We're in the final stretch of the year—and before you jump headfirst into the new year, I want to invite you to do something different. Take a moment to sit back and honestly look at your life. Where are you? Where do you want to be? What's actually holding you back? 

This is the ideal time to reintroduce you to our methodology and the work we're doing on the Sourena V. YouTube channel. We talk about mindset, dealing with challenges, and achieving your goals—not through motivational fluff, but through practical strategies that actually work in the real world. 

If you're not already subscribed, do me a favor: watch our video on mindset and subscribe to the channel. The strategies we share could be exactly what you need to make next year your breakthrough year. 

Now, let me share the framework that changed my entire life. 

I was born with cerebral palsy, use a wheelchair, and speak with a severe speech impediment. By society's standards, I should have accepted a limited life. There was only one problem with that narrative: I'm a dreamer. I refused to let my disability prevent me from experiencing everything life has to offer. I craved—and still crave—the full human experience: getting married, building a professional career, having kids, even taking those ridiculous guys' trips to Vegas. 

Today, I've competed and succeeded in an able-bodied world. I've been featured on ESPN, BBC Capital, NBC, and other major media outlets. I've built a life most people only dream about. And now, I want to share the strategies that got me here—because they'll work for you too. 

Here's the Truth You Need to Hear 

There's a life waiting for you out there, but it's not going to fall into your lap. You have to turn your dreams into reality. And I'm going to give you simple—and sometimes advanced—strategies that can help you live a better life. 

Here's what I've learned: we often overlook the simple while trying to understand the complex. 

I'm talking about concepts like: 

•                   Positive self-talk 

•                   Embracing reality instead of fighting it 

•                   Changing your approach to life before you can change your life itself 

•                   Building win-win relationships through serving others, asking for help, creating collaboration, and yes, just being a decent human being 

•                   Working through whatever challenges you're facing 

•                   Getting crystal clear about what you want and how to get there 

•                   Making things happen 

All these seem straightforward, right? But here's where it gets real: we get in our own way. We overthink everything. We sabotage ourselves with negative self-stories. 

This is where mindset comes in. 

What Mindset Really Means 

No, mindset isn't just a catchphrase or something you slap on a motivational poster. It's not simply positive thinking or repeating affirmations in the mirror. 

Mindset is the lens through which you pursue your goals, handle challenges, interact with others, and move through your day. It's how you approach your goals, how you handle setbacks, how you interact with people, and how you show up in the world every single day. 

It's not everything, but it touches everything that matters. 

Key principle: If you want a better life, you don't just need better circumstances. You need a better approach to life. You need to strengthen and improve your mindset. 

The Core Principles That Changed Everything for Me 

A positive mindset means taking action others avoid. It's the difference between wanting success and doing what success demands. 

Dreams drive action. When you let your aspirations guide your decisions instead of your circumstances, you create momentum toward the life you want. 

Choose growth over comfort. True progress happens when you consistently make choices that align with your vision, even when they're difficult. 

The Five Keys to an Amazing Mindset 

Through years of studying personal development, goal achievement, and navigating life's challenges as a disabled person, I've developed a framework I call the Five Keys to an Amazing Mindset. Let me walk you through each one. 

Key #1: Rewrite Your Narrative 

Your narrative shapes your reality. The stories you tell yourself either fuel your progress or sabotage it. 

I could have accepted the narrative that my disability defined my limits. Instead, I chose a different story: I'm someone who finds ways to achieve what matters to me, regardless of obstacles. 

Here's what you need to do: 

•                   Identify limiting beliefs. What story are you clinging to that keeps you stuck? Challenge it. 

•                   Adopt empowering narratives. The stories you tell yourself about your possibilities and challenges should help you reach your goals rather than hinder them. 

Key #2: Improve Your Habits 

Here's the reality check: Mindset is a verb—it's about the daily actions you take. 

You are responsible for producing the life you want. Before you can change your life, you must change your daily approach to life. Einstein had it right: doing the same thing over and over while expecting different results isn't going to get you very far. 

Action items: 

•                   Identify one habit that's not serving you 

•                   Replace it with one small action that moves you toward your goals 

•                   Focus on consistency over perfection 

If you want to wake up tomorrow and see all of life's possibilities, you must take action today and every day. 

Key #3: Deal with Challenges 

Let me be clear about something: Challenges aren't roadblocks—they're part of the journey. 

Your success isn't about defeating challenges or eliminating them. It's about working around them. 

I didn't cure my cerebral palsy. I didn't eliminate my speech impediment. I found ways to work around these challenges while pursuing my goals. 

The principles you need to embrace: 

•                   Challenges are inevitable—resilience is optional. Every worthwhile journey includes obstacles; your response determines your outcome. 

•                   Start with manageable friction. Building capacity to handle small challenges prepares you for bigger ones. It's progressive training for life. 

•                   Adversity builds strength. Each challenge you navigate expands your capability and confidence for the next level. 

Key #4: Interact with People 

Here's a truth that took me years to fully appreciate: You can't do this alone—and you shouldn't try to. 

The right people can be a springboard to transformation. They can help you achieve even your biggest, most ambitious dreams. 

Success through service means: 

•                   Create value for others. Sustainable success comes from solving problems and meeting needs beyond your own. 

•                   Build strategic partnerships. Identify collaborations where everyone wins—mutual benefit creates lasting momentum. 

•                   Lean on others. Develop strategic relationships that will help you achieve your goals, including coaches, mentors, and other high-level individuals. 

Key #5: Gain Clarity 

Without clarity, you'll wander aimlessly like a lost soul in the woods. 

You need crystal-clear vision: 

•                   Define your destination. You can't navigate effectively without knowing where you're going and what obstacles stand between you and your goals. 

•                   Know your "why." Understanding your motivations, inspirations, and core values gives your actions meaning and sustainability. 

•                   Clarity creates confidence. When you know exactly what you want and why it matters, decision-making becomes simpler and execution becomes focused. 

Putting It All Together 

These five keys work together. You can't just pick one and ignore the others. They're interconnected, each one reinforcing the others. 

This isn't easy, but it's possible. And the alternative—staying stuck—is much harder in the long run. 

Your Next Step 

Remember: Mindset touches everything important in your life. These five keys—rewriting your narrative, improving habits, dealing with challenges, interacting with people, and gaining clarity—they're your roadmap to the life you're meant to live. 

The goal isn't perfection—it's momentum. 

Which of these five keys resonates most with you right now? Where are you going to start? 

Click to learn about my ebook, Sourena's Five Keys to an Amazing Mindset.