Lately I've been thinking about a question: why do some people feel stuck no matter how hard they try, while others keep breaking through? I’ve realized the answer is actually simple—it's the determination to make money.

It's not that money can solve all problems, but lacking money definitely amplifies all issues. Without a solid financial foundation, even love, connections, and self-cultivation can easily become illusions. You'll find that when your pockets are full of money, the world you see is completely different. Others’ attitudes change, opportunities increase, and even your mindset becomes more open. Conversely, if you’re stuck in a long-term financial hardship, it’s easy to become worn down by life, becoming conservative, sensitive, and prone to self-doubt.

From observing people around me, those who truly know how to make money share a common trait: they’re not afraid to lose face. That might sound harsh, but from another perspective, it means they can let go of their ego and focus on getting things done. Many people are trapped by the need to save face, which keeps them stuck in place. On the other hand, those who dare to try, dare to make mistakes, iterate repeatedly, and eventually achieve results.

Making money isn’t a noble act, nor does it require being a “good person.” I’ve seen many successful people who have a fierce attitude—unafraid to offend others or be misunderstood. They care about results, not how others perceive them during the process. This mindset allows them to make quick decisions and act swiftly, ultimately winning resources and opportunities.

There’s an interesting phenomenon: people who can make money are usually also emotionally intelligent, highly capable of execution, and resilient under pressure. They’ve experienced failure, rejection, and ridicule, but none of these defeated them. Instead, each setback makes them more understanding of the market and human nature. The process is painful, but it’s this very trial that shapes them into true “tough characters.”

Many people say they have dreams and plans but just don’t take action. Why? Often because their energy is too scattered. They think too much about love, connections, and self-cultivation, but end up accomplishing nothing. My advice is: focus on making money first. Everything else will follow. Once you have financial strength, confidence, relationships, and options will naturally increase.

Someone asked me what the biggest challenge in making money is. I think it’s mindset. Too many people are shackled by morality or beaten down by past failures, leading to an invisible resistance to making money. They find all kinds of reasons to avoid it, sinking into negative emotions. But that only makes life harder and harder.

True freedom comes from financial independence. When you have the ability to make money and support yourself, you can truly do what you want. Otherwise, you’re always living according to others’ faces—freedom becomes a luxury.

So my current thought is: instead of obsessing over various philosophies of life, put all your energy into making money. That’s the most practical cultivation. When you go through the entire process of making money—failures, review, starting over—you’ll find yourself changed: more resilient, wiser, and more broad-minded. That sense of fulfillment and achievement is something you can never experience by doing nothing.