In 2011, my life came to a sudden halt. My accident was more than just a physical trauma; it was a radical change that not only forced me to grow up faster but also taught me the most important lesson of entrepreneurship: You must trust yourself first.
Before the accident, I had been battling with myself for a long time. Insecurity, self-doubt, and an unhealthy body image were constant companions. High school hadn't exactly boosted my self-confidence [02:52], and I never felt completely comfortable in my own skin.
The accident initially intensified these feelings. I suddenly felt disabled, scarred, different. [02:13]. But this enforced vulnerability marked a turning point that was crucial to my later success.
The recovery phase was a year of standstill and reflection. I looked in the mirror and hardly recognized myself. But I realized: I could no longer fight against myself. [03:39].
The accident forced me to radically accept myself. I had to accept myself as I was—with all my scars and limitations. This acceptance was the first and most important domino.
And here's the crux of self-employment: If you aren't deeply convinced that you are the person who can implement your idea, product, or service, no one else will be. Accepting my "new self" laid the foundation for my self-confidence in all areas of life, including my career [04:15].
As a freelancer, you battle the fear of judgment every day: What will the customer think? What if I fail? What if my idea is laughed at?
Perhaps the most liberating lesson I learned after the accident was: People don't care [04:22].
This may sound harsh, but it's an immense source of energy. Most people are too busy with their own problems and lives to spend much time dwelling on my "flaws" (or your business mistakes).
This realization allowed me to release a tremendous amount of mental energy [05:55]. Instead of asking myself, "What do they think about my scar?" I asked myself, "What can I do now to move forward?"
I've learned to focus on what I can control (my actions, my decisions, my work) and let go of other people's thoughts [05:16]. This mindset is the core competency of every successful entrepreneur: You have to dare to take risks without being paralyzed by the fear of external criticism.
The accident was my forced growth spurt. It forced me to take my life, my relationships, and my decisions more seriously. [07:16].
I am grateful for all the good things that have come out of it [08:21]. Because painful experience has taught me that setbacks are not the end, but crossroads [09:27]. The question is not what happened, but how we move on from this point.
Self-employment requires precisely this maturity: the ability to plan beyond the day, make conscious decisions for the future, and see every obstacle as an opportunity for growth.
So, if you're struggling with self-doubt, remember: The foundation for your entrepreneurial success lies in self-acceptance. What makes you different is your greatest strength. Let go of the fear of what others might think and use the released energy for what you can control: your business.
