SourenaV

The type of questions we ask ourselves can either empower us, keep us stuck, or lead to a downward spiral.


"Successful people ask better questions, and as a result, they get better answers."
— Tony Robbins


One way we can grow as a person is by asking empowering questions. On the flip side, there is a difference in the quality of questions that we ask. If we ask why this is happening, why is life so unfair, why am I so unlucky, why is that idiot successful and I'm not—we are wondering about why life is unfair.


However, some questions can empower us, and the quality of the questions and the pursuit of quality answers can literally transform our lives.


From "Why Can't I" to "How Can I"


Instead of asking why can't I, ask how can I.


Growing up, I made an assumption that I could not live on a college campus because of my disability. I assumed that nobody would be willing to help me in the restroom or help me take a shower in the morning. Up until I was twenty, rarely did I have anybody except my parents help me in the restroom. The handful of times that I had others help me, it was awkward and uncomfortable.


I was okay and accepted this reality until I watched other friends go off to college and wondered, "Why not me?" I blamed everything on my disability. I also projected into the future, saying that my disability was going to prevent me from doing all kinds of things in my life. It was the first time I thought and acted like a victim. A lot of the stories that I told myself were why not me. One day, my friend called me from college and told me how great it was. I got off the phone, started to cry, and my concerned dad asked what was wrong. All I could say was, "I'm going to USC." My dad asked how, and I said, "I have no idea."


Although going to USC was far from certain, I started asking myself better questions, like: Is this possible? Is this realistic? Is there anybody else in this situation? Can I look at the elderly who need similar assistance and take a lesson from that?


Then I did something bold. I called USC and asked for a meeting where I could ask all these questions and more. Guess what? I learned I could do it. Less than a year later, I was a student at USC. Fewer than two years later, I actually graduated from USC. Even more remarkable, I did not die of embarrassment.


The Right Questions Lead to Success


Achieving goals often starts with asking the right questions, and a successful person is never done asking questions. I ask questions almost every day. Here's the caveat: It has to be the right question. They have to be empowering. They are tactical rather than ethereal.


Examples of empowering questions are: How did this person achieve their goals? What is the process? What can I learn that I don't know? What books can I read on this subject? Who can I reach out to for advice and feedback? Can I hire a consultant or coach to help me? Who can I follow on social media to help me with my goals or dealing with challenges?


Although asked in the right way, questions like why is this happening, why is life so unfair, why isn't life easier, and other seemingly ethereal questions tend to put the onus and responsibility not on you, but on other people. There is a way to answer them in an empowering manner. Many people ask these questions, not for good answers, but as a way to vent and complain.


The Art of Asking for Help


There have never been more ways to ask questions. You can ask Google and YouTube. You can ask ChatGPT and other AI. You can get mentors, ask at industry events, or even ask the people you work with.


Asking for help is a certain kind of question, but there's an art to asking for help. You can't go up to a business consultant and say, "Make me rich." You can't go up to a psychologist and say, "Make me happy." Clarity is key when asking for help. You have to be clear in your own mind where you need help and how others can help you. If you want to engage with a business consultant, a psychologist, or even a trainer, you have to explain your goals and challenges to them. The more you can have a dialogue, the better outcome you can have.


Whether I need help with my disability or I'm trying to achieve a business goal, I am always clear about what I need and how they can help. If I don't articulate what I'm trying to do or what challenges I face or the challenges that are on the horizon, they cannot help me as much. Think of asking a grumpy teen what's wrong and you might get a tepid, "I don't know." Many people can't articulate their goals or even what they think is holding them back.


Embrace the Answers and Take Action


It starts with a desire to improve your life and moves into asking the right questions. More importantly, it's about accepting and embracing the answers you get. Some people don't ask questions because if you get the answers, we might have to change and do some work. One of the most challenging aspects of achieving your goals is being willing to go through the uncomfortable process of changing your approach to life.


If you give a business coach a series of questions, they're going to give you a list of items that need to be implemented. If you ask a trainer how do I fit into that little black dress—you know, the one in your closet, the one that you're afraid to take out—he might ask you to eat chicken breasts, run on a treadmill for 45 minutes, and don't even say do burpees.


Empowering questions can literally be your first step on your journey to transformation. Be willing to ask empowering questions. Be willing to accept the answers and implement them in your process. Ask for feedback and advice over validation and cheerleading. Be curious about how you can take your life to the next level. Questions can be a powerful method to achieve your goals and transform your life. Go out there and start asking questions that can improve your life.

1 day ago | [YT] | 0

SourenaV

3 Changes I'm Making in 2026 (And Why You Should Too)
As this year comes to an end, I'm thinking about how I can improve my life and business in 2026. As someone who is ambitious, I always want to improve my life and my situation. I want to take control of my destiny and have as many personal and professional experiences as I can.

I've come to the conclusion that I need to make some small—and not-so-small—changes in my approach and even change my goals to fit my ultimate objectives.


First, I need to let go of some baggage I've been holding onto. Think of it like throwing away clutter around the house. There's this notion I've been hanging onto that has been holding me back and getting in the way of my purpose.

Second, I need to be more focused on the process. I view myself as the ultimate idea guy and less of a process guy. Instead of always coming up with new ideas, I need to focus on my process.

Third, I need to lean on my team and communicate differently. As an idea guy, I often don't communicate what I need very well. When I ask for help, I often don't explain myself, and my team doesn't know what I'm doing or the idea behind it. I work with many people, and I need to lean on them more.

It's challenging for anybody to be honest with themselves. It's easy for people to just go with the flow and not work with intention or clarity. Being aware and in touch with not only your dreams but also your areas of improvement is a powerful strategy to understand where you need to go.

It's not too late to get in touch with your dreams and have a brutal assessment of what you need to do and why.

Go make 2026 your best year ever.

4 weeks ago | [YT] | 0

SourenaV

We're in the final stretch of the year—and before you jump headfirst into the new year, I want to invite you to do something different. Take a moment to sit back and honestly look at your life. Where are you? Where do you want to be? What's actually holding you back?

This is the ideal time to reintroduce you to our methodology and the work we're doing on the Sourena V. YouTube channel. We talk about mindset, dealing with challenges, and achieving your goals—not through motivational fluff, but through practical strategies that actually work in the real world.

If you're not already subscribed, do me a favor: watch our video on mindset and subscribe to the channel. The strategies we share could be exactly what you need to make next year your breakthrough year.

Now, let me share the framework that changed my entire life.
I was born with cerebral palsy, use a wheelchair, and speak with a severe speech impediment. By society's standards, I should have accepted a limited life. There was only one problem with that narrative: I'm a dreamer. I refused to let my disability prevent me from experiencing everything life has to offer. I craved—and still crave—the full human experience: getting married, building a professional career, having kids, even taking those ridiculous guys' trips to Vegas.

Today, I've competed and succeeded in an able-bodied world. I've been featured on ESPN, BBC Capital, NBC, and other major media outlets. I've built a life most people only dream about. And now, I want to share the strategies that got me here—because they'll work for you too.

Here's the Truth You Need to Hear
There's a life waiting for you out there, but it's not going to fall into your lap. You have to turn your dreams into reality. And I'm going to give you simple—and sometimes advanced—strategies that can help you live a better life.

Here's what I've learned: we often overlook the simple while trying to understand the complex.

I'm talking about concepts like:
• Positive self-talk
• Embracing reality instead of fighting it
• Changing your approach to life before you can change your life itself
• Building win-win relationships through serving others, asking for help, creating collaboration, and yes, just being a decent human being
• Working through whatever challenges you're facing
• Getting crystal clear about what you want and how to get there
• Making things happen

All these seem straightforward, right? But here's where it gets real: we get in our own way. We overthink everything. We sabotage ourselves with negative self-stories.
This is where mindset comes in.

What Mindset Really Means
No, mindset isn't just a catchphrase or something you slap on a motivational poster. It's not simply positive thinking or repeating affirmations in the mirror.

Mindset is the lens through which you pursue your goals, handle challenges, interact with others, and move through your day. It's how you approach your goals, how you handle setbacks, how you interact with people, and how you show up in the world every single day.

It's not everything, but it touches everything that matters.

Key principle: If you want a better life, you don't just need better circumstances. You need a better approach to life. You need to strengthen and improve your mindset.

The Core Principles That Changed Everything for Me
A positive mindset means taking action that others avoid. It's the difference between wanting success and doing what success demands.

Dreams drive action. When you let your aspirations guide your decisions instead of your circumstances, you create momentum toward the life you want.

Choose growth over comfort. True progress happens when you consistently make choices that align with your vision, even when they're difficult.

The Five Keys to an Amazing Mindset
Through years of studying personal development, goal achievement, and navigating life's challenges as a disabled person, I've developed a framework I call the Five Keys to an Amazing Mindset. Let me walk you through each one.

Key #1: Rewrite Your Narrative
Your narrative shapes your reality. The stories you tell yourself either fuel your progress or sabotage it.
I could have accepted the narrative that my disability defined my limits. Instead, I chose a different story: I'm someone who finds ways to achieve what matters to me, regardless of obstacles.

Here's what you need to do:
• Identify limiting beliefs. What story are you clinging to that keeps you stuck? Challenge it.
• Adopt empowering narratives. The stories you tell yourself about your possibilities and challenges should help you reach your goals rather than hinder them.

Key #2: Improve Your Habits
Here's the reality check: Mindset is a verb—it's about the daily actions you take.
You are responsible for producing the life you want. Before you can change your life, you must change your daily approach to life. Einstein had it right: doing the same thing over and over while expecting different results isn't going to get you very far.

Action items:
• Identify one habit that's not serving you
• Replace it with one small action that moves you toward your goals
• Focus on consistency over perfection

If you want to wake up tomorrow and see all of life's possibilities, you must take action today and every day.


Key #3: Deal with Challenges
Let me be clear about something: Challenges aren't roadblocks—they're part of the journey.

Your success isn't about defeating challenges or eliminating them. It's about working around them.

I didn't cure my cerebral palsy. I didn't eliminate my speech impediment. I found ways to work around these challenges while pursuing my goals.
The principles you need to embrace:
• Challenges are inevitable—resilience is optional. Every worthwhile journey includes obstacles; your response determines your outcome.
• Start with manageable friction. Building capacity to handle small challenges prepares you for bigger ones. It's progressive training for life.
• Adversity builds strength. Each challenge you navigate expands your capability and confidence for the next level.

Key #4: Interact with People
Here's a truth that took me years to fully appreciate: You can't do this alone—and you shouldn't try to.

The right people can be a springboard to transformation. They can help you achieve even your biggest, most ambitious dreams.

Success through service means:
• Create value for others. Sustainable success comes from solving problems and meeting needs beyond your own.
• Build strategic partnerships. Identify collaborations where everyone wins—mutual benefit creates lasting momentum.
• Lean on others. Develop strategic relationships that will help you achieve your goals, including coaches, mentors, and other high-level individuals.

Key #5: Gain Clarity
Without clarity, you'll wander aimlessly like a lost soul in the woods.

You need crystal-clear vision:
• Define your destination. You can't navigate effectively without knowing where you're going and what obstacles stand between you and your goals.
• Know your "why." Understanding your motivations, inspirations, and core values gives your actions meaning and sustainability.
• Clarity creates confidence. When you know exactly what you want and why it matters, decision-making becomes simpler and execution becomes focused.

Putting It All Together
These five keys work together. You can't just pick one and ignore the others. They're interconnected, each one reinforcing the others.
This isn't easy, but it's possible. And the alternative—staying stuck—is much harder in the long run.

Your Next Step
Remember: Mindset touches everything important in your life. These five keys—rewriting your narrative, improving habits, dealing with challenges, interacting with people, and gaining clarity—they're your roadmap to the life you're meant to live.
The goal isn't perfection—it's momentum.

Which of these five keys resonates most with you right now? Where are you going to start?

1 month ago | [YT] | 0

SourenaV

One way to infuse the knowledge and expertise you need to live an amazing life is to collaborate with people who've developed their own mastery. This is a director hiring a screenwriter, cameraperson, actors, and multiple assistants—plus many other key people who bring their expertise, skillsets, and competencies. Think of a CEO of a large company who brings in marketing experts, product development specialists, salespeople, and support staff who make the company run.

These days, the value of expertise is being diminished. People think they can just Google anything or ask AI. In some cases, that works. It's valuable and has its place, but it's challenging to match the interaction with a true expert who can give you feedback, advice, and encouragement. Often, these experts have decades of experience. Being able to infuse them into your life is invaluable and reduces your learning curve dramatically. Imagine having a goal and talking to someone with expertise who can infuse ideas into your processes and habits.

Here's how to tap into expertise:

First, understand what you want—whether that's getting healthier, advancing in your industry, becoming an entrepreneur, or creating a more romantic and adventurous marriage. Next, acknowledge there's more to learn and that you can learn from others who've achieved similar goals. Stay open-minded and let them influence your mindset and approach. Ask lots of questions and act like a sponge, demonstrating curiosity and willingness to learn and transform. This might mean getting a mentor, hiring a coach, working with a therapist, or hiring a trainer to prepare you for a marathon.

I've always valued and had reverence for experts. I knew having conversations and being challenged by others could only enhance my approach, uncover blind spots, and strengthen my processes and habits. Throughout college and my career, I always had mentors. I invested in high-end coaching. Each person gave me valuable insights I couldn't get anywhere else. They improved my processes, mindset, and approach.

It can take decades to develop mastery or even competence in one area of life. The main way we learn is through other people. Unfortunately, as kids we cannot wait to have independent thought and agency. Some carry that mindset into adulthood and never open themselves up to new ideas and strategies. Meanwhile, we need to build careers, maintain our homes, eat right, raise good kids, and manage countless other responsibilities.

Tapping into people who have expertise in areas you want to develop is a powerful strategy for improving your life. Nobody will care how much you learned from others. This is the same approach successful people use to achieve their goals.

Start today. Identify one area where you need expertise, find someone who's already mastered it, and reach out. Your future self will thank you.

1 month ago | [YT] | 0

SourenaV

We are entering the holiday season kicked off by Thanksgiving. Thanksgiving is where we take time to express gratitude for the joys and blessings in our lives. Ever since I started posting content on my blog, I discussed the power of gratitude. At first, it was just a list of blessings in my life, but as I wrote more and thought about the true power of gratitude, I realized that it was an integral part of success.

Here is why.

To achieve success, we have to recognize what we can leverage. On the flip side, so many negative emotions can surface. If we are not careful, we can only focus on what's wrong or what can go wrong. This is where positivity and gratitude play a role. It is not wise to only focus on the negative. At the same time, it is not wise to ignore the negative altogether. You can't ignore bad traffic. You can't ignore something wrong with a family member. You cannot ignore a bad economy. If you ignore it and, worse, deny that it exists, it will rear its ugly head and bite you.
I can't deny my disability. I deal with it every day, and it is omnipresent. I can't go out for a night and pretend that it's not there. Yet, I am filled with joy and happiness.
The opposite of negativity is not apathy or indifference—it's positivity. Being grateful focuses a person to concentrate less on the negative and more on the positive.
With my left arm, I can drive an electric wheelchair, type on my big keyboard, and hoist myself onto my chair or my bed, or on the toilet. With my right arm, I can do next to nothing. My left arm is far from ideal. I cannot text on my phone, hold a cup, or do anything that requires fine motor skills.

Of course, I wish I had full use of both hands, did not speak with a speech impediment, and could do what most people do with a functioning body. What if my left arm was just like my right? I would need twenty-four-hour-a-day care. I could not be by myself for more than twenty minutes. I could not change channels on my remote. (Very important for a sports fan like me.) My life would be exponentially more challenging. What if my speech impediment was worse, or I were mute?
Gratitude does not magically fix everything, but it puts everything into a little better perspective. This Thanksgiving, I want you to think about not only the blessings that are commonly discussed—like friends, family, and career—but everything from the people in your life to your abilities, and everything that makes your life amazing.

1 month ago | [YT] | 0