par onchop.co.uk | Oct 12, 2025 | Onchop24TV
The 13 Useless Expenses . You dream of becoming rich, of having a life where money is no longer a daily concern? You work hard, try to save, and yet, at the end of the month, your bank account reminds you of a sad reality: money slips through your fingers without you really understanding why.
This situation is like a leak in your house. At first, it’s just a barely visible drip. But day after day, that leak ends up filling whole buckets. That’s exactly what happens with your money. According to Robert Kiyosaki, author of the bestseller Rich Dad, Poor Dad, there are 13 completely useless expenses that literally undercut your wealth potential.
Expenses so banal you not even notice them, but stacked up, they cost you a real fortune.
Here is the list of these 13 financial traps and, most importantly, how to avoid them. Once you have identified them, you will never look at your expenses the same way.
1. Excessive Expenses: The Silent Saboteur
The first thing you must eliminate entirely from your life if you truly want to become rich is excessive expenses. It’s simple math: if you spend more than you earn, you will never become rich. That’s just the way it is.
Too many people sabotage their wealth without even realizing it, by showcasing a lifestyle they can’t afford. Living beneath your means may not always be glamorous, but being broke at 60 because you couldn’t resist spending in your youth is far less so.
Solution: Before each purchase, ask yourself this crucial question: “Does this purchase bring me closer to or farther from my financial goals?” Financial discipline is like a muscle: the more you train it, the stronger it becomes. Start by tracking every expense, however insignificant it may seem.
2. Impulse Purchases: The Financial Cancer
Ah, impulse purchases! This financial cancer eats away at your wealth potential. Those moments when you lose all control in front of a storefront or on Amazon, when your brain disconnects and your credit card takes over.
Every time you give in to an impulse purchase, you send a clear message: “I prefer immediate satisfaction over my future financial freedom.” Do the math: take all your impulse purchases from last month and imagine that money invested to yield an 8% return per year over 20 years. The result is staggering.
Solution: Impose a 48-hour rule on yourself. The next time you want to buy something on impulse, wait two days. In 90% of cases, the urge will have vanished. Marketers play on your emotions; don’t fall into the trap.
3. Unproductive Debts: Financial Suicide by a Thousand Cuts
Let’s talk about unproductive debts, or what some call financial suicide by a thousand cuts. The crucial distinction to understand is between a productive debt and an unproductive one.
A productive debt is when you borrow to buy something that will make you money (e.g. a rental property or training that doubles your salary). An unproductive debt is when you borrow to buy something that loses value (a new car, electronics).
Solution: List all your debts. For each, ask yourself: “Does this bring me money, or does it cost me money?” If it costs you without giving you a return, you have a problem. Use debts as a lever to build wealth, not as a shovel to dig your own financial grave.
4. Obsession With Luxury Brands: The Art of Trying to Appear Rich
Luxury brands! Let’s talk about those who ruin themselves to impress people they don’t even like. This is what we call being rich in appearance, poor in reality.
Truly wealthy people have nothing to prove. It is often those who don’t have money who feel obliged to wear head-to-toe luxury clothes and accessories. You pay €500 for shoes that cost €20 to manufacture just for a tiny logo.
Solution: Next time you want to buy a luxury item, take that money and invest it instead. In 10 years, you could probably buy ten of those items if you really wanted to. But by then, you’ll likely realize that real luxury is financial freedom.
5. “Cheap” Purchases of Poor Quality: The False Economy
You know what’s ironic? Those bargain hunters who buy the same crappy item three times because they’re trying to save money. Being stingy is not being smart.
When you buy low quality, you get low quality—and you’ll have to buy again and again. That’s a poor person’s mindset: looking at today’s price without considering tomorrow’s cost.
Solution: Calculate the cost per use. A jacket at €300 that lasts 6 years costs less per year than a €50 jacket you replace every year. Invest in quality for things you use regularly.
6. Technological Overconsumption: The “Early Adopter” Trap
Look in the mirror: you who queue for hours for the latest iPhone. You are exactly what manufacturers love: a technology sheep who confuses novelties with necessities.
The harsh truth: 90% of you don’t even use 20% of your devices’ capabilities. You go into debt to get the newest MacBook Pro with 32 GB of RAM … just to browse Facebook and watch Netflix.
Solution: Keep your phone and electronics until they are truly obsolete. Take the money saved and invest it. The only update you truly need is to your financial mindset.
7. Gambling: The Voluntary Tax on Stupidity
Gambling, or as some call it, the voluntary tax on stupidity. Do you really think you’ll get rich by scratching €5 tickets?
People love to talk about their winnings—but strangely, they forget to mention their losses. Let’s do a simple calculation: your €5 weekly scratch tickets amount to €260 per year. Over 20 years, with an average return of 8%, that is more than €12,000.
Solution: If you absolutely need that thrill, set yourself a “stupid money” budget—say €20 per month—to limit the damage. But investing that money in something with a real chance of return is far smarter.
8. Status Purchases: The Ego That Financially Kills You
Listen closely, because this is a painful reality: what truly kills your finances is your ego. That obsessive need to appear richer than you are.
People go into debt to drive a BMW while eating pasta mid-month. Real rich people, the real ones, don’t care about your opinion. While you ruin yourself to maintain a façade, they invest and grow their money.
Solution: Your car (loan, maintenance, insurance) should never cost more than 10% of your monthly income. If it does, you’re living beyond your means. True wealth is discreet; it doesn’t shout, it builds quietly.
9. Excessive Lifestyle Expenses: The Cancer Eating Your Finances
Let’s speak frankly about the cancer that eats away your finances: your excessive lifestyle. That habit of living as if you were already a millionaire while your bank account screams agony.
The latest gadgets, trendy restaurants every weekend, “Instagram-friendly” vacations … you feast on luxurious experiences as if tomorrow didn’t exist. Every euro wasted on these ephemeral pleasures is a euro that will never work for you.
Solution: Ask yourself before any lifestyle expense: “Will this expense still have value in 5 years? Am I buying this for myself or to impress others? Could this money be better invested elsewhere?” True freedom is not needing to buy to feel alive.
10. Bad Consumption Habits: The “Little Pleasures” That Ruin You
Let’s talk about these little toxic habits that keep you in financial mediocrity. These “little pleasures” that are, in reality, clamps on your wallet.
Let’s do the math: one pack of cigarettes a day (€300/month), Friday night bar outings (€200–300/month), daily Uber Eats and restaurants (€800–1000/month). That money literally goes up in smoke—destroying your health and your financial future.
Solution: Stop these habits. Replace these costly expenses with healthy, low-cost alternatives (sports, hobbies, batch cooking). Every euro you don’t spend on these poisons is a euro working for you.
11. Excessive Housing-Related Expenses: The Golden Prison
Let’s talk about what probably weighs down your finances the most: an oversized home. That fancy apartment that makes you work until the 25th of the month just to pay rent.
You live in a 75 m² place while you’re single or a couple, paying for a guest room used three times a year. That’s your definition of success? Real investors often start in modest housing so they have more money to invest.
Solution: Your housing should never exceed 25–30% of your net income (rent, mortgage, utilities, insurance). If you exceed that, you live above your means. Co-living, a smaller place, or a less prestigious neighborhood are solutions.
12. Expensive Leisure & Entertainment: The Addiction to “Fun”
Let’s talk about your addiction to “fun” that is ruining you. That habit of thinking happiness is measured by how many Instagram stories you post from your outings.
A restaurant Friday (150 €), nightclub Saturday (100 €), “instagrammable” brunch Sunday (50 €)… these small pleasures can easily cost you €800 to €1,000 per month. That’s equivalent to an investment that could earn you money.
Solution: Learn to differentiate authentic pleasure from consumerist pleasure. The most enriching activities are often free or cheap. Set yourself a reasonable entertainment budget (10% of your income) and stick to it.
13. Consumer Credit Debt: Your “Best” Friend
Let’s talk about your “best” friend: consumer credit. That marvelous invention that lets you buy today what you can’t really afford for 3 years.
“I can afford it because I can pay monthly installments.” Seriously? Paying €2,000 for an iPhone over 24 months with 15% interest is like buying a rope to hang yourself with financially. The interest makes you pay 20–30% more.
Solution: Stop all new consumer credit immediately. Aggressively repay your existing debts. The golden rule: if you can’t pay cash, you can’t afford it. The rich use credit to make money; the poor use it to appear rich.
Conclusion: Your Financial Future Is in Your Hands
We’ve reached the end of our list of 13 useless expenses that prevent you from becoming rich, according to the teachings of Robert Kiyosaki. Wealth is not only a matter of luck or talent, but also of choice and discipline.
By avoiding these useless expenses, you can free precious financial resources to invest in your future and create growth opportunities. Take time to review your spending habits, identify areas where you can make adjustments, and be disciplined in your quest for wealth.
Remember: every small saving counts and can accumulate to make a big difference over time. Your financial future is in your hands. So, will you continue complaining about your situation, or start making smart decisions with your money? The choice is yours.
par onchop.co.uk | Sep 29, 2025 | Onchop24TV
The Enigma of Eternal Youth . « You don’t look your age. » How many times have you heard this phrase? It might bring a smile, a touch of pride, or simply a shrug. But what if this seemingly trivial observation was more than just a compliment? What if it revealed a profound truth about your inner self, a message sent from your unconscious to the world?
Carl Jung, the titan of analytical psychology, taught us that our face is much more than a mere physical shell. It is a mirror, a reflection of our invisible wounds, our unsuspected strengths, and even the universal archetypes that inhabit our psyche. If you look younger than your age, it is no accident, but a sign, a manifestation of a rare energy that resides within you. Prepare to decode this fascinating mystery.
The Phenomenon of Contradictory Ages: A Matter of Energy
Imagine two individuals, both 55 years old. The first seems weighed down by the years, their gaze betraying a deep fatigue, each wrinkle telling a story of heaviness and sorrow. The second, of the same calendar age, emanates a vibrant energy, a magnetic glow, and a surprising freshness. How can such a disparity be explained?
For Jung, the answer would lie in our ability to navigate between the demands of the outer world and the living forces of our inner world. The first person may have allowed themselves to be overwhelmed by the weight of conventions, crushing responsibilities, and emotional wounds that never healed. Their tired soul manifests in an aged appearance. The second, on the other hand, has maintained an unshakeable connection to a source of inner vitality, a powerful archetype: the Puer Aeternus, the eternal child.
The Puer Aeternus: The Archetype of the Eternal Child
Carl Jung posited the existence of archetypes—universal images and patterns engraved in our collective unconscious, inherited from generation to generation. The Puer Aeternus (or Puella Aeterna for women) embodies the very essence of youth: vitality, insatiable curiosity, and the ability to marvel at the world as if each day were a new adventure.
When this archetypal energy is alive and balanced within you, it radiates. It shines through in your joyful attitude, your authentic smile, your dynamic way of moving, and yes, it is even reflected in your physical appearance. It is this inner strength that allows some people to defy the passage of time, to retain a youthful glow far beyond expectations.
Three Strengths Revealed by a Younger Appearance
If you are often complimented on your youthful appearance, it may be a sign of the predominance of three remarkable inner strengths, nurtured by the Puer Aeternus archetype:
1. Unwavering Inner Vitality
You categorically refuse to be crushed by the weight of years and experiences. Your energy is a flame that does not falter, a magnetic force that naturally attracts others. This vitality manifests not only physically but also mentally, allowing you to remain alert, dynamic, and engaged in life. You are one of those who continue to move forward, explore, and adapt, never feeling limited by their biological age.
2. Intact Childlike Curiosity
Despite the passing years, you retain an insatiable thirst for knowledge, learning, and discovery. The world remains for you an infinite playground, a constant source of wonder. This curiosity keeps your mind awake, nourishes your intellect, and pushes you to step out of your comfort zone. You never stop asking questions, exploring new ideas, or acquiring new skills, which keeps your mind young and agile.
3. Profound Inner Freedom
You are not a prisoner of the expectations or social conventions associated with your age. You dance to your own music, faithful to your authenticity and your deep values. This inner freedom allows you to live in harmony with yourself, without fearing external judgment. You are true, aligned, and this integrity radiates, creating an aura of youth that transcends superficialities and the most sophisticated anti-aging creams. It is the power of self-acceptance and healthy non-conformity.
The Shadow of the Puer Aeternus : When Youth Becomes a Refuge
However, Jung, always concerned with the balance of psychic forces, reminded us: « Where there is light, there is also shadow. » The Puer Aeternus archetype, beneficial as it may be, has a darker side.
Some people appear young, not out of authentic radiance, but because they desperately cling to youth, unconsciously refusing to grow up. They flee the responsibilities of adulthood, fear commitment, and avoid confronting the deep wounds of their past. This form of « eternal youth » is a flight forward, a refusal of maturity which, in the long run, can deprive them of stability, meaningful accomplishment, and true inner peace. They remain in a youthful bubble, cut off from the realities and challenges that forge wisdom.
Finding Balance: Innocence and Wisdom
Consider the example of two artists. The first, obsessed with the idea of staying young, spent his life fighting against time. At 70, his appearance was surprisingly youthful, but he was a prisoner of this futile quest, unable to find serenity. His work, though sometimes brilliant, lacked the depth that only the acceptance of age can confer.
The second artist, on the other hand, embraced his wrinkles, his gray hair, and the years. His body showed the marks of time, but his gaze sparkled with the same joy and curiosity as a child’s. He laughed heartily, created with passion, and inspired those around him by his mere presence. It was this harmonious marriage between childlike innocence and the profound wisdom acquired with age that made him an unforgettable being, whose art carried a universal resonance.
Jung would have asserted that this second artist had achieved perfect balance. He had integrated the Puer Aeternus into his adult personality, allowing the vitality and curiosity of the child to coexist with the maturity, responsibility, and depth of the adult. It is in this balance that true power, true beauty, and true youth reside.
True Youth: A Question of Soul, Not Skin
What this observation – « You don’t look your age » – reveals is that your soul possesses a unique energy. You have the rare ability to refuse to be defined or confined by the simple passage of time. You carry within you an inner light that transcends the conventions of age.
However, it is crucial to remember this fundamental Jungian truth: « What you deny submits you, what you accept transforms you. » If you deny your age, if you fight against aging out of fear or vanity, you will remain a prisoner of this futile quest. You will lock yourself in a gilded cage, disconnected from the wisdom and authenticity that each additional year can bring you.
But if you accept it, if you embrace your age with gratitude while continuing to cultivate that inner light, that childlike joy, and that thirst for life, then you will become truly free. This is where the secret to timeless radiance lies. You are not fleeing time; you are transcending it.
The next time someone tells you, « You don’t look your age, » don’t just take it as an ephemeral compliment. Receive it as a powerful reminder: your youth is no coincidence. It is the shining sign of your inner energy, your unwavering authenticity, and your deep connection to that eternal child dancing within you. Staying young, ultimately, is not a matter of years, but a matter of soul. It is the very essence of a rich, fulfilling, and deeply inspiring life. contact@onchop.co.uk
par onchop.co.uk | Sep 22, 2025 | Onchop24TV
Why do some people seem to build fortunes with ease, while others struggle to make ends meet, no matter how hard they work? The answer rarely lies in their education, intelligence, or initial opportunities. The real difference is found in their mindset.
In his revolutionary book, « Secrets of the Millionaire Mind, » T. Harv Eker explores this idea in depth. He identifies 17 fundamental distinctions in the way of thinking and acting that separate wealthy people from those living in scarcity. It’s important to clarify that the terms « rich » and « poor » are not value judgments, but descriptions of mindsets. A « poor » person can have a big heart, and a « rich » person can have humble beginnings. It’s all about your « financial blueprint, » the subconscious program that dictates your relationship with money.
This article dives into the heart of these 17 differences to offer you a clear roadmap to reprogram your own mind for abundance and financial success.
1. Compensation: Results vs. Time
The first ideological divide concerns how each group perceives their pay. People conditioned by poverty choose the apparent security of a time-based salary. They trade hours for money, a model that is inherently limited since a day only has 24 hours.
The rich, conversely, understand a brutal but liberating truth: the market doesn’t care about your effort, only results matter. A customer won’t buy a mediocre product just because you spent hundreds of hours on it. They buy the solution, the value, the result. The rich, therefore, get paid based on their performance, their sales, and the profits they generate. They believe in their ability to deliver exceptional value and demand to be compensated accordingly, thus creating unlimited income potential.
2. Vision: Thinking Big vs. Thinking Small
The goals you set for yourself determine the altitude you will reach. A poor mindset focuses on survival: « I hope I can pay my bills, » or « If only I could save a little this month. » These goals, while pragmatic, are sorely lacking in inspiration and put a ceiling on your ambitions. No one wakes up in the morning buzzing with excitement at the thought of simply « paying off debts. »
A rich mindset is expansive. The rich think big. They ask themselves, « How can I help millions of people? » They understand the fundamental definition of entrepreneurship: being a « problem solver » on a grand scale. The bigger the problem you solve, and the more people you help, the richer you will become—not just financially, but also in terms of impact and fulfillment.
3. Choice: « Both » vs. « Either/Or »
The poor operate from a scarcity mindset. They see the world as a pie with limited slices: if someone takes a big piece, there’s less for everyone else. This view forces them into restrictive choices: « Should I choose a successful career OR a fulfilling family life? », « Should I choose money OR happiness? ».
The rich live in a world of abundance. They see life as a huge buffet where there’s enough for everyone. Their question isn’t « either/or? » but « why not both?« . A flourishing career AND a happy family. Wealth AND happiness. They reject the idea that money is corrupting. In reality, money only amplifies who you already are. If you are generous, money will allow you to be more generous. If you are malicious, it will amplify that trait. Money doesn’t change you; it reveals you.
4. Perspective: Opportunities vs. Obstacles
When faced with a new idea, two mental filters are activated. The poor mind immediately scans for obstacles, risks, and reasons why « it won’t work. » Its decisions are dictated by the fear of failure. This constant focus on the negative becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy: by seeing only problems, you end up attracting only problems.
The rich mind, while aware of the risks, focuses primarily on opportunities. It sees the potential for growth, the reward, the possible success. This positive orientation doesn’t mean being naive, but rather being proactive. The rich know that challenges will arise, but they are confident in their ability to overcome them. It’s a universal law: what you focus on expands.
5. Association: Associating with Success vs. Keeping Negative Company
The saying is well-known: « If you want to fly with the eagles, don’t swim with the ducks. » Your environment and the people you associate with have a considerable influence on your mindset and your results. Unsuccessful people are often negative, cynical, and love to complain, inevitably dragging you down with them.
The rich actively seek the company of positive and successful people. They understand the power of modeling: to succeed, you just need to study those who have already succeeded and do what they do. If you don’t personally know any rich people, that’s not an excuse. Read their books, listen to their podcasts, watch their interviews. Make them your virtual mentors. Soak up their wisdom and mindset until they become your own.
6. Clarity: Wanting a Specific Outcome vs. Vague Desires
The main reason most people don’t get what they want is that they don’t know what they want. The poor say, « I want to be rich, » but this statement is as vague as telling a vendor, « I want a sandwich. » Which one? With what in it? The universe, like the vendor, cannot respond to a blurry request.
The rich, on the other hand, have absolute clarity about their desires. They define precisely what « being rich » means to them: the freedom to travel, the ability to provide for their family, the luxury of not looking at prices in a restaurant, the power to support causes they care about. Take the time to define with surgical precision the life you desire. A clear goal is the first step to achieving it.
7. Promotion: Selling with Pride vs. Resenting Sales
Many people have an aversion to selling and promotion, associating them with dishonesty or manipulation. This is a poor person’s mindset. If you sincerely believe in the value of what you offer—be it a product, a service, or your own skills—it is your duty to promote it. Not doing so is robbing others of a solution that could improve their lives.
The rich are excellent promoters. They are passionate about their value and have no shame in sharing it with the world. They understand that everything in life is a form of sales: convincing a friend to see a movie, motivating your children to study, or presenting yourself in a job interview. Learning to sell is learning to communicate your value effectively.
8. Control: « I Create My Life » vs. « Life Happens to Me »
This is perhaps the most important distinction. Poor people adopt a victim posture. They believe their life is the result of external circumstances. They complain about the government, the economy, their boss, and blame others for their misfortunes. They play the lottery, hoping that luck will come to their rescue.
The rich, on the contrary, are convinced they are in the driver’s seat. They firmly believe: « I create my own life. » They take full responsibility for their results, good or bad. When faced with an obstacle, they don’t complain; they look for a solution. The example of the two cousins with the same background but opposite destinies illustrates this perfectly: one uses his humble origins as an excuse to fail, the other as a motivation to succeed.
9. Financial Management: Mastering Money vs. Mismanaging It
The rich aren’t necessarily smarter than the poor, but they have radically different financial habits. The most fundamental skill is money management. Many people think, « I’ll start managing my money when I have more of it. » That’s like saying, « I’ll start exercising once I’ve lost 20 pounds. » The order is reversed.
You must first prove to the universe (and to yourself) that you can handle what you have before you will receive more. The author recommends a simple system of 5 accounts (investment, play, education, giving, expenses) to develop the « money management muscle, » even with small amounts. Mastering money is a learnable skill.
10. Facing Problems: Being Bigger Than Your Problems
The secret to success is not to avoid problems, because they are inevitable. The secret is to grow yourself so that you are bigger than any problem. The size of a problem is relative; what matters is your own size. A problem that seems like a mountain to one person may be just a molehill to another.
The poor are smaller than their problems and get overwhelmed. The rich focus on their own personal growth. They know that the more responsibility and challenges they can handle, the bigger their business and their wealth can grow. A problem is just a neutral situation; it’s your reaction that makes it an obstacle or an opportunity to grow.
11. Receiving: Being an Excellent Receiver vs. a Poor One
Many people are « poor receivers. » Conditioned since childhood by criticism, they feel unworthy of receiving compliments, gifts, or money. If someone tells them, « You look great today, » they reply, « Oh no, I’m tired. » They thus block the flow of abundance into their lives.
The rich are excellent receivers. They accept compliments with a simple « thank you. » They are open and grateful for everything they receive, whether it’s a large sum of money or a single coin found on the street. By opening yourself up to receive, you send a message to the universe that you are ready for more abundance.
12. Intention: Playing to Win vs. Playing Not to Lose
The intention behind your financial actions is paramount. The poor play the money game on defense. Their main goal is survival and security. They just want « enough to pay the bills. » Consequently, that’s exactly what they get: just enough, and not a penny more.
The rich play to win. Their goal is wealth, abundance, and freedom. They aim for the stars, knowing that at worst, they’ll hit the moon. If your goal is to be merely « comfortable, » you will likely never achieve wealth. But if your goal is to be rich, you will most certainly end up being extremely comfortable.
13. Strategy: Making Money Work for You vs. Working Hard for Money
For the poor, the pattern is simple and endless: work hard for money. For the rich, working hard is a temporary phase. Their goal is to have their money then work as hard for them as they worked for it. The ultimate goal is financial freedom.
Financial freedom is achieved when your passive income (money that comes in without you having to actively work) exceeds your expenses. It’s easier to achieve financial freedom (the 10-rung ladder) than to become immensely wealthy (the 1000-rung ladder). Focus first on creating passive income streams (real estate, investments, automated businesses) to free yourself from the need to work.
14. Financial Focus: Net Worth vs. Working Income
When people talk about money, they ask, « How much do you make? » That’s a poor person’s question. The true measure of wealth is not income, but net worth. Net worth is the value of everything you own (assets) minus everything you owe (liabilities).
Your salary can be high, but if your expenses are also high and you don’t accumulate assets, you are not wealthy. The rich understand this and focus on constantly increasing their net worth by acquiring assets that appreciate in value (stocks, real estate, businesses). Track your net worth, because what gets measured gets managed.
15. Action: Acting in Spite of Fear vs. Letting Fear Stop You
The formula for manifestation is simple: thoughts lead to feelings, feelings lead to actions, and actions lead to results. Action is the bridge between your inner world (your dreams of wealth) and your outer world (actual wealth). You can read all the books in the world, but without action, nothing will change.
What stops us from taking action? Fear. The poor are paralyzed by fear and discomfort. The rich feel fear just like everyone else, but they act anyway. They know that the comfort zone is a beautiful place, but nothing ever grows there. True growth and success are always found outside of that zone. Your mind is designed to protect you by creating worst-case scenarios. Learn to manage it and act despite the discomfort.
16. Learning: Constantly Learning and Growing vs. Thinking They Know It All
The three most dangerous words in the language are: « I know that. » This phrase is the hallmark of a poor mindset. If you are not as rich and happy as you want to be, then there are things you don’t yet know or are not applying. Knowledge is not information; it is a lived experience.
The rich are lifelong learners. They understand that to change their results, they must first change themselves. They read, attend seminars, and hire coaches. They are humble and know that the world of finance and business is constantly evolving. If you keep doing what you’ve always done, you’ll keep getting what you’ve always gotten.
17. Attitude Towards Success: Admiring the Rich vs. Resenting Them
The attitude of the poor towards the success of others is often tinged with resentment, jealousy, and envy. They see a rich person and immediately think, « He must have been dishonest, » or « He got lucky. » This negativity is self-destructive. How can you become something you despise?
The rich admire other rich and successful people. They see them as a source of inspiration and learning. They say to themselves, « If they can do it, I can do it too. » They bless and celebrate the success of others, thereby creating a positive vibration that attracts success into their own lives.
Conclusion: Become the Architect of Your Wealth
Becoming rich is not a matter of luck or circumstance. It is the direct result of your mental programming. By understanding and consciously adopting these 17 millionaire mindsets, you can move from the passenger seat to the driver’s seat of your financial life.
Don’t feel overwhelmed. Choose just one of these differences this week and focus on applying it in your daily life. Change doesn’t happen overnight, but every conscious step in the right direction brings you closer to the freedom and abundance you deserve. contact@onchop.co.uk
par onchop.co.uk | Sep 21, 2025 | Motivation for success
Larry Ellison’s 10 Commandments . In the ruthless arena of Silicon Valley, one name resonates with particular force, synonymous with boundless ambition, fierce competitiveness, and an extraordinary strategic vision: Larry Ellison. As the co-founder of Oracle, he transformed a simple database concept into a global technology empire, not through a single stroke of genius, but through the rigorous application of a series of principles that defy convention. The famous quote that inspires this title summarises his entire philosophy: having a brilliant idea is merely the entry ticket. The real game, the one that separates the dreamers from the billionaires, is the game of execution.
This article dives into the heart of Ellison’s philosophy, drawing on his own words to dissect the 10 fundamental rules that have guided his career and propelled Oracle to the top. Forget management clichés and hollow marketing slogans. What you are about to discover is a raw, direct, and sometimes brutal strategic manual, intended for those who aim for nothing less than market domination. Each rule is a lesson, a provocation to rethink the way you work, lead, and innovate.
The Foundations of the Empire: Thinking and Acting Differently
Oracle was not built by following well-trodden paths. Ellison built his fortress on counter-intuitive principles, making independent thought and direct confrontation the cornerstones of his strategy.
Rule #1: Embrace Competition as an Act of Discovery
For many, competition is a source of stress, a zero-sum struggle. For Larry Ellison, it is the very essence of life and business. He states it plainly: « Oracle is a very competitive company, and I like competition. » But his vision extends beyond the mere will to win. He perceives competition as a tool for revelation. « I think life is… a series of acts of discovery, » he explains. « And I think we’re all interested in our limits, what we can accomplish in life. »
This philosophy transforms every business challenge, every clash with a competitor, into an opportunity to learn. It is a stress test for the company, its products, and its teams. By constantly measuring itself against the best, Oracle has been forced to innovate, optimise, and excel. For the entrepreneur, this rule is fundamental: do not flee from competition, seek it out. It is in adversity that you will discover the true capabilities of your organisation and your own limits as a leader. Competition is not an end in itself; it is the laboratory where excellence is forged.
Rule #2: Think for Yourself, Reject Conventional Wisdom
This is perhaps the most fundamental rule in Ellison’s arsenal. « Don’t just conform to conventional ways of thinking, » he insists. He urges a constant questioning of established norms, whether in business strategy, moral principles, or product development. He goes so far as to recall that once-accepted concepts, such as slavery, are now considered immoral, to illustrate just how much collective thought can be influenced by « fashion. »
His solution? To return to « first principles. » This approach, popularised by thinkers like Aristotle and Elon Musk, involves breaking down a problem to its most fundamental truths and reconstructing a solution from there, without being swayed by analogies or existing solutions. « Whether it’s scientific principles, moral principles, business ideas, you have to think for yourself. » It is this principle that allows one to see opportunities where others only see obstacles. It is the foundation of true innovation, as opposed to incremental improvement. If you do what everyone else does, you will get the same results. « If you do everything that everybody else does in business, you’re going to lose, » he warns. The only path to a decisive lead is to be different.
Rule #3: Execution is Everything, the Idea is Nothing (or Close to It)
This is the heart of the Ellison doctrine. « Translating a good idea into a great product is unbelievably difficult. » He debunks the ‘eureka’ idea cult that dominates so many entrepreneurial narratives. For him, the history of technology is filled with graveyards of brilliant ideas that never saw the light of day due to a lack of execution.
His favourite example is that of Steve Jobs and the Macintosh. He recalls that Xerox, with its Alto computer, had already invented the graphical user interface, the mouse, and Ethernet networking. But these remained fascinating concepts in a laboratory. « Steve translated good ideas… into a finished product, unlike anyone in our industry, » Ellison analyses. Jobs’s genius was not pure invention, but obsessive integration, maniacal attention to detail, simplification of the user experience, and the transformation of a raw technology into a desirable and accessible product.
Ellison uses another powerful analogy: « Henry Ford didn’t invent the car, but he made it cheap… and he made it accessible. » The message is clear: value lies not in the initial concept, but in the arduous, complex, and often thankless process that turns that concept into a tangible, reliable, and marketable reality. For an entrepreneur, this means the focus must be 99% on execution: engineering, logistics, customer experience, the business model. A mediocre idea with brilliant execution will always go further than a brilliant idea with mediocre execution.
Building and Steering the War Machine
Once the intellectual foundations were laid, Ellison focused on building an organisation capable of implementing his vision with formidable efficiency. This required radical strategic and leadership choices.
Rule #4: Bet Everything on Engineering; the Product is Your Best Salesperson
Oracle’s public image is often that of an aggressive sales machine. Ellison brushes this perception aside, calling it « ridiculous. » He reveals the true engine of his company: « We are massively engineering-dominated at Oracle. » He highlights that Oracle is one of the largest employers of engineering and mathematics graduates from the world’s top universities.
His logic is unassailable. The vast majority of Oracle’s sales (over 98%) are to existing customers. For these companies, which already use Oracle systems daily, no marketing pitch can hide the reality of a product. « If we don’t have the right product, people don’t buy more of it, » he says simply. The product is the only argument that matters. The quality, reliability, and performance of the engineering are the true drivers of growth. This product-centric culture provides a natural defence against competitors. A satisfied customer who depends on a superior technology is a loyal customer. For any technology company, this lesson is crucial: marketing might attract the first customer, but only the quality of the engineering can retain them and make them grow.
Rule #5: Know When to Change Your Team as the Company Scales
To lead is sometimes to make heart-wrenching decisions. With disarming frankness, Ellison shares the most difficult ordeal of his career: the moment he had to replace almost his entire management team. It was in 1990, when Oracle crossed the billion-dollar revenue mark. The company was in crisis, strangled by its own growth.
He came to a painful realisation: « The company had outgrown the management. The skills to run a 50-million-dollar company are not the skills to run a billion-dollar company. » The managers who had helped him build the company were no longer the right people to scale it. Despite his immense loyalty to them, he had to choose the company’s survival. « It was the hardest thing I’ve ever had to do in business, asking a bunch of people to leave Oracle. » This rule is an essential leadership lesson: a leader must serve the company’s mission before personal relationships. One must have the courage to objectively assess the team’s skills against the organisation’s current and future needs, and to act accordingly, even at great personal cost.
Rule #6: Continuously Move the Finish Line
Ellison’s ambition has no limits because he ensures it never will. He recounts that Oracle’s initial goal was modest: to reach 50 employees and « do interesting things » for a good living. It was not about getting rich at all costs. However, a pattern quickly emerged. « When I got close to one of my goals, I’d quickly move the goalposts further away, » he recalls, quoting his sister.
This « moving goalposts » mentality is a powerful antidote to complacency. Success can be a trap; once a peak is reached, it is tempting to stop and admire the view. Ellison institutionalises perpetual motion. Every achievement simply becomes the starting point for the next ambition. For an entrepreneur, this means never treating the status quo as a victory. The market evolves, competitors attack, and the only way to stay ahead is to keep running by setting ever more audacious goals. It is this constructive dissatisfaction that fuels long-term growth.
Winning the Modern Technology War
In an industry defined by constant change, survival and domination require aggressive adaptation and a willingness to fight on all fronts—be they technological, commercial, or legal.
Rule #7: Rewrite Your Future, Even if it Takes Seven Years
Faced with the rise of cloud computing, embodied by newcomers like Salesforce, many legacy technology companies were caught off guard. Not Oracle. Ellison understood that the cloud was not a fad but a fundamental architectural shift. Instead of patching together solutions, he made a radical and extremely costly decision: to completely rewrite Oracle’s entire application suite for the cloud.
« It took us six, seven years to rewrite all of that for the cloud, » he admits. This was a colossal investment of time and money, a bet on the future that many would not have dared to make. He contrasts his strategy with that of his main competitor, SAP, which he claims did not make this transition. This willingness to cannibalise one’s own business model to prepare for the next is the mark of great strategists. It is an application of the famous « innovator’s dilemma »: a company must be willing to disrupt its own profitable activities before someone else does.
Rule #8: Confront Your Competitors Directly and Ruthlessly
Ellison’s style is not subtle. When he talks about his competitors, he is direct, precise, and often dismissive. He does not hesitate to publicly attack the technical weaknesses of his rivals. He describes Workday’s product as « very, very primitive, » highlighting its architectural flaws: « No database. They use an object store… they can’t really do reporting. And they use Flash as their user interface, so they can’t run on iPhones or iPads. »
This approach has a dual purpose. First, it sows doubt in the minds of customers and investors. Second, it displays absolute confidence in the superiority of his own products. His most famous battle remains the one against Google, which he sued over the use of Java in Android. « We just think they took our stuff, and that was wrong, » he says, targeting Larry Page directly. Whether one agrees with his methods or not, the lesson is clear: Ellison views the market as a battlefield and uses every weapon at his disposal—technical, commercial, and legal—to win.
Rule #9: Ignore the Jargon, Understand the Foundations
Ellison has a profound allergy to marketing jargon and buzzwords. His tirade against the term « cloud computing » is legendary. « My objection is the absurdity, » he exclaims. He ridicules the way the industry seized upon the word as if it were some new form of magic.
For him, the « cloud » is nothing more than a new name for what has always existed: « It’s databases and operating systems and memory and microprocessors. And the internet! » He mocks investors who will only fund projects « in the cloud » without understanding the underlying technology. This rule is a vital reminder of substance over style. A true technology leader must understand how things work at a fundamental level. To be seduced by jargon is to lose sight of technical reality, which inevitably leads to poor strategic decisions. Understand the principles, not just the labels.
Rule #10: Your Question Was, « Are We Losers? » No!
This final rule is less an instruction and more a declaration of mindset. It is the answer he gives to a journalist who suggests Oracle might be in decline. This one-word response— »No! »—encapsulates his entire philosophy. It is a categorical refusal to fail, an unshakeable confidence in his strategy and his ability to win. It is the mindset of a champion who, even when trailing, knows they will ultimately prevail. For an entrepreneur, this confidence is not arrogance; it is a necessity. It is the fuel that allows one to navigate crises, convince investors, rally teams, and keep fighting when conventional wisdom has already written you off.
Conclusion: The Architect of Victory
Larry Ellison’s principles are not designed to please everyone. They are demanding, sometimes ruthless, and always focused on a single objective: winning. But beyond his abrasive personality lies a business wisdom of formidable clarity.
He teaches us that ideas are merely seeds, and that the real magic lies in the ability to cultivate them with obsessive execution. He reminds us that independent thinking is the only weapon against collective mediocrity. He proves that a strong engineering culture is the best possible defence. And he demonstrates that ambition, when channelled by a rigorous strategy and a willingness to adapt, is an unstoppable force.
Ultimately, Ellison’s greatest lesson is perhaps that building an empire is not a creative sprint, but a strategic marathon. It is a long-term game that demands courage, discipline, and an absolute conviction that, no matter the obstacles, the answer to the question « Are you going to lose? » will always, and unequivocally, be « No! ». contact@onchop.co.uk
par onchop.co.uk | Sep 18, 2025 | Motivation for success
5 SECRETS to Succeed on YouTube in 28 Days . In the ever-evolving digital universe, YouTube stands as a titan, not just for content delivery, but as an unprecedented opportunity for personal development, entrepreneurship, and monetisation. The idea of launching and growing a successful YouTube channel in just 28 days might seem audacious, even unrealistic, to many. Yet, Caramo, a recognised expert who reached 100,000 subscribers in only 4 months and a million in two years, asserts that it is not only possible but could even be achieved in two weeks with the right strategies.
With over 1.6 million subscribers on his own channel and a massive presence on other platforms like TikTok (5.5 million followers) and Facebook (1.7 million followers), Caramo is an undisputed authority on content creation and social media growth strategies. He doesn’t just share his experience; he also guides businesses and brands in developing their visibility and monetising their content. This guide, based on his teachings, will reveal the five essential secrets to turning your YouTube ambition into a concrete and profitable reality.
Introduction: The Untapped Potential of YouTube
YouTube isn’t just an entertainment platform; it’s a dynamic ecosystem that offers unparalleled growth opportunities. In a world where attention is the new currency, mastering YouTube means holding the key to considerable influence and immense financial potential. Caramo insists that, despite the rise of platforms like TikTok and Instagram, YouTube remains the most lucrative platform. This isn’t a baseless assertion; it’s backed by concrete figures from his own multi-platform experiences.
A common mistake is to believe that you need hundreds of thousands of subscribers to start generating substantial revenue. Caramo debunks this myth, revealing that he knows creators with just 2,000 subscribers who generate around €2,000 per month. This highlights a fundamental truth: the quality of the audience and the effectiveness of monetisation strategies outweigh the raw quantity of subscribers.
YouTube is the « boss, » not only in terms of direct revenue from views (unlike Instagram, which pays very little directly) but also through the indirect business it generates. A solid YouTube channel is a pillar for a broader business ecosystem, attracting partnerships, product sales, training courses, and much more. This is why, while losing an Instagram or Facebook account might be an annoyance, losing a YouTube channel would be far more destabilising for a content creator.
However, YouTube’s high value comes with increased complexity. It’s not an « easy » platform, and many « dream sellers » can be misleading. Success demands a strategic approach and hard work. It is within this context that Caramo’s secrets become invaluable, offering a clear roadmap to navigate this competitive landscape.
Secret #1: Choose Your Niche – The Key to an Engaged and Profitable Audience
(05:08) Speaking to everyone is speaking to no one. This maxim is the foundation of Caramo’s first secret. Many beginner creators fall into the trap of trying to cover too many topics, thereby diluting their message and their audience. Caramo himself made this mistake, covering personal development, business, and relationships, before realising this lack of focus was limiting his monetisation potential.
Choosing a niche means identifying a specific area where you have knowledge, a passion, or a unique skill. It’s about finding the topics you could talk about from morning till night without getting bored and without running out of inspiration. For example, a 50-year-old woman Caramo coached found huge success by sharing her cooking experience, a field where she already excelled by selling her products at a local market.
Why is a niche so important?
- Audience Relevance: A niche attracts a specific audience that is highly interested in the subject you cover. These subscribers are more engaged and more likely to become customers or brand ambassadors.
- Less Diluted Competition: While broad fields like fitness are vast, niches within fitness (e.g., « weight loss for women over 40 » or « fitness programmes for busy businessmen ») allow you to stand out.
- Easier Monetisation: A niche audience is easier to monetise because its needs and pain points are clearly defined. Product offers, services, or partnerships will be more targeted and therefore more effective.
- Credibility and Authority: By specialising, you become a go-to expert in your field, reinforcing your credibility and authority.
Choosing your niche must be a thoughtful process. Ask yourself the following questions: What are my deepest interests? What skills can I share? Is there a demand for this type of content? The goal is not just to create videos, but to build a strong and recognisable personal brand.
Secret #2: Speed Over Perfection – Launch Now
(07:14) The perfection trap. A vast number of people never start on YouTube because they are waiting for the « perfect » moment: the best equipment, the ideal studio, the flawless script. Caramo, who today films with equipment worth over €5,000, started with a simple iPhone 7, a ring light, and a basic lavalier microphone. His first videos were far from technically perfect, but they existed.
Why prioritise speed?
- Learning by doing: Perfection comes with practice. You become a master craftsman by crafting. By starting now, you learn the ropes of video creation, editing, audience interaction, and the algorithm. Every video is a lesson.
- Overcoming the fear of imperfection: Waiting for perfection is often a form of procrastination or fear of failure. Launching quickly helps to break this psychological barrier.
- Momentum and algorithmic recognition: YouTube rewards consistency and activity. A quick and steady start gives your channel momentum and signals to the algorithm that you are a serious creator.
- Avoiding regret: As Caramo says, he thanks the young man he once was, who dared to start despite what others might think. Not starting today means risking that tomorrow will be too late.
Your first set of equipment can be your smartphone. The important thing is to start producing content and sharing your message. Technical improvements will come naturally as your channel grows and you gain experience and resources. Don’t let the « perfect » be the enemy of the « good. »
Secret #3: Master the Three Essential Pillars: Hook, Retention, Title & Thumbnail
(08:09) The foundations of a viral video. Caramo attributes his rapid success (going from 1,000 to 100,000 subscribers in just 3 months) to mastering three crucial elements: the hook, retention, and the optimisation of the title and thumbnail.
a) The Hook: Captivate from the First Few Seconds
(08:47) The art of the hook. The « hook » is the first few seconds of your video. It’s the decisive moment where you must grab the viewer’s attention and convince them to stay. In a world of minimal attention spans, a powerful hook is non-negotiable.
Effective hook techniques:
- The bold statement: Start with a daring claim, a provocative question, or an intriguing promise.
- The striking visual: Show something unexpected, spectacular, or intriguing (Caramo once started a video by burning a piece of paper).
- The symbolic object: Use a relevant prop that catches the eye and sparks curiosity (like Caramo presenting his YouTube Play Buttons).
- The quote or punchline: Open with an inspiring thought or a powerful aphorism.
A good hook creates immediate curiosity and establishes an emotional or intellectual connection with the viewer. Without a good hook, even the best content risks never being seen.
b) Retention: Keep Viewers Engaged
(09:33) Structure in service of attention. Once the hook has done its job, the challenge is to maintain the viewer’s attention throughout the video. This is what Caramo calls « retention. » Having incredible ideas isn’t enough; you need to know how to structure them.
Strategies for better retention:
- Storytelling: Tell stories! Integrate personal anecdotes, quotes, proverbs, or concrete examples to illustrate your points. The human brain is wired for stories.
- Clear structure: Organise your content logically. Introduce the topic, develop your points one by one, and conclude. Use smooth transitions.
- Timestamps and visual cues: For longer videos, use chapters or highlight key moments to help the viewer navigate and know what to expect.
- Pacing variety: Alternate between intense moments, calm explanations, and demonstrations. Avoid monotony.
- Dynamic editing: Tight editing with frequent cuts, zooms, and visual inserts maintains the video’s energy.
Retention is a critical metric for the YouTube algorithm. The longer people watch your video, the more YouTube considers it to be high-quality and will push it to a wider audience.
c) The Title and Thumbnail: The Gateway to Your Content
(10:04) The visual and textual call to action. The title and thumbnail are the first impression viewers get of your video in their feed. They are decisive for your click-through rate (CTR). Excellent content with a weak title and thumbnail will remain invisible.
Creating captivating titles:
- Transform the ordinary into the extraordinary: Instead of a simple title like « How to be respected, » Caramo suggests, « After this video, no one will disrespect you again. » The second is a strong, emotional promise.
- Play on curiosity and benefit: « If you launch just one of these five businesses, you will never be poor again » is far more impactful than « Five businesses to launch. »
- Use tools wisely: Caramo mentions his ‘cousin’ ChatGPT for generating captivating titles. AI can be an excellent creative assistant.
- Avoid dishonest clickbait: While the goal is to attract attention, it’s crucial to be honest. Misleading titles disappoint the audience and destroy long-term trust. Credibility is more valuable than a few fleeting clicks.
Designing professional thumbnails:
- Clarity and impact: The thumbnail must be clear, easy to understand even in a small size, and visually striking.
- Strong emotions: A face showing a strong emotion (surprise, joy, determination) often draws the eye.
- Concise and readable text: If you add text, keep it brief, relevant, and easy to read.
- Contrast and bright colours: Use colours that stand out in the YouTube feed.
- Brand consistency: Develop a recognisable thumbnail style that becomes part of your visual identity.
- Tools: In the beginning, Canva is excellent. Later, Photoshop offers more control. Delegating is an option, but you must ensure the designer understands your vision.
The title and thumbnail work in synergy. They should tell a complementary story and entice clicks without deceiving the audience.
Secret #4: Consistency – The Fuel for the Algorithm and the Audience
(12:50) The YouTube marathon. The fourth secret, often overlooked, is consistency. Many creators post a few videos, see no immediate results, give up, then return six months later to repeat the cycle. YouTube does not favour this inconsistency.
The importance of consistency:
- Building an audience habit: Your subscribers get used to your publishing schedule. They expect your content on a specific day and at a specific time (e.g., every Friday at 7 PM). This creates an appointment and strengthens loyalty.
- Feeding the algorithm: The YouTube algorithm is designed to reward active and consistent creators. Regular posting signals that your channel is alive and deserves to be promoted.
- Continuous improvement: Consistency forces you to produce, and constant production leads to improvement. You will refine your skills in writing, filming, editing, and interacting with your audience.
- Building a catalogue: Every video is an asset that can continue to generate views and subscribers long after its initial publication. The more quality content you have, the greater your discovery potential.
Consistency doesn’t mean constantly churning out « rubbish, » but rather producing quality content that improves over time. Caramo did his own editing and thumbnails until he reached 500,000 subscribers. Getting your hands dirty is essential to understand the process before you can delegate effectively.
Don’t be discouraged if the first few videos don’t « work. » Success on YouTube is a marathon, not a sprint. Perseverance, combined with constant improvement, will eventually pay off.
Secret #5: Monetise Engagement, Not Just Subscribers – The Shortcut to Financial Success
(14:02) Quality before quantity. The final secret is a truth that can accelerate your financial success: having a lot of subscribers does not equal money. Caramo himself didn’t earn much directly from YouTube before reaching 100,000 subscribers, beyond the ad revenue from views.
Why is engagement more important than subscriber numbers?
- A qualified audience: If you speak to everyone (as mentioned in secret #1), your subscribers will not be qualified. A niche, engaged audience is more likely to respond to your calls to action, buy your products, or sign up for your courses.
- Partnership opportunities: Brands look for creators with an engaged and relevant audience for their products, not just high but empty subscriber numbers. A small channel with a high engagement rate can be more attractive than a large channel with little interaction.
- Diversified income streams: Monetisation goes far beyond YouTube’s ad revenue. It includes product sales (books, courses, merchandise), coaching services, sponsored collaborations, and affiliate marketing.
The short-form video shortcut (Shorts, TikTok, Instagram Reels): (15:11) Accelerating growth on YouTube. For those who find starting on YouTube too slow or difficult, Caramo offers a powerful shortcut: short-form video platforms. Instead of focusing solely on long, complex videos, start by creating content in a short format (under one minute) on TikTok, Instagram Reels, Facebook, and YouTube Shorts.
Advantages of short-form video:
- Rapid visibility: These platforms are designed for quick discovery. A quality short video can go viral much faster than a long-form video.
- Ease of creation: They often require less production time and minimal equipment (a smartphone is enough).
- Fast audience building: Caramo himself was greatly helped by TikTok in building his brand awareness. Many influencers have exploded thanks to this strategy.
- Redirecting to YouTube: Once you have built a significant audience on short-form platforms, you can redirect them to your main YouTube channel for more in-depth content. It’s the ideal bridge to bring « fans » to the « boss » platform for more sustainable monetisation.
Give yourself 28 days to post one quality short video every day, training yourself on the best practices for these platforms. It’s a formidable strategy to « boost the algorithm » and get known quickly.
Conclusion: Your Action Plan for YouTube Success in 28 Days
Succeeding on YouTube in 28 days, or even faster, is not a myth. It is a reality accessible to those who adopt a strategic and disciplined approach. By following Caramo’s five secrets, you have a clear roadmap to launch, grow, and monetise your channel:
- Choose your niche carefully to attract an engaged audience.
- Launch quickly, without waiting for technical perfection.
- Master the hook, retention, title, and thumbnail to maximise views and engagement.
- Be consistent to build audience loyalty and please the algorithm.
- Monetise your audience’s engagement, and use short-form video platforms as a powerful springboard to your YouTube success.
The path to success on YouTube requires perseverance, continuous learning, and a willingness to experiment. Don’t miss out on opportunities for ongoing education, such as masterclasses and webinars, which can deepen this knowledge and provide you with even more concrete strategies.
Start today. Your story, your expertise, and your passion deserve to be shared with the world. contact@onchop.co.uk