Chasing Progress or Hustling Backwards?

Today’s Topics

• Your Chapter in Others' Stories Matter! 🫵

• Escaping The System 👟

  6 Mins Read Time

Your Chapter in Others' Stories Matter! 🫵

By Jo

In a world that constantly pushes us to focus on ourselves—our goals, our happiness, and our success—it’s easy to forget how much of an impact we have on the lives of others. Yet, when you take a step back, you begin to realize there’s something undeniably special about being a chapter—or even just a page—in someone else’s journey.

This doesn’t mean you neglect your own path. In fact, it’s the opposite. When you value your own existence deeply, you can recognize how powerful it is to be a part of someone else’s story without losing sight of your own. This balance between self-worth and selflessness is where some of life’s most meaningful moments happen. However, the key is to do it the right way—because if you aren’t careful, you could end up hustling backwards—sabotaging your own progress either by accident or by letting your ego steer the wheel.

What Does "Hustling Backwards" Really Mean?

At its core, hustling backwards refers to working against yourself—whether knowingly or unknowingly. It’s when you pour energy into things that don’t serve your long-term goals, let your pride block opportunities, or get caught up in distractions that pull you off track. You might think you’re moving forward, but in reality, you’re setting yourself back.

For example:

• Overextending yourself for others while neglecting your own growth.

• Letting your ego keep you in situations where you no longer belong.

• Chasing quick wins instead of investing in meaningful, sustainable progress.

It’s a trap many people fall into—especially when they’re so focused on being a key player in others' lives that they forget to nurture their own journey. If you want to make an impact without hustling backwards, you need to understand when to act and when to let things unfold.

The Ripple Effect of Influence (Without Losing Yourself)

Think about the people who have crossed your path—teachers, friends, strangers who said the right thing at the right time. Often, they had no idea how much their words or actions influenced you. That’s the ripple effect—one small act of kindness, one word of encouragement, or even a shared experience can shape someone’s trajectory in ways they may carry for a lifetime.

But here’s the thing—if you spend too much time focusing on everyone else’s story while ignoring your own, you’re hustling backwards. You’re building everyone else up while your foundation crumbles. The true power lies in knowing that you can help others without losing yourself in the process.

Knowing When to Act and When to Let Go

One of the biggest keys to avoiding self-sabotage is understanding when to move and when to sit still. Not everything requires your immediate attention. Some things are simply out of your control, and trying to force outcomes only drains your energy.

When something is within your power to change—act on it. But when a situation is beyond your influence, let it play out while you focus on higher priorities. This isn’t about balance—it’s about recognizing opportunity versus futility. Wasting time on things outside your control is the definition of hustling backwards. Instead, redirect that energy into areas where your actions genuinely make a difference.

Balancing Self-Value and Contribution

It’s important to recognize that contributing to others doesn’t mean diminishing yourself. You can be fully invested in your own journey while still showing up for those around you. The key lies in knowing when to give and when to protect your energy.

When you hustle backwards, you overcommit and underdeliver—either to yourself or others. But when you move with intention, you understand that it’s possible to influence others while keeping your own goals on track. You become someone who adds value without becoming a martyr to everyone else’s needs.

Ask yourself:

• Am I helping because I want to, or because I feel obligated?

• Is this effort moving me closer to my goals, or pulling me further away?

• Do I value my own time and growth as much as I value contributing to others?

Why Thinking Outside the Box Matters (And Keeps You Moving Forward)

Many of the most significant breakthroughs in life come from challenging conventional thinking. When you step outside the box, you not only solve your own problems but often uncover solutions that benefit others as well.

Hustling backwards often looks like following the crowd without questioning if that path is right for you. It’s easy to get caught up in someone else’s definition of success. But when you think creatively and independently, you become a problem-solver—not just for yourself, but for others too.

And here’s the kicker—when you move differently, you win differently. People who innovate don’t waste time on pointless pursuits. They invest their energy wisely, knowing that real success comes from working smarter, not harder.

Appreciating Your Presence in Others’ Stories (Without Losing Your Own Plot)

There’s something humbling and beautiful about recognizing that you’ve played a part in someone else’s success. Whether you were a mentor, a friend, or a fleeting presence during a difficult time, your role matters. But you can’t get so caught up in playing a supporting role that you forget to be the lead in your own life.

If you’re constantly pouring into others without refilling your own cup, you’ll burn out. And if you let your ego keep you in situations you’ve outgrown, you’ll hold yourself back. Both are classic signs of hustling backwards. Instead, strive for a mindset where you value your influence and your independence.

Final Thoughts: Move with Purpose, Not Backwards

At the end of the day, your influence is a legacy in motion. The words you speak, the actions you take, and the kindness you extend all contribute to a story far bigger than yourself. But don’t let the desire to help others pull you so far off your path that you lose your way.

When you feel yourself hustling backwards, pause and recalibrate:

• Are you acting with purpose, or are you moving on autopilot?

• Is this helping you grow, or is it holding you back?

• Are you adding value, or simply feeding your ego?

Your legacy isn’t just about being part of someone else’s story—it’s about writing your own with clarity and purpose. So, move forward with intention, influence others positively, and never forget that your journey deserves to be just as epic as the chapters you add to everyone else’s.

Escaping The System 👟

By Marcus

This article will be a bit different. Instead of offering direct solutions, I want to challenge you to think beyond conventional norms. But before we begin, let’s establish a few ground rules to maximize the value you take from this:

1. The world will not look the same in the future as it does today.

2. To support this future, new products, services, and systems must be created.

3. Some ideas will seem improbable or even impossible—but that’s where innovation happens.

4. The people who think ahead will be the ones rewarded.

5. You could be one of those people.

The Illusion of Choice

"Youth is wasted on the young, and wisdom is wasted on the old."
—George Bernard Shaw

The older I get, the more I believe this quote to be true. When we are young, we have the perfect opportunity to build habits, skills, and wealth—but we often lack the wisdom to recognize this advantage. By the time we gain the wisdom, many of our early opportunities have passed.

How many times have you thought, If I had known this when I was younger, my life would be completely different?

Here’s a hard truth: Life doesn’t offer an opt-in button. You were born into a system you didn’t choose, and you’re expected to navigate it with little guidance. Many people get stuck in cycles—debt, unfulfilling jobs, limited opportunities—because they aren’t given an alternative path.

So, what if we designed one?

The College Trap

For decades, college has been promoted as the gateway to success. But today, we have more data than ever showing that this one-size-fits-all model isn’t working for the majority. The cost of a traditional four-year degree has skyrocketed, leaving graduates burdened with debt and limited job prospects.

Yet, for many young adults, college isn’t just about education—it’s about leaving home and gaining independence. But here’s the real question:

Is there a better way to gain independence without taking on crippling debt?

What if, instead of going the traditional route, young adults prepared much earlier—building savings, learning real-world skills, and having a structured path to financial stability before leaving home?

A New Approach to Early Independance

Imagine an alternative model where young adults have financially viable options beyond student loans and part-time college jobs. Here’s what this could look like:

Financial Solutions

• Pre-Independence Investment Funds – A structured way for teenagers to save and invest as early as possible, compounding their wealth before they even consider moving out.

• Alternative Lending Models – If banks are willing to lend $80K for a degree with questionable ROI, why not create a financial product designed to fund real-world transition into independence?

• Parental Partnership Loans – Instead of co-signing student debt, what if parents co-signed low-risk, structured loans designed to finance their child’s first year(s) of self-sufficient living?

Housing & Living Support

• Safe Roommate Matching Services – A secure platform for young adults to find responsible roommates, backed by background checks, safety features, and financial vetting.

Educational & Vocational Alternatives

• Job-Ready Learning Platforms – Programs that teach practical skills needed in today’s workforce (tech, trade, entrepreneurship) without the excessive costs of college.

• Financial Literacy & Investing Curriculum – If schools won’t teach kids how to manage money, invest, and build wealth, why not create a program that does?

Secondary Markets for Affordability

• Furniture & Home Essentials Marketplaces – A peer-to-peer platform for affordable home essentials to help new renters get set up without overspending.

• Resource-Sharing Networks – Community-driven tools to exchange, rent, or borrow items instead of constantly buying new.

Shifting the Narrative

For years, we’ve accepted the cycle: graduate high school, take on enormous debt, move out, struggle financially, work for decades to pay it off.

What if we broke that cycle?

This is just one example of how rethinking a system can open the door for entirely new industries and business opportunities.

If you’re a forward thinker, there are endless ways to create value, businesses, and financial opportunities based on emerging needs.

Your Thoughts

What industries or systems do you think could be restructured to better serve people?

What innovative ideas can you generate by questioning what we’ve always accepted as normal?

Remember, the future belongs to those who build it.

"The only way to discover the limits of the possible is to go beyond them into the impossible."
—Arthur C. Clarke