How A Simple Mindset Changed My Future For The Better
In 2021, I joined the Apple Developer Academy program. In 2022, I finished my bachelor’s degree in Computer Science and joined a big multinational company in Indonesia as an intern. In 2023, I passed my probation period and worked full-time in the same company (and quit shortly after). In 2024, I got the chance to start pursuing a master’s degree in Japan because of the MEXT (Japanese Government) scholarship. How can all this happen so simultaneously? I figured out that it was from my mindset, which influenced my “brave to try something new” attitude.
Initially, I wrote this in my daily journal to remind myself in the future about my current me. But after careful consideration, I decided to publish it here on Medium. Happy reading!
I consider everything as challenges
Whether it benefits me or not, I consider everything a challenge. I was taught by my parents to pursue opportunities while it lasts. I don’t care anymore if it’s impossible or not. This perspective contradicts the mindset prevalent among those around me. Living as a student in Indonesia, I have come to realize that what often hinders people here from achieving ‘success’ is their pessimistic and defeatist attitude. Most people would just say these template responses to someone who dreams big: “Ah that’s impossible, don’t even try”, “No you can’t do that”, “You, an ordinary student, attempting that? Bro that’s impossible lol”.
I was so tired of hearing those phrases and decided to leave a few of my circle that the members in it have negative mindsets all the time. So I just tried everything by myself, experimenting, trial and error. Related to this, I also saw many occasions related to other Indonesians reaching for the sky and being successful people (working in a big company, studying abroad with a scholarship, etc.), and they are the types of people who embrace challenges (some even motivated me indirectly).
So yeah, long story short, I started embracing challenges starting from 2018, by trying to be a proactive person. I dare to try something new that could potentially benefit me and/or other people around me.
Realizing my dreams
It wasn’t easy at all. Everything in my journey. If God isn’t involved in my life, I doubt that I would make it this far. It seems unthinkable as a human. This journey is too unreal.
I had a lot of dreams as a child, like wanting to go to Japan one day (either as a tourist or as a student), wanting to be a scientist, etc. But it was all impossible at that time because I wasn’t smart at all. I wasn’t even in the top 10% in my high school, add that to my laziness (I wasn’t a serious student, who didn’t bother too much with studying).
But starting in my university life, I realized that I wasted a lot of my time, and I regretted that, so I decided to push myself forward, with the support from my parents and friends (who have similar ideals as me). I tried to be active in all university activities (joining organizations, etc). To be honest, I felt like I joined too many activities and that dropped my GPA significantly (but still in the Cumlaude range).
But again, why does it feel so unreal? I feel like the activities that I have done in the past, led me to my current future. Everything is so connected, that at a glance, it looks like a scenario carefully written by God. I joined as an IT in Student press of my university, and then applied to Apple Developer Academy and got accepted. After that, with the knowledge that I gained, I managed to get into a multinational company in Indonesia as an intern and get promoted shortly after. Not long after that, I got the MEXT (Japanese Government) scholarship because of my work experience as one of the main factors (and probably my undergraduate thesis too).
Should I refer to those as coincidences? I don’t know. Is that the work of God? I believe so. Are my efforts paying off? Maybe yes. The main point is, to ignore everybody around you who always says that reaching your dream is impossible/pointless.
Dear everyone who reads this
If I could give anyone any life advice, it’s probably very simple. Be a person who lives your own life (with your mindset, while self-improving), don’t hesitate to try something new (as long as it could bring a positive impact for you/your surroundings), and never give up on your dream.
Feel free to drop your comment below if you want to share something or respond to this article!
