A few days ago, a close reader sent me a private message: “Master Chi, how exactly did the wealthy, financially free people around you get there?”
I thought about it for a long time and honestly didn’t know where to begin — a question this layered simply can’t be answered in a sentence or two. After all, even though Master Chi has quite a few so-called wealthy and ultra-rich friends, every single one of them got there a different way.
But this afternoon, in the middle of a busy day, something I’ve said before suddenly came back to me: no matter how complex a problem is, it can always be distilled into a few key points.
So I’m going to try to answer this question.
That’s also why today’s article went through two rounds of revision before being published — the result of stripping things down to their essence, then stripping them down again.
And let me be straight with you.
Unless you have someone on the billionaires list directly in your life, willing to teach you through personal example — the reference points Master Chi is offering today aren’t perfect, but they’re probably as close to the truth as you’re going to find.
1 — Almost all of them were fortunate children of their era, but also pioneers bold enough to move first.
Nearly every friend of mine with a net worth in the ten figures or above entered the game early — when an industry was just being born, they were already there, exploring and figuring it out.
And almost universally, they went through the same complete arc: low-cost testing → experiencing failure and early wins → reflection and review → settling into steady, sustainable operations.
Very rarely does anyone emerge as a late breakthrough in a mature industry. And even when they do, it’s because they already had enough original capital to use as leverage.
2 — Strong execution, full of rough-edged courage and the drive to just get it done.
They don’t spend all day talking about grand ambitions while taking no real action. When an idea strikes, the very next moment they’re already testing it.
And what drives them to try isn’t simply money — it’s a competitive spirit. The feeling of: I’m not worse than anyone else. Why should I be the one who loses?
Yes — nearly every wealthy person Master Chi has known personally started out with a powerful emotional foundation: resentment, defiance, self-belief, and above all, a deep dissatisfaction with their own circumstances — a refusal to accept being potential that never gets forged into something real.
3 — Extreme self-discipline, with energy highly focused — like a magnifying glass under sunlight, adjusting to channel everything toward getting things done.
Look at a certain type of person: always performing like they’re working hard, but every few days they’re off on a vacation, or casually dabbling in some new hobby. That kind of person, with very high probability, will never break through in career or wealth.
Remember this: when someone is truly capable of achieving something, that relentless drive to dig in and figure it out — it can’t be hidden.
4 — No gambling, no vice, no bad habits that damage their destiny.
Many of the older generation of businesspeople were steeped in a culture of wine, excess, and indulgence — that was the mark of their era. But the vast majority of the post-70s generation who rose to real wealth share a strong capacity for self-discipline and self-control.
Not perfect people, but at minimum they actively distance themselves from harmful habits — and they don’t wear those habits as a badge of honor.
So what brings us the greatest sense of reward? Continuously becoming sharper, deepening wealth, creating more genuine value.
5 — Respect your fortune cycle (yun shi). Push forward when the wind is with you; hold your ground when it’s against you.
This is exactly why every year, quite a few people come to Master Chi to have their annual fortune cycle (liu nian) read — because life truly is full of uncertainty.
The thing to avoid most is pushing hard when the currents are running against you. When it’s time to hold, hold. When it’s time to stay steady, stay steady. Only push when the wind is genuinely in your favor.
6 — Though not all of them, the vast majority — especially this generation of post-75s — live by the belief that family harmony brings prosperity, and a harmonious marriage can overcome almost anything.
There is a small minority with unconventional views on marriage. But the overwhelming majority of wealthy people Master Chi has encountered — men and women alike, regardless of net worth — care deeply about their marriage, their spouse’s emotional wellbeing, and time spent with their children.
There’s something almost mysterious about this. I have seen far too many once-prosperous families whose decline began at the exact moment the household fractured — affairs, betrayal — and once it starts, it’s almost impossible to stop.
Whereas families that stay united, couples who remain in harmony — even when they hit major obstacles, they somehow find their way through.
That’s all for today. Master Chi has been gradually resuming regular articles these past two days. Recovery after the illness took longer than expected, and getting back into the rhythm of writing takes time — thank you all for your patience.