On this episode of the Encourage Mindset Podcast, host Ethan Van De Hey welcomes Brandon Simonis — a University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire graduate who launched his career in public accounting during one of the most challenging economic periods in recent memory. Brandon shares how learning, gratitude, and big-picture thinking helped him navigate the uncertainty of graduating into a pandemic and building a career in Minneapolis.
Watch the Full Episode with Brandon Simonis
From Eau Claire to Minneapolis: Brandon’s Career Journey
Brandon Simonis graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire in May 2020 — right in the middle of the pandemic. He tells Ethan that transitioning from college to the professional world during that time was a defining experience. He now works in public accounting in Minneapolis, Minnesota, specializing in nonprofit and government audits. The road from graduation to building a career in a new city was not smooth, but Brandon credits his mindset habits for keeping him on track.
The Power of Gratitude as a Daily Habit
When Ethan asks Brandon about the habit requiring the least effort that makes the greatest difference, Brandon’s answer is clear: gratitude. He explains that keeping a gratitude practice helped him enormously, especially during his transition out of college. Brandon talks about how easy it is to be hard on yourself — to spiral into negativity and frustration. But he learned to step back, look in the mirror, and redirect that energy into appreciating what he had rather than fixating on what was going wrong.
Brandon leans into gratitude intentionally. He describes it as a reset mechanism — when a bad situation hits, he goes back to the drawing board and uses gratitude to reframe his perspective. This is not abstract advice for Brandon; it is a daily practice that has shaped how he responds to setbacks.
Dream Big and Build a Vision Board
One of the most memorable parts of this conversation is when Brandon shows Ethan a sign behind him that reads: “Have big dreams. You’ll grow into them.” He reveals that he keeps a bucket list and a dream board of things he wants to accomplish. Looking at that board every day motivates him and reminds him of the bigger picture — why he does what he does on a daily basis.
Brandon explains that when you have that big-picture vision front and center, daily distractions become smaller. Problems that might have derailed him in the past now roll off his shoulders because he can put them in context against his larger goals. His approach is solution-focused: when something comes up, figure out a solution, keep moving, and create more success.
Staying Focused When Distractions Are Constant
Ethan asks Brandon about staying focused when life keeps throwing distractions at you. Brandon shares a deeply personal approach: he goes back to his “why.” He revisits the reasons he went to college in the first place, the reasons he chose his career path, and the motivations behind his daily decisions. That practice of returning to his core purpose keeps him grounded and focused when things get noisy.
Brandon connects this back to Simon Sinek’s concept from the book Start with Why — one of his top recommended reads. He explains that knowing why you are doing something is far more powerful than knowing the how or the what. When he discovered his why, he was at his most motivated and most willing to find solutions, even when things got tough.
Books That Changed Brandon’s Mindset
Brandon recommends two books that have deeply influenced his approach to life and work. The first is Start with Why by Simon Sinek, which helped him understand the importance of purpose-driven decision-making. The second is The Magic of Thinking Big by David Schwartz, which Brandon describes as one of his all-time favorites. He explains that the book challenged him to stop limiting himself and to think on a much larger scale. The title says it all, according to Brandon — once you start thinking bigger, your actions and results follow.
Learning as a Lifelong Commitment
The theme of continuous learning runs through the entire conversation. Brandon tells Ethan that learning is what levels you up — it is the engine behind personal and professional growth. He talks about how his education did not stop at graduation. Every new challenge in his accounting career, every book he reads, and every conversation with mentors adds to his ability to grow and perform at a higher level.
Brandon’s message is practical and honest: you do not need to have everything figured out. What you need is a willingness to keep learning, a practice of gratitude, and a clear vision of where you want to go. The rest follows from there.
Connect with the Encourage Mindset Podcast
The Encourage Mindset Podcast is hosted by Ethan Van De Hey and brings together leaders, entrepreneurs, and high-performers who share their real stories and strategies for growth. Subscribe on YouTube to catch every new episode.
Related Episodes You Might Enjoy
If you enjoyed this conversation, check out these related episodes from the Encourage Mindset Podcast:
- Chris Whited: Win The Future One Step At A Time
- Dr. Lucy Johnson: Small Wins, Big Results
- Chip Baker: You’re Not Broken, You’re Building
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