You can’t become exceptional without first believing in yourself. It sounds simple, right? But self-belief is the only thing that stops you from giving up when you are standing in a muddy field under the hot sun, wondering if you made a huge mistake.
Without belief in yourself, every challenge feels like a dead end. With it, every obstacle becomes just another step on your journey.
My Story: From Doubt to Decision
Let me share a personal experience that changed how I think about skill development.
Recently, I decided to expand the flower garden at Dream Garden. It was a massive project—the kind that needs tons of water, endless hours of preparation, and serious physical work.
One of my team members suggested hiring a specialist. “Boss, let an expert handle it,” they said.
It made sense. Why not just pay someone? I thought about it for two days. Then I made my choice: I would do it myself.
Even if it meant getting exhausted. Even if it meant standing under the scorching sun, covered in dirt.
Why I Made That Choice (The 2008 Connection)
Here’s what I asked myself: Can I actually learn this?
Back in 2008, I left my hometown to work as a gardener. That was a humble beginning. I still remember the weight of the water buckets and the heat of the day. So, looking at this new project, I knew the physical labor wouldn’t be new to me.
But the technology was.
In 2008, we didn’t use high-pressure systems like the one in the photo above. I had to learn exactly how to cut, connect, and pressurize these modern irrigation pipes.
If I had hired a specialist, I would have a working garden, but I would have learned nothing. By doing it myself—handling the pipes, making mistakes, and getting my hands dirty—I now own the skill.
The Reality of “Growth Mindset”
A growth mindset isn’t just a buzzword for business owners. It’s the belief that you can improve through effort, not just talent.
When I was out there in the field, I wasn’t just hoping the flowers would grow. I was mechanically testing the pressure valves to ensure every inch of the field got water.
People who have both belief and skill? Their lives move in directions that others only dream about.
How to Grow from a Beginner to a Leader
Here is the truth: it doesn’t matter what skill you’re learning—whether it’s building a DIY Star Garden or learning to sell. If you want to truly succeed, you can’t just be “okay” at it. You need to master it.
1. Identify the Technical Gap. When I started this project, I identified my weak spot immediately: Irrigation Engineering. I knew soil, but I didn’t know how to create a high-pressure grid. So I didn’t just guess; I watched tutorials, read manuals, and focused entirely on learning how valves work.
2. Strengthen Your Existing Foundation. I already knew how to prepare soil from my gardening days. I used this project to polish that existing skill, making the ground perfect for our new flowers.
3. Combine Belief with Action. Belief means trusting yourself even when no one else does. It means staying committed when the pipe leaks or the sun is too hot. Mastery means putting in the work. It means crouching in the mud to check a sprinkler head when you’d rather be inside.
Final Thoughts
No matter what skill you’re working on—whether it’s technical, creative, or people-focused—you have what it takes. You just need to believe it first.
Back in 2008, I was just a gardener. Today, I am a business owner who still knows how to garden.
Start today. Identify the skill you are missing, and go get your hands dirty.
