Don't ya just love when a project goes sideways, comes out someplace you never expected and still comes up roses.
I particularly like that you give an excellent view on how so many of us create our own chains which hold us back from 'success'. Particularly financial success. One thing I try to do in one on one conversations is to get people to realize that regardless of how one earns their principle income, they are in fact operating as a sole proprietorship business. If more of us incorporated the idea that we are a business into our personal finance picture (which requires at least a basic understanding of Profit & Loss and Balance Sheet and Owners Equity) then a much larger portion of the general population would be able to do as you have. Taking an approach like this makes it much easier to adjust ones 'story' as you say and you are correct to point out how crucial this is to changing the path to success.
Something I am trying to figure out how to turn into a 'Side Hustle' is working directly with individuals to create a personal definition of success. This helps people to recognize the 'invisible' chains we so often create for ourselves and gives us the power to break them. Another thing I enjoy doin in these conversations is helping them to realize how easy opportunity is to find and how to take something they are passionate about and build that into opportunity.
As always an enjoyable read.
Blessed be.