Mindset is most important overall. I definitely struggled with that aspect a lot as well; coming from having almost nothing to my name at times during my youth—it can be hard to convince ourselves that things could ever be any other way that what we have known.

Changing your entire mindset from high-time-preference thinking to low-time-preference thinking takes time and discipline, a lot of relearning—as you mentioned—many habits that we grew up with are not conducive to success or sovereignty.

— Make stacking sats (and spending less than you earn) a rule, not optional. Avoid debt. Set a weekly/monthly goal and stick to it. Spending less and spending with intention is more important than earning more.

— Believe deep down that there IS a better way; that you WILL be a part of it, and that you DESERVE to be part of a better world. The future is bright and thanks to Bitcoin anyone can join in and benefit.

— Fight for every sat when the opportunities arise because your family deserves it; but also rest and play whenever you need it. Experiences are more important than money.

— Know that one day you will be able to enjoy your stored time and energy instead of working your life away for nothing like so many others have resigned themselves to do.

Just keep stacking. Keep building.

We manifest our own reality; this is the ultimate sovereignty.

This is written above a doorway at St. Paul's Monastery on Mt. Athos in Macedonia:

If you die before you die, then you won't die when you die.

Memeing that, one might get:

If you live poor(beneath your means) before you retire, then you won't be poor when you retire....something like that.

I've told you about my homeless period and how much that affected me in different ways. Psychologically it made me doubt myself which made me "look over my own shoulder", or, in other words, do my due diligence and seek economic understanding. Most people fall into the category of "I want to act like I have an adult opinion on economics so I memorize a sound byte I overheard the pundits on TV/social media saying and cross my fingers, hoping no one will ask me anything deeper on the subject." I'd go so far as to say that even most of the people attending your salons fall into this category. Some may know more than that, but if most people are being honest, they are ignorant of such things. I know I sure was when I graduated. I didn't understand why I couldn't find a job. I had no concept of sub-prime mortgage bond bubbles bursting or anything like that.

In early 2023, I wrote a letter to the Missouri state representatives of the General Laws Committee who were considering a bill in committee. The bill would have made digital money illegal except for CBDC's which is total bullshit, hence me writing them. In that letter, I shared a parable:

Two young fish are swimming along and they cross paths briefly with an older fish. The older fish remarked in passing “Water’s great today, eh kids?”. The younger fish, eyes wide in confusion while attempting to maintain decorum and civility, nod and offer the older fish a hollow affirmation. A few minutes later, one of the younger fish turned to the other and said “What’s water?”. Most people today are the younger fish. They’re surrounded by an economy, an ocean of money but they don’t even truly understand what money is.

Some people from the salon may be familiar with AA, either directly or indirectly. The first step of the 12 steps is to admit you have a problem. Admitting ignorance of money, economics, networks, cryptography, etc. is all step 1. If they can't humble themselves to admitting their personal ignorance, they're a lost cause when it comes to Bitcoin.

Graduating in winter of 07 was brutal. I had a degree in applied mathematics and a student loan payment grace period that was quickly vanishing. I wound up homeless by 09, crashing on couches, living out of a few bags and my car. I had almost nothing. When I did land a good job, I could have elevated my living standards but, as a trauma response, I continued to live as though I was homeless and poor. I continued to live under strict personal austerity measures for years.

This is key. I was psychologically and economically broken by my experiences and so when it came to learning about Bitcoin, I was both willing to acknowledge that I was ignorant and, because I had lived well below my means for years, I had spare capital available to be allocated once I had heard enough compelling content that Bitcoin was the real deal.

If your salon attendees can check their egos, admit their ignorance, and humble themselves into learning a new thing, they will find themselves on the path for wholecoiner status. Depending on how much value they are able to provide, how much they are willing to sacrifice in terms of quality of life, and how disciplined they are able to be, they may be able to reach that goal.

Bitcoin is a test and/or a filter. The #1 thing it tests for is ego. Only those willing to say "Everything I was taught about money was bullshit and everyone who taught me about money had the wool pulled over their eyes too" will be humble enough to take the first steps. The good news here is that in a sovereignty salon, I would expect there to be a decent sized contingent of people who would consider themselves to be conspiracy theorists. The conspiracy theorist mind is open to such possibilities where the hyperminority is correct and everyone else has been impacted by mass formation psychosis.

Started the farm in Spring ‘21, began selling to local coop and restaurants one month later. In profit already by summer and never took on any business-related debt. Hit close to 6-figures in revenue (not profit) during 2nd year. 3rd-5th years was fine tuning the formula and refining; and of course stacking like mad every step of the way.

Crop choice will largely depend on climate but choosing for profitability is important. Tomatoes, bagged greens, spinach, bunched carrots, bunching onions, radishes, etc are reliable staples; highly productive, and will sell out at every market. Go for quality above all and customers will recognize it.

So we’ll said, totally agree! Keep on truckin’ 🙌