We're bombarded with stories of twenty-something billionaires. They're everywhere: disrupting industries, building empires, and supposedly changing the world. Names like Musk, Bezos, and Zuckerberg are the new gods, their faces plastered across magazine covers, their every utterance analyzed like sacred texts.

Who wouldn't want to be the next tech titan, revolutionizing the way we live, work, and interact with the world? The media bombards us with these success stories, fueling a collective yearning for a piece of the pie. The pressure to become one of these "superheroes" is palpable, especially for those of us who yearn for a life beyond the soul-crushing monotony of a traditional career. We’re seduced by the promise of freedom, autonomy, and the chance to make a real dent in the universe. 

But the harsh reality often gets buried under the avalanche of inspiring headlines. A reality where the vast majority of startups fail, where founders sacrifice their health and relationships on the altar of "hustle", and where the pursuit of „the next big thing" often leads to burnout, disillusionment, and a profound sense of emptiness. 

I’ll be honest. I was seduced by the "becoming the next Steve Jobs" fantasy too. I spent years chasing the entrepreneurial dream. I inhaled every business books i could get my hands on, religiously attended conferences, launched multiple ventures, and worked myself to the bone, all in pursuit of that elusive "exit" - that mythical moment when you cash in your chips and finally achieve the freedom you've been sacrificing everything for.

But somewhere along the way, there was a growing sense of disillusionment. The constant pressure, the endless to-do lists, the fear of failure, and the feeling that my life was being consumed by my business—it all started to take its toll. I was sacrificing my health, sleep, and relationships in the pursuit of “making it big.”

Sure, I achieved a certain level of success. I built a 7-figure e-commerce business, learned a ton about marketing, sales, and the dark arts of customer manipulation. But beneath all this accomplishment, something was still missing.

The truth is, I was playing a game rigged against me. I was chasing a vision that wasn't truly mine, fueled by societal pressure and a distorted definition of success. It took years and questioning my entire life – to realize that there was a different path. A path that prioritizes personal fulfillment, meaningful work, and sustainable success over the elusive pursuit of becoming a billionaire. A path I call "The Untethered Path“.

The "Inside View" Trap

One of the biggest obstacles on the path of entrepreneurship is something psychologists call the "inside view." It's a cognitive bias that makes us believe we are exempt from statistics, from the laws of probability that govern the rest of humanity. We see the success stories, the outliers, the ones who defy the odds—the Zuckerbergs, the Musks, the Bezoses—and we convince ourselves that we'll be one of them. We’re the protagonists of our own narrative, after all, and in our minds, the hero always prevails.

We forget that for every Elon Musk, there are thousands of entrepreneurs whose businesses fail, their dreams crushed under the weight of competition, market forces, and their own limitations. 

And the media, with its insatiable appetite for sensationalism, only reinforces this distorted perception. We're bombarded with images of young entrepreneurs living the dream—driving fancy cars, traveling the world, and impacting millions with their groundbreaking ideas. We rarely see the struggles, the sacrifices, the sleepless nights, and the countless setbacks that are part of the entrepreneurial journey for most.

The reality is far less sexy. 

• Statistics show that 90% of startups fail within the first ten years. 
• Less than 5% of businesses ever reach $1 million in revenue. 
• And a mere 0.006% ever surpass the $10 million mark. 

Those are some seriously daunting odds. 

Yet, when we’re swept up in the excitement of a new idea, a promising business model, or the allure of becoming the next big thing, we conveniently brush these statistics aside. We dismiss them as irrelevant, anomalies, or simply not applicable to our unique genius. We tell ourselves, "My business is different. I have a better idea, a more innovative approach, a killer team. I’m not like those other losers." 

But why do we think the rules don't apply to us? Why do we believe we'll win the lottery when everyone else doesn’t?

The answer lies in our human nature. We’re wired to be optimistic, to believe in ourselves, and to strive for something bigger than ourselves. It’s a powerful force that drives innovation, creativity, and progress. But it can also be a blinding one, leading us to overestimate our abilities, underestimate the challenges, and make decisions based on emotion rather than logic.

This isn't about pessimism; it's about facing reality. The startup world is a brutal landscape, littered with the carcasses of failed ventures. And while there's nothing wrong with aiming for the stars, it's essential to have a clear-eyed understanding of the challenges and risks involved.

The Hustle Culture Myth

The problem isn’t entrepreneurship itself. It’s the way we’ve come to perceive it, the unrealistic expectations we place on ourselves, and the toxic hustle culture that glorifies overwork and sacrifice as the only path to success. It's a culture that preaches the gospel of "grind," where sleep deprivation, social isolation, and neglecting your well-being are seen as badges of honor, signs that you’re “committed” and “hungry.”

But this relentless pursuit of external validation, of building bigger and bigger empires, often leads to a different kind of enslavement—mental enslavement. 

Traditional entrepreneurship, with its focus on scaling at all costs, chasing investor dollars, and measuring success solely by financial metrics, often traps us in a vicious cycle of:

• Mental Enslavement: We become slaves to our businesses, our metrics, our investors, and the constant pressure to grow. We’re constantly chasing the next milestone, the next funding round, the next big win, sacrificing our present happiness for the promise of a future that may never arrive. Our lives become consumed by our work, leaving little room for personal growth, meaningful relationships, or simply enjoying the ride.
• Overwork and Stress: We're told that the more we work, the more successful we'll be. We sacrifice sleep, relationships, health, and hobbies in the name of "hustling" and "grinding." We wear burnout like a badge of honor, a twisted sign that we’re giving it our all, even as it erodes our physical, mental, and emotional well-being. We become addicted to the adrenaline rush of constant activity, mistaking busyness for productivity, and neglecting the restorative power of rest and recovery.
• Loss of Autonomy: We start businesses to be our own bosses, to have freedom and control over our lives. But in the pursuit of growth and funding, we often end up trading that autonomy for the demands of investors, customers, and the relentless pace of the market. We become beholden to external forces, our decisions dictated by spreadsheets and quarterly reports, rather than our own values and aspirations.
• Fixation on an Exit: We become so focused on selling our businesses, on achieving that big payday, that we lose sight of why we started in the first place. Building something meaningful, sustainable, and impactful takes a backseat to the allure of a quick exit, of cashing in our chips and escaping the rat race. We become obsessed with the destination, forgetting to enjoy the journey, and often end up feeling empty and unfulfilled even when we achieve financial success.

This isn't the kind of freedom most people dream of. 

Building a Business That Doesn't Suck

So, what's the alternative? Do we all give up on our entrepreneurial dreams and settle for the soul-crushing monotony of a traditional career? 

Hell no. 

What if there was another way? What if you could build a business that was aligned with your passions, your values, and your desire for a life that doesn’t suck? What if you could achieve financial freedom without selling your soul to the hustle gods? 

Enter the Untethered Business Model – a model that embraces the power of the individual, the flexibility of the internet, and the beauty of building something genuinely meaningful.

The internet has leveled the playing field. You no longer need millions in funding or a team of employees to build a successful business. You can leverage online tools, platforms, and communities to reach a global audience, create and sell products, and generate a sustainable income, all while working from your couch in your underwear if you so choose.

You want to build a billion dollar company? That's awesome, it's a hell of a goal. But let's be real here: unless you already have a strong network, capital, and a stomach for high-stakes risk, it's probably not the best place to start

You see, everything you need, building an audience, creating products, generating revenue, all of that shit can be done solo. And that's exactly what you should be doing. Start by building your leverage as an individual. Once you've got a solid foundation, a network of contacts, some cash in the bank, and a reputation that precedes you, then you can start thinking about building your empire.

Starting a company from a place of leverage isn't just about minimizing risk, it's about setting yourself up for success. When you've got leverage, you've got options, you've got opportunities, and you've got the power to make things happen. So forget the overnight success bullshit. Focus on building your leverage, and when the time is right, your company will practically build itself.

Sam Altman, the CEO of OpenAI, recently said, "The next unicorn will be a one-person unicorn." This is a powerful statement that reflects a growing shift in the entrepreneurial landscape. 

Master the fundamentals first. Build a solid foundation as a one-person operation. Then, when you've got the experience, the network, and the capital, you can scale up without sacrificing your sanity or selling yourself short.

Imagine a different kind of entrepreneurship. One where you:

• Work less than 4 hours a day. Focus on deep work, leverage technology, and prioritize efficiency over endless hours of grind.
• Build a business around your passions. Monetize your interests, solve problems you care about, and create a life that aligns with your values.
• Reach a global audience from anywhere in the world. Leverage the power of the internet to connect with customers, build a community, and scale your impact.
• Achieve financial independence without sacrificing your life. Create a sustainable business model that generates consistent income without consuming your entire existence.

This approach is grounded in a few core principles:

• Focus as the Foundation: Learn to master your attention, eliminate distractions, and direct your energy towards meaningful work.
• Self-Experimentation and Mastery: Become a lifelong learner, embrace failure as a stepping stone, and develop a deep understanding of your chosen field. 
• Leveraging Personal Interests and Skills: Build a business around what you love, leverage your unique talents, and create a your own niche that eliminates competition.
• The Internet as a Tool for Freedom: Use the internet to learn, connect, distribute, and build a business with minimal overhead and maximum reach. 

The Untethered Path: Your Roadmap to Freedom and Fulfillment

Alright, so you're done with the bullshit. You don't need another get-rich-quick scheme . You’re tired of the hustle porn, the empty promises, and the soul-crushing grind of chasing someone else's definition of success. You're ready to build a business that actually works for you – one that aligns with your passions, your values, and your desire for a life that doesn't make you want to hurl yourself off a bridge every Monday morning. 

Good. 

Because that's exactly what the Untethered Path is all about. 

But here's the thing: ditching the traditional entrepreneurial playbook doesn't mean ditching structure altogether. It's about replacing the old, rigid, soul-sucking rules with a new set of guidelines – ones that empower you to create a business that's as unique and fulfilling as you are.

Think of it like designing your own video game. You get to choose the setting, the characters, the challenges, and the rewards. You get to create a game that's actually fun to play, instead of one that makes you want to rage quit and throw your controller at the wall. 

So, how do you build your own untethered game? 

Level 1: Understand What You Really Want

Before you can start building your business, you need to understand what the hell you actually want. And I'm not talking about the superficial shit – the fancy cars, the Instagram-worthy vacations, or the validation of being a "successful entrepreneur." 

I'm talking about the deep stuff. The stuff that makes you tick. The stuff that gets you out of bed in the morning (or afternoon, no judgment here). 

You want to make sure you are going into the right direction. 

Take a week and dive deep into self-reflection. Journal, meditate, go for long walks, talk to people you trust, whatever helps you connect with your inner voice. 

Ask yourself some hard questions: 

• What do I truly enjoy doing? 
• What problems can I solve? 
• What kind of impact do I want to make on the world? 
• What kind of lifestyle do I desire? 

Don't censor yourself. Let the answers flow, even if they seem unrealistic, impractical, or downright crazy. 

Look for patterns, recurring themes, and underlying desires. What are the common threads that weave through your answers? What are the core values that guide your decisions? 

Write down your ideal day. From the moment you wake up to the time you hit the pillow, how would you spend your time if you had complete freedom and autonomy? 

This is your character creation stage. You're defining who you are, what you stand for, and what you want to achieve in the game of life. Get clear on this, and you'll have a compass that guides your every decision.

Maybe you don’t want to become an entrepreneur. Maybe all you want is more freedom and a bit more time to whatever you’re passionate about or spending more time with your family. That is okay. But it is important to be conscious of that before moving forward. 

This isn't some fluffy, self-help exercise. It's about getting clarity on your destination before you start charting your course. Without this foundation, you'll end up chasing someone else's vision, building a business that doesn't align with your values, and ultimately feeling unfulfilled, even if you achieve financial success.

The Challenge:

• Spend a week journaling about these questions. Disconnect from everything. Put your phone into airplane mode. Be honest with yourself, explore your deepest desires, and don't censor your thoughts. 
• Create a "vision board" (digital or physical) that represents your ideal life. Include images, quotes, and anything that inspires you. 
• Talk to people you admire, those who are living lives you find inspiring, and ask them about their journeys and what they've learned along the way.
• Create a vision board (digital or physical) that represents your ideal life. Include images, quotes, anything that captures the essence of your aspirations and reminds you of what you're working towards.

Level 2: Become a Part-Time Entrepreneur 

Most people wait until they have the "perfect" idea, a fully formed business plan, and a mountain of savings before taking the leap into entrepreneurship. They get stuck in analysis paralysis, fearing failure and the uncertainty of the unknown. 

The Untethered Path is about embracing experimentation and starting small. You don't need to quit your job (yet) or risk everything to get started. You can become a "part-time entrepreneur," building your business on the side while you gain experience, validate your ideas, and build a safety net.

Studies show that entrepreneurs who kept their day jobs had 33 percent lower odds of failure than those who quit. And you will be in good company. Warby Parker, Nike and even Apple where started by founders while they were still working in their day job 

This gives you a sense of security and allows you to be original and risky in your entrepreneurial endeavor. 

This is about:

• Choosing Your Project: Pick one project that excites you. It could be building a website, starting a blog, creating an online course, or crafting a physical product. The key is to choose something that aligns with your passions and your skills. If you’re passionate about fitness, create a workout program. If you’re a writer, start a blog. It doesn't have to be perfect. It just has to be something that gets you excited and allows you to practice your craft.
• Setting a Tiny Goal: Don't get overwhelmed with grand plans and a 10-year vision just yet. Set a small, achievable goal for your project. For example, launch your website with 3 blog posts, create a free course with 5 modules, or get your first 100 followers on Instagram. Start small and build momentum.
• The 1-Hour Rule: Dedicate one hour a day to your project. Yes, just one hour. This is about creating a consistent habit, building momentum, and proving to yourself that you can actually do this. It’s about getting into the flow and making it a part of your routine.
• The "Procrastinator's Edge": Embrace the procrastination edge. We all have that inner voice that tells us to wait until tomorrow. But when it comes to your Untethered Path, it's often the last-minute pressure that sparks your creativity and gets you moving. It’s about pushing past your own self-doubt and creating a sense of urgency.
• The Daily Ritual: Create a simple ritual that helps you enter a focused state of mind. It could be a cup of coffee, a quick walk in nature, a few minutes of meditation, or anything that gets you in the zone. It’s about establishing a pattern that helps you transition from a state of distraction to a state of focus.

This level is about building a habit first.

The Challenge:

• Dedicate 1 hour a day to your project, no matter what. It's about consistency, not intensity. 
• Celebrate your small wins. You’re building a skillset, not an empire. Don’t get hung up on the numbers or the grand vision just yet. 
• Don’t get overwhelmed if you’re not a tech wizard or a business genius. You’re not supposed to be. You're learning, experimenting, and discovering what works for you. 

Level 3: The Untethered Mindset

Once you've established a consistent practice, it's time to shift your mindset, and begin to see the world through the lens of the Untethered Path. Now it’s time to level up your thinking.

Imagine you're now deeper into that forest.  You've learned some basic survival skills, found a few hidden trails, and you're starting to understand the language of the woods. But you still need to develop your inner strength, your mental fortitude, to navigate the challenges ahead. 

This is where you begin to internalize the Untethered principles and forge a mindset that empowers you to build on your own terms.

This is about ditching the "hustle" mentality and embracing a more balanced, authentic, and sustainable approach to building a business.  

This is about:

• Embrace Your Uniqueness: You're not a copycat, you're a unique individual with a unique set of skills and passions. Don't try to be the next Elon Musk or the next Steve Jobs. Be the first you. You’ve got your own story to tell. What are you good at? What are you passionate about? What problems can you solve? Lean into that.
• Focus is Your Weapon: Learn to control your attention. Eliminate distractions, create a focused work environment, and prioritize the tasks that will move you towards your goals. Think of your mind like a high-performance supercomputer. Imagine it as a muscle you need to train. 
• Build Your Own Niche: Instead of trying to compete in a crowded market, focus on serving a specific audience, that aligns with your unique combination of skills and interests. What do you know that others don’t? What problems are you uniquely positioned to solve? Don’t try to be everything to everyone.
• Leverage the Power of the Internet: The internet is your playground. Use it to learn, connect, build your brand, and sell your products. Explore platforms like social media, email marketing, online courses, and even the metaverse to expand your reach and impact. This is where you start to build a community, find your voice, and make yourself known.

The Challenge:

• Take a deep dive into your audience. What problems can you solve? Who are the people who need your help? What kind of message resonates with them? 
• Start building your online presence. Create a website, build a following on social media, and establish your authority in your chosen field. This is about putting yourself out there, sharing your work, and connecting with your tribe.
• Experiment with different online tools and platforms to find what works best for you. Don't be afraid to try something new. You’re not bound by traditional business models. You can craft your own approach. 

Level 4: Building a Sustainable Business

You've established a foundation, cultivated your mindset, and honed your skills. Now it's time to leverage all that and build a sustainable, impactful, and fulfilling business. This is where the Untethered Path really takes off, where you go from hiker to mountaineer. 

This level is about taking your Untethered Path to the next level. It's about building a system, automating processes, and creating products that can scale without demanding you sacrifice your entire life.  

This is about:

• The Power of Leverage: You're building a business that fits your lifestyle. You need to create systems, leverage technology, and optimize your processes so that you can work less and earn more. It’s about being efficient with your time, energy, and resources. 
• The "Do It Yourself" Product: Focus on creating products that can sell while you sleep: online courses, digital products, membership communities, physical goods (if that’s your jam). These are scalable solutions that allow you to reach a broader audience and generate passive income.
• The "Done With You" Approach: Consider offering coaching, consulting, or tutoring services that help people achieve their goals, leveraging your expertise to guide and support them. This is about using your knowledge to help others overcome specific challenges.
• Continous Learning: The Untethered Path isn't a one-and-done proposition. It's a continuous journey of learning, evolving, and adapting to the changing landscape. Stay curious, explore new ideas, and never stop pushing your limits. It’s about becoming a lifelong learner.

The Challenge:

• Build a strong, impactful brand that reflects your unique value proposition. This is about crafting a compelling story that resonates with your ideal audience. What makes you different? What is your unique offering? What makes your business stand out?
• Become a master of digital marketing and sales. Learn the ins and outs of attracting customers, building a sales funnel, and converting leads. This is where you learn to speak the language of the marketplace.
• Automate your business as much as possible. Use technology to free up your time, scale your operations, and focus on your highest-value activities. This is about building systems that work for you, allowing you to work less and earn more.

The Untethered Path is about building a life of freedom, purpose, and impact. It's about working smarter, not harder. It's about creating something meaningful, something that aligns with your deepest desires. 

So, ditch the hustle, embrace your uniqueness, and start your Untethered adventure. You've got the power to create a life you love, and it all starts with that first step.

The Game Never Ends

Remember, this roadmap is just a starting point. As you progress on the Untethered Path, you'll encounter new challenges, discover new opportunities, and refine your approach. The key is to stay curious, keep experimenting, and never stop learning. It's about constantly evolving, growing, and expanding your knowledge and skills.