Bold and Determined

Get Up Off Your Ass, Enjoy Your Life and Get Out of the 9-5 Jive Forever

How to Overcome the Bad News Blues

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BADNEWSBLUESThere was a baseball team called the Bad News Bears.

They were a ragtag group of misfits who couldn't play ball to save their lives.

The whole world was against them and it showed in the way they played.

But through diligence, hard-work, and effective coaching, the tide turned for them. 

They rallied together, listened to their coach and became the best damn ball team ever. I think, I’ve never actually seen the movie.

But I get these non-stop emails from a ragtag group of misfits who always say the same things to me…

“I can't succeed because of XYZ. The world is against me because of XYZ…”

I call these emails bad news blues. 

They love hearing themselves complain like an old, broken down blues singer likes to hear himself sing.

The bad news blues, always with “why why why I can’t” instead of “here's how I will”.

These bad news blues singers tend to come from America or Australia.

I would understand a little better if they were from, say, Greece, because it's very hard to succeed in Greece. 

On the other hand, it's very easy to succeed in America because America is the land of opportunity.

I was able to make 6 figures a year in America with no business experience, no schooling, and no contacts – just will, desire, and grit.

Immigrants come from living 10 deep in one bedroom apartments and make their wealth in America. 

Kids born here don't know what they got ('til it's gone) so they send me bad news blues by email.

If I could sit these bad news blues kids down and speak to their hearts and minds I would say, very gently…

Listen you fucking dipshits –

You're never going to get anywhere complaining like a little sissy bitch. 

When you act like a little bitch of course the world is against you. 

The whole damn world hates sissy complainers. 

When you act like a man the world couldn't be more with you.

You have all the opportunities that ever existed in the entire world and you don't even know it.

You've been too busy complaining, playing video games, and masturbating to cuckold p*rn to open your little sissy bitch eyes. 

So here's what you're going to do…

You're going to make some money. Work at Starbucks, work at McDonalds, borrow some money from mommy, get the money wherever you can get the money.

You're going to get a passport, you're going to buy an airplane ticket, and you're going to sit your ass on an airplane bound for Vietnam, The Philippines, Colombia, or Brazil. 

You will go anywhere 3rd world, and when you get there you're going to hang out in the poor areas.

You're going to see how people with nothing live.

You're going to witness how fortunate you are to have been born anywhere that isn't there.

You're going to witness how much opportunity you bad news blues'd away.

After you make this trip you will realize that you have never been oppressed. You have simply been a spoiled crybaby.

Then, when or if you come back, you're going to follow Coach Victor's 8 step formula to stop being a baby…

1) Stop complaining.

Crying is for babies so don't cry about anything ever again.

If something is wrong you simply make a change and move forward.

Each and every complaint deserves a slap in the face.

Every time one of these little sissy, spoiled brats complains to me I would just as soon slap them in the face as look at them.

Since these little sissy brats are on the internet I'm going to slap them in the face with words.

2) Language matters.

What you say is what becomes your reality, so choose your words wisely.

The mind is more powerful than anything and what you see in yourself is what you become.

“Why I can't” is replaced with “here's what I will do”.

3) Work backwards.

Everyone knows exactly what they want.

Come to me in person and say “I just don't know what I want, I can't succeed because of XYZ..” and I will slap your stupid face for you, free of charge.

Everyone on earth knows exactly what they want: money, power, women, freedom. 

So now that you know what you want you simply work backwards.

4) Be consistent, don't stop. 

Success don't happen overnight. It's the result of days, months, and years of consistency. 

My good pal Mike Cernovich and I were at my dinner table one night and he asked me, “when did B&D start paying you real money?”

Real money, fuck-you money, Pat Flynn money came at 4 years in.

Cernovich has been writing online for over a decade. This year he had a smash, overnight success with his book Gorilla Mindset.

So you dumb-dumbs who ask “how can I make money now?” can get a job at Starbucks. 

Real money don't happen real fast.

It takes years so just accept the fact that it takes years and go forward.

5) Follow 30 Days of Discipline.

There is no better program on earth for turning sissy bitches into men of action.

Do I have to keep screaming about the power of discipline?

Just follow the damn thing and thank me later.

 

6) Pay it forward.

After you've made your mark you're going to hear bad news blues all the time.

Complainers are going to seek you out so they can tell you how hard it is for them to succeed.

Refrain from slapping them in the face and point them to this article instead.

7) Never argue or debate with idiots.

It makes you look dumb trying to change the mind of someone who is crazy.

People will tell you all the time:

  • You can't succeed because of racism
  • You can't succeed because of sexism
  • You're too racist to succeed
  • You're too sexist too succeed
  • You're too black
  • You're too white
  • Blah blah blah excuse after excuse

Tune these *people* out of your life.

Turn off the television, turn off the network news, turn off social media, and focus on You, Inc.

Don't tune back in until you've made your mark.

8) Have a nice day.

Because the world is great and everything is great.

If it isn't for you, it's because you don't deserve it and that's that, just don't bring your bad news blues here.

Until next time.

Your man,

-Victor Pride

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Comments

  1. I can imagine this post will slap plenty of people in the face. It is funny I was actually thinking about something that came up today that makes me feel like complaining. But I have come to far to complain.

    Great post Victor.

    Your friend,
    Sergie

    Reply

  2. I was reading a study that showed something extremely relevant with this article and explains why people always complain instead of taking action – even if they have unlimited resources to use.

    Dogs were put in a box and they were somehow shocked so they couldn’t escape.

    They took the same dogs and put them in a small box where they could easily jump and leave. They didn’t (!) – because they have been conditioned and programmed to act helplessly.

    They also put other dogs – that were not conditioned to feel helpless – in the lower box and they immediately jumped out. The shocked ones, could jump as well but didn’t – because they were taught that they can’t do it – even if they have the ability to do so.

    The same applies to humans. The way society and public schools operates kind of “train” people to be helpless. The result: Victor’s e-mail getting flood with bad news blues.

    Reply

    • Reminds me a lot of the 5 monkeys and a ladder “experiment”.

      For those who don’t know, 5 monkeys are in a cage with a ladder and a banana at the top. Any time one of the monkeys would try to climb up and get the banana, all the monkeys would be squirted with water or shocked.
      Because none of the monkeys wanted to get shocked/squirted, they would start fighting each other if any one of them tried to get the banana.
      Eventually, the 5 monkeys stopped trying to get the banana.
      One by one the monkeys were replaced with a new monkey, who would try to get the banana but would get beat up by the other monkeys.
      All 5 were replaced, and none of the new monkeys would try to get the banana, and none of them knew why. It was just the way it was.

      Reply

    • Very good Damian.

      The hard part is to identify in ourselves where we are conditioned.
      But once we did, it’s halfway to change things.

      Reply

  4. Awesome post, as always.

    I totally agree with all of the points, especially with 5. Whenever I feel like my life isn’t going in the direction it should, I just do 30 Days to Discipline. It gets your shit together real fast.

    Keep up the good work, Victor.

    Reply

  5. Hi Victor, I came to your site after a recomendation from dangerandplay. It happened around March this year when I was looking for advice on how to leave my toxic work environment.
    Struggling with student debts and a family to feed, i was convinced that i have to accept this reality.
    After reading all of your articles and the recommended ‘FastLane Millionaire’, I came to realise that the only way to have a work-life balance is to create a job that suits how I want my life to be.
    Fast forward to today, I have started my own construction company. It haven’t go operational yet as I’m waiting for various approval agency’s approval. While waiting, I technically have no income and live by my savings. Now is the time to apply frugality and the spartan lifestyle for me. As said my MJ DeMarco- Success is a process ; Not an event. Once my company have gone operational, I’m sure that I will achieve success if I follow your advice.
    May God reward you generously for your efforts – Zaid Hussain Singapore

    Reply

  7. I can empathize with people having a hard time. but I have no respect for a man who wants to complain but refuses to help himself. Well said, Vic, and just what I needed to hear today.

    Reply

  8. Great post.
    As an immigrant myself, I agree with you 100%.
    I learned the hard lesson that only America can teach you: America is brutal. Yes, it is so simple.
    If you want success, America is brutal. Look at all the effort that millionaires have put on before they see a penny.
    If you want stability, America is brutal. Look at all the old-time workers that are laid off after offering 25 years at their company.
    If you want freedom, America is brutal. People, and situations will test you. They will test you hard as soon as you try to do something (remember: it’s just a test).
    If you want happiness, America is brutal. Problems will arise, and the US is not socialistic where pappy-government will take care of you basic needs by removing your freedom and your money.
    On the other hand, the opposite is true. If you don’t want success, America will be brutal (ask whoever lives in a crappy place). If you don’t want stability, America is brutal (ask to contractors and consultants, or those who can’t keep a job). If you don’t want freedom, America is brutal (you want to stop and be taken care for? America won’t wait for you). And if you don’t want happiness, America is brutal (no one will help you).

    America is the land of opportunity exactly for being brutal. It’s a multi-trillion economy; you want to be a billionaire? Put it in perspective: a billion is just a crumb of the pie. You want to be a millionaire? Even less. In America it’s all there, and that’s exactly why it’s brutal. Its availability makes it brutal.

    And if you were born and raised in the US, let me tell you what I tell to everyone I meet, especially young kids and politicians: never take America for granted.

    I learned the hard way.

    Reply

    • EA – Thank you for sharing your story. Your perspective on this is very interesting. You have a perspective that allows you to see what most of the world is really like, versus the endless opportunity available to anyone willing to work hard enough in America. Most of those reading Victor’s post (myself included) have never experienced real hardship. Victor prescribes the solution to this lack of perspective with his recommendation that complaining losers should hop a plane to “…Vietnam, The Philippines, Colombia, or Brazil” to see how fortunate they really are.

      Reply

      • Thank you Daniel… you know, for a while I have entertained the idea of opening a blog about conservative immigrants such as myself… something without BS for people who come from different parts of the world, expecting an America that doesn’t exist (because there’s a better, harsher one), and for those interested about immigration and conservative ideals.
        I am just not sure how many would be interested on such blog.

        Reply

      • Indeed. A lot of members from our church go on mission trips to truly poor countries and their mindset it totally changed. They all say the same thing: When they get home and open the front door to their house, they’re astounded at how great they actually have it. I have not gone on such a trip but I can only imagine.

        Reply

        • I strongly believe that we should cut two high school years and use the savings to send kids to Africa, or to some other 3rd world country, to live as the local population does for at least six months. They would come back much stronger, much more informed/appreciating and ready to enter the workforce.
          Only commodity I would provide to the students is vaccines.

          Reply

    • EA,

      So, obvious everything is brutal?

      Friend, I think you’re missing a point. Thing are not black and white there is a little grey color in everything mixed just to balance this word.

      Also, country haven’t anything with you. Everything, but everything depands on you. That’s a cold-dead fact.

      Regards,

      Milan

      Reply

      • Milan – thank you for your reply, but I disagree.
        There’s successful or unsuccessful.
        There’s in shape or out of shape.
        There’s good or bad.
        There’s legal or illegal.
        There’s love or absence of love.
        There’s pregnant or not pregnant.
        There’s no “a little bit” of the above.

        F–k the grey area; that way of thinking is what f–cked me for years. The gray area means you’re not what you could be, you’re just stopping there. Gray area means that you’re not taking a position on anything, being ignavus as the Romans said. The gray area is what is forcing this politically correctness everywhere.
        These days you can’t say anything about anyone, you have to stay in the middle. And people stay in the middle.
        The gray area you’re talking about should be the transitory period between two states, something temporary and a dangerous state to be for a prolonged time.
        Have a great day.

        Reply

    • EA,

      You should start a blog about this. Although I was born here in the states I have to the countries of my parents and of those I know. And as always I realize how good we have it here in America.

      The crazy thing is that there still places with no running water, electricity and such it is a humbling experience when you see it.

      Great post ea

      Reply

      • I said f-ck it and I did it. Just registered the domain etc.
        Domain is two very common words, related to the subject. Blog will be up on Monday or Tuesday at most. I will not advertise it until there’s something decent on it.
        Thanks!

        Reply

  9. Excellent. Most Americans have this inclination to always B*tch about doom and gloom. Have they ever read a book? Read the news? Most of the world is horrible. The worst experience here would be laughed at in 3rd world countries. This needed to be written. Hard work, consistency, and the realization that there are no free handouts. The blueprint is easy, but the action is not.

    Reply

    • “Have they ever read a book?”

      A few experiences I had since I moved here:

      1) Girl sure that Alaska was south of Hawaii. After some conversation I found out that she thought that those maps that cut Alaska for space reasons and put it to the side are maps that show how it actually is.

      2) “Is France in Paris, or Paris in France?”

      3) “Do they have electricity in Europe?” (reply was : “No, they don’t even wear shoes”)

      4) Several instances of people thinking that Austria and Australia are mostly the same thing, in the same location in Europe

      5) Lot of confusion on US History.

      Reply

  11. Love everything about this, thanks for feat my Instagram post.
    I’ve purchased all your products and they have helped me greatly.

    Looking forward to putting in work with the Spartan tee.

    Reply

  12. It’s hard.

    And this article is right on time.

    I spent all of October in India and I’ve realized a couple of things.

    1. – I’ve taken my whole life for granted.

    2. – We are all kings living in the 1st world.

    3. – You seriously don’t know what you have until it’s gone.

    Everything Westerners cry, complain about, and take for granted is nothing compared to what 3rd-Worlders have to deal with.

    Try not having any food to eat.

    Try living in a tent made out of your own clothes, set up on the median of a busy highway. Mosquitoes and other bugs always picking at you.

    You can’t trust anyone. Crooks, dishonesty, and bribery everywhere.

    Constant power outages and no clean drinking water.

    Basic things like crossing the street? Forget about it. It’s a pain in the ass to simply dodge traffic to get to the other side of the road.

    It’s doable, yes, but forget about pressing a button and having a luxurious 60 seconds to waltz over to the other side of the street.

    Since I’ve come back to America I’ve stopped playing video games, stopped spending time on bullshit websites like Reddit and 4chan ( unless it is to find a need people will pay money for ).

    I’ve ditched my shitty, negative, underachieving losers of friends. Blocked and deleted them. My friend count is down to just one now. Me.

    I’ve replaced them with dead mentors — I’ve started reading and listening to educational books and audiobooks, and I’ve started appreciating life every day.

    I bought Body of a Spartan forever ago and shelved it. Now I am actually doing the basic spartan routine as of late. And it is great.

    And I’ve realized what I want to do, and what I don’t want to do now.

    If you are lost in life, get $2500 somehow. Use about $1000 or less to buy your ticket, and the rest to live for a month or two in a 3rd world country.

    See how the people work there. 12+ hours a day. In terrible conditions. Breathing in noxious fumes. Sweating their life out every day. Getting paid a pittance.

    And you will not see them complaining. Complainers don’t get food in their bellies for the day.

    The little things we complain about in the West are literally nothing. You can do whatever you want here. Other countries? Not so much.

    But I can’t keep talking about it and make you understand. Nor will you be able to find this experience by reading about it in a book, or watching a video.

    And I don’t understand why many want to flee the West and live cheaply in these countries (unless you’re filthy rich). The West is the best place on Earth.

    You will have to go and see it for yourself. Everyone living in the West should.

    As for what you want to do in life:

    Just do it. The time will pass anyway.

    What will you do?

    What could you do… if only you were bold and determined?

    Reply

      • Damn straight. Sam H and EA have recharged me as much as the original article, which was a kick in the head and a fire in the belly all at once. Echoes everything I believe, but at a roar.

        Reply

    • Terrific comment, Sam H! You’ve brought it to the point. But we’ve got no time to experience the mud or whatever in order to understand it. We just have to comprehend it, to try to comprehend everything. The mind constantly brought to its borders is the key of being alive. Exert and strain your mind constantly and it’ll grow like a muscle. Neglect it for a while and it will vanish. The degree of your liveliness is determined by the strength of your mind. This is what constitutes the difference between an animal and a human. The same factor constitutes the difference between a human and another human.
      Btw, thank you for another terrific article, Victor!

      Reply

  13. Every time I receive a message from Bold & Determined via email, I know I will read a good article. Why? Because it has value. Unlike these other guys who post every day with their piss-poor quality work, Vic actually takes the time to proof-read his stuff.
    Keep making that money brother, looking forward to reading upcoming book.
    -Alex

    Reply

  14. Today at 6am weights our college baseball team had a mental toughness competition to keep our legs off the ground. This time last year I would’ve been one of the first ones out. I was a total pussy. Today, I blew everyone out of the water and won out of a group of 30 guys. Ever since I stopped listening to bullshitters and looking for permission my life has completely changed. I’m in kickass shape, girls love me and I’m building something great. I know exactly what I want and I’m going to achieve it, simple as that. Thanks man.

    Reply

  15. Killer article, I’m addicted to your content and read it day in and day out to keep my mind on track. I used to be a complainer myself but it’s just because I had fuck all perspective. Keep up the masterful work!

    Reply

  17. The 30 days of discipline program is really good. Vic has invented a mental boot camp that anyone can do from their own home. It’s not easy but it’s achievable and a great kick start. Highly recommend.

    Reply

  18. “Don’t tune back in until you’ve made your mark.”

    Been dong this the last 2.5 years… still going forward. I personally love it.

    Reply

  19. I love how straightforward this article is. It’s a nice combination of the directness of your old articles with the polish of your more recent work.

    Simple, actionable advice. The kind that makes me keep coming back to this site.

    But enough commenting. Back to work. This world isn’t going to conquer itself.

    Keep the great work coming.

    Reply

  21. Epic.

    I’ve always blame the others, the system, everything for my lack of success at work, at life itself. But I knew in my guts that the guilty is mine, I was to sissy to admit it. Not anymore. I´ll take control of my life and make shit happen.
    I’m from Brazil, It´s hard to succeed but not impossible.

    After all win in the hard level is rewarding.
    Tks Vic.

    Reply

  22. This is Pride’s articles I could most identify with

    Grew up with on and off water supply. Got busted being a teenager more than once. My mother died, so orphan’s benefits were more than expected and more than well received. Got into a lot of troubles. And I mean, A LOT of them. I was at the wrong side of a gun. Or steel bars. More than once too.

    It was always my, bad, choice. My miserable election. My wrong decission. My “I know better”. I knew shit.

    I HATE complains and people who complain.

    You can get out of everything. For everything are Death/Life choices. 0 or 1. True or False. No middle ground. Nothing in between…You either die or you fight. Never fucking whine like a whining woman

    Reply

  24. Victor,

    Besides the USA, which is obvious land of opportunity when anyone with a IQ around 100 and only wish to make money – will make money, what do you think about others country for success? Which country would you recommended to live great and make decent money in the same time?

    Reply

  25. Victor I’m going to make a hell of lot of money and I’m going to be hugely successful. Have no idea how long it will take. Don’t care. When I get there I’d like the opportunity to thank you in person.

    B&D and D&P are super rich in powerful, inspiring content.

    I doubt you’ll ever need it, but I will be there to help you in the future.

    Reply

  26. Hell yeah, Vic. No bad news blues here. I’m working through the day, I’m working through the night, and I’m making money. I followed that link from your last article about the kid in Greece making money on Fiverr and now I’m doing the same thing. It keeps me busy making money and my mind sharp.

    Next step is taking this side income and investing it, but that’s for another day.

    Reply

  27. Fucking A, Vic. I was having the worst day ever. I whipped open my email. Saw you came out with a new article. Read that shit. Quit whining and got right back to work.

    Reply

  28. Strong Post Victor!
    There are waaaayyy too many complainers and not enough doers in society today. It always surprises me how there are so many people who complain in the best country in the world! Why do i believe this country is the best? All of you have to do is look at the people coming into the country. They know they can become someone here and at least make their little empire out of nothing but hard work and determination there are no barriers here to cross!

    My Dad is the person I tend to use as a starting board to success! He got here from Spain with a at best 6th grade education and barely spoke any English when he got here and now he has a house a House In Spain and a house in the states and is living off his investments. Him and my mother just got back from living in Spain for a year! In my mind if he could do it then so can i and probably reach further than he did. You too can succeed like that!

    Stop watching TV, Porn and all the others distractions which wastes a persons time! Money comes to those who get into the fight of life and not stand on the sidelines!

    Get your mindset right! Stop thinking you can’t do something when we all are born to do great things! The issue is that you have to work for it, sacrifice for it and be willing not to let go of your dream! If you want to rich then fix your internal thoughts first and the world will repay in kind.

    If you still need work then get your ass to You Tube and check out Tony Robbins, Les Brown or Jim Rohn and see their videos which does help you understand what personal development is all about! Or better yet, get Mike Cernovich’s book “GORILLA MINDSET” and to fixing yourself. Or Vic’s book 30days of discipline!

    Victor is not going to help you and even if he did you probably wont do shit and have wasted this man’s time!

    Nothing in the world more pathetic than a man with no discipline! Learn Personal Development fix yourself and the money will soon come! Remember having money is great! But learning to use your time wisely is the most precious commodity you will ever have!

    So it is spoken!

    Great post Victor!

    Reply

  29. I like it. Great article. A reference I keep in the back of my head is as follows.

    There are many people walking around you who have suffered the loss of one of their own children and have learned to get out of bed everyday and deal with it. Some days life is harder than seems reasonable, but there are people all around us that have it much worse.

    I agree with you.Life is great if you let it be. I have said for many years, if you don’t like the chair that you are sitting in, then get up and get another chair. It’s your problem to deal with. No one else cares, and please, if you must wine, do it quietly.

    Reply

  30. I’m 35 years old. I had a conversation with a friend this weekend, who has always been intrigued with my spartan lifestyle. He asked me, for the 10th time:

    What do you do all day? You go like, 3 places.
    I work 12-16 hours per day. I go here: Job -> Gym -> Work (At Home). What do YOU do all day?

    Don’t you want a girlfriend or anything?
    No. I’ve wasted too much time/money/emotions on that.

    Don’t you want to get married?
    No.

    Why not?
    I take Brahms’ approach: frei-aber-froh. Google it. Besides, Western women aren’t worth it.

    Aren’t you afraid you’ll die alone?
    No. Like Kirk said, I’ve always known I’ll die alone. I’ll be old and rich; they’ll be old crazy cat ladies.

    Reply

  31. When people become content and have a lot of choices (bad choices) and entertainment (distraction) right in front of them, most people tend to prefer the easy way out. Most people opt for short term pleasure (porn, getting drunk) vs long term gain (working out, starting business and facing risk).

    When people know what starvation is like and vow to never let that happen to them, then they can use that as motivation to make sure they will never allow that to happen again.

    Have something to live for. Have a purpose; a goal.

    It’s easy to get distracted if you allow yourself to be. Like watching useless youtube entertainment videos, watching porn, trolling online, watching tv, reading celebrity gossip, hanging out with wrong friends, and getting drunk.

    But with right discipline, you can train yourself to avoid that and become obsessed into your goal. There are no structured rules on how you succeed. It’s only up to you. Nobody really hold you down except yourself. Everything is really mental.

    Scared to talk to strangers? That’s your problem and you must fix it.
    Tired of being poor? Well you don’t have to. Start working or finding ways to make money.
    Don’t like physically being weak? Lift weights and eat well.

    Sometimes things are not so hard as they appear to be; most of it is in our head.

    And people’s tendency to complain and needing “help”. Nobody really cares about you more than you care about yourself.

    One thing that I suggest to pick this up as good habit is to pick up a GREAT book and read. The more you read, the better you understand.

    When you are coming home from long days of work, do not go to bed or watch movies or drink. Instead stop by library, or buy books and read. The time you spend and knowledge you gain by reading great book is time worth spent. What I mean great book… Inspirational book that makes you do something positive. Book that is written by actual successful people. Non-fiction book. Science book. Books that teach you about finance and investing. Book that makes you think. Also never forget. Working out is just as important.

    Winter time comes. Do something extra. Get a large tub outside your backyard during freezing winter and pour cold water in there and dip yourself for about five to ten minutes. It’s a mental training that helps you withstand cold (harshness) and train your body and mind to adapt.

    Reply

    • Good points all around! I don’t much formal reading nowadays after work. What I mean is I proofread stuff for others on Fiverr. I make money and I read as a side benefit. I have been currently helping one person with a book she is writing and another with a history thesis. Learning quite a bit and making some cash on the side. Win Win.

      Also, love the winter tub idea. I try to get out in the cold as much as possible during the winter. Last year during all the ice storms, I was out there barefoot and in a t-shirt. Felt great!

      Reply

      • That’s a good strategy you have there. Getting paid on Fiverr while doing what you like. Even though it’s only $5, if you have a lot of customers and have good reputation, it will make you a good income. I realized that the more I read and better I understand from reading, my reading comprehension speeds up. I used to be able to finish a book (average of 300 page book) in one day, now I can finish that in half a day and still be able to understand the book.

        As much as reading comprehension goes, I think listening comprehension should go together as well. When I”m on youtube, I try to listen to good lectures, useful ones with informational purpose about money, investing, stocks, real estate, etc… I can now speed up by clicking the settings and set the speed to 1.5x and still able to get and understand. I’m trying the 2x because sometimes depending on the accent or talking style, 2x maybe too much for me but I”m trying to get there to be able to comprehend with 2x. It allows me to train my brain to quickly pick up and process information.

        This is only half a battle though… Being able to process information is good ONLY if you can apply it and keep going at it until you succeed at it.

        English is my second language and I”m introvert so I”m taking steps to change that and learning new English vocabulary each and everyday so I can speak better and be able to relate to masses through words and articulate better.

        I was thinking of learning new foreign language but I thought it might be better for me to just expand and master the English language. Better being master at one language than being jack of all trades. Although it doesn’t hurt to learn other language. English is like so common now in other countries thanks to America’s big global power.

        I noticed you have a blog. Keep going at it. I’m also into martial arts. It definitely is a very good self help.

        Reply

  33. info in this article is what I LOVE hearing over and over again! This is part of the feul that drives me to succeed

    Reply

  34. Go Victor. Sorry; well maybe not so sorry, for not blogging. I am busy building my lead generation business. Love your straight to the point advice. We all need a kick in the butt from time to time.
    I am kicking butt every day, after 2 years of poverty, due to my stupidity. Now I am netting over $10K per month and doubling that every 2-3 months.
    Now, back to kicking butt.
    Later dudes!

    Reply

  35. Great article Vic. A good kick up the ass! Getting ready to do another round of 30 Days of Discipline to end out 2015 and start the new year on a high note.

    P.S. I think you’re missing the word ‘I’ to say ‘…slap them in the face as I look at them’, in this sentence in point one: “I would just as soon slap them in the face as look at them”. Just thought you might want to know.

    Reply

  36. money. power, women, freedom…spoken like a pimp.
    Take charge of your life. Be responsible for your life. Clean up your life. Get your business in order. Focus on what you want. S
    You owe it to yourself to live the life of your dreams as much as you can possibly do.

    Reply

  37. Great post Vic…quick question…what ever happened to the bad bodybuilding project that you were about to start before you broke your wrist? I was looking forward to it and then I read that you had to postpone it because of your injury. Are you still going to do it? Thanks

    Reply

  38. Before I read Think and Grow Rich and took control of my life, I would always blame my circumstances or other people for stuff. It’s a loser’s mindset. Losers are losers and will always be losers because whether they realize it or not they KNOW they are losers and accept it as a matter of course. Its a vicious cycle of hate and self-loathing and these days I stay the hell away from it. When you stop complaining start taking some damn responsibility, you give yourself power and when you complain about “The Man” keeping you down you give your power away.

    Reply

  39. 20 yo and born in a shithole in africa. I survived some though shit and lost some family member…i came in Canada 6years ago.Believe me I know “western privilege “very well.
    But Victor I want your honest answer ( I AM NOT LOOKING FOR APPROVAL )do you think my age will influence my writing?i already got my site trough badnet 10 articles on paper and ready to be published.I believe nothing will stop me but you are well ahead from me as a blogger and your opinion count. Thank you in advance.

    Reply

    • Yes, age will influence writing. Everything about you will influence your writing. Write in spite. Do it anyway.

      Reply

  40. These sissies don’t realise they are programming their subconscious minds to ensure they fail. The “back of the mind” is very receptive to what you say about yourself to yourself. What good does it do to sit and complain.

    Reply

  41. ”Everyone on earth knows exactly what they want: money, power, women, freedom. ”

    It’s not always black and white.

    Yes, I want money, a lot of it, but I also want to enjoy what I’m doing. Waking up in the morning feeling excited for the day to come is very important too, not just the money. Always being after money isn’t always ideal.

    Yes, I want power, but what does it really mean? http://www.dangerandplay.com/2015/10/19/am-i-an-alpha-male/

    women. That’s for sure. You have to be gay to believe otherwise.

    Freedom too, live free or die.

    Reply

  44. Hey Victor and B&D

    I wanted to tell everybody here my opinion of all of this. People do things out of nessecity rather then desire, thats why 3rd worlders do what they do because they need to survive, however you lot and Victor included do what you have to do in order to thrive. When you need to thrive you got to PURPOSELY do the killin beyond survival. It doesn’t matter where you are, 3rd world, 2nd, 1st or outer world if you are going to thrive you will get over your instict to rest and do the work only nessecary to survival.

    1st world doesn’t require much for survival thats why there are many sissy cry babies around, the work needed to survive is near 0 because smb will take care of you, but being idle is a soulkiller, thats why many bring up excuses and try to support pointless things like feminism or anti racism just to have a purpose in life. Guess what, you still working but it aint the right purpose, Victor here isn’t saying you all become rich money throwing guys here, he is just asking you follow what you feel is your callin, so if you want to be a doctor, start working, if you want to be a journalist, START WORKING, if you wanna be rich, START GRINDING.

    It is simple but not easy, the answer is always there, I just want everybody here to acknowledge that we complain because thriving isn’t required that much biologicaly then survival and the endless sea of distraction that comes in the form of video games, porn etc just make it worse. What I am asking here from everyone, is that you rise out of that, go against what your mind and body tell you, conquer yourseld then the world will follow.

    Per aspera ad astra

    Reply

  45. Hey Vic,

    Great post, thanks for the shout out in the tweet haha.

    Countless times I see people on forums complaining about their situation. The other day on another forum someone posted a thread “Dead Broke With No Ideas”

    His post went something like this:
    Hi everyone,
    I have no job.
    I have no college degree.
    I have no money.
    I have never had a job.
    And I’m 21 years old.

    My response:
    Don’t have a job? Go get one then.
    No college degree? You don’t really NEED one to be successful.
    No money? Go make some.
    You’re 21? Well you have plenty of time.

    It’s like he expects some magician to magically make him successful. Success is a process, it doesn’t just happen overnight.

    Anyway, back to building Me Inc. Also I’m doing 30DOD again starting right now along with BOAS, time to kick some ass. 365 days of discipline for me. Thanks Vic.

    Reply

  46. So true,

    My family was from Vietnam, I was very young when I came over to the U.S. I remember when I was growing up in American and my mom always said “Be grateful that your auntie saved up enough money to pay for us to live in the U.S.” My mother didn’t speak english very well up until today, but yet managed to put food on the table for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and even snacks. I always had good looking clothes to wear while growing up and always had a house to live in. She recently bought a nice house in Texas and has provided cars, and money for me and my brother’s college funds. She worked and worked from 8 a.m to 9 p.m a lot of times, then come home to clean and cook. She was a hard worker, I’ve seen what hard work can provide, and I will do the same. :)

    Reply

  47. Vic,

    Great article. It makes me want to slap my bitch roommate who hates America in the face.

    I booked a ticket to Chiang Mai, Thailand and am saving up 2000 bucks.

    I might give my roommate a slap in the face on the way out.

    Reply

  48. Just when I started complaining I’m not getting enough traffic to my website.

    Luckily I just hopped onto B&D for some motivation and I came across this article at the right time!

    I know exactly what needs to be done and it’s a ton of work. Time to stop complaining and power my way through it!

    Thanks Vic.

    Reply

  49. Good to see you’re back vic and with a banger of a post.

    yeah i’m noticing the western kids winge machines are on full blast at the moment.

    even my own past shit as well.

    excellent reminder

    Reply

  50. Boom.

    I love these types of articles, especially towards self-limiting people who can’t seem to shut up and get it together.

    There’s ALWAYS a reason why you can’t, but winners turn those reasons that could hold them back into reasons they can be propelled forward.

    I took a huge risk recently looking to push my business forward hardcore, and SO many things have been f’ed up along the way, I mean challenge after challenge after challenge. 5 months ago I was tripping about a problem in business way smaller than this!

    Now I’m knee deep in this new process with far more skin in the game, more risk, and more reward at stake.

    I’m calmer than ever and refuse to worry or come up with any excuse. I will only focus on how I will kill this problem and come out on top even more victorious than ever.

    Keep up the real Vic, it helps the rest of us move forward, even though we know we’re gonna keep slaying it.

    – Evan

    Reply

  51. Strange, I was thinking just this morning about how you hear Australians/Americans complain all the time, but never East Europeans and Russians.

    I agree about traveling to poor neighborhoods in poor countries, but choose wisely. If these kids stroll around the favelas in Brazil, they might not make it back in one piece.

    Driving through Mexico City/State’s “favelas” definitely provided me with a huge wakeup call, but it was also risky as fuck since my car broke down. Crime is rampant and unpunished there, and it’s not the place to play around if you don’t blend in.

    Victor: What do you listen to when you have to do time-consuming household tasks (cooking, cleaning, eating)? I know your girl isn’t around to do it for you all the time.

    I’ve turned off the TV like you mentioned (cancelled). I’ve tried to reduce consumption of real news too (internet), b/c it’s a downer. I see what’s going on, what’s being planned, but I can’t do anything about it anyways until I build something myself that gives me influence. But the silence cuts like a knife when I’m doing this crap and I don’t have any form of intellectual stimulation.

    Reply

    • “Victor: What do you listen to when you have to do time-consuming household tasks (cooking, cleaning, eating)? I know your girl isn’t around to do it for you all the time.”

      Incorrect, she is around to do 100% of it. I never cook or clean, I only eat.

      Reply

  52. Sick post Victor, I’ve saved up quite a bunch of money from washing windows in New York, I’m 19 and have about 5k (not sure, maybe more, didn’t count yet.) But now I want to travel, visit some place like you mentioned (Vietnam, The Philippines, Colombia, or Brazil). I want to go solo and just have some insight. I’ve never traveled before so I feel like It’s time. I dropped out of school and my life is good now. My question is, can you point me to some resources where I can learn about travel. I’m completely lost with the whole “travel thing” and I’m eager to get started. When 2nd semester starts, I plan to travel and laugh at my friends while they complain about how terrible school is. Thanks in advance.

    Reply

    • Travel with as few items as possible. The more items you take the more time you spend messing with it instead of enjoying your destination. You can get whatever you need there. Couple changes of clothes max unless you are making an extended trip. Make sure you take a nice shirt and pants though. Roller bag or small rolling suitcase instead of backpack. The backpack will start killing you before you even get through the flight ordeal. You are going to spend a lot of time at airports and walking city streets. The roller makes a huge difference. If you insist on a backpack also get a folding roller dolly. Next time you will bring the roller case.

      Try to look like a pro. Rockport oxfords are rugged and good looking. Maybe a little old for you but you can wear them to a nightclub as well as trekking. You will get more respect by looking sharp.

      It’s comical to see tourists on a two-week trip weighed down like they are outfitted for a lunar expedition. I did it too my first time out. You don’t need all that crap.

      Here’s another tip : ditch the camera and experience your destination as fully as possible.

      Reply

  53. Two years ago this article would have pissed me off and gave me a reason to add a few more excuses to my list.I WAS one of these excuse-making weenies.
    Fortunately, I found this blog called Bold and Determined.
    – I’ve no more excuses and no one to blame There’s no need to – I’m a man
    – Following Victor’s lead (but not his rules), I developed my own ongoing discipline program to fit my vision and expected results.
    Thanks for the push Victor; I owe you that! However, I own the results.

    Reply

  55. I had a funny realization at work the other day. I work in the family construction business with my dad. He’s not a millionaire, but he went from working as a helper (with his “superiors” making jokes about how new he was at the job) to being those jokers’ supervisor, then to leaving to start his own construction business. He has always had this very persistent belief of doing the job right, all the way down to the smallest detail. He obsesses over his work.

    Just the other day, he said his business surpassed $250,000 in sales this year and he’s been in business for 3 years. He’s not a millionaire, but his work ethic and obsession has brought him to a place none of the worker bees can dream of being. I too am a worker bee under him and I get no handouts because of my standing in the family. I’m a worker bee, the difference between me and the next guy, is I can see the potential for self-growth. I see that if I work my ass off and learn what these guys refuse to, I will be light years ahead of them in 5, 10, 15, or even 20 years.

    Everything Bold and Determined preaches, emulates itself in real life if you are willing to see it. I see it at work and fully realized it when he stated his business’ financial position. You cannot live a life of wealth and freedom being a lost worker bee. I’m in a position that most aren’t as my dad has a master’s license in his field and knows everything there is to know in his field and teaches me. I will dominate.

    Thanks again, Victor.

    Reply

  56. As soon as someone realizes that life doesn’t owe him anything – the way for improvement is open. As long as people feel entitled for something, they are still on a low and immature level – babies or children at best – as a man one has to accept reality as it is.

    Reply

  57. Jesus fucking Christ on a fucking rubber cruch Vic. I’ve been reading yours and Mikes articles for about 7 months and that was probably the best article I’ve ever read. I never complain about my life and know that you need to work hard to get money and that article just motivated me 10 fold. I gotta go Im buying 30 days of discipline now. Keep trucking along you badass motherfucker you!!

    Reply

  58. I’m starting to understand the mentality of this website….

    This website doesn’t promote itself like any other website does… It doesn’t use excessive marketing and doesn’t use *fancy* words to attract people for sales purpose.

    This website is designed from the start with clever blueprint.

    Basically most people are not meant for help. Most people. What I mean is … Most people are NOT action oriented. Most people will say .. “yeah sure I like to be rich. I would love to” but their actions are not consistent with their words.

    Being a “nice guy”… I tried to help fellow friends with getting them out of their sticky situation and trying to help them with world realization. Most of them were trying to preach me about their morality.

    Which led me to cut off some people in my contact list… (the time wasters)

    https://boldanddetermined.com/why-you-should-have-ass-kicking-friends/

    Their “morality” put them in their own unwanted “shitty” situation in which I get calls from them on and on about how they were “nice” and “played fair” and got SHIT in return.

    Now I understand what it’s like to just have a good product/website/service and just soft market it and wait until someone is FINALLY ready and they can just come and gain information or (better) pay for it and get something in return.

    This website model was genius from start.

    Some people are far beyond no return (of help).

    I tried this with my friends and trying to help them in their situation only to not be “appreciated” (not that I wanted their appreciation) and thus had them blaming me when all I was trying to do was help. Now I understand why this website doesn’t promote aggressively. This website is only here and it’s only here for people who are READY and WILLING. This website is for winners only which means (People with action oriented mindset and people willing to take risk and sacrifices which means NO COMPLAINERS)….

    Below is the link… (Victor’s comment in double quote below from the link)
    —————————————————————–

    https://boldanddetermined.com/need-to-succeed/

    “”The only people I know who are truly happy are people who have made their own rules and followed their own path. I have never in my life met a corporate cog who was happy with their station in life.

    And guess what? I don’t give a shit. Fuck ’em all. Everyone I have given advice to in real life has not taken it and has not improved themselves. I only talk about this stuff online where hopefully one or two readers will actually do something. I do no advertising or SEO work to drawn-in readers. My feeling is that someone who wants to find this information will find it and those who don’t want to find it will stay away. Those who want the information are welcome with open arms, those who don’t will get a nice ass-kicking on the way out the door.””

    —————

    My own comment below…

    This paragraph now resonates to what I think and feel. I don’t help people anymore unless they were READY 100 percent.

    which brings me to next point. Check this out…

    https://boldanddetermined.com/professional-badass/ (Vic’s comment in quote from the following link)

    “””I don’t write for the guy who is going nowhere and happy with that, I write for the guy who is halfway there, or 25% there and wants 100%. If you don’t want it (success) then I don’t want you here and I don’t want your money.”””

    ________________________

    Damn I never thought I agree *ALMOST* 100 percent with someone online I never met. No wonder Vic is successful and I don’t doubt it one bit.

    (Of course no one is exact carbon copy of one another so agreeing 100 percent in EVERYTHING would be far from reality although I had this happened before nonetheless I don’t think I any major disagreement or any issues with what he writes in any of his blog or his tweets.) It really resonates to what I think which is why I always come back to this website.

    Reply

  59. Victor,

    Your blog helped motivate me to write and publish a book. I sent you a contact message offering a free copy.

    Would like to post a link for your readers to see a free preview but I get it that bloggers don’t appreciate people shilling on their website. Let me know and I will post.

    Elmer

    Reply

  61. About 6 months ago in the boxing ring of life, life knocked me down with a wicked punch and then foot-stomped me in the nuts.

    As I lay on the canvas, I could hear the 10 count…

    “ONE!…’

    ‘TWO!!…”

    Then from my corner I heard Vic yelling…

    ‘Get up…’

    ‘THREE!!…’

    ‘Get Up!…’

    ‘FOUR!!…’

    ‘GET THE FUCK UP!!!…’

    ”FIVE!!…’

    ‘SIX!!…’

    Then I read the comment by [email protected] in this awesome post by Victor.

    ‘SEVEN!!…’

    And I got up.

    October 28th I was at the gravesite of one of my 17yo sons I buried 6 months ago.

    He died suddenly in a single car wreck.
    He and his twin brother were racing their BMWs that their mommy bought them, in part, with the child support I pay.
    The survivor will never forget the sound of the bones crunching in his brother chest or the taste of his brother’s blood in his mouth as he did CPR. His brother died in his arms.

    The surviving twin is struggling, but along with his father’s advice (mine), he is reading every article written by Victor Pride, from the beginning. He is about half done. And he is lifting almost every day. 6’2″, 221lbs., with a 34″ waist. He is registering at the local university in the pre-law program. He’ll be ok.

    So I’m up, albeit leaning a little bit, and I’m sore, bloodied, battered, and bruised.

    I will not dishonor the memory of my son by failing at life, and I will not fail my six remaining children.

    There were 585 people at the funeral, including the United States Marines, the Boy Scouts of America, and most of the local football team. My once living son’s 6’5″, 331lb frame with a 44″ waist was the tip of the offensive spear as the starting center, and helped lead his team to a 3rd round playoff victory in post-season play.

    I have many memories, a few regrets, and not a little grief.

    Take NOTHING for granted.

    You are not guaranteed ANYTHING.

    This was my ‘GET THE FUCK UP!!’ call.

    What will be yours?

    I no longer just read it…

    Now I AM…

    BOLD & DETERMINED.

    Thank you Vic.

    Reply

  65. This world is so perfect.

    When you really stop and think even death is good.

    Death sets a time limit on your goals and forces you to get shit done.

    If living was easy, we would all be bored shitless.

    Where would the challenge be?

    The challenge is what keeps life interesting.

    If we could have everything we wanted whenever we wanted we would be bored within a year… Not to mention a lifetime of this.

    Fuck heaven, I like it just fine down here.

    Hustle on Vic.

    Reply

  66. Hi Victor,

    I’ve been reading your blog a while. It seems as though people throw a lot of accusations at you (sexist, racist etc), which you mostly ignore or just respond with a short sentence, or sometimes your readers will explain what you are trying to say. I want to ask, on a serious note: are you racist? I personally don’t think you are, but some things you’ve said I can somewhat understand why people may have called you a racist. Again, I’m just curious and I’d like you to just explain, I’m not making any assumptions. If yes, is it just that you believe whites are superior than blacks and other races? I highly doubt that you would walk past a man or a woman (of colour) in need and not help them if you could. I’m also certain that you have a lot of non-white readers, again which makes me doubt you’re a racist. I would still appreciate a response. Thanks Vic.

    Reply

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