How to Get Ahead of 99% of People (Starting Today)

Success is often viewed as a straightforward path filled with tips and tricks, but I’ve learned it’s much more complex than that.

Many people chase popular advice, thinking it will set them apart, when in reality, they’re just following the crowd. To truly excel, you need to embrace ideas that most people overlook.

This journey isn’t about just having goals or waking up early; it’s about challenging popular beliefs and being willing to take risks that others won’t.

In my experience, the key to achieving remarkable success lies in identifying a unique idea, being right about it, and executing it effectively.

While many focus on routines and productivity hacks, the essence of true success often resides in those fewer, more impactful decisions.

I’ve witnessed it throughout my career, realizing that it’s not just about the daily grind, but about thinking differently at critical moments.

The Myth of 99% Success Tips

To stand out and be more successful than most, you must do what others are not willing to do. Many videos claim to offer tips that will push you ahead of 99% of the competition.

But they often repeat the same generic advice.

Everyone talks about setting goals and being disciplined, but those actions are common. Even people in everyday jobs have goals and work hard.

To truly excel, you must think differently and take steps that others avoid.

Hard work matters, but it’s not the full story. Success often comes from having a unique idea and being correct about it.

While execution is important, most advice ignores this critical aspect. Many successful people achieved greatness not because of their morning routines, but because they had a vision long before others. For example, I built my business by following my instincts, not by mimicking typical success hacks.

Monk Mode and Other Popular Theories

Some concepts like “monk mode” suggest isolating oneself to focus intensely on goals. Yet, when I look at successful people, they don’t seem to live by such strict rules.

Success comes from taking calculated risks, thinking for yourself, and having a few key ideas that lead to big results. It’s essential to challenge common beliefs and be willing to stand apart from the crowd, even when it’s uncomfortable.

My Personal Journey

Launching My Business in My 20s

When I decided to start my business in my mid-20s, my routine was pretty casual.

I would wake up around 11 A.M., grab a Red Bull and some Reese’s cups, and then spend a couple of hours in bed on my laptop.

This laid-back approach might sound odd, but for three years, it worked for me. I built a six-figure business following this routine.

Unique Morning Habits

My mornings were anything but conventional. Instead of the typical early starts and healthy breakfasts, I embraced a different path.

I focused on what I found enjoyable and motivating, even if that meant indulging in snacks like candy while I brainstormed new ideas.

This approach helped me create the space I needed to think outside the box and push my business forward.

What True Success Really Means

Thinking Differently

To really stand out, you need to think differently than most people. Many just follow the crowd, agreeing with popular opinions.

A few have ideas that challenge the norm, but most of those ideas may not be right.

The tricky part is not just thinking differently but being correct about those ideas.

Being Right

It’s tough to be the one who disagrees with the majority and still find out that you’re right. Many times, those who think for themselves face a lot of criticism.

They have to stay strong in their beliefs, even when everyone else thinks they are wrong. This determination is key to reaching a higher level of success.

It’s not enough to just think differently; you need to be correct and resilient in your convictions.

Taking Action

Execution is essential, but it’s not the only thing. Many people focus on their routines and habits, thinking they will lead to success.

What often goes unnoticed is that it’s about making the right choices and then acting on them.

The most successful people are often the ones who took risks based on their unique insights and stayed true to them.

Sometimes just a couple of well-timed decisions can lead to huge results, making everything else fade in importance.

Reality Check on Success

The Simplistic View on Taking Action

To stand out and achieve success, you need to be willing to do what most people won’t.

Many say things like having goals or being more disciplined will set you apart. But if something is popular, it likely won’t give you an edge.

True success doesn’t come from following common advice; it comes from doing what others shy away from.

Seeing the Worth in Unusual Ideas

Most people tend to follow the crowd and agree with popular opinions. Only a few think outside the box and come up with unique ideas.

However, having a different idea is not enough.

Many of these ideas turn out to be wrong. It’s challenging to disagree with the majority and still be right.

Examples of Successful Contrarians

Steve Jobs’ Perspective

I think about Steve Jobs’ belief that one day every desk would have a computer.

He saw this long before others did. His vision set the stage for personal computing, and that kind of thinking is rare.

Jobs also faced a lot of criticism. People doubted him and his ideas.

Here’s to the crazy ones, the misfits, the rebels… because they change the world.— Steve Jobs

Warren Buffett’s Approach

Warren Buffett is another great example. Each morning, he stops at McDonald’s for the same breakfast most of us overlook. What makes Buffett special is his ability to spot valuable companies that others ignore. He invests wisely and patiently waits for the right time.

Risk comes from not knowing what you are doing.— Warren Buffett

Insights on Productivity Hacks

The Misconception of Common Routines

If you want to get ahead of most people, you must be willing to do what most are not.

Many videos promise to unlock success with advice that everyone has heard: set goals, be disciplined, avoid distractions, and enter “monk mode.”

The reality is that if something is common, like these tips, it won’t set you apart. For true success, you need to do what others do not.

The Mistake of Focusing Solely on Action

Many think that success comes down to execution — the routines and tasks people do.

While execution is important, it’s not the only factor that drives success. People often miss the bigger picture: having a unique idea and being right about it.

The Simple Truth About Success

When I look at successful people like Steve Jobs or Warren Buffett, I see that their success came from being correct about their ideas. Jobs thought computers would be everywhere long before they were. Buffett made smart investments when others didn’t see their value.

“Innovation distinguishes between a leader and a follower.” — Steve Jobs

Breaking Down My Career Success

To really get ahead, it’s important to do things differently. Most advice is just rehashed ideas that everyone already knows, like having goals or working hard.

These things are common and won’t set you apart.

Success isn’t about following the crowd; it’s about making unique choices that others aren’t willing to make.

The Impact of a Few Key Decisions

As I look back on my career, I can see that most of my success came from just a few smart decisions. Like Warren Buffett, who often said most of his success was due to a handful of good choices, I too focused on a few contrarian ideas that led to major results.

In nearly six decades of managing Berkshire Hathaway, Warren Buffett made only about a dozen significant decisions that really shaped his success.

It’s not about the little things like how you organize your workspace; it’s about having those one or two groundbreaking ideas that lead to true success.

This was my experience: thinking differently, taking bold risks, and acting on unconventional but correct ideas.

By challenging the norm, you can truly rise above the crowd and get ahead of 99% of people, starting today.