This really resonates with me. I can’t help but wonder if a lot of people in #bitcoin ended up here because the traditional system failed them, leading them to seek truth through their own learning and self-discovery.

I wasn’t a great student. For whatever reason, the school system just didn’t work for me. My bad grades started to define how I saw myself, and it wasn’t pretty. But at some point, something clicked—I realized my value isn’t tied to grades or how I perform in school. It’s tied to what I can learn, do, and achieve on my own. That realization completely shifted my mindset.

I started diving into books about investing, business, and sales in my free time. I worked on honing my skills, and the more I learned, the more confident I became. Realizing that I was capable—regardless of what the school system told me—was life-changing. It gave me a sense of self-confidence and responsibility I’d never had before.

As strange as it sounds, I’m actually grateful for the tough times I had in school. Feeling like a failure and struggling with self-doubt forced me to find my own way. And in doing so, I came out stronger, more confident, and fully responsible for my path.

Is this journey similar to other #bitcoiners ?

On a side note, I often think about how schools teach just enough about time, numbers, and money to prepare you for having your time devalued by money. But they never teach you how to create value, solve problems, or produce something meaningful. Schools have the opportunity to guide young, curious minds toward solving real-world problems. Instead, they waste that potential by focusing on repetitive problems that are easy to grade. It’s a shame to see such brilliant minds go untapped, especially when they’re eager to make a difference.

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Thanks for sharing. I do think a lot of people have made similar experiences with the school system and fiat in general.

This was my experience as well. The way intelligence and ability is measured in western schools leaves a lot of talent on the table.

gm

I’m the opposite. Was pretty good in school just didn’t like how the system worked and led me read until I found a new path/belief. Completely changed after learning about money and bitcoin.

So maybe reading and having a thirst for more knowledge is the key here

Different path for me. School was easy for me, I graduated with a degree in computer science, and became a successful software engineer. I worked that career for several decades at which point I discovered Bitcoin.

I mortgaged my house and bought as much bitcoin as I can afford. Now I'm retired.

I am curious about your story though. Most of the time people on your path have something they experience or discover which shows them that they are the master of their own destiny. In your story it just dawned on you so I'm not sure if there was a catalyst for that.

For some it's discovering martial arts, for others it's a traumatic life event. Was there something for you that flipped the switch?

Getting deep here, BitcoinStu! I love it.

You’ve got me reflecting hard on this. A lot went down during that time, but the first real catalyst was having someone look past my past and present and see real potential in my future. Up until that moment, everything around me told me I was a failure and I believed it. My school guidance counselor even told me straight up that doors were closing for me, that opportunities were slipping away on the path I was on. Honestly, it crushed me 😂.

But having someone trust and believe in me changed everything. I thought, why not try to trust and believe in myself for a change? I’d spent so long listening to the voice of failure. What did I have to lose by giving the voice of success a shot?

Since then, I’ve done jiujitsu, read books, learned how to study, worked out, ate healthier, drank less, all the good stuff. But it all started with that initial spark, the belief in what my future could be. The vision of my future shifts what I do in the present. It keeps me focused on the steps I need to take now to create the future I want.

Like Joe Dispenza says, “We are either defined by a vision of the future or the memories of the past.”

It’s a choice we make every day, every moment. And me? I’m picking a bright future every single time!

Thank you Stu for reminding me of this. Grateful for you and life ❤️

My issue was a bit different. I was a great student on autopilot. Worked while in school and quickly realized nearly everything I was being taught in college was bullshit and wouldn't apply in the real world. Making matters worse I drowned these realizations in alcohol and partying when I could see no way to make my life work. I saw no way I could have a quality of life close to that of my not wealthy parents. Things only started to change for me when I asked myself "What causes inflation?". Unfortunately, the answers to that question while enlightening are pretty depressing. Thankfully they did lead to Bitcoin though. It is giving me hope that I can at least partially make up for a couple squandered decades.