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 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. Eventually, I had to come back to reality and start working again. But I saw this opportunity as a gift from a higher power - a chance to taste the life that I had always wanted and deserved. It required a shift in mindset towards money and freedom. Instead of working for money, I wanted to work hard to generate money, so that I could support my family and future generations.

It’s a common belief that the more money we have, the happier we’ll be. But I’ve come to realize that true happiness comes from being content with less. If I want to be free and live life on my own terms, I have to be willing to sacrifice some of the luxuries that come with a high-paying job. This doesn’t mean that I can’t enjoy the finer things in life, but it does mean that I prioritize my happiness and freedom above all else.

In the end, my first backpacking trip was a turning point in my life. It gave me the courage to chase my dreams and reminded me that anything is possible if I’m willing to work hard and make sacrifices.

Cover

The difference between working for money and generating money is often overlooked, but it can make a world of difference in one’s life. When you work solely for money, you become a slave to the system, constantly chasing after it to pay your bills and provide for your family. It’s easy to lose sight of the beauty that life has to offer when your sole focus is on earning a paycheck.

Fortunately, I had the opportunity to experience a different way of living during my backpacking trip. I didn’t have to worry about money, and it gave me a whole new perspective on life. In the following pages of this book, I’ll show you how to transform your mindset and shift your focus from working for money to generating it.

The first step towards this transformation is to be content with less. During my travels, I had some of the most enriching experiences of my life. I realized that time is much more valuable than money, and that being out of my comfort zone was a good thing. It allowed me to be present at the moment, and I forgot about my jobless status for a while.

Through this experience, I learned that life is about more than just working to pay the bills. It’s about having the freedom to pursue your passions, spend time with loved ones, and enjoy the beauty that surrounds us. By shifting your focus from working for money to generating it, you’ll be able to live a fulfilling and rewarding life.

I cherished the time that I had during my backpack trip. It was during one of those nights that I stumbled into a pool hall. A girl behind the bar noticed me and offered me a drink. As we started to chat, I discovered that the locals were searching for someone to play against their best player for money. At first, I was hesitant because I never really played for money before, but then I thought to myself, why not? Playing for money could motivate me to play better.

To my surprise, I emerged victorious from the game. I might have been lucky, or maybe it was because I wasn’t too emotional about the money. I played the game with ease and just let my instincts guide me. I felt like I was in the flow, and every ball I made was effortless. Not only that, but I even finished the last four balls in style to claim my victory. Winning felt great, but what made it even better was that I didn’t lose any money and earned some respect instead.

That experience taught me a valuable lesson. Sometimes, we focus too much on the outcome or the reward that we forget to enjoy the process. We get too emotional about the money that we forget to have fun and let our natural abilities take over. Winning is great, but it’s not everything. Gaining respect and enjoying the experience is just as important, if not more.