10 Years Later, Will There Be Financial Changes with These 10 Steps?

Some time ago, a successful person approached me with great enthusiasm and said something that still lingers in my mind:

“If you don’t change what you’re doing now, you might still be in the same position 10 years from now, especially financially.”

His words struck me deeply. He then listed 10 steps he claimed could bring significant life changes:

1. Stop watching pornography.
2. Exercise daily until you sweat.
3. Avoid junk food, even as snacks.
4. Always maintain a positive mindset in everything you do.
5. Focus on one thing until you master it and become the best.
6. Read four books a month. Dedicate 30 minutes to an hour daily to reading.
7. Don’t meddle in other people’s affairs. Focus on your goals.
8. Surround yourself with people who are more successful than you.
9. (Think of it yourself).
10. (Think of it yourself).

I listened attentively and tried to grasp the meaning behind his advice. However, something felt off. I finally asked him:

“You said, ’10 years from now you’ll still be in the same position.’ Ten or twenty years ago, I was in the same position too—as a human. What position are you referring to?”

He paused for a moment and then smiled faintly.

What’s the Connection to Finances?

I then asked him, “What’s the connection between these eight steps and finances?” He didn’t answer, just smiled. Maybe he wanted to test my thinking. Still curious, I asked again:

“Am I the only one you’ve told this to?”

He just smiled again. I took the initiative to analyze the eight steps for life changes he mentioned:

1. Stop watching pornography. This might be for mental health. Honestly, I don’t know the direct benefits of stopping something I’ve never done in 20 years. As far as I can think, this has no connection to finances.
2. Exercise daily until you sweat. I already exercise daily for 1-2 hours, sweating profusely. The benefits? A stronger body. But how does this relate to finances? I haven’t seen a direct connection.
3. Avoid junk food, even as snacks. For the past 18 years, I haven’t regularly consumed junk food. Maybe four times a year at most. The benefits? My weight has been stable. But again, what’s the connection to finances?
4. Always maintain a positive mindset in everything you do. I feel I’ve always maintained positivity in whatever I do, except for tasks I dislike. I avoid negative thoughts as much as possible. But does this truly have a connection to finances?
5. Focus on one thing until you master it and become the best. When linked to earning money, I’ve always focused, but the results are stagnant. Perhaps the approach needs to change. This step seems reasonable if forced or speculated to relate to finances.
6. Read four books a month. Maybe he meant reading books about finances. If so, this seems directly related. But he didn’t specify what kind of books to read.
7. Don’t meddle in other people’s affairs. Focus on your goals. I’ve always focused on my goals. I rarely chat with others, let alone meddle in their affairs. Maybe he meant meddling in others’ financial matters? But still, how does this benefit me?
8. Surround yourself with people who are more successful. I think this advice is quite accurate. I rarely socialize, whether with successful or less successful people. Communication with friends is mostly through messaging apps, and meeting them happens only once every 2-3 years. So, maybe there’s a connection if I start associating with more successful people.

What About Steps Nine and Ten?

The last two steps were left blank, he said, for me to think of myself. Perhaps these two steps could be taken from the Ten Commandments. As simple as being grateful or maintaining faith in every step. Without a spiritual foundation, everything we chase might feel empty.

Or maybe steps nine and ten are about financial habits: like budgeting, investing, or saving wisely. These actions could be the keys to getting out of the “same position” financially.

And in my heart, I thought, “This guy is something else—leaving me hanging like this!”

So, What Truly Matters?

After that conversation, I realized one thing: life cannot be simplified into a checklist that applies to everyone. We each have to find our own path. Perhaps it’s not about “being in the same position in 10 years,” but rather:

• Are we living in alignment with our purpose?
• Are we making a positive impact on others?
• Are we continuing to learn and grow, even if slowly?

In the end, I thought: the successful person who approached me and shared these eight steps probably didn’t mean any harm, but his approach was too condescending. He seemed to assume everyone was beneath him, including me. Perhaps he is proud of his current state, and that is his right. I’m happy if he feels fulfilled in his success, even if it doesn’t directly affect my life.

Ultimately, I chose to see him as one part of the diversity of human interactions on this planet. As highlighted in the article Who Dies First, Men or Women?, we realize that lifestyle patterns, environment, and small decisions often have a significant long-term impact on health, relationships, and finances. We each have our own ways of sharing, understanding, or even feeling better about ourselves.

Don’t you think so?