)

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I write about discipline, consistency, showing up, hard work, no shortcuts, productivity, cultivating good habits, mindsets, abundance, wellness, spirituality, relationships, and creating time freedom.

Follow me on?Twitter ?or subscribe to the original, SMRT LIST , for no-nonsense life advice to boss up and future-proof yourself! ???www.24caratinc.io

Stay curious. Plant seeds. ??