What if the fundamental compass guiding your life, business, and even your pursuit of "success" is utterly broken? What if good things aren't as good as you think? And bad things aren't as bad as you think?
For this article, I'll define good as the perceived likelihood of favourable outcomes. And bad as the perceived likelihood of unfavourable outcomes.
Think about what you reflexively categorize as "good": a promotion at work, a large inheritance, positive feedback, smooth sailing in business, a viral social media post, immediate gratification, or perhaps even universal approval. These feel "good" because they suggest a high probability of favourable outcomes—more money, less stress, validation, ease. They're the smooth, paved roads.
Now, consider what you automatically label "bad": a business failure, harsh criticism, a significant personal setback, financial loss, having to work tirelessly with no immediate reward, or facing intense discomfort. These are perceived as "bad" because they carry the high likelihood of unfavourable outcomes—stress, loss, pain. They are the rocky, uphill climbs.
But here’s the brutal truth: your perception is a fallible narrator. It's a filter warped by societal proxies, fear-based conditioning, and a profound misunderstanding of how the world actually works.
Consider the old parable of the farmer and his horse:
A farmer's only horse ran away. His neighbours came to express their sorrow. "What bad luck!" they exclaimed. The farmer replied, "Maybe good, maybe bad."
The next day, the horse returned, bringing with it two wild horses. The neighbours rejoiced. "What good luck!" they cried. The farmer replied, "Maybe good, maybe bad."
The following day, the farmer's son tried to break in one of the wild horses, fell, and broke his leg. The neighbours offered their condolences. "What bad luck!" they groaned. The farmer replied, "Maybe good, maybe bad."
The day after, military officers came to the village to conscript young men for war. Seeing the son's broken leg, they passed him by. The neighbours celebrated. "What good luck!" they cheered. The farmer replied, "Maybe good, maybe bad."
The story continues, but the lesson is stark: the immediate outcome, whether "favourable" or "unfavourable," rarely tells the full story. Your judgment, based solely on that immediate perception, is often blinding you to the deeper truth of the good things that can happen as a result of the bad thing, and the bad things that happens as a result of the good one.
Consider the aspiring creator, stuck in the purgatory of 'not good enough.' They believe their products aren’t selling because they lack some inherent 'goodness'—more features, better design, another course.
But what if their perceived 'lack' is not a deficiency, but a crucial lesson in disguise
Think of it like tough love from a parent: what felt 'bad' in the moment – a denied ice cream, strict discipline, being pushed beyond your comfort zone – often turns out to be precisely what forged your resilience and capability as an adult.
Similarly, for the creator, what feels 'bad' right now – the sting of rejection, a project that flops, a social media post that gains no traction, or even someone walking away from a potential collaboration – might be the universe's brutal honesty, saving you from wasting time on the wrong path or forcing you to refine your message until it truly resonates.
There's a Keanu Reeves quote I'm not sure whether I have correctly, 'People are mad at people that reject them, when they should be grateful they didn't play around with them and waste their time.'
That 'bad' feedback or outcome forces you to adapt, to truly understand your audience, or to pivot in a way that an accidental 'good' outcome never would.
What if, in your quest for perceived 'good' (universal approval, easy wins), you’re actually giving less value than you could, effectively being 'evil' to your own potential and your audience’s transformation by not embracing the necessary 'bad' lessons?
We are wired to chase comfort, immediate gratification, and the validation of others. We call these things "good." Yet, every true leap in human history, every monumental achievement, every personal reinvention, has been forged in the crucible of discomfort, delayed gratification, and the absolute rejection of consensus. These are the very things we reflexively label as "bad".
By the end of this newsletter, you won't just see your struggles differently. You'll see the entire fabric of your reality through a new, far more potent lens. You'll learn to actively seek out what you once avoided, and mercilessly question what you once embraced. This is about becoming sovereign. It’s about understanding that the path to genuine, anti-fragile success is paved with the very "evils" the mediocre avoid. Prepare to unpack the biggest lie you've ever believed about success.
Why Your "Good" Is Killing Your Genius
Most people operate on a flawed operating system. They believe that "good" is synonymous with comfort, ease, and immediate positive results. This isn't just naive; it's a cognitive trap. This disease manifests as:
- Avoidance of Discomfort: The fear of rejection, failure, or the sheer grind of deep work. We shy away from the pain that forges mastery.
- Fear of Failure as a Terminal Illness: We treat setbacks like death sentences, when in reality, they are often the clearest, most direct feedback loops for rapid evolution. School taught you to avoid mistakes; life teaches you to court them.
- The Shortcut Delusion: A relentless search for the "easy button," the "hack," the frictionless path that promises outcomes without the necessary inputs of struggle and resistance. This is the intellectual equivalent of trying to build muscle by watching others lift weights.
They chase perceived "good" outcomes that are often fleeting, superficial, and ultimately, unsustainable. They are stuck in a loop of optimisation within a broken paradigm, never questioning the paradigm itself.
Think about the common advice: "Be kind to everyone." "Give unconditionally." Sounds "good," right? But what if your indiscriminate "goodness" empowers someone who then goes on to harm others? If you give coins to someone who ends up transforming the lives of a million people (positively), didn't you, in your own little way, contribute to that? And if you give coins to someone who then kills, didn't you, in some small way, contribute?
And conversely, if you withhold giving coin to that person in order to focus on building something truly transformative—a system, a product, a philosophy—that then empowers thousands, was that initial "selfish" act truly evil?
Consider the paradox of giving to the poor on the road versus building something truly valuable which only you can give to the world. The immediate act of charity feels "good." It offers an instant dopamine hit, a perception of a favourable outcome. But what if the time, energy, and resources spent on daily, indiscriminate charity could be redirected into building a system, a product, or a movement that lifts thousands, perhaps millions, out of poverty permanently? The initial decision to focus inward, to endure the "evil" of not helping every single person you encounter directly, might be the greatest "good" you could ever achieve. This is the Inverse Logic at play. The "unfavourable" short-term perception for a profoundly "favourable" long-term impact.
Your "Bad" is Your Unfair Advantage
Everyone has an unfair advantage, the only unfair disadvantage is that not everyone knows how to find their unfair advantage. Knowledge is critical.
~ Praise J.J.
I was barely seventeen, cold-calling hotels in Lagos, trying to pitch digital transformation. The door of the bar in one hotel read "18+ Only", yet I sat in there talking business with the manager. "Sir, a monolithic tech company couldn't offer the granular, personalised attention I could. They wouldn't understand the intricate ground-level problems you're having".
The established, big companies would dismiss the solo operator like me, scoffing, "Solo Jack doesn't have the scale, the resources, the expertise to truly help you." And they weren't entirely wrong from their perspective. But the Solo Jack (like I was) knew better. He'd counter, "Those big companies just want to eat your money. They don't have a damn clue about personalized, specialized experience. You'll be just another number." Both perspectives, both positions, held their own potent, unfair advantage.
This is the brutal truth: the very circumstance you complain about, the constraint you label as a disadvantage, might just be the most potent, unique weapon in your arsenal.
I'm not offering a saccharine platitude about finding the "silver lining" in every hardship. Nor am I dismissing the brutal realities of systemic oppression, profound poverty, or debilitating illness. These are not "good" things in themselves. They inflict genuine suffering and create undeniable, often crushing, disadvantages in the conventional sense. The tragic reality is that countless individuals facing such adversities do not "overcome" them in any conventional sense; they often simply perish. To argue otherwise would be an insult to their struggle.
Knowledge is inherently abundant and capable of solving any problem because the universe is fundamentally knowable, and problems are, by their nature, soluble. This isn't just hope; it's how reality works. New knowledge isn't a limited resource we discover; it's an infinite one we create. Think of it like this: every solution we invent inevitably creates new challenges, and this isn't a bug, it's a feature. The more people create new things, the more ingredients we have for further creativity.
Creativity itself comes from guessing new combinations within existing limits. So, the more problems we solve, the more "stuff" we invent, the more new problems emerge – each becoming a fresh opportunity to combine existing knowledge in novel ways, sparking an endless cycle of new solutions. The apparent "lack" of a solution is just a temporary state of not knowing, never an impossible barrier, proving that the potential for answers is truly limitless.
So, your unfair advantage is real. It's the singular, non-replicable wisdom born from your unique battleground, forged by the very problems only you face. This isn't a gift; it's a profound, latent power inherent in your individual struggle. But here's the critical distinction: the true unfair disadvantage isn't the struggle itself, nor the lack of conventional privilege. It's the ignorance that blinds you to this inherent leverage, preventing you from seeing your unique circumstances as a wellspring of infinite knowledge and unparalleled strength. The real problem isn't a lack of resources in the world, but a lack of understanding in the mind.
The True Root of Evil: Ignorance, Not Money
Let's address one of the most insidious "good vs. evil" myths of our time: "Money is the root of all evil." This statement, often misquoted and profoundly misunderstood, has shackled generations in a mindset of scarcity and moral condemnation of wealth. It’s a proxy for deeper intellectual laziness.
The actual, accurate translation from 1 Timothy 6:10 reads: "The love of money is a root of all kinds of evil." Notice the critical distinction: love of money, not money itself. And "a root," not "the root." Furthermore, Paul immediately follows this by exhorting the rich "to be rich in good deeds, to be generous and willing to share, thus storing up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life." The Bible doesn't condemn wealth; it condemns the idolatry of money.
So, if money isn't the root of evil, what is?
The lack of knowledge is the cause of the lack of money. And the lack of knowledge is also the root of all kinds of evil.
Think about it:
- Poverty of Knowledge leads to Poverty of Wealth: Wealth creation is about understanding how to provide value at scale. If you lack the knowledge of systems, leverage, specific knowledge, and sound judgment, you will struggle to create wealth. You won't add anything good to the world. The money isn't evil; the ignorance of how to create and manage it, and how to use it for good, is the problem.
- Ignorance breeds destruction: All progress, all "good" outcomes, stem from the creation of good explanations (knowledge). Conversely, evil, suffering, and stagnation are often the direct result of bad explanations, superstition, and a refusal to seek out and correct errors (ignorance). If you act on bad knowledge, or a lack of knowledge, your actions, however well-intentioned, can lead to disastrous "unfavorable outcomes."
When people cling to the "money is evil" proxy, they refuse to seek the knowledge required to create it, to manage it, or to use it as a powerful lever for good. They remain ignorant, not just of wealth creation, but of the very principles of cause and effect that govern success and failure in all domains. This ignorance—this blindness to the truth, this refusal to think from first principles—is the true, unseen hand guiding them toward "unfavourable outcomes." It's the ultimate "evil" because it prevents corrective action, growth, and the creation of a better future.
Building Your Advantage from Adversity
Your greatest limitations are often your most potent blueprints for innovation. Simply understanding "Inverse Logic" isn't enough; you need a system to apply it. This is how you systematically deconstruct perceived "bad" situations and reconstruct them as "good" opportunities.
Here are 4 actionable steps to build your empire from the ashes of perceived adversity:
1. The "Cynic's Compass" Exercise
The first step to leveraging your "evil" is to identify it. Your complaints are not just noise; they are a Cynic's Compass, pointing directly to the hidden goldmines of your unique advantages. This exercise forces you to confront your victim mentality head-on, solving the pain of feeling stuck or like circumstance is your master.
Potential/Pain Solved: You'll uncover your unique strengths disguised as frustrations. No more feeling like a victim; you become an alchemist.
Big Idea/Metaphor: Every complaint you voice is a veiled instruction manual for your next strategic move.
Example:
- Pain Point: "I don't have enough capital to start my dream business."
- Inverse Logic Flip: This isn't a problem; it's a constraint that breeds creativity. It forces you to get resourceful, to bootstrap, to validate ideas with minimal investment, making your eventual success far more anti-fragile than those who relied on easy money. You learn to operate lean. You learn what's truly essential.
- Action: List your top 3 most recurring complaints. For each, ask: "How could this very 'problem' be my unique advantage or force me to develop a skill others lack?"
2. The "Favorable Friction" Audit
Not all friction is bad; some is the very grinding force required to polish and sharpen you. This step helps you distinguish between destructive friction and Favorable Friction—the kind that builds resilience and exposes invaluable lessons. It solves the pain of avoiding crucial developmental challenges that are necessary for growth.
Potential/Pain Solved: You'll stop fearing setbacks and start actively extracting wisdom from every "failure." This is how you become antifragile.
Big Idea/Metaphor: Just as a pearl forms from the irritation within an oyster, your most significant growth, your most valuable insights, are born from the friction points you instinctively avoid.
Example:
- Recall a recent "unfavorable outcome"—a failed project, a client lost, a social media post that bombed. Instead of wallowing or just analyzing what went wrong, identify 2-3 specific "friction points" within that experience.
- Friction Point: "My product launch failed because I didn't understand my audience's true pain."
- Favorable Friction Extraction: This "failure" forced you to truly listen, to conduct deeper market research, and to pivot your offering based on brutal, honest feedback. You now possess a far deeper understanding of your niche than someone whose first launch was an accidental hit. That friction saved you from building the wrong thing for years.
3. The "Leverage Paradox" Playbook
Your perceived weaknesses—lack of resources, limited time, few connections—are not walls. They are the hidden trampolines for your ascent. This step teaches you to see and exploit the Leverage Paradox, turning apparent disadvantages into unique leverage points. It solves the pain of feeling disadvantaged compared to larger, more established players.
Potential/Pain Solved: You'll stop trying to compete head-on and start creating new categories where your "weakness" is your strength. You'll move from scarcity mindset to abundance through differentiation.
Big Idea/Metaphor: When everyone else zigs, your "disadvantage" allows you to zag, opening up an entirely new path to the summit. Your constraint is your catalyst.
Example:
- My Story: Being under 17 and a solo consultant was a massive constraint. But I leveraged it. I told clients: "Big agencies will treat you like a number. I'm one person; you get my undivided attention, personalized solutions, and direct access. I personally handle every detail." My perceived limitation became my unique selling proposition.
- Your Playbook:
- If you're small: Emphasize agility, bespoke service, deep niche focus, and personal connection.
- If you're young/inexperienced: Highlight fresh perspective, innovative approaches, and a lack of calcified thinking.
- If you lack capital: Master bootstrapping, focus on audience building before product, and prioritize organic growth strategies.
- If you have few connections: Focus on building deep, meaningful relationships with the right 5 people, rather than shallow networking with 500.
4. The "Anti-Burnout" Battery (Beyond Time/Energy)
The old model of "work harder, longer" is a scam. It pays you in exhaustion. The true secret to sustained peak performance and preventing burnout is to shift your currency from time, energy, and body to the quality of your mind and thoughts. This step empowers you to leverage your most infinite resource. It solves the pain of exhaustion and unsustainable growth by reframing your output.
Potential/Pain Solved: You'll produce more valuable, impactful work with less effort, creating a sustainable loop of creativity and output. This frees you from the "time-for-money" prison.
Big Idea/Metaphor: Your mind isn't just a tool; it's an infinite energy generator, if you charge it correctly. The quality of your thoughts determines the quality of your output.
Example:
- My decision to quit traditional tech consulting was born from the realization that I was trading my life energy for money. I wanted to be paid for the quality of my thoughts.
- How to Build Your "Anti-Burnout" Battery:
- Thought Journaling (The Idea Mine): Dedicate 15-30 minutes daily to capturing every raw idea, observation, and insight. Don't filter. This isn't about writing; it's about mining your unique mental ore.
- "Deep Thought Sprints" (The Refinement Forge): Schedule dedicated, uninterrupted blocks (e.g., 60-90 minutes) where you focus solely on refining one powerful idea from your journal. No distractions, no execution, just pure, unadulterated thinking. This is where ideas become valuable.
- Strategic Input Filtration: Be ruthlessly selective about what information you consume. Your mind is a factory; garbage in, garbage out. Seek out "antifragile" information sources that challenge assumptions, not echo chambers that reinforce them.
Your mind is your most valuable asset. Stop letting the world tell you what's "good" and "bad." If you're ready to achieve intellectual sovereignty, join my free community where we discuss ideas about creativity, productivity and money every day.
(Note: You can also find links to all my work on my HackerNoon profile.)