The Hardest Truth: You Are Entitled to Nothing
Author: Digvijay Mourya
Let’s start with a uncomfortable question. When was the last time you felt the world owed you something?
Maybe it was when you didn’t get the promotion you were sure was yours. Perhaps it was when a relationship ended, and you felt your partner didn’t appreciate all you’d done. Or maybe it’s a quieter, more persistent hum in the background of your life—a feeling that you deserve more: more money, more respect, more luck, simply because you exist.
We’ve all been there. This feeling has a name: entitlement. And it is one of the most toxic and limiting mindsets a person can adopt.
The most liberating, and frankly, the most honest truth you will ever confront is this: You are entitled to nothing.
Nothing at all.
You are not entitled to a high-paying job. You are not entitled to anyone’s love, friendship, or respect. You are not entitled to success, admiration, or even basic fairness. The universe does not keep a scorecard that guarantees a reward for simply showing up.
This isn’t meant to sound harsh or nihilistic. In fact, it’s the opposite. Recognizing this truth is the first, crucial step toward building a life of genuine meaning, resilience, and earned pride.
The Illusion of the "Owed" Life
Where does this sense of entitlement come from? Often, it’s woven into the fabric of modern life. We’re bombarded with curated social media feeds showcasing overnight success stories. We sometimes grow up in systems that prioritize participation trophies over genuine achievement, subtly teaching us that effort is optional but reward is mandatory.
This creates a dangerous illusion. It makes us believe that the path to what we want is a straight line, a transaction where our desire is the currency. We want the corner office, so we should get it. We want loyalty, so we deserve it.
But life doesn’t work on "want." It works on earn.
The Power of "Earned"
Shifting your mindset from "I am owed" to "I must earn" is the most empowering thing you can do. Why?
· It gives you control: If you believe you are owed something and don't get it, you become a victim—of your boss, your circumstances, of an unfair world. But if you believe you must earn it, the power shifts back to you. Your focus moves from what others aren't giving you to what you can do, build, and achieve for yourself.
· It builds true resilience: Failure stops being a personal insult from the universe and becomes feedback. A rejected proposal isn’t a sign that "they don’t recognize your genius"; it’s data. It tells you to improve your skills, refine your pitch, and try again with more wisdom. You learn to persevere because you know nothing worth having comes easy.
· It makes success infinitely sweeter: There is no feeling in the world like achieving something you know you fought for. The late nights, the rejected drafts, the grueling practice, the moments you wanted to quit but didn’t—that struggle is what pours meaning into the victory. An entitled person might get a handout, but they will never know the profound satisfaction of looking at what they have and saying, "I built this."
What Does "Earning It" Actually Look Like?
It’s not just about hard work. It’s a holistic approach to life:
1. Earn Your Success: Want that promotion? Don’t just wait for it. Master your current role, then go beyond it. Take on projects no one else wants. Be the solution, not the problem. Invest in your skills relentlessly.
2. Earn Your Relationships: Love and respect are not default settings. You earn them every single day through kindness, empathy, active listening, integrity, and being a person others can count on.
3. Earn Your Self-Respect: This is the most important one. You earn your own respect by keeping the promises you make to yourself. By choosing discipline over distraction. By standing by your values even when it’s difficult. By being someone you are proud of.
The Journey Forward
Letting go of entitlement is a daily practice. It requires humility to accept that you are not the center of the universe. It requires courage to take full responsibility for your life, without blame or excuses.
So, the next time you feel that pang of "I deserve better," pause. Reframe it.
Don’t say, "I deserve better." Ask,"What must I do to earn better?"
That question is the engine of growth. That question is what separates those who feel entitled to a great life from those who actually go out and build one.
The world doesn't owe you a thing. And that’s okay. Because you have everything you need to go out and earn exactly what you want.
Onwards,
Digvijay Mourya
