There’s a difference between arrogance and confidence. Confidence is built on experience, on accomplishments, on stepping into the arena and proving yourself time and time again. Arrogance, on the other hand, is an empty shell—loud but unproven, seeking approval rather than results.
I don’t seek validation from people who aren’t valid. If you’ve never built something of your own, never taken risks, never veered off the beaten path, then why would your opinion shape my reality? You can’t Google your name and find something you’ve created? Then we’re simply not playing the same game. Success isn’t about fitting into a mold; it’s about breaking through barriers and redefining what’s possible.
The Difference Between Confidence and Arrogance
Confidence is the result of work, repetition, and perseverance. It comes from stepping into situations that test your limits, adjusting, learning, and emerging stronger. Arrogance, on the other hand, is unearned bravado. It lacks foundation and is often rooted in insecurity. When you’ve put in the work, you don’t need to shout about it—your results do the talking.
At 22, I was on Wall Street, generating $5,000 in commission my first month. By 25, I was closing $10.4K in the same industry. Then I switched lanes to real estate rentals and pulled in $18.6K in just three months. That’s not luck—it’s strategy, work ethic, and the ability to adapt and execute. Success is not a matter of chance; it’s a matter of choice, effort, and persistence.
Over the years, I’ve worked with clients at the top of their game: billionaire investors, hedge fund managers, successful entrepreneurs, neurosurgeons, scientists, and more. These aren’t people who waste time seeking validation. They make moves, they execute, and they win. That’s the energy I move with.
Expanding Beyond Finance: Music, Markets, and Wealth Building
Success is about evolution, about taking skills and applying them across different fields. In 2021, I taught myself how to produce drum and bass, lofi, and hip hop. I didn’t just dabble—I executed. I released 19 albums and EPs, racking up nearly 200,000 streams. Music wasn’t just a passion; it became another avenue where I built something real, something that left a mark.
Beyond music, I studied the markets and made money trading. Investing isn’t just about short-term gains; it’s about long-term strategy. I’ve taught people how to build generational wealth, not just by throwing money at stocks but by understanding economic cycles, asset allocation, and leveraging opportunities the right way. The principles of success—discipline, execution, and strategy—apply whether you’re on Wall Street, in real estate, in music, or in investing.
Why Validation is a Trap
Many people fall into the validation trap, believing that external approval defines their worth or potential. They chase likes, comments, and superficial praise, often at the cost of real growth. But the truth is, external validation is fleeting and unreliable. What truly matters is internal confidence—the belief that you are capable, regardless of outside opinions.
Validation-seekers often hesitate to take action because they fear criticism. They wait for permission, for someone to tell them they’re ready. But those who achieve greatness don’t ask for permission; they create opportunities and take them. If you wait for others to validate you, you’ll never move.
The Power of Execution
Success doesn’t come from waiting for the perfect moment or gaining universal approval. It comes from execution. From taking risks, failing, learning, and adapting. Those who watch from the sidelines will always have something to say, but their words hold no weight in the world of action-takers.
The audacity of those who’ve never stepped into the fire to try and critique those who have—it’s almost laughable. But the truth is, their opinions are irrelevant. Those who matter—those who have built, achieved, and succeeded—respect action, not words. They understand the price of success and the sacrifices it requires.
Building Your Own Path
The world doesn’t reward hesitation. It rewards bold action. If you want to create a legacy, you must be willing to step forward even when no one is clapping. You must be willing to trust yourself when the doubters and critics try to shake your resolve.
So, for those who are out there building, growing, and putting in the work: keep going. Let results speak louder than opinions. And for those sitting on the sidelines? Maybe it’s time to get in the game.
At the end of the day, confidence is earned. It’s built through challenges, failures, and victories. The key to success is not seeking validation but proving to yourself that you are capable. And once you truly believe in yourself, nothing can stop you.
