The system failed you.
It taught you to memorize dates, obey authority, and follow outdated rules. But the real world rewards those who think critically, adapt quickly, and execute ruthlessly—skills you were never tested on.
After years of building businesses, investing in startups, and mentoring high performers, I’ve compiled the missing curriculum—the real knowledge that separates winners from those left behind.
But why now? Two reasons lit a fire under me:
Teaching Financial Literacy to 10,000+ Students
Through Moscow’s youth financial literacy program, I’ve seen firsthand how the system leaves young people unprepared. They can solve equations but can’t negotiate a salary. They memorize theories but can’t think strategically. This series is my answer to that gap.
My 15-Year-Old Son
As a father, I keep asking: What mental models, skills, and truths does he truly need? Not textbook knowledge—but the unspoken rules of success, relationships, and resilience that most learn too late (if ever).
This isn’t about degrees. It’s about leverage—understanding how the world really works so you can:
Outthink competitors stuck in conventional wisdom
Outperform by mastering execution, not just ideas
- Outlast by adapting faster than your environment changes
Here’s Part 1 of your education — 7 ruthless disciplines to hack success on your terms.
1. Clarity: Thinking Like a Scientist, Not a Parrot
“Most people don’t think—they regurgitate.”
What to Study:
First-principles thinking (Elon Musk’s rocket math: “What’s the cost of raw materials? Let’s rebuild from there.”)
Cognitive biases (Your brain lies to you. Confirmation bias, sunk cost fallacy, and the Dunning-Kruger effect are silent killers.)
Mental models (Inversion: “How could this fail?” Second-order thinking: “And then what?”)
Why It Matters:
The world rewards those who see reality clearly—not those who repeat dogma.
Real-World Payoff:
Solve problems others can’t.
Spot flawed logic in negotiations.
Avoid herd mentality in investing.
Action: Next time you hear a “fact,” ask: “How do we know this is true?”
2. Strategy: Life Is Poker, Not Chess
“You don’t win by playing fair—you win by playing the odds.”
What to Study:
Zero-sum vs. positive-sum games (When to compete vs. collaborate.)
OODA loops (Military strategy: Observe, Orient, Decide, Act—faster than your opponent.)
Pre-mortems (Imagine your project failed. Why? Now fix it before it happens.)
Why It Matters:
Most people play by visible rules. Strategists change the game.
Real-World Payoff:
Negotiate better deals by understanding power dynamics.
Anticipate market shifts before competitors.
Walk away from losing battles early (bad jobs, toxic relationships, sunk costs).
Action: Before your next big move, ask: “What’s the hidden rule here?”
3. Persuasion: The Science of Getting What You Want
“Logic makes people think. Emotion makes them act.”
What to Study:
Copywriting (Ogilvy, Caples—how to make words sell.)
NLP patterns (Language that bypasses resistance: “You’re free to choose, but most successful people do X.”)
Cialdini’s Influence (Social proof, scarcity, reciprocity.)
Why It Matters:
If you can’t persuade, you’ll spend your life following someone else’s vision.
Real-World Payoff:
Close deals without being pushy.
Rally teams behind your ideas.
Defuse conflicts with precise language.
Action: Rewrite your next email using “you” instead of “I.”
4. Adaptability: Thriving in Chaos
“The strongest don’t survive—the most adaptable do.”
What to Study:
Lean methodology (Build fast, fail fast, iterate faster.)
Optionality (Nassim Taleb: Keep doors open, never trap yourself.)
Stress inoculation (Seek controlled chaos—cold showers, hard deadlines, high-stakes conversations.)
Why It Matters:
The future belongs to those who adapt faster than their environment changes.
Real-World Payoff:
Pivot careers without starting from zero.
Stay calm in crises while others panic.
Spot trends before they’re obvious.
Action: Do one uncomfortable thing today (e.g., a cold call, a hard conversation).
5. Execution: The Art of Shipping
“Ideas are worthless. Execution is everything.”
What to Study:
4 Disciplines of Execution (Focus, leverage, engagement, accountability.)
Deep work (Cal Newport: 90 minutes of undistracted focus beats 8 hours of busywork.)
The 5-Second Rule (Mel Robbins: “If you hesitate, you’re dead.”)
Why It Matters:
Most people are stuck in “planning mode.” Winners ship.
Real-World Payoff:
Deliver projects while others overthink.
10x your output without burning out.
Become known as the person who gets shit done.
Action: Pick one stalled project. Commit to shipping it in 48 hours.
6. Network Effects: The Hidden Force Multiplier
“Your network determines your net worth.”
What to Study:
Dunbar’s number (You can only maintain ~150 real relationships.)
“Give first” principle (Build social capital before you need it.)
Tribe-building (Attract the right people by being remarkable.)
Why It Matters:
Opportunities flow through people, not resumes.
Real-World Payoff:
Access hidden job markets.
Leverage other people’s skills/time.
Become a hub in your industry.
Action: Reach out to one high-value person today. Offer value first.
7. Emotional Agility: The Invisible Edge
“IQ gets you hired. EQ gets you promoted—or rich.”
What to Study:
Nonviolent communication (Defuse conflicts with empathy.)
Stoicism (Control perceptions, not events.)
High-agency mindset (No excuses. Just solutions.)
Why It Matters:
Emotions drive decisions—including yours. Master them, or they’ll master you.
Real-World Payoff:
Stay calm under pressure (outperform in crises).
Read people’s unspoken motives.
Avoid self-sabotage from anger, fear, or insecurity.
Action: Next time you’re frustrated, ask: “What’s the smartest move here?”
This is the education you wish they taught you. The only question left: Which gap will you close first?
—Aleksei Olin
Founder, iVenturer Foundation
PS: The system won’t teach you this. Share it with someone who’s ready to break free.
