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Learn about me & my missionJanuary 10th, 2011 | Summary of Year 2010
This text was fully written by a human.
- In 2010, I felt stuck and uncertain while juggling multiple faculties and projects. Reading “The Secret: The Power of Attraction” inspired me to focus on what I wanted and act as if I already had it, leading to positive changes and new opportunities.
- That year, I successfully defended two MA theses and navigated various challenges, including administrative issues and job market complexities. I learned that success is not always proportional to effort and that life balances out with persistence and strategic approaches.
- Embracing my rebellious side and trying new experiences, like dance and travel, brought fulfillment and optimism. As 2011 approaches, I encourage setting new goals and resolutions, reflecting on how optimism and focus on desires can lead to meaningful outcomes.
What Is the Power of Attraction?
2010 was quite a year, maybe even groundbreaking. I started as a confused student juggling three faculties, unsure where my projects were going. I felt stuck, trapped in self-doubt, and wondering why I hadn’t achieved more in life.
In mid-January, a friend introduced me to the book “The Secret: The Power of Attraction,” which talks about manifesting desires. Even though I doubted some of its claims, I decided to try its main idea: focusing on what I want, not what I don’t want, and acting as if I already have it.
According to Oettingen (2012), European Review of Social Psychology, purely positive fantasizing about a desired future tends to sap the energy needed to pursue it. That is a more nuanced picture than the book’s claims suggest.
I even rearranged my wardrobe as a symbolic act. Then, I took on translation projects to save up for future joys like a vacation and finding a boyfriend.
How Did I Defend Two Master’s Theses in One Year?
That year, I successfully defended two MA theses. Meanwhile, mathematics presented challenges due to last-minute administrative issues, but I managed to overcome them. I also learned that success doesn’t always match effort.
Many opportunities are pre-set, and not all rejections are personal. Life balances out eventually. For example, after being turned down by a Copenhagen program, I met Dutch students with similar interests and found better chances in neuroscience.
What Did I Learn From an Internship?
I interned at a neuromarketing company, where I learned about post-graduation struggles and job market complexities. Warsaw has opportunities, but many hardworking grads are exploited.
I shifted my focus from small companies to either running my own small business or joining a larger firm for quicker progress. I realized I’m suited for ambitious projects, even if they offer limited income.
From autumn onward, job hunting was tough. According to Granovetter (1973), most people find jobs through weak ties rather than close friends. Ultimately, these challenges shaped my rebellious and nonconformist attitude.
The experience taught me that finding fulfilling work needs a strategic approach. I recently got advice to patent an idea, leading to new ventures, like attending a conference on January 25th.
How Did I Look for My Place in the World?
Throughout the year, cultural norms and obligations also left me feeling unfulfilled. Eventually, I embraced my rebellious side, trying new dance styles and going to clubs and concerts.
This change, along with focusing on my desires, led to positive outcomes. According to Ryan and Deci (2000), acting on autonomous, self-chosen goals supports well-being. Notably, I got a chance to vacation in South Korea and met someone special.
Optimism really pays off. According to Nes and Segerstrom (2006), Personality and Social Psychology Review, a meta-analysis of 50 studies linked dispositional optimism to more adaptive coping under stress.
As 2011 approaches, I encourage setting new wishes and resolutions. It’s a practice I wholeheartedly recommend.
Please cite as:
Bielczyk, N.
(2011, January 10th). Summary of Year 2010. Retrieved from: https://nataliabielczyk.com/summary-of-year-2010/
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