𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐈 𝐍𝐨𝐰 𝐊𝐧𝐨𝐰(𝐛𝐞𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫): 𝐑𝐞𝐟𝐥𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐨𝐧 𝐚 𝐃𝐞𝐜𝐚𝐝𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐆𝐫𝐨𝐰𝐭𝐡 🎂
As I celebrate my 34th birthday, I look back with gratitude at the past decade.
These years have been a journey of personal and professional discovery, with a lot of bumps in the road, guided by stoicism and spirituality.
Learning to unlearn mental conditioning, let go of outcomes, and live a happier, more fulfilled life.
Here are some reflections on what I now know and accept, a decade later:
𝐏𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐑𝐞𝐟𝐥𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬
Challenges are Opportunities
Personal challenges, like heartbreak or loss, are often viewed negatively, but they are profound opportunities for self-discovery. It’s through these tough times that we learn the most about ourselves and shape our identities. Embrace the pain, learn from it, and let it guide your growth.
Learning to Unlearn
From 14 to 24, my ego developed, deeply rooted in endurance sports, thriving off of excellence, discipline, and being the best. Ironically, the following decade was about detaching from that rigid mindset to live a more balanced life. Seeing beauty in the unknown and accepting the outcomes, whatever they are, allowed me to embrace a more carefree and happier life.
Welcoming the Ego
The ego, not in the traditional sense, but as the illusion of self or how we perceive ourselves, was a driving force in my life. It stemmed from feelings of inadequacy, creating a drive that fueled my grit and perseverance. This relentless push was crucial in achieving professional success. I can now look back with gratitude, recognizing how the ego contributes to my journey.
𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐟𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐑𝐞𝐟𝐥𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬
Falling in Love with a Problem
Over six years of building Hypofriend, I've remained energized because I'm trying to solve a big problem in a significant space. Despite advice to seek a Blue Ocean, I found peace and happiness in solving existing problems and improving upon them. This dedication has been fulfilling and sustainable as we continue to iterate.
Starting Small, Dreaming Big
Solving a niche problem, like helping foreigners in Germany navigate home buying and mortgages, has been incredibly rewarding. Empathy, often starting with personal experiences, is a powerful communication tool. Tackling these issues on a smaller scale allows for focused, impactful solutions that can eventually scale.
Building Relationships is Half the Joy
Working with my brother and dad has been both rewarding albeit challenging.
Germany’s three million family-held companies are a testament to the potential of family businesses. Unlike the common corporate mantra of "we're family," we can genuinely say we are. Many of our colleagues, like Pavel our cofounder, have been with us from the start and feel like extended family.
Here’s to the next 10 years ✌️
Greetings from Seychelles 🏝️
