Harsh truths I know at 39 I wish I knew at 29: 1. The solution to...
Tim Denning@Tim_Denning
68 views
Jul 02, 2026
~5 min read
Advertisement
1
Harsh truths I know at 39 I wish I knew at 29:
1. The solution to money problems is to make more money, not save money.
2. Entrepreneurship is hard. Being laid off as an employee is harder.
1. The solution to money problems is to make more money, not save money.
2. Entrepreneurship is hard. Being laid off as an employee is harder.
2
3. Cheat on everything. Not by lying or stealing, but by breaking the rules and challenging the status quo
4. Never trust a social media profile with a cartoon picture and a nickname.
5. It's easier to be weird than it is to try and fit in and be normal.
4. Never trust a social media profile with a cartoon picture and a nickname.
5. It's easier to be weird than it is to try and fit in and be normal.
3
6. The wealthiest people have a psychopathic sense of urgency.
7. You’ll succeed in life if you decide you’re going to succeed. Simple.
7. You’ll succeed in life if you decide you’re going to succeed. Simple.
4
8. The top 1% are chasing their obsession.
9. There comes a point where making more money is a dumb decision and what you must do is unlock leverage.
10. Those who have leverage have more freedom than those who don't.
9. There comes a point where making more money is a dumb decision and what you must do is unlock leverage.
10. Those who have leverage have more freedom than those who don't.
5
11. At this point in humanity, it's either master AI or experience death by 1000 paper cuts.
12. No boss or employer gives a flying f*ck about you.
13. Never trust politicians about anything.
12. No boss or employer gives a flying f*ck about you.
13. Never trust politicians about anything.
6
14. Get your news from podcasts, not mainstream media.
15. Have fun because life is too short to worry about bullsh*t.
15. Have fun because life is too short to worry about bullsh*t.
7
16. Those who don't understand the power of crypto at this point are just showing they're low IQ
17. Open-mindedness is a precursor to success in any field. Those who think they know everything know nothing.
17. Open-mindedness is a precursor to success in any field. Those who think they know everything know nothing.
8
18. Credentialism died the moment merit didn't matter anymore and the woke mind virus took over.
19. Having kids is a life hack. It forces you to grow up and become resilient.
20. Treating pets as if they're as important as children is a sign of immaturity.
19. Having kids is a life hack. It forces you to grow up and become resilient.
20. Treating pets as if they're as important as children is a sign of immaturity.
9
21. The average diet is full of chemicals which is why so many people have no energy. Without energy you can't do anything other than be angry and complain.
22. Lifting weights is an IQ test. Those who don't exercise show how little they know about living.
22. Lifting weights is an IQ test. Those who don't exercise show how little they know about living.
10
23. Being a Youtuber is now the most desirable job because traditional jobs have zero creativity and imagination.
24. Naval Ravikant is a better philosopher than Marcus Aurelius ever was.
24. Naval Ravikant is a better philosopher than Marcus Aurelius ever was.
11
25. Instagram is where people go to brag. X is where people go to learn. LinkedIn is where people go to fit in and say "agree?"
26. People who are always joking are hard to take seriously so they rob themselves of opportunities
26. People who are always joking are hard to take seriously so they rob themselves of opportunities
12
27. Netflix took so much time away from people's side hustles that the number of builders is hitting all-time lows.
28. The barrier to entry in any field is so low it's laughable. There is no competition. Shoot your shot.
28. The barrier to entry in any field is so low it's laughable. There is no competition. Shoot your shot.
13
29. It's mind-blowing that you can reach anyone with a simple DM. So many people never do it out of fear.
30. We're going through a comfort crisis. People are rewarding themselves for mediocre work effort as if it's acceptable.
30. We're going through a comfort crisis. People are rewarding themselves for mediocre work effort as if it's acceptable.
14
31. Forgive your parents. They did their best.
32. Loads of free time is more of a flex than buying a Lambo.
32. Loads of free time is more of a flex than buying a Lambo.
15
33. Real friends are hard to find because most people want to be friends with you based on what they can get from the relationship.
34. The most successful people put their family first ahead of their selfish desires or accolades.
35. The best life hack is to get better at impulse control, otherwise you'll overdose on pleasure and slowly ruin your future.
34. The most successful people put their family first ahead of their selfish desires or accolades.
35. The best life hack is to get better at impulse control, otherwise you'll overdose on pleasure and slowly ruin your future.
16
36. Nobody gives a f*ck about your potential. All they care about is what you can do for them right now.
37. Living in the past is a nightmare. That era is gone. No one remembers. And technology has reorganised future opportunities which makes the strategy needed different.
37. Living in the past is a nightmare. That era is gone. No one remembers. And technology has reorganised future opportunities which makes the strategy needed different.
17
38. I don't know a single wealthy person who sells books for a living. Terrible business model.
39. The worst opportunities have lottery-style odds of success.
40. You can just ask other people to do things for you and they'll do it.
39. The worst opportunities have lottery-style odds of success.
40. You can just ask other people to do things for you and they'll do it.
18
41. Stopping work on your goal every time a person emergency arrives is killing the very habits that'll make you successful.
42. Caring about politics is pointless. Grow up.
42. Caring about politics is pointless. Grow up.
19
43. Following the lives of celebrities is one of the most useless uses of time there is. They don't care about you. They're rich.
44. Your heroes will disappoint you. Idolize no one.
44. Your heroes will disappoint you. Idolize no one.
20
45. Get laid more. Life is more fun that way.
46. What you do in your bedroom is no one else's business but yours. Bang whatever adult you want and tell no one.
46. What you do in your bedroom is no one else's business but yours. Bang whatever adult you want and tell no one.
21
47. If you want more opportunities then start writing online.
48. The future of work is millions of one-person businesses paired with AI agents.
48. The future of work is millions of one-person businesses paired with AI agents.
22
49. Whenever you sell something people need to be told 10x more than you think before they ever get their wallets out.
50. Selling isn't sleazy. It's just helping people with a problem which is an act of service.
50. Selling isn't sleazy. It's just helping people with a problem which is an act of service.
23
51. The most influential people all mastered public speaking before they broke out.
52. The best investor in the world is Michael Saylor, not Warren Buffett – and it's not even close.
53. You can do whatever the hell you want in life without asking anyone for permission.
52. The best investor in the world is Michael Saylor, not Warren Buffett – and it's not even close.
53. You can do whatever the hell you want in life without asking anyone for permission.
24
54. No one gives a sh*t if you're an expert or not. Experts are overrated & messed up the world in 2020.
55. We'll never forget the trauma of lockdowns and what was done to us.
55. We'll never forget the trauma of lockdowns and what was done to us.
25
56. The safety of a job doesn't exist anymore now layoffs are the norm.
57. The more unrealistic your dream the more motivated you are to chase it.
58. “80 summers” is easily the most insane way to describe how short life is.
57. The more unrealistic your dream the more motivated you are to chase it.
58. “80 summers” is easily the most insane way to describe how short life is.
26
One final harsh truth:
If you want autonomy and personal freedom, it's time to build a digital business.
Here’s how: timdenning.com/100k-xc/
If you want autonomy and personal freedom, it's time to build a digital business.
Here’s how: timdenning.com/100k-xc/
