Why "seeking stability" won't lead you to victory in the encryption world

Author: Route 2 FI Source: theblackswans Translation: Shan Ouba, Golden Finance

True success, whether in the field of cryptocurrency or in life, comes from the integration of passion, skills, and relationships, rather than blindly spreading oneself thin in pursuit of security. Instead of playing it safe, focus on the direction that excites you, leverage your unique advantages, and achieve long-term growth through compound effect and strategic risks.

In the fast-paced world of cryptocurrency, building a personal brand, networking, and finding your unique advantages are key to success. Ultimately, financial freedom and life satisfaction do not come from following traditional paths, but rather from fully committing to doing what truly matters.

Let’s be realistic: pursuing the so-called "balance" in life is actually a myth, especially when your goal is to master cryptocurrency and achieve financial freedom. The notion that you can evenly distribute your time and energy across career, fitness, family, and entertainment is not only impractical but also a misguided strategy for those who want to achieve significant success in this world.

What do you really want?

Be honest: Are you pursuing a lucrative investment portfolio? Unrestricted travel freedom? Or do you want to live life on your own terms? In fact, most of us want all of these things—wealth, flexibility, a sense of achievement, and time with our loved ones. However, the so-called "moderate balance" safe route almost never leads to outstanding results in any of these goals.

Allocating effort is a trap

To achieve "balance," you have to accommodate everything, resulting in your energy being diluted, with only half-hearted involvement in each matter, which almost inevitably leads to mediocrity. In the fields of cryptocurrency and trading, being overly conservative, excessively diversified, never taking calculated risks, or following the crowd will ultimately yield only mediocre returns.

Zero-sum game vs. Integrative thinking

Most people see life (and trading) as a zero-sum game: you invest your energy in one area, and another will suffer. But truly outstanding individuals—whether in crypto, business, or life—never accept this "either-or" limited thinking. They choose to merge goals. For example:

• Build a trading rhythm that suits your lifestyle, making work feel like play.
• Invest in projects that truly interest you, making research and asset management fun instead of a chore.

Integration will exponentially amplify your results

When your passion, work, and relationships align, you are no longer distributing energy but rather allowing it to accumulate and multiply. The same principle applies to trading: if you love the process, you will naturally be willing to invest time in refining yourself. If you are surrounded by sharp-minded, like-minded individuals, you will learn faster and discover more opportunities.

Advantages of Encryption: Enthusiasm + Leverage

Achieving financial freedom through cryptocurrency is not about being glued to your desk or blindly following the crowd, but about finding your "advantage"—whether it's a unique trading strategy, an in-depth understanding of a certain DeFi technology, or a knack for uncovering undervalued projects. The most successful traders and investors are often those who:

• Focus on results, not just staring blankly at the charts.
• Build a system that can amplify its own influence.
• Make money through your own insights and achievements, rather than clocking in and out.

Find your unique path

The real "secret" is to pursue what excites you and find a way to get rewarded for it. In the crypto space, this might mean becoming a top analyst, running a content subscription platform, developing tools, or trading full-time. The key is to integrate your interests, skills, and network so that every hour you spend is simultaneously propelling you towards expertise and freedom.

Most people view work like this: you invest X hours, earn Y dollars, and produce Z units of products or services. This is a linear way of thinking. But is this the optimal solution?

When you add leverage over time, the result is not just additive, but rather compound growth. For example, if you add "10" nine times, you get 90. But if you invest with a 10% annual return for 40 years, most people would think it's a 400% growth. In fact, the correct answer is 4,525%—meaning that $100,000 can turn into $4.525 million. Although this may not sound exciting in the fast-paced world of crypto, the power of compounding is undeniable.

This is the core of exponential thinking. Leverage—whether it is capital, technology, brand, network effects, or management ability—can help you switch from linear growth to exponential growth. However, most people are too "realistic" and overlook the tremendous acceleration effects that leverage can bring. To grow quickly, one must take risks and choose paths that can apply leverage and achieve compounding. A 9-to-5 job without equity has very limited potential.

Many people are afraid to choose paths that do not have guaranteed outcomes, such as career paths without a fixed salary. However, the most valuable things in life often begin with strategic risk-taking. Instead of opting for certainty, consider starting your own project or joining a high-potential team, where you can:

• Gain room for growth,
• Accumulate equity incentives,
• Cultivate transferable skills for the future.

In today's era, building a personal brand is one of the most effective ways to maximize leverage. I have experienced this firsthand, and looking back, it is truly incredible. People pay attention to my content because I share my real experiences. In the field of investment or cryptocurrency, learning from those with practical experience is far more valuable than just listening to theory.

Whatever you do, leverage it and think from a long-term perspective—consider how your knowledge, skills, and mindset can grow exponentially over time. Expand your vision. Those who believe they can change the world often really do.

When it comes to risk, especially asymmetric opportunities (small investment with potentially high returns), once you have covered your basic living needs, you can take bold actions. For example, the FIRE concept (monthly expenses × 12 × 25) provides a basic safety net that allows you to achieve financial freedom through the "4% rule." However, if you are still young and have fewer burdens, taking risks with limited funds can be even more meaningful. Ask yourself: what is the worst outcome? Often, it's just returning to the starting point. And the best outcome could be a tenfold or even hundredfold leap in wealth, skills, and opportunities.

Look for those betting opportunities where the potential rewards far outweigh the risks. For example, cryptocurrency investments, starting an online business, content creation, building high-quality networks, etc. And avoid those risky behaviors where the downside risk far exceeds the potential rewards.

Focus on long-term returns rather than short-term comfort. Many people become complacent, and as their salaries increase, the allure of leaving their original jobs gradually fades. However, in reality, even if a venture fails, most people can return to similar positions.

Take time to think about what you really want. As the saying goes, "Sharpening the saw does not delay the cutting of wood." — Planning and clarity are far more important than blind action. In today's social media-driven era, many people continuously consume various "self-improvement" content, yet never really take action. Watching these videos feels like growth, but in reality, it is just another form of short-term pleasure.

Ask yourself: Are your daily activities contributing to your long-term growth, or are they just satisfying your immediate gratification? There's nothing wrong with enjoying life itself, but don't let short-term pleasures dominate your life. You can delay gratification—just like in the "marshmallow experiment"—by investing time into things that will yield great returns in the future, such as learning a language, starting a business, completing a marathon, obtaining a degree, or building a personal brand.

If you are new to the scene and have limited capital, your most valuable assets are time and the willingness to learn. Focus on what you are good at—writing, trading, research, content creation—and find ways to develop these strengths. If your current skills are not monetizable, you can start by gaining experience through internships; if you already have some capabilities, you need to consider: should you choose to earn independently, or join a crypto company to gain experience and stable income? Working in a company can provide you with a platform, and you can also develop your own projects during your spare time.

Building influence on Twitter is one of the best ways to connect with top talent in the crypto space. Share your insights, engage with others, and provide valuable content. Twitter is the resume of the crypto world—opportunities often favor those who are visible and active.

If you choose to pursue trading, you must understand that this is an extremely competitive player versus player game. Success requires you to find your own advantages, make decisions with probabilistic thinking, and always maintain resilience. Compared to traditional markets, the cryptocurrency market is less efficient, providing more opportunities for those with independent thinking and keen observation.

Ultimately, becoming a top performer in any field is an incredibly valuable journey. It’s not just about working hard, but also about working smart, and finding fulfillment in what you do. That true reward and sense of achievement will ultimately belong to you.

Core Summary

Forget the so-called "safe route." In crypto, trading, and life, the real winners are those who set their own rules, integrate their own vision, and go all out on what matters most. This is the path from the ordinary to the extraordinary, achieving true financial freedom.