Stop Playing Life On Hard Mode: My Favorite Cheat Codes

Have you ever felt like life is just… hard? Like no matter what you do, things don’t get easier? Like you’re constantly struggling but never getting ahead?

I felt that way for a long time. Then I learned something that changed everything: maybe we’re making things harder than they need to be.

I want to share some ideas with you. These are things I call “cheat codes”—simple mindset shifts that can make a huge difference in how you experience life. Some of them might challenge what you believe. That’s okay. Just hear me out.

My Story: From Rock Bottom To Building Something

Let me tell you about where I was about ten years ago. This might sound familiar.

I was unhealthy—about 100 pounds overweight. I had saved just $1,000 after working for almost two years. That’s not a typo. Two years of work, and I had barely anything to show for it.

I felt stuck. Embarrassed. Like I was playing life on the hardest possible mode while everyone else seemed to have it easy.

But here’s what happened: I decided to change. I made a decision that I was done playing small. And over the next decade, things shifted in ways I never expected.

Today, I run a company with 65 employees. We’ve built multiple successful businesses. I’ve achieved things I couldn’t have imagined back then.

The crazy part? It didn’t require me to be superhuman or have special connections. It required me to think differently. And that’s what I want to share with you.

Cheat Code #1: Success Is More Available Than You Think

The first cheat code is this: success is available to anyone who’s willing to do the work.

I know that sounds like a cliché. But hear me out.

When I was struggling, I used to think that successful people were just luckier or more talented. I thought they had something I didn’t have. That kept me small.

But then I started studying people who had achieved what I wanted. And you know what I found? Most of them weren’t special. They weren’t geniuses or prodigies. They were just willing to do things that I wasn’t willing to do. The same kind of insight is covered in what successful people do for their mental health.

Success isn’t as exclusive as we think. It’s not just for certain people with the right connections or the right background. It’s available to anyone who decides to go after it.

The first step? Decide that success is possible for you. Because it is.

Cheat Code #2: Don’t Let Small Minds Kill Your Dreams

Here’s a hard truth: the people around you might not want you to succeed.

That’s tough to hear. But think about it. When you start dreaming bigger, how do your friends and family react? Do they get excited? Or do they tell you it’s not realistic?

Most of the time, people aren’t trying to be mean. They love you and don’t want to see you fail. But they’ve also given up on their own dreams. And when they see you trying, it makes them uncomfortable.

Here’s what I learned: big visions rarely make sense to small-minded people. That’s not a judgment—it’s just reality.

You don’t have to prove your dreams to everyone. You don’t need their approval. You just need to believe in yourself and keep moving forward.

When people tell you something can’t be done, smile and prove them wrong. That’s the best response.

Cheat Code #3: More Impact Means More Sacrifice

This one is important. A lot of people want success but don’t want to pay the price.

Here’s the truth: there’s a direct relationship between the impact you want to have and the sacrifices you need to make.

If you want a average life, you can make average sacrifices. But if you want extraordinary results, you need to be willing to do extraordinary things.

That might mean working when others are relaxing. It might mean saying no to things that feel good in the moment. It might mean pushing through fear when every part of you wants to quit.

There’s no way around it. But here’s the good news: the sacrifice is worth it. The rewards aren’t just material—they’re about becoming the person you were meant to be.

Cheat Code #4: Stop Waiting For Perfect Conditions

How many times have you put something off because the timing wasn’t right? Or because you didn’t have enough money? Or because you needed more experience?

Here’s the secret: you’ll never feel ready. The conditions will never be perfect. If you’re waiting for everything to align, you’ll be waiting forever.

The most successful people I know started before they felt ready. They took action imperfectly and figured things out along the way. I wrote more about this in the secret that changed everything: start before you’re ready.

Waiting for perfection is just another form of procrastination. It’s fear hiding under the guise of being careful.

If you have an idea or a dream, start before you’re ready. Figure it out as you go. That’s how real progress happens.

Cheat Code #5: Your Network Is Your Net Worth

This might sound cliché, but it’s true: the people you surround yourself with matter a lot.

When I decided to change my life, I had to change who I spent time with. Some relationships had to take a back seat. New relationships had to be built.

You don’t need to abandon your friends and family. But you do need to find people who are where you want to be—or who are going in the same direction.

Find mentors. Join communities. Build relationships with people who inspire you and push you to be better. If you’re wondering how to find your people, here’s a complete guide to building an online community.

Who you spend time with is who you become. Choose wisely.

Cheat Code #6: Focus On Service, Not Just Success

Here’s the final cheat code, and it might be the most important.

A lot of people chase success for selfish reasons. They want money, status, recognition. And there’s nothing wrong with wanting those things.

But the most sustainable success comes from focusing on how you can help others.

When you solve problems for people, when you make their lives better, success follows naturally. It’s almost like magic.

Ask yourself: how can I help? What problems can I solve? What value can I create?

The more you focus on service, the more success seems to find you. This is similar to what I explored in why passion isn’t enough and what mastery actually requires.

Wrapping Up

Life doesn’t have to be as hard as we’re making it. We just need to shift how we think about things.

Success is available. Don’t let small-minded people limit your potential. Be willing to sacrifice. Start before you’re ready. Build the right relationships. Focus on serving others.

These aren’t secrets. They’re just truths that most people overlook because they’re too busy struggling.

You have a choice. You can keep playing on hard mode. Or you can apply these cheat codes and start winning.

What’s holding you back? Maybe it’s time to find out.