Why are long-term thinkers so successful?! Looking at the success stories of some top figures, you'll notice a counterintuitive phenomenon: many of these leaders, before their true breakthrough, were like clumsy ascetics, doing seemingly thankless and slow-growing tasks. They all experienced periods of obscurity, even being ridiculed as fools. Those who have adhered to value investing for decades, like Buffett, who has poured money into logistics and cloud computing, and those who have dedicated decades to desertification control. They all share a common trait: for a distant end goal, they completely shielded themselves from immediate temptations and short-term gains. Why are long-term thinkers so successful? Because long-termism is the only compounding principle that allows everyone to transcend mediocrity and achieve excellence. The Bamboo Law No one is born with the ability to see the future. Even the biggest figures have gradually broken free from their short-sighted instincts. I once heard of the Bamboo Law. In its first four years, bamboo grows a mere 3 centimeters. But starting in the fifth year, it grows at a phenomenal rate of 30 centimeters per day, reaching 15 meters in just six weeks. Most bamboo growers give up after the first four years, believing the bamboo is dead. However, they don't realize that during those first four years, the bamboo has extended its root system hundreds of square meters underground. Sometimes, deep rooting is more important than upward growth. Only those who can endure long periods of dormancy can truly achieve a breakthrough. Those who hope for immediate returns on their efforts often get trapped in anxiety and frequent career changes, wasting their lives. Why can't we be long-term thinkers? Many people can't because they've been instilled with a bad belief since childhood: effort must be rewarded immediately, and slow results are equivalent to being on the wrong path. Undeniably, human nature is prone to craving immediate feedback. "Don't act until you see the results," "Get famous early," and "You reap what you sow"—these proverbs have some truth to them, but they must be analyzed on a case-by-case basis. Once these beliefs about immediate feedback become ingrained, they make us increasingly impatient, only wanting quick results. If you can't get what you want, you complain and blame everything, either giving up outright or constantly looking for shortcuts without ever cultivating the skills. Ultimately, you achieve nothing. How to become a long-term thinker? The method is simple: deeply understand that everything requires a process; quantitative change leads to qualitative change. Therefore, learn to enjoy long periods of incubation. Do you think stagnation is a waste of life? No. All accumulation is not in vain; it's just taking root underground. After understanding human nature, you'll discover a cruel truth: relying on willpower that goes against human nature to endure long-term goals is destined to fail halfway. Truly powerful long-term thinkers all possess an extremely powerful weapon: intrinsic motivation. People often think they are ascetics enduring suffering. This is precisely the biggest misunderstanding about them. They are actually playful individuals who enjoy the process. External wealth and fame are merely rewards they receive as they level up along the way. How can ordinary people find intrinsic motivation? Don't stare at the progress bar of your goals every day. Instead, dig inward and build a meaning system that you define yourself. Don't always ask yourself: What's the fastest way to make money? Try asking yourself: What is something I would still be willing to immerse myself in even if I weren't paid? As the book *Flow* says, when a person does something simply to enjoy the activity itself, rather than for external rewards, they are no longer in pain. Because of passion, they don't care about gains or losses and can overcome all difficulties. Also, redefine the meaning or vision of what you're doing. If your motivation comes from fear, such as fear of poverty or being left behind by your peers, then what awaits you is likely occasional bursts of motivation followed by long-term, inexplicable internal conflict. A healthier motivation should come from the enjoyment of doing the activity itself, or the desire to succeed, rather than the fear of failure. Finally, regarding investing: So-called long-termism doesn't mean enduring like an ascetic. It means cutting off the loop of immediate returns and igniting your inner passion. He who has a why to live can bear almost any how. View your efforts like an old farmer planting a tree. Plant a seed today and wait for it to sprout. Be patient; don't blame yourself for the slow pace of progress. For the vast majority of ordinary people within the Great Firewall, targeting the S&P 500 is the simplest form of long-termism. Deduct a portion each month, don't monitor the market, and leave the results to time. Find your inner drive, do the right thing, and then leave the results to time. Best wishes.