The fear of what my life would look like if I didn’t make a change drove me to pursue what I now call freedom. I was genuinely afraid of scenarios where I wouldn’t have time to play with my kids. This fear pushed me to achieve a lifestyle where I work more hours than ever before, yet I feel a sense of liberation because it’s work I love and built from the ground up.
My Immigrant Roots and Drive
As an immigrant from Ukraine, I watched my parents work multiple jobs while studying for various degrees. Despite their hectic schedules, they ensured I had the best childhood. However, the nine-to-five grind I later adopted left me worried. I was afraid of living a life where I came home exhausted, with barely any time for my family. This fear prompted me to explore alternative ways to make money, leading me to discover side hustles, residual income, stocks, and investments.
The Turning Point
Blessed with this fear early on, I started buying online courses and experimenting with various methods to make money. My affinity for computers and gaming made it natural for me to dive into digital marketing. Endless hours were spent in front of my computer, testing and learning. Every small victory, every “micro win,” fueled my passion further.
The Sacrifices and Small Wins
Many weekends were spent arguing with my now-wife about the time I dedicated to learning and building websites. Despite these sacrifices, each micro-win, such as setting up hosting or fixing a hacked site, made me feel a step closer to freedom. Missing out on social activities was a small price for the potential I saw in transforming my life through digital marketing.
The Joy of Helping Others
Running Facebook and Google ads, often for free initially, allowed me to hone my skills. I found immense satisfaction in helping small businesses succeed. Transforming a small operator’s business and witnessing the significant impact on their lives was rewarding. This drive to solve problems and add value kept me going, even when the work was tough.
Building My Path
My journey wasn’t about avoiding work but finding work that didn’t feel like a burden. I built websites, ran ads, and created training modules for my team, all driven by a passion for what I do. With nearly 50 employees worldwide, trained through the processes I developed, my business has grown exponentially. Each step was a micro win, contributing to a snowball effect of success.
Embracing Change
I’ve learned that change often brings fear because it disrupts our comfort zones and introduces uncertainty. However, embracing change is crucial for growth. Taking small, incremental steps helped me build momentum and reduced the overwhelming nature of major transitions. Each small success enhanced my confidence and resilience.
Overcoming Challenges
Anticipating failure can be paralyzing, but it’s a necessary part of growth. Taking calculated risks and focusing on the potential benefits rather than the risks motivated me to keep moving forward. Building a support system and seeking guidance was also instrumental in mitigating the fear associated with significant changes.
The Power of Commitment
My journey has been filled with trials and errors, but the commitment to keep going, learning, and adapting has brought me to where I am today. The fear of not taking action was a powerful motivator, and overcoming it has led to a fulfilling and flexible career. By solving problems and adding value in areas I am passionate about, I’ve created a lifestyle that allows me to be present for my family and enjoy the freedom I seek.
Achieving Balance
My work schedule is flexible today, allowing me to spend quality time with my kids and be involved in their lives. Whether playing on the beach with my dogs in the middle of the day or organizing my work around family activities, I’ve built a life that aligns with my values. This balance didn’t come easily, but the effort has been worth it.