Cultivating a Good Habit

Author: The Black Swan

Translation: Deep Tide TechFlow

You might find it unbelievable to be working during the holidays, but I want to say, why not? Writing is something I enjoy.

At six in the morning, when most people are still lost in the holiday slumber, tapping away at the keyboard to write something brings me a rare sense of calm.

After becoming an entrepreneur, the concept of time becomes blurred. Days start to intertwine, and there’s little difference between Sunday and Tuesday; holidays gradually lose their special meaning.

Many people yearn to escape the nine-to-five life in pursuit of freedom, but the reality is not as simple as they imagine…

Long ago, I realized that I would never live the so-called "normal life," so I stopped trying to conform to that lifestyle.

To be honest, working for yourself is both simple and complex.

In a sense, once you rid yourself of the red tape in a corporation—like boring meetings and bureaucratic constraints—making money can actually become very straightforward.

In fact, if you are smart and driven enough, your income might surpass what a traditional nine-to-five job can offer in just a few years. Doesn’t that sound tempting?

But the problem is, once you become your own boss, you’ll find that the challenges are far greater than when you were an employee. Running your own business means that you have to solve all the problems yourself. When things go wrong, don’t expect anyone to bail you out. You need to be responsible for payroll, applying for loans, and balancing investors' expectations.

This is a harsh reality that makes you acutely aware that the "carefree" existence enjoyed as an employee is actually a luxury. Employees have clear career paths and guidance from superiors, while as an entrepreneur, you need to make tough decisions between two bad choices, with no clear right or wrong to follow. This pressure can be suffocating, and you might only realize you’ve made a fatal mistake when it’s too late.

Let’s talk about the mental pressure. You are always "on call," but this state is completely different from financial professionals complaining about late-night PowerPoint sessions. This pressure is relentless; it doesn’t disappear with "clocking out"—because there is no such thing as "clocking out."

Redefining the Meaning of Time

When you become an entrepreneur, the concept of time undergoes a wonderful transformation. Days seem to blend together, with little distinction between Sunday and Tuesday, and holidays gradually lose their significance. Many people aspire to break free from the constraints of a nine-to-five job, thinking they can gain more freedom, but they often overlook that freedom also comes with new constraints. If not careful, work can seep into every corner of your life, leaving you with almost no time for anything else.

This might spark controversy: despite the many challenges of entrepreneurship, I firmly believe that running your own business is more fulfilling than any nine-to-five job. You start to question why some people choose stable jobs instead of pursuing the growth and autonomy that entrepreneurship offers.

In fact, most people have never truly faced real difficulties before diving into entrepreneurship. A nine-to-five job isn’t really hard; it’s just a series of tasks that you need to complete in order.

The real challenge lies in the fact that you need to make crucial decisions every day, and these decisions determine whether your business thrives or stagnates. If you ask other entrepreneurs what their biggest regret is, many will tell you they wish they had started this journey earlier.

Although entrepreneurship seems complex and chaotic, it is also the only path to true freedom—provided you can withstand the pressure involved.

How to Turn Goals into Reality?

Recently, I was chatting with a friend. He is in his mid-thirties and has a decent job. He excitedly shared his goal with me: to buy a house in the wealthiest neighborhood of our town before he turns 45.

For a moment, I was puzzled, wondering if his goal was a bit unrealistic or just self-soothing. But I chose to continue the conversation and asked him how he planned to achieve this goal. His answer was vague and general: "I don’t know, I just know I will get rich."

This mindset is exactly what you need to avoid. Every year, you need to take tangible steps toward your goals. Your dreams and actions must align. Many people say they want to get rich but find themselves stuck in jobs that won’t make them wealthy. Years later, they often reflect on where they went wrong.

Typically, this reflection occurs when they realize they have never seriously calculated how much money it would take to achieve their dreams. I remember starting to pay attention to my FIRE number (Financial Independence, Retire Early) and my spending habits early on.

Interestingly, I don’t like to meticulously track every expense in my daily life. Once you reach a certain level of wealth, such tracking becomes unnecessary. You don’t want to be the type of person who cuts back on life experiences out of fear of future financial loss. This mindset not only causes anxiety but also affects your judgment, making it hard to make wise decisions. Instead of getting bogged down in details, focus on the long-term and the overall direction.

Many people wait until a certain point in life, like age 35, to reassess their lives. This is a mistake. By that time, they may have wasted too much precious time without making any substantial progress. If you, like my friend, dream of owning a house in an upscale neighborhood, you must ensure your actions can support that goal. If your goal is to earn $100,000 a year, and you are indeed achieving that, great! You are on track and feeling satisfied. But if your goal is to live in a mansion before 40, then it’s time to make some significant changes.

This may sound a bit blunt, but it’s the truth.

If you want to change your life trajectory, you first need to learn to control your living costs. Especially when you are young—people under 30 really don’t need to live in luxury apartments. To be honest, at that age, no one cares where you live.

Even if you live in a small room in a shared apartment, your quality of life won’t suffer much, but you can save a significant amount on rent. However, one thing to remember is not to skimp on life experiences! Whether it’s traveling with friends or having a small gathering at a bar, don’t always think about the price; enjoy those beautiful moments.

Cultivate a good habit of investing at least 25% of your after-tax income into regular investments, such as S&P 500 index funds, stocks, cryptocurrencies, or real estate. As for your annual bonuses, use them for a significant asset investment, like investing in a private company, starting your own business, or buying a house. If you have the means, you can make several investments each year, but at least ensure you make at least one.

Additionally, take the time that would have been wasted on binge-watching shows or engaging in boring entertainment to try starting a venture. Stick with it for ten years, and you might find yourself owning shares in index funds or Bitcoin, valuable alternative assets, or even a successful business—all while maintaining a normal life. Of course, you might not party every weekend, but you’ll find that the joy in your life far exceeds that of most people.

With this strategy, it’s nearly impossible to fall into financial trouble. It allows you to enjoy life while gaining happiness through discretionary spending, ensuring you have at least one asset equity each year. Unlike traditional retirement models that emphasize "working hard," this approach lets you automate investments, focus on accumulating assets, and still enjoy the pleasures of life.

Of course, if you decide to start a business, be prepared to work even harder. However, many people may not take that final step. In any case, ensure your actions align with your goals. If you are determined to get rich but find yourself far from your target—then face it honestly!

You need to adjust your direction and realign your actions with your aspirations. While my method may not suit everyone, I believe it is one of the best strategies for pursuing wealth while enjoying life.

That’s all for today.

See you on the order book, my friend!

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