Chapter 1: The Illusion of Quick Success

Success content is everywhere and often lacks substance. Anyone can create it, and many do.

The most fundamental advice you’ll hear is that if you haven’t achieved success yet, it’s entirely on you.

Have you heard the four essential rules for success? If not, allow me to share them once more:

1. Take a morning stroll
2. Stay hydrated
3. Get sufficient sleep
4. Maintain a healthy diet

These simplistic guidelines have been touted in countless articles on Medium, and I initially dismissed them as mere clickbait designed to attract clicks. With a catchy title, one might expect these articles to contain profound insights, but often they do not.

Here's the catch:

The authors of these articles are not providing valuable content. They fail to illustrate the significance of these four basic principles through evidence, personal anecdotes, and engaging writing. They also overlook the fact that many readers are not yet prepared for more advanced tips and strategies.

Those who turn to self-help articles on Medium often haven't mastered these foundational habits, myself included. If we had truly grasped these basics, we wouldn’t be seeking guidance in the first place.

Furthermore, this superficial content is unconvincing. It's simplistic and fails to engage, leading readers to skip ahead in search of more sophisticated advice. However, no advanced strategy or productivity tool can mend the gaps created by neglecting these fundamentals.

So, why do we gravitate towards high-level advice?

It's appealing to read insights from accomplished professionals—be it innovative designers, successful authors, or seven-figure entrepreneurs. Conversely, acknowledging our ignorance about the basics feels uncomfortable, akin to admitting we don’t know how to tie our shoes, let alone run the race.

Many remain fixated on the Success Content Mill, eagerly awaiting the next high-level tutorial on how to excel while juggling multiple responsibilities. It’s essential to recognize that while anyone can achieve success, most individuals haven't yet mastered the basics.

Ask yourself this honestly: How often do you...

• Hit the snooze button and leap out of bed at the last second instead of engaging in that morning exercise?
• Opt for takeout one more time, letting the healthy food in your fridge spoil?
• Fall into the trap of watching one more pointless TikTok dance video, only to realize it’s 2:36 AM and you have an early morning?
• Choose sugary drinks over a simple glass of water?

Admitting a lack of mastery over the basics is challenging, as it implies a level of failure. It's far more comfortable to dream about success while consuming high-level sales tips that feel unrelated to your life.

The issue lies not in the advice itself, but in the way it's presented...

This is why effective writing is crucial. Unfortunately, many articles fail to captivate and often drive readers away towards more complex subjects. They disappoint those in search of guidance who hope to find a miracle solution for their struggles.

Readers often encounter bland, generic advice that doesn’t resonate with their needs, despite the fact that they likely require that same advice.

Is this a result of poor writing? Certainly. But it also reflects a lack of humility on the part of the reader. True improvement demands time and a solid foundation. Many individuals lack the willingness to introspect and acknowledge their need to rebuild from the ground up.

To achieve success, one must:

• Engage in activities they might resist (like taking a morning walk)
• Manage basic tasks (such as drinking enough water)
• Develop the ability to compartmentalize (ensuring enough rest)
• Uphold discipline (prioritizing healthy eating)

Success is often portrayed as a series of clever tricks and mindsets, with tools like Joplin being lauded for their efficiency over platforms like Notion. However, at the heart of it all, the basics remain paramount—even when they are overlooked.

Final Thoughts

It is behavior that fosters success. Only after mastering the basics can one benefit from advanced advice. To solidify these fundamentals, one must embrace humility and recognize that the journey begins with foundational practices.

The video titled "CIA Spy: 'Leave The USA Before 2030!' Why You Shouldn't Trust Your Gut!" serves as a cautionary tale, shedding light on the importance of discernment and critical thinking in a rapidly changing world.