13 Life-Changing Lessons from This Ex-President —Rethink How You Lead And Invest

Let’s talk about Abraham Lincoln for a moment. 

His philosophies can still hit you like a ton of bricks, especially when you’re navigating the ups and downs of entrepreneurship and crypto investing.

 I’ve learned that applying these lessons has made a real difference, not just in my business but in my mindset.

Let’s break down 13 of Lincoln’s most powerful lessons and why they matter to us as entrepreneurs and investors today.

1. “I don’t like that man. I must get to know him better.”

I’ll be real with you: there’s always that one person who drives you nuts. You know the type — maybe it’s someone in your crypto group chat who seems to always argue with your strategies, or that competitor who keeps edging you out on the leaderboard. Your first instinct is to ignore them, right? But Lincoln’s approach was the opposite: the people you dislike often hold the key to your growth.

In our fast-paced world of Twitter debates and anonymous avatars, it’s easy to dismiss people who challenge our thinking. But what if, instead of blocking that person, you leaned in? What if you took the time to really understand their perspective? I’ve done this with a few rivals in the crypto space, and you know what? Some of the best insights have come from them. The more uncomfortable the conversation, the more I grew. You can’t afford to stay in an echo chamber — expand your mind by getting to know those who irritate you.

2. “Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man’s character, give him power.”

Let’s be honest: power can be intoxicating. Whether it’s a large crypto portfolio, a successful business, or simply having influence over others, power can start to warp your perspective if you’re not careful. I remember the first time I started seeing real success in my investments. The gains were incredible, and I felt invincible — like I had cracked the code that others couldn’t.

But Lincoln’s right: true character shows when you have power in your hands. It’s easy to be humble when you’re struggling, but how do you act when you’re on top? I’ve seen plenty of people in crypto go from being cooperative and kind to arrogant and dismissive once they started raking in profits. That’s the moment when ego takes over, and it’s dangerous. Power can make you a monster if you let it.

Instead of chasing power for its own sake, focus on influence. Power fades, but influence — real influence that inspires and lifts others up — lasts far longer. Inspire others through your actions, not your control. It’s something I try to practice daily, whether it’s mentoring newcomers or supporting fellow entrepreneurs.

3. “I have always found that mercy bears richer fruits than strict justice.”

We live in a culture where one wrong move can get you “canceled.” People seem eager to drag others down for making mistakes, especially in the online business and crypto world. I’ve seen countless investors who lost big and were written off by the community, sometimes even ridiculed. But here’s the truth: everyone makes mistakes. And trust me, in crypto and entrepreneurship, failure is almost guaranteed at some point.

Lincoln’s view of mercy resonates deeply here. Instead of burning people at the stake for their missteps, give them a chance to redeem themselves. I’ve been on both sides of this — criticized when I stumbled and also given second chances that changed everything for me. It’s amazing what happens when you show a little mercy. In business, this could be extending help to a struggling partner or giving a former rival a shot at collaboration. The real winners are those who lift others up, even when it’s easier to watch them fall.

4. “I do not think much of a man who is not wiser today than he was yesterday.”

A lot of people stop learning the day they finish school. But in the real world, learning doesn’t stop — it’s just getting started. In crypto especially, if you’re not actively educating yourself, you’ll get left behind in the dust. The landscape changes so fast that yesterday’s knowledge can be obsolete tomorrow.

Lincoln understood that wisdom is a daily grind. I always tell people: don’t just rely on what you learned years ago. Whether it’s taking on new challenges in the blockchain space, picking up a new skill like copywriting, or simply reading more about the latest innovations in AI — commit to growing every day.

This has been my secret weapon. I’m constantly testing out new strategies, seeing what works, and learning from my failures. Just like the 1% rule — you don’t need to transform overnight. If you get a little better every day, the compound effect will be enormous.

5. “The best way to predict your future is to create it.”

This one is my personal favorite. Hope and luck are loser strategies. I learned this the hard way during my first couple of years in crypto. Early on, I sat back and hoped that the market would turn in my favor. Spoiler: it didn’t. If you’re hoping for success without actively chasing it, you’re setting yourself up for disappointment.

Lincoln knew that if you want to control your future, you have to take action. For me, this meant diving deep into crypto research, learning technical analysis, and continuously iterating my strategies. Don’t guess your way to success. Instead, create a solid plan, test it, and then keep tweaking until you get it right. In business, just like in crypto, the ones who win aren’t the lucky — they’re the obsessed.

6. “Folks are usually about as happy as they make their minds up to be.”

Happiness isn’t some mystical thing that happens to you — it’s something you decide. I’ll be straight with you: I’ve seen people with millions in crypto holdings, yet they’re miserable. Meanwhile, others with far less are content and thriving. The difference? It’s all in your mindset.

When I hit some hard patches, losing a chunk of my portfolio, I had two choices. I could either dwell on it, feeling sorry for myself, or I could shift my perspective. I chose the latter, and it was one of the best decisions I’ve made. Happiness isn’t about having everything you want; it’s about being in control of your mindset. If you’re unhappy in your career, investments, or life, decide to make a change. You hold that power.

7. “Discipline is choosing between what you want now, and what you want most.”

Let’s talk about the long game. Crypto is filled with people chasing short-term wins — those trying to get rich overnight. But here’s the reality: instant gratification is a trap.

When I first started investing, I got caught up in the hype, chasing quick wins and ignoring long-term strategies. But the truth is, what I wanted in the moment — fast profits — wasn’t aligned with my bigger goal of long-term financial freedom. Lincoln’s take on discipline is spot on. I had to learn to put my short-term desires aside and focus on the deep work required for long-lasting success. It’s the same in business: the work that pays off in the long run often requires you to resist the temptation of quick rewards.

I shifted my mindset, focusing on sustainable growth over fast profits. And you know what? It’s paid off massively.

8. “You cannot escape the responsibility of tomorrow by evading it today.”

Let’s face it: procrastination is a killer. We’ve all been there, putting off that one thing we know will move the needle, whether it’s launching a new project, learning a new skill, or making that tough investment decision. In business and in crypto, evading responsibility is a surefire way to stunt your growth.

I’ve seen it firsthand. There was a time early in my crypto journey when I kept delaying my deep dive into technical analysis. I figured, “I’ll get to it later,” while blindly making investments based on other people’s tips. Of course, this led to losses. It wasn’t until I owned up to the fact that my success or failure rests solely on my shoulders that I turned things around.

Lincoln’s lesson here is clear: stop evading the responsibilities of today, because tomorrow is coming whether you’re ready or not. Don’t push off learning that new technology or launching your next big idea because you’re waiting for the “right time.” The right time is now. Every day you wait is a day lost.

9. “My great concern is not whether you have failed, but whether you are content with your failure.”

Failure is part of the game, especially in something as unpredictable as crypto or entrepreneurship. If you haven’t failed yet, you’re not taking enough risks. The problem isn’t failure itself — it’s how you handle it. I’ve failed plenty, and I can tell you, it’s never easy. But if you’re content to sit in your failure and let it define you, you’re missing the point.

I remember a particular trade where I lost a significant chunk of my portfolio. It hit hard. But instead of dwelling on it or accepting defeat, I analyzed what went wrong, made adjustments, and got back in the game. Failure is only the end if you allow it to be. Lincoln teaches us that real growth happens when we learn from our failures, adjust, and keep moving forward.

In business, the same holds true. Whether it’s a failed product launch or a botched marketing campaign, the key is in how you respond. Do you let it cripple you, or do you extract the lesson and push ahead? The choice is yours.

10. “Do I not destroy my enemies when I make them my friends?”

This one’s tough, but it’s probably one of the most powerful lessons Lincoln offers. Think about it: how much energy do you spend hating on your competition or adversaries? Whether it’s someone who undercut you in a deal or a fellow entrepreneur who beat you to market, holding onto that negativity only drains you.

I’ve been guilty of this too. There was a time when I’d see other crypto investors posting massive wins, and instead of learning from them, I resented them. But Lincoln’s perspective here is a game-changer: what if, instead of wasting energy hating your competition, you befriended them? That’s when everything shifts.

When I started collaborating with people I once viewed as “enemies,” not only did I learn more, but my own success grew. We shared insights, strategies, and opportunities that I wouldn’t have had access to otherwise. So, the next time you feel that twinge of jealousy or rivalry, think about how you can turn that relationship into something mutually beneficial.

11. “You can fool all the people some of the time, and some of the people all the time, but you cannot fool all the people all the time.”

This quote feels especially relevant in today’s world of misinformation and hype. How many people do you see buying into scams or chasing the latest get-rich-quick schemes in crypto? It’s everywhere. There’s always someone promising a shortcut to wealth, a secret strategy that no one else knows. And while some may fall for it in the short term, in the end, the truth always comes out.

I’ve seen people fooled by influencers promoting pump-and-dump schemes or fake projects designed to grab attention and then disappear. It might work for a while, but as Lincoln wisely noted, you can’t fool everyone forever. Integrity matters, and in the long run, it’s the transparent and honest entrepreneurs and investors who win.

In business, too, authenticity is key. Don’t waste time trying to craft a facade that people will eventually see through. Be real, be honest, and build something that’s genuine. In the long run, this will always beat any short-term hustle.

12. “How many legs does a dog have if you call his tail a leg? Four. Saying that a tail is a leg doesn’t make it a leg.”

In 2024, this simple analogy holds more weight than ever. With so much misinformation and manipulation, especially online, it’s easy to get swept up in narratives that just aren’t true. We see this all the time in the crypto space — people claiming certain projects are “game-changers” or that certain tokens are the “future of finance” just because they say so.

But here’s the reality: facts don’t care about your narratives. Just because someone says a token is the next big thing doesn’t make it so. As investors, it’s critical to separate hype from truth.

I’ve fallen into the trap of believing hype before, only to watch my investments plummet when reality set in. Lincoln reminds us to keep things simple: facts are facts, no matter how hard people try to twist them. Stick to what you know, rely on data, and always do your own research. Just because someone calls something a “leg,” doesn’t make it one.

13. “Avoid popularity if you would have peace.”

In today’s world, especially with social media, the pressure to be popular can be overwhelming. Everyone wants to be seen, to be heard, to be known. But Lincoln’s words here resonate deeply with me: fame doesn’t equal peace. In fact, it often brings the opposite.

I’ve watched entrepreneurs and crypto influencers rise to fame, only to become consumed by the very thing they sought after. Once you’re in the spotlight, the pressure to maintain that status can take over your life. Privacy is real wealth. True freedom isn’t found in being famous or having thousands of followers — it’s in building something meaningful without the need for validation from others.

When I started focusing on impact over popularity, my mindset shifted. I didn’t need to be the loudest voice in the room; I just needed to make the right moves quietly. This is how you build peace into your life. Focus on creating value, not seeking fame. Success doesn’t need to be flashy to be fulfilling.

These 13 lessons from Lincoln are timeless. They apply to entrepreneurs, crypto investors, and honestly, anyone who’s on the path of self-improvement. Lincoln wasn’t just a leader — he was a master at understanding human nature and success. And if you’re willing to apply these lessons, they can change the way you approach both business and life.

Remember, it’s not about winning the short-term game. It’s about mastering yourself, your craft, and ultimately, creating a life that’s meaningful on your terms.

Your next step

Stay tuned to my next issue, where I will continue to give my insights on crypto + entrepreneurship to financial freedom!

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