Looking around, you’ll find people with strange stubbornness. They never change their ways, label themselves as a specific personality type, and let bad habits linger under self-justification. If that stubbornness were channeled into self-control and building good habits, it could become a key element of success. But if it flows in the wrong direction, it simply turns them into stubborn fools trapped in their own obstinacy. Looking back on myself and my surroundings at this age, I realize I too have lived with strange stubbornness and the laziness to break free from it. Had I not, I would have acquired multiple certifications by now. Instead, I seem to have lived as a ‘smart dinosaur,’ stagnant for so long due to laziness that I didn’t even recognize I was becoming obsolete.

Reading Dr. Marvin’s Capital Stamina, I examined the source of passion and achievement in those who succeeded young. In a capitalist society, results are rewarded with money, so on the surface, money appears to be the goal. But in truth, they each harbored different, noble objectives. I realized that simple comparisons of assets with others cannot fully gauge their vision and passion. Furthermore, I gained insight into the macroeconomic perspective: the fact that many elderly people in our country suffer from the disease of ‘financial illiteracy,’ and that behind the post-pandemic economic downturn lie geopolitical conflicts involving Russia and China challenging the dollar-centric economic order.

Now, my eyes open naturally at 4:30 AM. After years of living every second to the fullest—balancing company work, personal business, blogging, and reading—my past self appears objectively clear. To never return to that past, I am building new knowledge and habits. I reflect on my former self, who slept late, let precious time be stolen by games or YouTube whenever possible, and regretted not going out on weekends. I’ve also realized my ignorance in viewing the world narrowly, trapped within the binary paradigm of conservative versus progressive. Now, I’ve gained the discernment to distinguish corrupt power holders exploiting crowd psychology for personal gain and pseudo-intellectuals.

For students, it might be grades; for others, the glamorous daily life on social media or a husband’s salary might be the goal. Ultimately, all of this often boils down to ‘money’. But I realize that the clear goal of successful people is to give thanks to God, who gave us life, while watching the sun rise at dawn; to share that gratitude with those around us with a healthy body and mind; and furthermore, to humbly take responsibility for the time given to me as a ‘multi-jobber’. Living this way makes life more thrilling than any game or variety show. I believe it allows one to acquire knowledge more valuable than admission to a prestigious university, leading to a richer life than most. Today, I rise at dawn again, read the Word, exercise, write a book review, and then start my day making bagel sandwiches for my family.