Reframing mindset for MDRT success

Early on in her career, two-year MDRT member Angelica Sim found herself breaking down and crying on the phone to her director for an hour after experiencing a rough client appointment. “The client was extremely harsh and even raised his voice at me. As someone who was still trying to find her footing in the industry, I felt completely helpless,” she recalls.  

Eventually, this unpleasant experience taught her the importance of having perspective: “I realized that the client’s reaction had much more to do with their own fears, insecurities, or frustrations than with me as a person or a professional.”   

With this mindset shift, the former neurotechnologist now approaches client meetings with a new strategy for maintaining emotional equilibrium. Instead of internalizing the negativity or rejection, Sim started to go with the mindset of ‘control the controllables.’ While people’s reactions are beyond her control, she can still control her preparation, attitude and response to adversity.

The practice of reframing mindset in stressful situations can often be the key differentiator in achieving sustained success. It is often said that cultivating a positive and adaptable mindset is as important as technical skills alone.

Success is not just about strategies or skills, but also about the mindset that underpins them. Whether it’s shifting from scarcity to abundance, reinvesting in growth, reconnecting with purpose, or finding emotional balance, these advisors demonstrate that reframing mindset is a continuous journey on the road to the top.  

MDRT members who log into mdrt.org can read the full article in the January/February 2026 issue of Round the Table.

Muneerah Bee works for Team Lewis, a communications agency assisting MDRT with content development for Asia-Pacific markets. Contact mdrteditorial@teamlewis.com.