How Using “Dark Motivation” Made Me Rich

Anything you do in life is going to be hard and difficult. Much of what is seen online about success is misleading, portraying life as airy and nice. To get ahead, a bit of "dark motivation" is needed, and it shouldn't be villainized. People often act out of inspiration or desperation. Initially, desperation can drive one to change their situation and get ahead. However, at a certain point, this belief system may no longer serve, requiring a shift from desperation to inspiration. Interestingly, later in one's career, it might become necessary to tap back into dark motivation. When exhausted from work, with hours of additional tasks for a side hustle, online business, or internship, thinking about making the world a better place may not be the most effective way to push forward. While aspirational causes are noble and should fire one up in the future, the immediate question is whether to run towards pleasure or away from pain. Many believe in running towards pleasure or ideals, but for many successful individuals, the driving force was running away from pain. Everyone experiences pain, whether in small moments or significant life events. The speaker shares a personal story of being a high school dropout at 17, a difficult period for his relationship with his mother, an only child who grew up in the Soviet Union and had a challenging life. His biological father was an alcoholic who became physical when drinking, leading to the speaker only meeting him once at age 8. Growing up as an only son, his mother's education meant everything to her. Despite his lack of formal documentation of schooling, he eventually built a successful career. During his time in school, he was constantly in trouble. When he informed his teachers he would be dropping out, he was already running a successful business, making good money, so he wasn't without a plan. A pivotal moment occurred when he overheard his principal and another teacher discussing him after a meeting with his mother. The teacher remarked, "You see, that's what happens when you have a kid that young." This comment became a core memory, fueling his dark motivation and pushing him through countless difficult moments. This experience is not unique. Many successful individuals, when reflecting on their initial success, were not driven by noble aspirations like "making the world a better place." Instead, they were propelled by some form of pain or dark motivation. However, living in this state forever is not healthy. People who only know how to tap into dark motivation often succeed but then self-implode. The speaker emphasizes that while he was blessed with a loving mother, his dark motivation stemmed from feeling like an outcast. He started uploading on YouTube 10 years ago, not because it was cool, but because he had no friends with whom he could fully relate and share his goals. He implores listeners to reflect on their own character-defining moments, those low points that evoke a visceral response. These moments can serve as a "crutch" at the beginning of one's journey. He personally used dark motivation for many years, eventually transitioning to inspiration, which served him well for a long time, leading to significant achievements like financial success, company investments, and philanthropic endeavors. However, he found that after a certain point, the "kick" from inspiration diminished, requiring him to tap back into that underdog mentality and dark motivation in recent years. This phenomenon is observed in many highly successful individuals, such as Michael Jordan, who would create mental stories of perceived slights to fuel his drive. It is crucial to acknowledge what fuel serves us best at different stages of life, just as the human body needs different nutrients. To say one only needs one type of motivation is a surface-level understanding. One must be honest about their current situation and what truly serves them. The speaker has witnessed many individuals who used dark motivation to achieve success but then couldn't escape that mindset. He has advised them to "calm down" and realize the world isn't against them, even though that feeling propelled them forward. To sustain and further success, a new fuel source is often needed. In conclusion, the speaker gives permission to acknowledge and use dark memories, traumas, and character-defining moments as a temporary fuel. It's okay to be angry at the world for a bit, to tap into that raw energy to push through. However, this shouldn't be the sole fuel for the entire journey of life. It's a valid and powerful crutch for specific periods, particularly before needing to stop and refuel with a different kind of motivation.