The 3 Mindset Shifts That Changed Everything

With this holiday long weekend upon us, I’ve been in a reflective mood.

These extended breaks always give me a chance to step back and take inventory of what’s working and what isn’t in my life and business.

I’ve been thinking about the journey from buying my first camera at Best Buy (literally on the way to shoot my first wedding) to where I am now, working with dream clients, winning Emmys, and speaking at the United Nations in Geneva.

Looking back, it wasn’t fancy gear or secret connections that made the difference. It was mindset shifts.

Today, I want to share the three most powerful mindset transformations that changed everything for me, and how you can apply them to your own creative journey this weekend.

1. Be Do Have (Not the Other Way Around)

Most of us get this completely backwards.

We think:

“When I have the right clients/gear/budget, I’ll be able to do amazing work, and then I’ll be successful and fulfilled.”

This is the Have Do Be trap. And I was stuck in it too.

But Zig Ziglar flipped this on its head with his Be Do Have framework, and it changed my entire approach.

Here’s how it worked for me:

Remember that wedding film I mentioned that went viral and caught the NFL’s attention? The one where the caller ID literally said “The National Football League”?

I wasn’t thinking, “If I nail this wedding, the NFL might call.” I was simply being the filmmaker who cared deeply about the couple’s story. I was being curious and creative. I was being fully present.

As a result, I did work that stood out. And then I had the opportunity of a 200-day contract with the NFL.

Same with that NFL shoot that led to a CBS documentary and several national Emmys. I wasn’t fixated on Emmys or even CBS, I was focused on being a great storyteller, on showing up with my full creative energy.

The shift is subtle but profound: be first, then do, then have.

2. Let Go of the Outcome

This mindset shift might be the hardest to accept but delivers the biggest rewards:

Stop making how you show up contingent on the potential reward.

We all do this:

• “If they hire me, then I’ll deliver my best work”

• “I’ll create an amazing pitch if I think the budget is large enough”

• “I’ll go all-out if I think this client is a good fit”

But what if you flipped the script? What if you showed up fully regardless of the outcome?

When I was starting out, I couldn’t afford to be picky. So I brought everything I had to every project, every time. And something magical happened, people noticed.

There was this shoot for what seemed like a small project at the Wilson football factory in Ada, Ohio. We approached it with everything we had, not because of where it would go or what we might receive, but because that’s how we showed up.

That film ended up airing during Super Bowl Sunday with only ONE minor note from CBS and later earned an Emmy nomination.

Not because we were chasing those outcomes, but because we let go of them and focused on the work itself.

When you let go of the outcome and show up fully, your energy becomes magnetic. People feel it, clients notice it, and opportunities start flowing in ways you never expected.

3. Cultivate Unwavering Faith While Facing Current Reality

This third mindset shift comes from the Stockdale Paradox, named after Admiral Jim Stockdale. Its essence:

“You must retain unwavering faith that you can and will prevail in the end, regardless of difficulties, AND at the same time confront the most brutal facts of your current reality, whatever they might be.”

This isn’t about blind optimism. It’s about knowing with certainty that if you show up fully (mindset #1) and let go of the outcome (mindset #2), results will come, maybe not on this project or with this client, but eventually, inevitably.

I remember periods in my early career when I was pouring everything into projects that went nowhere. Times when I wondered if the bigger opportunities would ever materialize.

But I kept going because I had this deep belief in the value of what I was creating, combined with a clear-eyed view of what needed to improve.

This paradox is essential for creative entrepreneurs. It’s not about blind faith or toxic positivity, it’s about holding two seemingly contradictory ideas at once:

• The awareness that right now, things might be challenging

• The unshakeable belief that your consistency will lead to success

This dual mindset creates resilience that no single setback can destroy. It keeps you showing up day after day, even when the results aren’t immediate.

Putting These Mindsets Into Practice This Weekend

If you’re looking to implement these shifts in your own life and work, here are some reflection exercises you can try over this long weekend:

For “Be Do Have”:

• Reflection Question: Who do I need to BE to attract the projects and clients I want?

• Action Step: Write down 3-5 qualities of the filmmaker/creator you want to embody, regardless of your current circumstances. How can you start being that person today?

For “Letting Go of Outcomes”:

• Reflection Question: Where am I holding back my best work because I’m unsure of the outcome?

• Action Step: Identify one upcoming project or pitch and commit to bringing your absolute best to it, as if it were already your dream client or project.

For “The Stockdale Paradox”:

• Reflection Question: What’s the current reality I need to face honestly in my work? What’s the long-term vision I need to maintain faith in?

• Action Step: Create two lists: “Current Challenges” and “Why I Will Succeed.” Review both regularly to maintain that paradoxical mindset.

I’d love to hear which of these resonates with you most. Hit reply and let me know which mindset shift you’re going to focus on this weekend.

Remember, your success isn’t just about what you do, it’s about who you’re being while you do it.

Here’s to showing up fully,

• Patrick

ps - I’m curious, have you experienced any of these mindset shifts in your own work? Or is there a particular one you struggle with? Drop me a note, I read every reply.