Financial blogger Steve Adcock, a self-made millionaire who turned 35 in 2016, retired early with his wife with $900,000 in savings. However, this money accumulated into a net worth of US$1 million (approximately HK$8 million) within a few years.
Steve Adcock was not born into a wealthy family, but a nine-to-five wage earner working as a software developer. He didn’t inherit an inheritance or win the lottery, and he didn’t claim to be smart, but by living a frugal lifestyle, investing wisely, building a strong business, he was able to achieve financial freedom, and most importantly, he didn’t follow conventional wisdom.
Adcock wrote a column on CNBC, explaining the 6 social rules that helped him become a millionaire at the age of 38:
1. “Don’t be selfish”
Adcock believes that a certain degree of selfishness is necessary, which he calls “healthy selfishness.” He believes that “putting yourself first” means that a person should give priority to his own physical and mental health, so that he can improve his ability and give back to the society better.
It also means learning to say “no.” For example, he is an introvert, so he will decline social invitations and even leave meetings so he can have time to himself. He will not answer the phone when he is not in a good state of mind and it is not suitable for talking.
For Adcock, fitness training is a relaxing thing. Even if he has to postpone other affairs, he still insists on going to the gym every day to make himself feel more energetic and work more efficiently.
2. “Follow your passion”
Adcock said that many times people don’t make a living doing what they like to do, but they can do what they are good at. He believes that most people’s interests are related to creativity, but it is extremely difficult to earn a considerable income in the creative field.
Adcock loves photography, but he chose computer science as a career because it’s his specialty, and tech jobs tend to pay better.
Adcock maintains the habit of shooting in the evenings and weekends, and has never experienced the pressure of making a living from photography to a full-time job. Therefore, he still has a passion for photography.
3. “Don’t rock the boat” (Don’t rock the boat)
Adcock said that playing against the tune does not mean “making a mess.” When he thought a decision at work was wrong, he was quick to speak up, pointing the team to possible ways to improve it, and this outspokenness helped him land his first supervisory job.
Adcock believes that if he had always held meetings quietly, he would not have been promoted and raised so quickly to become a leader.
He emphasized that objecting is not to insult others, nor is it to be the loudest person in the conference room, but to stand alone when necessary, actively put forward new insights, and open up new situations.
4. “Hustle 24/7”
Adcock pointed out that reworking back to exhaustion will not make you successful. After successfully completing work, you should decompress and relax through entertainment or other means. Productivity increases because you make time for yourself.
Adcock watches Netflix almost every night to unwind. He is also an avid sports fan and enjoys playing various ball club sims. Plus, he wakes up at 7 a.m. so he can take control of his day and allocate time for these relaxing likes.
5. “Stick to your job description”
Adcock recalled that he had the opportunity to be promoted twice ten years ago. At that time, he felt that he was not ready for the job, but in the end he accepted it and learned by doing.
Adcock said that that leap laid a new height for his salary increase path in his subsequent career, and made him more confident in his ability.
He advises that if you have the opportunity to take on more responsibility than you imagined, go for it, which could lead to a promotion, raise, or other income-boosting opportunity.
6. “If you want to win, don’t be nice to people” (Don’t be nice if you want to win)
The so-called “virtue is not alone, there must be neighbors”, Adcock said that being kind to others always brings good opportunities (Kindness opens doors). He believes that a large part of his success comes from his personality and demeanor in the office, and he has gained a good reputation for being easy to work with. This makes management more inclined to seek cooperation with him for large-scale projects.
Adcock found that being ethical at work and committing to being a good member of the team worked over time. Instead of resorting to fear or aggression when you have the opportunity to lead, he advises, manage with compassion.
Source：CNBC
Text by FORTUNE INSIGHT
