From Cubicle to Freedom

1. From Cubicle to Freedom. How I build a life on my own terms

Chapter 1. The power of a positive mindset

Have you ever felt like there’s a bigger purpose to your life? A reason why you’re here on this planet? I’ve been pondering this question for as long as I can remember, and it’s something that crosses my mind every day. We live in a world full of debates, where people argue about everything from the shape of the earth to the best way to live our lives. But one thing we all have in common is the desire to be happy and independent.

Chapter 2. The art of living your dream

It’s hard to put into words the feeling of being on your first backpack trip. It’s a mix of excitement, wonder, and the thrill of the unknown. I was able to fully immerse myself in the experience without the burden of financial stress. Quitting my job was a risk, but it paid off in a way that I couldn’t have imagined. Of course, there was a catch. I couldn’t live off of that backpacking trip forever.

Chapter 3. Learning from Failure, the key to success

During our journey as entrepreneurs, my friend Ralph and I learned a lot about taking risks and making things happen. Despite not having all the necessary skills at the beginning, we were determined to succeed with our platform, Rentsy. We knew that there was a problem that we could solve, and we had a good understanding of our target audience. However, our platform didn’t grow as much as we had hoped.

Chapter 4. Hustling and grind, Building a life on your own terms

During those times of uncertainty, I had to be resourceful and creative. I couldn’t rely on a steady paycheck and income from tenants, so I had to find other ways to make money. I remember doing odd jobs here and there, like illegal taxi driving at night and being an Airbnb host and guide, just to make ends meet. Becoming an Airbnb host was one of the best decisions we ever made.

Chapter 5. The Company you keep, How to choose the right friends and partners

I believe that friendships are an essential part of our lives, but it is true that not all of them are meant to last forever. As I have grown and changed over the years, I have realized that I have taken different paths and developed different values, leading to a natural drift in my relationships. When I look back, it can be difficult to name five close friends who have remained close throughout the years.

Chapter 6. The Network effect

Networking is a critical aspect of achieving success in both personal and professional life. Imagine walking into a room filled with 50 strangers who have no common interests or connections. In such a situation, people may approach you and ask about your story, but without any shared interests, the conversation may not go very far. The real value of networking lies in meeting new people who share your interests or who can help you achieve your goals.

Chapter 7. Slow and steady wins the race, embracing the journey

In my experience, it’s common for people to use others’ lives as a benchmark for their own success. They may compare their own age and accomplishments to those of others, leading to feelings of inadequacy or a lack of direction. However, I believe that every person is unique and has their own individual path in life, with their own set of talents and opportunities. Some individuals are born with a natural talent for singing or playing an instrument, while others may excel in sports and have the opportunity to pursue a career as a professional athlete.

Chapter 8. Overcoming insecurities, Finding confidence and success

Insecurities are a common experience for many people, and they often stem from experiences that have left emotional scars. For example, if you have been in a relationship with someone who hurt you deeply, it is natural to carry those wounds with you into your next relationship. Similarly, if you have been bullied or discriminated against, it can affect your self-esteem and make you feel insecure in social situations. There is no one specific cause for insecurity, as many factors can contribute to it.

From impulsive to intentional, Making better decisions

I have always been an impulsive person, never making concrete plans, but it has made me the person I am today. Like most people, I have fired off an email, said something I didn’t want to, or even booked a flight and left the next day on a whim. I think we are all victims of impulsiveness, it’s just how our brains work. When you try to think about what to say next, you’ll be surprised that there’s no clear answer.

Happiness is a choice, Creating your own joyful life

I believe that pockets are meant to put things in, and wallets and bank accounts are meant to be filled with digits and paper bills. In my case, my pocket is not empty or filled, but it’s enough to live from. I don’t need too much to live from, and I consider myself a simple human being who lives pretty minimalistic. In the past, I have lived in countries with just a backpack that contains all the essentials.

Chapter 7. Slow and steady wins the race, embracing the journey

In my experience, it’s common for people to use others’ lives as a benchmark for their own success. They may compare their own age and accomplishments to those of others, leading to feelings of inadequacy or a lack of direction. However, I believe that every person is unique and has their own individual path in life, with their own set of talents and opportunities.

Some individuals are born with a natural talent for singing or playing an instrument, while others may excel in sports and have the opportunity to pursue a career as a professional athlete. Some people have a passion for traveling and exploring the world, while others may choose to focus on building a home and starting a family before reaching their 30s.

It’s important to remember that everyone’s journey in life is different, and it’s not fair to compare oneself to others. Instead, it’s more productive to focus on personal growth and self-improvement. One’s daily habits and choices, such as what they eat and drink, can have a significant impact on their overall well-being and quality of life.

Ultimately, the value of a person’s life is not defined by external factors such as age or achievements, but rather by the personal fulfillment and happiness they experience on their unique path.

Comparing ourselves to others can be a harmful habit that can limit our own beliefs and potential. It’s important to remember that everyone has their own unique journey and challenges that they have faced in life. Instead of comparing ourselves to others, it’s more productive to focus on our own personal growth and development. One effective way to do this is by setting achievable goals for ourselves.

For example, if you are passionate about traveling, it’s important to set specific goals for yourself, such as the countries you want to visit and the experiences you want to have. By breaking down your goals into smaller, achievable steps, you can work towards them in a focused and effective way. Similarly, if you are looking to improve your financial situation, setting realistic goals for your income can help you stay motivated and focused on your goals.

Remember, the value of setting goals is not just in achieving them, but also in the progress you make along the way. Every small step you take towards your goals is a success and can help you build momentum towards achieving your bigger goals. So instead of comparing yourself to others, focus on your own journey and the progress you make towards your own goals.

Setting personal goals is a great way to track your progress and achieve your desired results. It’s important to understand that progress takes time, and it’s okay to start small. Setting goals that are challenging but achievable is key to maintaining motivation and momentum.

It’s important to also understand that progress isn’t always linear. There may be setbacks and days when you don’t reach your goals, but that doesn’t mean you’re not making progress. The fact that you’re putting in the effort and trying is what counts.

Keeping track of your progress can be as simple as writing down your goals and crossing them off as you achieve them. It’s also helpful to regularly evaluate your progress and make adjustments if necessary. If you find that you’re consistently falling short of your goals, try breaking them down into smaller, more manageable steps.

Remember, progress is about the journey, not just the end result. Celebrate your accomplishments, no matter how small they may seem, and keep pushing yourself to achieve more.

The motivational speaker Jay Shetty once posed an intriguing question to his audience: what if every person received a deposit of $86,400 into their bank account every day, but the catch was that the money would disappear at the end of the day and reset itself for the next day? It’s an interesting thought experiment that prompts us to reflect on how we value and spend our time. Just like money, we have a finite amount of time each day: 86,400 seconds. The key is to use that time wisely and with purpose.

If we imagine that everyone in the world is given an olympic race with $86,400 and the goal is to spend it all before the end of the day, we would see that people would do different things. Some would spend their money quickly on frivolous things, while others would be more thoughtful and strategic about how they spend it. Similarly, with our time, some people are more intentional about how they use it, while others are more careless and allow it to slip away without purpose.

The challenge is to make every second count and to invest it in meaningful pursuits that will make us better, stronger, and more fulfilled individuals. We should strive to use our time wisely, to focus on personal growth, to spend time with loved ones, and to pursue our passions and dreams. Just like money, time is a valuable resource that we cannot afford to waste. So let’s make the most of it and use it to create a life that is rich in purpose and meaning.

The concept of life being a race is something that many people are familiar with. The pressure to achieve certain milestones at a certain age can be overwhelming and often causes anxiety and stress. However, as the chapter title suggests, life is not a race. You should live and spend your 86400 dollars or seconds at your own pace. Each person’s path is unique, and what works for one may not work for another.

The beauty of life is that you have the freedom to choose what is important to you. If you are content with a simple and minimalistic life, your goals may be much easier to achieve than someone who wants a large house, a fancy car, or other material possessions. It’s not about how much money you make, but rather how you choose to spend it. For one person, travel may be a priority, while for another, starting a family may be the most important thing.

Traveling has taught me that people have different needs, desires, and aspirations. The traditional idea of living a standard life is becoming a thing of the past. It’s not a competition to see who can get pregnant or married first. Some people may choose to remain unmarried and live with their significant other, while others may not want children. Likewise, buying a house is not the only option. Renting may be a better choice for those who do not want to commit to a mortgage or debt.

The most important thing is to stay true to yourself and your goals. Everyone has a different timeline for their lives, and that is okay. You don’t have to conform to society’s expectations or timelines. Take the time to figure out what you truly want and work towards that, even if it takes longer than others. At the end of the day, it’s your life, and you get to decide how to spend it.

I must admit, my life is far from conventional, but that’s what makes it so fulfilling. I could have settled down with a nice woman, landed a stable job, and lived a comfortable life like most people do. But where’s the excitement in that? Staying in your comfort zone might be safe, but it’s also dull and unfulfilling. Instead, I chose to become an entrepreneur, to take risks and to challenge myself. I believe in my abilities, and that belief has guided me through tough times and towards the right path.

Of course, the road to success is paved with many failures. I’ve learned that the hard way, having lost thousands of euros by investing in the wrong ventures. But those losses have taught me invaluable lessons, and they’ve made me stronger and more resilient.

As I’ve mentioned in an earlier chapter, I left a secure job to start my own company. Unfortunately, that venture failed spectacularly, and I found myself questioning whether I had made the right decision. But looking back, I realize that failure was a necessary step towards success. It taught me to be more strategic, to learn from my mistakes, and to be more patient.

That’s the beauty of life, it’s not a one-size-fits-all kind of thing. You get to choose your own path, your own pace, and your own priorities. What works for one person might not work for another, and that’s perfectly okay. Some people are content with a modest life, while others crave luxury and extravagance. It’s not about how much you earn or what you own, but about what truly matters to you. And for me, that’s the thrill of taking risks, the satisfaction of overcoming challenges, and the joy of pursuing my passions.

Life is full of ups and downs, successes and failures. It’s easy to feel discouraged when things don’t go as planned, but it’s important to keep pushing forward and believing in yourself. Take me for example - my life has been a bit of a mess, but I wouldn’t have it any other way. I could have settled down with a steady job and a nice partner, but that just wasn’t enough for me. I wanted to be an entrepreneur and create something of my own.

Of course, that path wasn’t easy. I’ve lost thousands of euros investing in the wrong things, and there were times when I doubted myself and wondered if I was on the right path. But I kept going, even when others didn’t believe in me. Some people warned me when I failed a few times, while others - like my girlfriend at the time and even my own family - didn’t fully support my vision. But that only pushed me to work harder and prove them wrong.

And eventually, all of that hard work paid off. I started a cafe/restaurant with my business partner, and within half a year we were ranked as the number one spot on TripAdvisor. Within two years, we earned a certificate of excellence - proof that we had succeeded in creating something truly special. Looking back, I can’t help but wonder what would have happened if I had given up after my early failures. If I had listened to the naysayers and abandoned my dream, I would have missed out on this incredible success.

But success isn’t just about achieving a certain goal or reaching a certain level of wealth. It’s about finding fulfillment in what you do, and doing it on your own terms. If you spend your life racing and comparing yourself to others, you’ll only end up feeling miserable and missing out on what really matters. That’s why it’s so important to take your time, live at your own pace, and pursue the things that truly make you happy. And when you do encounter obstacles, remember to keep pushing forward - because you never know what kind of success might be waiting for you on the other side.

The human mind has a tendency to compare itself to others and this can often lead to feelings of envy, jealousy, and a sense of being left behind. This is especially true in the age of social media where we are constantly bombarded with images of other people’s success and accomplishments. However, it’s important to remember that comparing ourselves to others can be counterproductive and lead to negative feelings. It’s important to focus on our own path and progress at our own pace.

A similar phenomenon can be observed in the world of investing. Many people have made fortunes by investing in cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin. However, it’s important to remember that these people took a risk and made a decision that not everyone would have made. Comparing ourselves to them and feeling envious of their success will only lead to feelings of frustration and despair.

Instead of focusing on what others have achieved, it’s important to focus on our own journey and goals. It’s important to take risks and pursue our dreams, but it’s equally important to remember that success is not a race. We all have our own unique path and timeline, and our time will come when it’s meant to. The key is to stay positive, stay motivated, and keep moving forward towards our goals, no matter how long it takes.