When people hear the word “wicked,” they immediately think of negativity or bad behavior. But the truth is, those society calls “wicked” are often the most focused, disciplined, and serious individuals. They get results because they don’t joke with their goals, don’t compromise their vision, and don’t let distractions derail them.
Success isn’t about being overly nice to everyone or waiting for permission — it’s about taking control, staying disciplined, and executing your plans like your life depends on it. Here are four unconventional, yet practical, guidelines I live by on my journey to success:
1. Stay Wicked
Being wicked here doesn’t mean doing harm. It means knowing what you want, setting your target, and pursuing it with relentless focus. The question is simple: How bad do you want to succeed?
Stop being too nice to your success. People will take advantage if you are overly accommodating. Be a good person — but don’t compromise your focus, discipline, or principles. In this century, being too polite or too cooperative can make people take you for granted.
Look closely at those society calls “wicked”: they don’t joke, compromise, or play with their careers. While others are on holidays, they are working. While others spend lavishly, they spend strategically. Staff who misbehave are disciplined without emotional blackmail. People call them wicked, but the reality is they are focused, strategic, accountable, and responsible.
The alternate truth is that those labeled “wicked” tend to last longer in whatever they do because society has already recognized them as people you don’t mess with.
Punchy takeaway: “Stay wicked — and let your focus speak louder than words.”
2. Be MAD Without Shame
MAD isn’t anger. It’s an acronym: M = Motivated, A = Articulated, D = Directed.
Be highly motivated, clearly articulate your goals, and direct all your actions toward them. MAD people are without shame — they don’t feel shy, scared, or intimidated. They go anywhere, do anything, and survive every challenge just to get their food.
The reason most people fail is that they are too “holy, spiritual, corporate, conventional, courteous, intimidated” to do the right strategic things. They worry too much about what people will say or think. But whatever you do, people will talk anyway.
Success requires thinking differently, acting differently, and planning differently — in a MAD way. Look at Jesus clearing the temple: he didn’t preach; he acted decisively and scattered the marketplace. Or consider the Holy Spirit in Acts: when He came as a “mighty rushing wind,” over 1,000 people gave their lives to Christ. Bold, strategic action produces results.
Don’t be a gentleman or gentlewoman when it comes to your career, brand, or business. Be MAD enough to do the positive, necessary things to succeed. The kingdom of success, like business, requires purposeful force.
Punchy takeaway: “Be MAD — and let bold action carry you to your goals.”
3. Choose Your Comfort Zone
Most people think comfort zones are lazy traps. The truth? Your comfort zone is where your purpose aligns with effort. It’s the place where long hours, difficult problems, and constant challenges feel natural because they align with your internal drive.
While others see comfort as stagnation, yours is built on more work, more competence, and more mastery. You feel most at home when your hands are busy and your mind is engaged. The burning desire to succeed, create, and outperform competitors is your sanctuary. For me, the true discomfort is idleness or shallow work.
Mastering your comfort zone doesn’t mean doing something you’re bad at. It means expanding your mastery, colonizing the unknown, and making it part of your high-performance environment. True comfort comes from aligned effort, purpose, and resilience.
Punchy takeaway: “Master your comfort zone — make effort, purpose, and mastery feel like home.”
4. Learn Relentlessly and Apply Knowledge
A word is not enough for a wise man. Growth requires learning, unlearning, and being teachable. Be desperate to know more about your career or business. Ask questions, read books, attend seminars, research, and gather information wherever you are.
Don’t rely on just one mentor. You can have multiple mentors: one for negotiation and marketing, another for dress and presentation, another for spiritual growth, and so on.
This is the 21st century — the era of information. If you are not informed, you are deformed. No man is an island of knowledge; someone knows something you don’t. In the streets, “cash out is a function of update,” and update requires proper research and application.
When you get knowledge, don’t just store it in your head. You are not a mobile library. Apply every positive insight into your business or career. Knowledge is power, but applied knowledge is the manifestation of that power.
Punchy takeaway: “Learn constantly, apply relentlessly, and watch knowledge turn into results.”
Final Thoughts
Being “wicked” isn’t evil. It’s about focus, boldness, mastery, and relentless learning.
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Stay Wicked → serious, disciplined, strategic, and accountable
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Be MAD → fearless, bold, and unapologetic in execution
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Choose Your Comfort Zone → align effort with mastery and purpose
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Learn Relentlessly → gather knowledge, apply it, and grow
Society might misunderstand you. They might call you “wicked” or “mad.” But those who persist, execute, and learn will always rise above the crowd. Embrace these principles, and you’ll discover that being “wicked” might just be the secret to your success.
Truer words could not be said 💯💯
ReplyDeleteGreat Article
ReplyDeleteStay wicked!
ReplyDeleteThat line struck
Great write up
ReplyDeleteAhan! This makes a whole lot of sense. New mantra for the year - STAY WICKED[in a good though].
ReplyDelete