For a long time, I thought:
Losing money in Web3,
It's because my research isn't deep enough yet.
I haven't finished reading the white paper, haven't listened to enough AMAs, haven't fully understood the project's expression, and haven't tracked the on-chain data to the finest detail...
As long as the result is poor, it's easy to attribute the reason to one sentence:
I wasn't serious enough.
Later, I slowly realized a more cruel and realistic fact:
Many projects simply aren't worth your serious attention.
one
I used to be a very 'standard' Web3 user.
When I see a new project, I will bookmark it first;
Seeing discussions starting in the group, I will go through the materials;
Seeing KOLs retweet, I will go through the logic again;
If you have already spent several days, you will tell yourself:
'Let's take another look, after all, we have researched to this point.'
At that time, I thought this was 'rational',
Looking back now,
In fact, it feels more like constantly finding reasons for a choice.
You may have also experienced a similar state -
Not because I truly believe in a project,
but because you have already spent too much time on it.
Two
It made me truly realize the problem for the first time,
It's a very ordinary scene.
A project is very popular,
The narrative is also complete,
The group atmosphere is great,
Everyone is discussing the future, roadmaps, and ecological expansion.
I had already seen a lot of information at that time,
I have also participated in several discussions,
But a very subtle sense of unease began to emerge inside.
It's not that 'this project won't work',
but another more subtle feeling:
I am no longer concerned about whether it is worth participating,
What I care more about is -
If I exit now,
Will it seem like my previous time was wasted.
At that moment, I realized:
I have already been bound by 'the research itself'.
Three
In Web3,
There is a rarely discussed question:
Time is often more easily consumed than capital.
Money was lost,
You will feel pain;
Time is gone,
Often only a vague 'forget it' remains.
And many projects,
It is precisely through 'worth you continuing research' that,
Bit by bit, it occupies your attention, energy, and judgment space.
You were not tricked into it,
You are being slowly dragged into it.
Four
Later, I began to reflect on one thing:
Why do I feel that 'in-depth research' is necessary?
Why do I default to:
As long as I haven't fully understood, I can't give up?
The answer is actually very simple -
Because giving up means you have to admit:
The previous investment may not be worth it.
And this matter,
For many people,
Accepting loss is harder than losing money.
Five
Later on,
I began to consciously change my approach.
I no longer require myself to 'understand every project';
No longer pursuing 'researching logic to the point of being unassailable';
nor do I force myself to follow because 'everyone is watching'.
On the contrary,
I began to focus on a simpler and more important thing:
Is this project worth me continuing to spend time on?
Note that this is not about 'can it make money', but about:
Does it qualify to occupy my next energy.
This transformation,
Looks small,
but for me,
is a very critical watershed.
Six
You will slowly discover a phenomenon:
Many Web3 users,
In fact, it's not about lacking information or ability,
But losing happens in a very hidden place -
are afraid to give up too early.
Especially when a project:
Looks very professional
The group is very lively
People around are discussing
Once you choose to withdraw,
It's like fighting against some kind of 'consensus'.
But the reality is:
Consensus often tells you the truth the latest.
Seven
The current me,
I have rarely 'seriously researched' most projects.
Not because I have become lazy,
But because I am becoming clearer:
The order of judgment is more important than the judgment conclusion.
If a project is at an early stage,
it cannot convince me to continue investing time,
Even if it is explained in detail and grandly afterwards,
For me, it no longer holds much significance.
I would rather miss out,
nor am I willing to be held back.
Eight
In the past six months,
I use my current thoughts to quickly judge and deny projects early,
I reorganized it once.
It is not a 'method for selecting projects',
It's certainly not about teaching you how to seize opportunities.
On the contrary, it focuses on another thing:
In an information overload environment,
How you can quickly extricate yourself from unworthy projects.
I have written this judgment process,
into a complete article,
What I record is the real judging order and abandonment signals that I use,
and some pitfalls experienced.
Nine
If you have spent some time in Web3,
You may also gradually realize:
What is truly scarce is not opportunities,
but rather the ability to focus your attention.
Many people are not losing at the starting point,
but because I spent time in places I shouldn't have.
If you have had similar confusion,
Perhaps we are concerned about the same issue.
What truly takes people further,
is often not 'doing more',
but knowing early what can be avoided.
This article is included in the collection (things not worth researching).
A complete overview of the collection
