Ever watch a motivational reel where they tell you to wake up at 5 a.m., grind until 2 a.m., and be a hustle machine? Yeah, me too. And then, what? You feel guilty for not owning that sunrise alarm clock or for skipping one too many “productive” nights? Same.
Success is not always what they sell you on social media. It’s not loud. It’s quiet. It’s smarter. It’s human. And the best part? You can replicate it.
I’ve traveled, traded, and worked with top performers. And let me tell you: they don’t hustle like the rest of us. They do something different.
"Success Is not a Sprint, It's a Marathon"
I’ll never forget the day my crypto portfolio plummeted. 600K down the drain. The money was gone, but so was my sense of self. But winners don’t win by being the fastest. They win by sticking with it. Even when it looks hopeless. When you fall hard, you either quit… or you keep going.
The keep going.
Here are 10 habits I’ve observed in people who succeed, not those who talk the loudest about it. If you want success, you don’t need to be the smartest, the best, or the loudest. You need to adopt these habits and stick with them.
1. Help Without Expecting Anything in Return
I used to think business was all about transactions. But then, a mentor laughed when I offered him 1% for helping me with a deal. "I just wanted to help," he said. That moment reshaped everything.
Success isn’t transactional. Generosity is the currency in this space. You help today, someone else helps tomorrow — and sometimes, it comes back from the most unexpected places.
🔧 What to do:
Offer help with no strings attached.
Introduce people if you see potential synergy.
Share your insights, even if there’s no immediate gain for you.
Bhaktapur Durbar Square, Nepal
2. Stick With It for Five Years
Success doesn’t happen overnight.
When I lost all my money in crypto overnight, it felt like I was slapped in the face. What I realized, though, is that success is not a matter of luck. It’s about resilience. The people who succeed are those who persevere for years, even when things seem hopeless.
If you’re in it for the long term, stay committed.
🔧 What to do:
Choose something you’re willing to commit to long-term, not just what’s trending.
Build a system that allows for sustainable work: schedule, rest, and delegation.
Track your progress in years, not days. Let go of the need to rush.
3. Separate Your Work From Your Identity
Over the past years, I realized how much I had defined myself by my wealth. Losing the money felt like losing my identity. I had become too entangled with external validation.
Detach your self-worth from your job title, your numbers, or your latest project.
I’ve learned to think of myself in different roles: trader Lukas, entrepreneur Lukas, and content creator Lukas. If something doesn’t work out, I ask, “Which Lukas needs to adjust?” not “Am I a failure?”
🔧 What to do:
Detach your self-worth from your career or metrics.
Treat failures as learning experiences, not personal failures.
Build mental boundaries between who you are and what you do.
4. Be Kind. Seriously.
You might think success comes from wealth or connections, but kindness is the true currency of success.
Hard truth: No one wants to work with a jerk.
Kindness, especially in business, is what leaves a lasting impression.
In the remote, peaceful mountains of Ha Giang, Vietnam I was struck by the genuine warmth of the Hmong people. Despite their humble lives, their hearts were rich with hospitality. This reminded me that it’s not the luxury experiences that shape our happiness, but the simple acts of kindness and connection that stay with us.
🔧 What to do:
Treat everyone with kindness, regardless of their role.
Express genuine gratitude.
Practice micro-kindness: offer a compliment, send a thoughtful note, or share a valuable resource.
5. Own Your Mistakes and Tell the Truth
Nobody is perfect. When I lost my crypto investments, I could have hidden behind the failure, but I chose to share the full story. I shared my journey, the lessons, and the pain. You can check out 7 Lessons I Learned After Losing $600K in Crypto
Owning up to mistakes doesn’t make you weak, it makes you real. That honesty was freeing.
🔧 What to do:
Acknowledge mistakes early and honestly.
Share what you’ve learned, not just “I’m sorry.”
Be open about your journey. Real stories resonate.
In Bhaktapur Durbar Square, Nepal
6. Don’t Quit Just Because It’s Hard
Social media makes it easy to believe that everyone else is thriving while you’re struggling. The truth? Every path has its challenges.
When I hit rock bottom with my financial loss, I nearly gave up. But I realized true success lies in resilience, not perfection. What kept me going was reminding myself why I started.
🔧 What to do:
Identify the parts of your work that drain you. Can you delegate them?
Remind yourself why you started in the first place.
Stop comparing your behind-the-scenes to others' highlight reels.
7. Reinvent Yourself Often
I’ve reinvented myself countless times — from a crypto trader to a digital nomad, and even to a massage therapist. I realized that reinvention isn’t something to fear. It’s necessary for growth.
Reinvention is a constant, exciting part of life.
I’ve lived in so many places — Cyprus, Vietnam, Dubai, and more — and each one taught me something new about myself. Each reinvention gave me new clarity and energy.
🔧 What to do:
Give yourself permission to evolve.
Let go of the fear of being misunderstood.
Try something new every year, even if it’s just for fun.
8. Give 100% to Everything You Do
The people I’ve met who truly succeed are the ones who show up fully. In Dubai, I observed that business people gave their full attention, regardless of how simple the task was.
When you commit fully, people notice. They feel your energy.
🔧 What to do:
Say no to things you can’t fully commit to.
Eliminate distractions. Focus on one thing at a time.
Treat every task, no matter how small, with respect.
9. Be Ambitious (Even If It Feels A Little Scary)
Ambition often gets mistaken for loud, flashy actions. But the truth is, real ambition is quieter, more intentional, and rooted in a deeper purpose.
When I started learning massage, it didn’t come with instant fame or recognition. It was a quiet, purposeful decision to invest in a skill that would bring freedom, not just financially, but in the way I could help others.
Thinking big didn’t mean shouting my goals; it meant being intentional about the steps I took, one massage at a time.
🔧 What to do:
Visualize your “future self.” How do they act, speak, and show up?
Align decisions with that future version of you.
Don’t apologize for thinking big.
10. Network Like It’s Your Job (Because It Kind of Is)
Opportunities don’t just fall from the sky. Sometimes, they come from a conversation you had years ago. Networking is about genuine connection, not just attending events, and it’s a long-term play.
🔧 What to do:
Go to events. Meet new people.
Follow up after meetings. Even a quick “Great talking to you” goes a long way.
Be consistent and visible. Someone is always watching.
You Don’t Need to Be the Smartest. Just Show Up Real.
If you’ve ever thought, “I’m not the most talented,” I hear you. Yes, talent is important, but it’s not everything. What moves the needle is how you treat people, how you approach your work, and how you treat yourself.
Pick one of these habits to work on this week. Start small. The small steps will add up faster than you think.
The Books You Need to Start Building Real Wealth (Not Just Money)
The Ultimate ETF Income Blueprint to Retire Rich with Dividends- Learn how to build a monthly income stream with low-risk, high-yield ETFs for a worry-free retirement
Mastering Crypto Options: A Beginner’s & Pro Guide to Profitable Bitcoin & Ethereum Options Trading- Learn how to trade crypto options on Bitcoin, Ethereum, and altcoins—from basics to advanced setups.
The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma- Based on Dr. van der Kolk’s research and that of other leading specialists, the book exposes the tremendous power of our relationships both to hurt and to heal.
You Won't Believe This, But…
"Did you know? People who spend money on experiences—like travel—are happier than those who splurge on material goods. The happiness from travel lasts longer than that new iPhone you just bought."
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To End This Week's Episode: Your Free Nomad Challenge
Time to get uncomfortable.
This week, I dare you to turn off your phone for one full day.No checking emails, no scrolling through social media, no refreshing Instagram or TikTok. Just one day to reset and get back in touch with yourself.
Here are a few practical suggestions to help you make it happen:
Morning Routine: Start the day with no phone. Try journaling for 10 minutes, meditating, or just sitting in silence with your coffee or tea.
Disconnecting for Work: If you need your phone for work, set specific times for checking messages and emails—and stick to them.
Creative Time: Use the extra time to do something creative or productive that doesn’t involve your phone—read a book, sketch, write, or go for a walk without music.
Evening Reflection: End the day with a phone-free evening. Have a conversation with a friend or family member, or simply unwind without distractions.
You might feel uncomfortable at first, and that’s the point. The world is noisy, and sometimes we need to step away to truly listen to ourselves.
Good luck and let me know how it goes.
Catch you next week.
Lukas