Do we help others reach their goals or are we selfish?
That’s a question I often ask myself. It might sound harsh, but it’s worth reflecting on.
I like to look at it through a metaphor. A football metaphor, of course because I love the game:
Do you play your teammates better? Do you make the perfect pass, allowing your teammate to score and become the best version of themselves? In short: do you lift others so they can do even better?
I live by the belief that you can achieve what you set your mind to whatever it may be.
And I firmly believe that we should support other people’s dreams without dragging them down. In fact, we should aim to lift them up whenever possible.
This may sound obvious, but unfortunately, people aren’t always good at uplifting each other. On the contrary, I often witness people pulling one another down.
That’s something I’d like to change. Here are my thoughts on how we can help ourselves—and each other become better human beings.
We all come from somewhere
It’s no secret I didn’t grow up with privilege quite the opposite. I remember times when money and family life were tough. But despite that, there was never a lack of love from my mother, and that scarcity made me truly grateful.
My background has fueled my drive to create the best conditions for my future self and for my future children. That’s why I focus on surrounding myself with the right people; those who lift me up.
And I aim to lift the people around me up, too.
My mom always said you can’t become a CEO without extremely hard work. I’ve experienced that firsthand. I’ve built my own success through persistence, and I’ve created my own network, one step at a time.
With that in mind, I’ve decided to write a few posts about personal development, since there’s been a lot of interest in that lately.
In short, you’ll get the experiences I’ve gained over the years from conversations with billionaires to wisdom from my beloved grandfather, who was wiser than life itself.
My grandfather and the value of loving your work
My grandfather loved life on the island of Samsø. He worked until the age of 85. He gave up the better-paid life of retirement just to keep doing what he loved working in the fields, cutting hay by hand.
I’m not saying you should work until you’re 85, but I am saying that there’s deep joy and freedom in doing what you love.
One thing I clearly remember my grandfather saying to me is: “Freedom is the greatest gold.” That sentence stuck with me, and I strive to live by that philosophy.
We don’t all start or end in the same place
Many might call me overambitious. And sure, I’ve pushed myself too hard over the past 10 years, but that’s not the point today.
What matters is that we all start somewhere, and it’s progression that fuels our energy. We’re not supposed to end up in the same place quite the opposite.
So what drives us to get where we want to go?
It’s not material things or money. Those can’t compare to the satisfaction of being a good parent, succeeding in school, or doing well at work.
It’s the feeling of achievement and learning. No physical object can compete with that.
That’s why it’s so important to create that feeling of success in our everyday lives. And to be inspired by those around us because that makes the feeling attainable.
One feeling I especially love is that moment when someone says: “Ah! Now I get it!”
I experience that often when teaching young entrepreneurs at Aarhus University—and I love it.
You have to enjoy the process, because that’s what brings meaning and value to the work you do. That’s the feeling of learning.
I don’t want you to be like me
Still with me?
Good, because I want you to understand that I don’t believe everyone should aim to be a billionaire or the next Elon Musk.
What I want is for people to feel joy and satisfaction with where they are in life. And I believe we should help each other reach that state.
Let me use someone I can relate to: Cristiano Ronaldo.
He’s the perfect example that we’re not all headed to the same destination.
There are many talented footballers, but not all have the same ambition level as Cristiano.
From everything I’ve read and seen, I don’t think he’s significantly more talented than others at the top level. I think he just works harder. Much harder.
I call it the progression bar
Let’s stick with the football example. Cristiano Ronaldo is willing to sacrifice more than most. His life revolves around one thing: football. And that comes with many sacrifices.
We can apply this to any industry.
Mark Zuckerberg sacrificed a lot. He spent his student years coding instead of doing normal student activities. He built a company that could have ended up in a drawer.
In theory, we could all do that. But in practice, not everyone is willing to sacrifice like he did. So they don’t achieve the same level of success.
The point is: we all choose how far we’re willing to go.
Some are willing to go farther. And instead of expecting everyone to do the same, remember this: everyone deserves to become the best version of themselves regardless of background. You decide what you’re willing to sacrifice.
Now let’s take a very different example.
Imagine someone with a criminal past. Maybe they’ll never become the next Steve Jobs—but if they stop committing crimes, they’re already much further on their own personal scale.
We all have different levels and goals. And that’s a good thing.
You can help others reach their top level on their progression bar.
You’re part of a massive network
It’s not always about money, prestige, or fame. It’s about humanity. There are 8 billion of us—pieces in a giant network.
There are two sides to this:
Are you helping people around you reach a higher level?
And are you demanding that the people you surround yourself with also help you reach a higher level?
My progression hierarchy
I believe it’s important to surround yourself with different types of people. Not just those who inspire you—others can lift you, and you can lift them, too.
People slightly ahead of you
You need someone to look up to. It doesn’t have to be in business—it could be a playful uncle, a great athlete, or a successful entrepreneur. The point is: you need someone to aim toward.
You need something to aspire to.
People on your level
If you only surround yourself with those you admire, you might feel inadequate. It’s important to have people you can grow with. People who are at your level—so you can support each other.
You need people to reflect yourself in.
People slightly behind you
We all know the joy of giving. You need people you can pass something on to. That way, what you learn from the first two levels can be shared down. This creates an ecosystem of knowledge, experience, and mistakes flowing in the right direction.
You need people you can inspire.
Don’t dribble for others – remember that
My friend Imran Rashid once said something wise: You can only help people help themselves.
Doing everything for others is a huge mistake.
It’s like going to the doctor; you get medicine, but if you don’t change your lifestyle, you just need more medicine, and then more for the side effects.
Help people help themselves. Whether it’s family, friends, a partner, or children; you don’t serve them by solving everything. You help them by listening, supporting, advising and showing empathy.
Rethink your views on “luck”
Have you ever thought, “Why am I never lucky?”
Maybe you see someone build a tech startup and sell it for millions. Maybe a friend travels the world for the 11th time this year.
It’s all about perspective
If you were born in Denmark and hold a Danish passport, you’ve already won the lottery. You have access to education, healthcare, food, and global travel.
I’m not saying you should pity others or sacrifice your own life quality—but be grateful. Gratitude breeds more happiness and freedom. You won’t constantly compare yourself to others if you focus on your own blessings.
Yes, some win the lottery. But the odds of dying on the way to buy a ticket are higher than actually winning. Don’t build your life on luck—you’re already lucky if you’re reading this.
99% of successful people earned it. Through sweat, tears, and risk that most aren’t willing to take.
Was Zuckerberg lucky because he created Facebook?
He was “lucky” to be born in the U.S., yes. But building and developing the idea? That was sacrifice and effort.
The wrong passport
I was recently in Dubai teaching Dubaipetfood about e-commerce. There, I met a young man from Syria. (Notice how that detail might already stir something in your mind.)
He fled to Dubai to study. He’ll likely never return home or reach Europe or the U.S. and if he does, he’ll still be at the bottom of the hierarchy.
Why? The wrong passport. Born in the wrong country.
His worries are about whether his family in Syria will survive. Whether he’ll see them again. Whether he’ll have a future or get an education.
These are things we take for granted.
We have a future. We can study. We can see our families daily, if we choose to.
Perspective.
Despite it all, he’s doing well. He has a good job in Dubai, speaks perfect English, and has friends from around the world. He still faces closed doors—but he’s alive and grateful for even the smallest things.
Karma
“Karma, Micky, isn’t that just for monks?”
Not the way I see it. You can call it compassion, if you prefer.
Treat others how you’d like to be treated. That usually leads to good things, in business and in life. Of course, you shouldn’t live entirely for others. But the next time you can help someone within reason, say yes.
Expect nothing. Do it because you can. Because you have the chance to help someone.
As I said at the start: we’re 8 billion people. If each of us helped the person to our right, imagine what we could move.
Just don’t serve it all on a silver platter. Help others help themselves, remember?
Networks and mentors
I get a lot of messages asking how to find mentors or build strong networks.
The problem is this: most people want something out of it. That’s not how it works at first. You have to bring something to the table.
I once worked for free for three years. I lived on student aid and side jobs while taking every marketing project I could. I read every blog I could find.
That’s how I built knowledge and that knowledge became valuable.
The more experienced and well-traveled you are, the more you can offer. And the stronger relationships you’ll build.
Example: Christian Stadil
I started working for Tattoodo when it was brand new—only about 1,000 monthly visitors. I felt I knew what needed to be done, so I worked for little pay to prove myself to people who wouldn’t forget it.
I didn’t want anything from Christian—I just wanted to show what I could do.
Eventually, I earned his respect. I started working on more projects and became CMO at Firtal, and later a digital advisor for the Thornico group.
That led to a recommendation that opened countless doors for me.
It has been a pleasure to work with Micky Weis over the years. Not only is he a genuinely kind person, he is also incredibly passionate and one of the most talented digital marketing strategists we have in Denmark.
He has proven this to me time and time again, across various companies and task types—from Tattoodo, through Firtal Group and Helsebixen, to Sanovo Technology Group.
Micky is a machine, in the best sense of the word. When you bring him on board, he will almost certainly make a noticeable impact and significantly contribute to the growth of your online business.
He improves conversion rates, strengthens and expands online communities and followings, and increases visibility and search ranking—whether it’s through Google or social media platforms.
I can highly recommend Micky and his skills.
Christian Nicholas Stadil
Owner / CEO / Adjunct Professor, Thornico A/S
Respect people’s time and use your brain
People often think a mentor should solve their problems, but do you remember the rule about not dribbling the ball for others? The same applies when you’re a mentor.
All the young people who reach out to me—I try to guide them as best I can, but I also say: Find your own path. I don’t have all the answers.
Time is a limited resource. The older you get, the more aware you become of that. That’s why it’s important not to end up being someone who drains energy from those around you.
Look for mentors around you. They don’t need to be high-profile business leaders. It could be your local baker, a family member, someone from your in-laws. Find inspiration in people who have something to offer, and listen to them. Then figure out what works for you.
You need to live your life
Remember that. I’ve personally spent too much time listening to the wrong mentors, simply because I saw them as oracles or had close relationships with them. That’s dangerous. Our lives are different, and you can easily get led down a path that’s not meant for you—just because others think it’s the right one.
So when you receive advice: Use your brain.
Here’s my pass to you—you have the ball
The ball is flying toward you, and now it’s at your feet. How will you pass it on?
Look around, make a good pass. Don’t over-dribble. Play with others.
And when there’s a pause, take a moment to look at your team. Are you on the right team?
Do you have the right people around you, the kind who help you become the best version of yourself?
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