Start from the beginning
Start from the beginning
“A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.” – Laozi (Lao Tzu)
Instead of an Introduction
At first, I wanted my opening post to be something like “instead of an introduction,” or “about me,” or maybe “editor’s note” (😁), but I decided to write something else in that spirit instead.
This text came about somewhat unexpectedly.
Thousands of books (or something close to that number) and hours of various courses, more than 15 years of intense analysis and testing of different methods and approaches, working with a solid number of people… and now I’m suddenly showing up more publicly (on social media, that is), in a sea of coaches, “coaches,” influencers, and all kinds of “helpers.”
“You have to sell your story”, everyone will tell you.
But I won’t (and honestly, don’t want to) sell you some half-hour course or a 20-page PDF ebook (filled with links and stock images) that “originally” costs 100 EUR, but “for TODAY ONLY I’m giving you a unique chance to buy it for 7.99 EUR” — or some other ridiculous bait for your wallet. I don’t have instant solutions on offer, because they don’t exist… trust me, I’ve spent many (too many) years searching for them…
Start from the Beginning?
Despite all this knowledge, information, and experience, I had to ask myself out loud:
“Where do I start?”
And the answer came from a family member. So simple, so laconic.
“Start from the beginning…”
Such a simple and logical answer… and yet so complicated, tricky, philosophical. And let’s be honest — a little irritating.
But it made sense. Because today, we don’t even fully understand how some basic things truly work.
“From the Beginning,” but Not from Zero
Start again from scratch? Haven’t I done that too many times already in life? If I keep starting “from the beginning,” won’t everyone just overtake me? Am I doomed to always be some kind of junior? Constantly returning to the starting line?
But… what if we’ve misunderstood what it means to start “from the beginning”?
Maybe you’re familiar with those types of video games where the main character (who you control, naturally) moves through caves, ruins, forests, dungeons, labyrinths, and fights hostile flora and fauna, collecting gold, loot, artifacts, weapons, experience… and then suddenly gets overwhelmed by enemies, dies… and has to start over. From the very beginning.
But this time, the locations look different. Alongside familiar enemies, new ones appear.
There’s a twist with our hero.
Even though he/she is technically starting “from the beginning,” our hero retained all (or most) of experience and skills, and roughly knows what to expect.
That’s what “starting from the beginning” looks like in real life.
We don’t actually start from zero. We already carry some knowledge and experience. We’ve learned a few smart (and painful) lessons along the way.
So no — we’re not beginners anymore. Simply because we already have a sense of what to do and can at least partially anticipate what’s ahead.
A New Phase of the BrankoS Story
In my case, “starting from the beginning” is really just a new phase of the BrankoS concept.
Because I’m no rookie. I’m not in my twenties (I’m well past that), and I don’t have thousands of imaginary clients with fabricated testimonials I’ll be sharing here.
But I do have over 15 years of deep commitment to learning and self-development. Hundreds of sleepless nights (no joke — my dark circles aren’t just from screen time 😄), thousands of books read and courses completed (paid from my own pocket, within my means)… I’m not a millionaire’s kid, nor did I work in companies that invest in their employees.
I’m simply one of you. Tired of “quick fixes” and people who get praise and success they may not deserve (or maybe they do?). Tired of influencers, streamers, and others who sell lies and illusions just to gain popularity — wringing out likes, comments, or sales of useless products presented as essential.
What I truly want is to see you change your life for the better. I want to see you become happier, more fulfilled, more in love (with people and with life itself), healthier, and wealthier in every sense. I genuinely have this — let’s call it rare — trait: I sincerely celebrate other people’s success (and I’ll tell you why, eventually). I want you to succeed. I know that when you do, both you and I will receive the rewards — both material and non-material — that follow your success and happiness (or whatever you define as such).
So Let’s Begin…
And so… let’s “start from the beginning”…
…but not from zero…
…and in that spirit, let’s do a simple exercise. ⬇⬇⬇
🧭 Exercise: A Beginning That’s Not Zero
Set aside 10–15 minutes just for yourself. Find a quiet, comfortable space and grab a piece of paper (or open a new document on your computer/phone). Eliminate all distractions for these 15 minutes.
Write down the following:
- What is your “beginning” today?
It doesn’t have to be spectacular. Maybe it’s just a thought, a decision, a feeling. Describe where you are now, emotionally and mentally.
- What skills and lessons are you already carrying from previous “game loops”?
Recall the situations that shaped you. What skills have stayed with you? What would you never repeat again?
- Who or what are your “new enemies”?
What is currently your biggest challenge? Fear, doubt, exhaustion, perfectionism?
- Who or what could be your ally in this new phase?
A person, idea, book, value, memory, or tool?
- What is your next small step?
Don’t look for a big solution — just one small, specific, doable step you can take today.
🎮 Just like in the video game from the beginning of the text — you’re not a beginner. You’re just playing a new map with old (previously gained) experience. It’s not entirely unfamiliar territory anymore.
