Mindset of Tomorrow

Ever wonder how some people seem to accomplish great things while others just… don’t? It’s not magic. It’s not luck. It’s a process. And funny enough, that process is a lot like making soup. Stick with me, and I’ll show you how to turn your ideas, goals, and dreams into a finished product—whether it’s a book, a business, or a pot of something delicious.

Step 1: 100 or 1,000 Hours & H₂O

Every great accomplishment starts with knowledge. You don’t just wake up one day and become a master at something—you build up a deep library in your mind. This could mean reading 100 books or dedicating 1,000 hours to your craft.

Think of it like making soup. You can’t make soup without water—it’s the base for everything else. Your knowledge is that base. Before I wrote my first book, I didn’t just sit down and start typing. I studied children’s books, short stories, novels, and nonfiction. I needed a framework. Just like soup needs broth, your ideas need a foundation.

And here’s a fun fact about books: all books are just forgotten notebooks that once started with “Once upon a time” and (hopefully) ended with “happily ever after.” Every great project has a beginning, middle, and end.

Step 2: Those Main Ingredients

When you first start working on something, people won’t get it. They might laugh, roll their eyes, or say, “You’re really doing that?” That’s because your vision is in your head, not theirs. People don’t believe in things they can’t see, taste, or touch.

This is like laying out all your soup ingredients on the counter. To an outsider, it’s just a pile of random stuff—some chopped veggies, raw meat, spices. It doesn’t look like soup yet.

And let’s be real: haters are predictable. They’ll criticize every mistake, but they’ll suddenly go silent when you start doing well. Meanwhile, real supporters will ask out of nowhere, “Hey, how’s that project coming along?” They’ll pop up in random conversations, reminding you to stay on track. These people are your accountability partners. They don’t just watch from the sidelines; they push you to finish what you started.

So don’t stress about the funny looks. Your soup isn’t done cooking yet.

Step 3: Heat Until Ready

Here’s a hard truth: pain is the paywall. My mentor once told me that, and I’ve seen it play out time and time again.

For a goal to truly take shape, there has to be a why. Sometimes it’s something lighthearted—like a compliment or a fun challenge. Other times, it’s something painful—like loss or hardship—that fuels you forward. When I first started writing, it was just for fun. But when I lost a special family member, that changed. My project became a mission.

Just like soup needs heat to blend flavors, your goal needs pressure to take shape. The discomfort, the setbacks, the frustration—it’s all part of the process. When the ingredients sit in the pot long enough, they transform into something the world can recognize. The same goes for your dreams. If you stick with them, the process will shape them into something real.

Step 4: Taste Testers, Critics & Accountability Partners

Here’s where you separate the real ones from the doubters.

Some people criticize just for the fun of it. These are the ones who never have anything helpful to say but somehow always have an opinion. Others critique because they actually want to see you improve. The difference? Critics go quiet when you succeed. Real supporters push you even further.

When I was writing my first book, my friends (and even my battle buddy) would randomly ask, “Hey, how’s your book coming along?” Even when I thought I was done, they’d nudge me—“Are you sure? Did you edit that last chapter?” It annoyed me, but it also made me better.

In soup terms, these are your taste testers. They make sure you added enough salt, that the flavors are balanced, and that you didn’t forget anything crucial. And trust me, a little honest feedback goes a long way—just don’t overdo the salt.

Final Thoughts: Making It Happen

The universe, God, creativity—whatever you believe in—has already planted the spark inside you. You already have what it takes. You just have to put the pieces together.

Life won’t hand you a finished soup. It’ll give you the ingredients. It’s up to you to combine them, apply the right amount of heat, and figure out who to listen to (and who to ignore).

So whatever it is—writing a book, starting a business, running a marathon—keep your eyes on the finished product. Keep your faith in the process. And most importantly… keep cooking.