Most of humankind carries a seed inside—a drive for freedom, independence, and meaningful contribution. But that seed only grows if it’s nurtured. Otherwise, it gets buried under the weeds of expectations and conformity.
Thanks to MJ and this forum, I’ve rediscovered mine. Here’s my story so far, and maybe it resonates with someone here.
I’m 23 now. Like many kids, I dreamed big: starting a company, building a great home, being free with my time, and providing for my family. But as I grew older, that voice got quieter. In Germany, the script was clear: study at university or start an apprenticeship. That’s it. No freedom, no alternatives. I convinced myself that following the system was the only road. So I studied Business Informatics (because a friend suggested it, not because I wanted to). Later, I started a Master’s in Data Science, hoping this time it would feel meaningful. But it didn’t.
University was easy but empty. Companies were the same: excitement at first, then the realization that I was just another cog in a machine. Politics, mediocrity, and no sense of growth or freedom. I kept thinking: Is this really it? Is this what life is supposed to be?
I stumbled onto Dan Koe’s content, which pushed me to question the script. I half-heartedly tried a YouTube channel and got 100 subscribers before quitting. My mindset wasn’t right—I didn’t fully believe it was possible, and I didn’t evaluate my ideas with CENTS in mind.
So I drifted back to the safe path.
I landed an internship as a software engineer in the Netherlands at a “big” company. I thought, This is it. This will make me successful. Then the reality check: I was making €600/month while paying €1,250/month to stay at a camping site. Even with EU funding, I was barely scraping by. And for what? To sit in another office, surrounded by mediocre people who lived for the weekend, trading five days for two?
That’s when it hit me: I hadn’t learned from past experiences. The script was still running me.
On long drives to visit my girlfriend, I started listening to audiobooks—first Million Dollar Weekend by Noah Kagan, then MJ’s The Millionaire Fastlane . It was like someone wiped grease off my windshield. Suddenly I could see clearly. I walked into the office and saw the truth: lifeless faces, people existing instead of living, waiting for retirement.
The next day, I decided to quit. I’m in the middle of that process right now.
Where I Stand Now
I don’t plan to finish my degree—I don’t see the point anymore. What I want is clear:
I’m standing at the edge of the script, choosing not to go back. Have you been here too—at the point where you know you want to change, but the path forward is still uncertain?
— Louis
Thanks to MJ and this forum, I’ve rediscovered mine. Here’s my story so far, and maybe it resonates with someone here.
I’m 23 now. Like many kids, I dreamed big: starting a company, building a great home, being free with my time, and providing for my family. But as I grew older, that voice got quieter. In Germany, the script was clear: study at university or start an apprenticeship. That’s it. No freedom, no alternatives. I convinced myself that following the system was the only road. So I studied Business Informatics (because a friend suggested it, not because I wanted to). Later, I started a Master’s in Data Science, hoping this time it would feel meaningful. But it didn’t.
University was easy but empty. Companies were the same: excitement at first, then the realization that I was just another cog in a machine. Politics, mediocrity, and no sense of growth or freedom. I kept thinking: Is this really it? Is this what life is supposed to be?
I stumbled onto Dan Koe’s content, which pushed me to question the script. I half-heartedly tried a YouTube channel and got 100 subscribers before quitting. My mindset wasn’t right—I didn’t fully believe it was possible, and I didn’t evaluate my ideas with CENTS in mind.
So I drifted back to the safe path.
I landed an internship as a software engineer in the Netherlands at a “big” company. I thought, This is it. This will make me successful. Then the reality check: I was making €600/month while paying €1,250/month to stay at a camping site. Even with EU funding, I was barely scraping by. And for what? To sit in another office, surrounded by mediocre people who lived for the weekend, trading five days for two?
That’s when it hit me: I hadn’t learned from past experiences. The script was still running me.
On long drives to visit my girlfriend, I started listening to audiobooks—first Million Dollar Weekend by Noah Kagan, then MJ’s The Millionaire Fastlane . It was like someone wiped grease off my windshield. Suddenly I could see clearly. I walked into the office and saw the truth: lifeless faces, people existing instead of living, waiting for retirement.
The next day, I decided to quit. I’m in the middle of that process right now.
Where I Stand Now
I don’t plan to finish my degree—I don’t see the point anymore. What I want is clear:
- Freedom
- Health
- A family in a nice rural home
- Time with my future kids
- Independence through meaningful work
- Surrounding myself with likeminded people
- Trial and error
- Solving real problems
- Continuous improvement
I’m standing at the edge of the script, choosing not to go back. Have you been here too—at the point where you know you want to change, but the path forward is still uncertain?
— Louis
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