We recently connected with Aruzhan Sarsen and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Aruzhan, thank you for being such a positive, uplifting person. We’ve noticed that so many of the successful folks we’ve had the good fortune of connecting with have high levels of optimism and so we’d love to hear about your optimism and where you think it comes from.
For me, optimism is about reminding myself that there’s no such thing as an unsolvable problem. If I let a temporary setback get to me, it will only feed negative emotions and won’t help me move forward. I also believe that everything-good or bad-happens for a reason, so I almost never turn down opportunities that come my way. I’d rather embrace what life offers than resist it. I think that’s where my sense of optimism comes from-accepting things as they are and trusting that every experience has meaning.
Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?
For the past couple of years, I’ve been working on creating album covers and storyboards for music videos, which introduced me to the world of music and gradually led me into cinema. This experience has been incredibly valuable, as through storyboarding for music videos, I transitioned into the film industry, working on storyboards for movies, which has been a true source of inspiration for me. As a teenager, I dreamed of becoming an animator, though at that time I didn’t fully understand the profession. Today, I realize that my true passion lies in creating stories and worlds where I can share not only my own experiences but also those of others, addressing not only personal themes but also social, cultural, and historical aspects. Through storyboarding, I realized I made the right choice, and this path was no coincidence.
At the moment, I am beginning to explore a new direction-creating movie posters. It’s an exciting step as I search for new opportunities for self-expression, and I can’t wait to see how it develops.
My work has always been a way to express my inner state, and it has supported me through different moments in life. But recently, I felt the need to express my cultural background, which has also begun to reflect in my art. I’m from Kazakhstan, and moving to America for my studies, I’ve encountered situations where people didn’t know much about our culture and couldn’t even point out Kazakhstan on a map. This sparked in me a desire to tell more about my culture and show that every nation, even those unfamiliar to others, has a unique place in the world’s culture. I feel that I can not only highlight themes from my homeland but also connect them to global contexts, as ultimately, we all share one history, and these intersections are incredibly important.
My style is actively changing, as I study at ArtCenter College of Design in the Illustration/Entertainment Art department, where we focus on enhancing fundamental drawing skills. Every step, along with the university’s support, is opening new horizons for me, and I can’t even imagine what opportunities and discoveries lie ahead.
The life I am living now is a dream come true. Getting into the university was one of my major goals, and despite all the challenges, I achieved it. Now, I am opening up to new possibilities, breaking down boundaries, and eagerly awaiting what the future holds for me.
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
1. Belief in oneself is probably one of the most important qualities in my life. I always believed that I would achieve my goals and desires, because, otherwise, where would they come from? I believed that if I dreamt so deeply about something, it had already become a part of me and would definitely come true. Belief in myself has been the foundation that helped me move forward, even in times of doubt.
2. Diligence and resilience. Despite all the difficulties and setbacks, it’s important to keep moving toward your goal. Nothing in life comes easily, and without effort, dreams will remain just that – dreams. It may seem contradictory because dreaming is important, but without hard work, those dreams won’t turn into reality. Diligence and resilience are the keys to success.
3. Sociability is a quality that has helped me throughout my life. People often say that I’m easy to talk to, and that’s true because I find it easy to connect with different people. Sociability has helped me develop flexibility, and together, these qualities give me the incredible ability to form connections with people from all walks of life, explore new horizons, and learn from others by discovering their stories and experiences.
Thanks so much for sharing all these insights with us today. Before we go, is there a book that’s played in important role in your development?
“Jonathan Livingston Seagull” and “Illusions” are the books that have played a significant role in my development. These were the first books I ever read, and perhaps that’s why they had such a profound impact on me.
“Jonathan Livingston Seagull” introduced me to the idea that the limitations we live within are often self-imposed. We accept them as real, but in truth, they are illusions. Jonathan’s story taught me that anything is possible-if we are willing to break free from conventions and take action.
“Illusions” takes this idea even further, deepening my understanding of freedom. This book helped me realize that every person is responsible for their own choices, and no one can be forced to change unless they come to that decision themselves. More importantly, it taught me that even my own beliefs are not absolute truths-everyone follows their own unique path, and what seems right to me may be just another illusion.
Both books reinforced my belief that nothing is impossible. They inspired me to pursue my dreams with confidence, knowing that their realization depends solely on my willingness to take action.
One passage from “Illusions” resonates with me deeply. At the beginning of the book, Richard Bach describes how the idea for the story “burst into” his life, demanding to be written:
“The book was not planned. I never thought of writing it. One day I was walking through a field, and the idea just appeared in my mind, full-blown. It wasn’t a vague notion; it was a finished book, waiting only to be written down. I tried to ignore it, but it wouldn’t go away. The characters demanded to be heard, the story insisted on being told. I finally gave in and began to write.”
This moment struck a chord with me because I’ve experienced something similar. As a child, I had different career aspirations, but now I can’t imagine my life without drawing. It allows me to bring the stories in my mind to life, giving them a visual form.
For me, books are not just a source of inspiration-they are a tool for self-discovery. They help expand my worldview, deepen my understanding of myself, and encourage me to pursue my goals with determination.
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Aruzhan Sarsen
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