It’s remarkable how our mindset can shape our outlook on life. The way we see the world is heavily influenced by our past experiences, and for many, it can feel impossible to escape the mental prison they find themselves in.
Our formative years play a significant role in determining how brave or risk-averse we become. Personally, I was a nervous and anxious child, living in survival mode and trying to avoid both conflict and risk-taking.
It took me many months—and a great deal of self-reflection on my childhood—to begin shedding this limiting mindset. Only then did I realise how I had manipulated my own free-thinking mind into believing things that weren’t true.
One’s worldview shapes not just how we interpret life, but also how we approach it. Some people are considered ‘dreamers’ or ‘optimists’, while others see themselves as ‘realists’ or ‘pessimists’. In many ways, these labels help define how we tackle challenges and celebrate successes.
The way we view the world and what we allow ourselves to see determines how successful and happy we can become.
One thing I’ve spent considerable time exploring is what success truly means to me. For some, success is measured by how much money one can accumulate; for others, it revolves around freedom and having the time to live life on their own terms. Whatever our personal interpretation, our definition of success significantly shapes the way we lead our lives.
For a long while, I believed making money was the essence of success, largely because I was surrounded by people who held that viewpoint. It’s easy to be pulled into this mindset as we grow up. The perspectives of our peers at school, as well as their families, heavily influence us; and teachers who encourage students to attend top universities and secure high-powered jobs often narrow our idea of what success could look like.
Yet once I left the education system, I gradually realised how my thinking had become twisted, fixated on something that was, for me, superficial. I came to understand that money alone was not a fundamental factor in my happiness—and that revelation changed my outlook entirely.
Money is often seen as the key to a door we all desire—freedom. Yet it took me 24 years to realise that freedom is a choice, not a prize or level to be earned. We choose how we want to live. We can experience freedom even if we don’t have an abundance of money, because when we release our minds from the shackles of what the world tries to dictate, the freedom we possess becomes a choice that can’t be manipulated or influenced.
Our perspective on life and what we’re willing to sacrifice can shift dramatically once we realise we don’t want to be just another rat in a race that everyone else seems to be running—without ever truly understanding why.
Listening to those older and more experienced in the world often grants you a wealth of wisdom without requiring you to endure their hardships. When I learned earlier this year that one of the top three regrets of the dying was ‘not being true to oneself,’ it profoundly shifted my mindset about how I wanted to live my own life.
My perspective changed as my ideas about life evolved. I went from someone who strived for a ‘perfect’ existence to someone determined to take risks, following my intuition and instincts—regardless of how flawless or imperfect that journey might appear.
Throughout this personal growth, I managed to shed the cloak of fear that had weighed on my shoulders for years. I released the expectations I believed society and those around me wanted me to fulfil, and stood prepared to pursue the life I truly desired, regardless of what others might say. I freed myself from external pressures and let my mind brim with excitement and wonder about all the possibilities ahead.
I set no prejudice on my thoughts and dreams and let them flow from me. Part of this process led to me setting this essay writing challenge. It was a goal to improve how I wrote and to test my dedication and consistency to my dreams again.
As I write this final piece for this challenge, one fundamental message keeps coming to mind:
Your perspective has been shaped by both your failures and your successes over the years. Don’t let yourself overlook what could be simply because you fear others may not approve. Don’t let the limited mindsets of others cloud your judgement.
Try, if you can, to find freedom in your thoughts—don’t allow fear to stop you prematurely. Life is there for the taking, and those who make the most of it are the risk-takers, the trailblazers, and the ones who don’t give a fuck about what might happen. They entrust the outcome of their dreams to the universe and keep moving forward, step by step, in pursuit of what they truly want.
The way we live our lives is determined by our mindset, so don’t let your perspective misguide you. The more you open your mind to new possibilities, the more you’ll discover. Let go of chasing things that don’t genuinely serve your life or happiness, and find the time and space to figure out what success and fulfilment truly mean to you.
As we step into a new year, why not step into a new version of ourselves—one whose perspective is vast and ready to find the positive in as many things as possible? Perhaps by doing this, we’ll each move that little bit closer to the lives we want to live and be the people we want to be.
Good Luck x
I am Will Flindall, host of the Valley of Outlaws Podcast where I speak to those who have decided to take control of their life and follow a passion or instinct.
If you feel like you could be getting more from your life, then maybe one of the conversations I’ve had with the Outlaws might help you kickstart a change.
Peace x
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