We all plan and do things. We start full of motivation, fired up by the idea of change, growth, success. But soon enough, we enter the real game — solving problems. At first, it feels manageable. We solve one, then another. Sometimes it’s easy, sometimes we get stuck, and after pushing hard, we finally break through. That’s life. That’s how everyone operates.
But sometimes, problems get complicated. You hit something that makes no sense — no clear next step. You try again, harder this time, but most people eventually quit when they reach that point.
Now, let’s reframe something fundamental: Is your family your responsibility? Your health? Your mind? If your answer is no, stop reading here. But if your answer is yes, then let’s talk. Because moral responsibility means owning your health, your mental balance, your relationships — no matter what happens.
The Power of Effort
There’s a line from The 10X Rule: “People don’t fail because they set big goals. They fail because they set small ones.”
Here’s the truth: most people underestimate the effort required. They imagine the best-case scenario — everything going right in sequence. They set a goal, and when problems show up, they readjust it to play safe — lowering it from, say, 1L to 50K. But that’s exactly where the problem begins. They plan for the best case, not the worst case. And when reality hits — when problems require ten times more effort — they quit.
Here’s a different way to think. Set your goal 10X higher. If you think 1L per month is your limit, make it 10L. Why? Because 10X goals demand 10X effort. You’ll prepare for chaos, for resistance, for failure — and in the process, you’ll outperform your original goal just as a side effect.
The Blame Game
Ever found yourself saying, “It’s not my fault”? Let’s take an example. If your electricity goes out, whose fault is it? Most people say, “The company’s. I paid my bills.” But the truth? It’s yours. Why? Because you didn’t buy a generator.
Yes, the company messed up. But you face the consequence. Responsibility doesn’t mean blame — it means ownership. Next time, you’ll have a backup plan.
That’s the core difference between the successful and the unsuccessful. Successful people believe everything that happens to them is their responsibility. They adapt, build systems, and prepare. The ones who blame? They give away their power. When you believe someone else is at fault, you subconsciously say, “I can’t do anything about it.” And that’s the mindset that kills growth.
Four Kinds of People
- Do Nothing: They don’t act at all.
- Retreat: They act, face fear or rejection, and retreat.
- Normal Action: They do enough to survive — the societal comfort zone.
- Massive Action: They go all in. 10X mode.
The “normal” ones think they’re safe. But safety is fragile. When crisis hits — layoffs, recessions, inflation — they’re wiped out. They were never built for friction.
10X people, on the other hand, are antifragile. They learn fast, work hard, and push through the noise. People around them often say, “Chill. You’re working too hard.” But here’s the truth — if you’re not growing, you’re dying.
Massive action creates margin. It gives you enough strength to survive disasters and enough skill to rise above mediocrity. Operating at that level isn’t optional — it’s your duty.
Life isn’t built for comfort. It’s built for survival. Either you’re strong enough to face the storm, or you’re not. There’s no middle ground. If you don’t operate at 10X, you’ll drown in distractions, cheap dopamine, and wasted potential — like most people around you.
So next time you feel fear or criticism, don’t retreat. Be thankful. It’s a sign you’re operating at 10X. You’re in motion. Now refine, improve, and keep pushing.