Therefore, many people hope for an economic recovery during an economic downturn, believing that if they endure, things will get better. Essentially, there are two serious hidden dangers: ① After the economy recovers, you may not understand the importance of being cautious and will still "drift," repeating the economic cycle. But so many people need to survive and eat, and every year there are university graduates. How can they always take care of you? Everyone has their golden period in their time; once it's gone, it's gone. They won't pity you or take care of you just because you have suffered. Every era has its own "heroes." ② Hope itself is a form of reliance. Relying on economic recovery to pull oneself up reveals an inherent laziness. The lazy, regardless of good or bad luck, will never grasp the initiative and the timing.

So when the economy is in an upward phase, everything is orderly, and everyone feels good, it indicates that the distribution of wealth behind has been completed, and there are no new conflicts. The "good timing" you think actually does not involve any additional wealth redistribution. The pleasant feeling at this time is merely a normal state without opportunities.

The facts often run contrary to our feelings.

Brother Huai deeply understands one point:

For individuals, timing is often counterintuitive, while patterns often reflect universal human nature.

True wealth often arises in extreme circumstances. However, extreme situations do not necessarily mean high risks. Just like in summer, excessive sun exposure may cause many people to suffer from heatstroke, but when a storm arrives, the certainty of a safe zone is actually higher.

During an economic downturn, it is actually a good time to make money because: ① An economic downturn is precisely when you can prepare. At this time, you are likely very idle. ② During an economic downturn, material desires shrink, and your focus is more concentrated than ever, making it easier to accomplish things. ③ Because everyone is on defense or has already surrendered. Just like "when the tide goes out, you can see who is swimming naked," during an economic downturn, you can see that the vast majority of people are swimming naked, and you can see what your competitors are "doing," rather than being in a state of uncertainty.

An economic downturn also means you can do those "few but fine" and "correct" things: ① You don't have to engage in many industries, nor do you need to gather too much information, because the industries that can make money are already apparent. If you can make money during an economic downturn, when the economy improves, you will have a risk-free leverage to quickly expand and earn big. ② Everyone is in a "Buddhist" and "lying flat" state, which is just right for you to focus on and find opportunities, you can also do small-scale trial and error to find scarce information, exercise corresponding abilities, and cultivate and integrate into corresponding circles.

At this time, competitors in the same tier are either complaining or lying flat, and no one sees you as a competitor.

If you stay positive and proactive, not only will you have benefits, but the competition will also be small, with huge potential returns—because everyone is waiting for the economy to improve. You're not lying flat, but you also have the same rights, and you possess proactive capital and preparation. ③ Once you focus on scarcity, you will become more concentrated. When the opportunity comes, you will have a significant advantage over those who are not prepared and have not equipped themselves well.

Remember: you are not racing against others; you are meant to be comrades with opportunities and benefits.

While most people are numb from the pain brought by the economic downturn, new opportunities are being nurtured—great winds begin at the end of the green grass.

For example, in industries like self-media, live streaming, cross-border e-commerce, and new energy, talent is still scarce, and there is a lot of room for improvement. Many people can start with zero cost, spend some time, and start making money without being limited by location.

They are continuously learning new networking technologies through low-cost methods, accumulating more valuable traffic and users.

Waiting for the economy to warm up before taking action, waiting until you are finally excited and passionate, then entering will be a red sea. At this point, all aspects of experience and costs will rise steeply, and you can only become "leeks."

I have found that those successful people around me are very knowledgeable about this path.

They do not follow the crowd, nor do they wait until all trends are favorable before taking action. Instead, they see the opportunities hidden in others' hesitation and lying flat, layout early, try with light positions, and when others enter, it is their time to reap significant rewards. It is even very likely that by this time, they have already begun to withdraw gradually.

Please remember this sentence again: True opportunities are often counterintuitive, while patterns reflect universal human nature.

Buffett once said: "Be greedy when others are fearful, and be fearful when others are greedy." When most people are watching, look for opportunities; when most are excited, choose to be cautious and withdraw.

A person's real risk in life is not the environment, but their cognition. If cognition is lacking, luck won’t be good either, and the correlation with the environment is low.

If you don't strictly demand and enrich yourself, when the overall environment is poor, your cognition will be like what Zhao Benshan said in his skit: "Wherever you go, the overall environment is not good, are you the one who destroys the overall environment?"

British Prime Minister Churchill once said: "Never waste a crisis."

The more difficult the time, the more you should see hope and possess a fighting spirit! The secret to getting rich is: find a piece of grassland when no one cares, the farmer is only you or a few insightful people.