Avoid These 5 People // Article IV
Level 1 - Reading Time: 5 Minutes
Success isn’t just about what you do…
It’s about who you dodge. You’re out there grinding, building, chasing the top, but the path’s crawling with absolute weasels who’ll drag you down.
They’re not always obvious... some smile, some hustle, some cry. The point is, they’re poison.
This is about pattern recognition. High-IQ men don’t waste time on losers, they spot them and move on.
Here are five types you’ll meet throughout your journey, plus the deadliest bonus archetype.
They’re everywhere... work, friends, even family, and they’ll tank your shot if you let them close.
Learn to ID them, cut them loose, and keep your eyes on the prize.
The game’s tough enough without carrying their baggage.
1. The Shortcut Junkie
This guy wants the win without the work...
Fast results
No sweat
He’s the one hunting for hacks, cutting corners, cheating the system instead of mastering it.
You’ll spot him quick - he’s pitching get rich-quick schemes, dodging the grind, or asking you to “hook him up” while he scrolls social media.
He’s a leech in hustle clothing... promises big, delivers nothing, and expects you to carry the load.
Most overnight successes are myths, real wins take years, tons of losses, not shortcuts.
These types of guys don't get it. He’ll drag you into his scams, ask you for “just one favor" and when it blows up, he’s gone, leaving you with the mess.
Worse, his laziness infects you - hang around long enough, and you’ll start slacking too. Success is a marathon.
Dodge him... test his grit early, give him a task, see if he follows through. If he bails or bullshits, cut 'em loose.
Winners build - shortcut junkies burn bridges. Keep your circle tight with guys who put in the reps, not the ones chasing lottery tickets.
2. The People Pleaser
This one’s a doormat, lives to say yes, bends over for everyone but himself.
He’ll cancel plans to help a stranger, take on your work to “be nice,” and never ask what’s in it for him.
Sounds harmless, right? Wrong.
People-pleasers are a liability. They’ll sink your ship to keep someone else afloat. Their spine’s missing, and that weakness pulls you down.
Here’s why he’s poison - he can’t prioritize. These people are too busy saving others to save themselves. He’ll guilt you into his chaos “I need you, bro” and suddenly you’re stuck fixing his messes.
Worse, he’ll drag your rep through the mud - bosses and peers smell his desperation and assume you’re the same.
Success demands self respect - he’s got none to spare.
Spotting him...
Apologizes too much
Agrees too fast
Never says no.
Cut him off - don’t waste energy on a guy who won’t fight for himself.
You’re not his therapist or his crutch. Surround yourself with men who know their worth, not ones who give it away.
3. The Sore Loser
This guy can’t handle being wrong or taking an L. It’s always someone else’s fault.
Lost a deal? “The client’s an idiot.”
Missed a deadline? “Team screwed me.”
He’s allergic to accountability, and that’s a death sentence in the game. Losses are how you level up - every entrepreneur failed at least once before winning big.
He doesn’t learn - he whines.
His ego’s a brick wall. Hang with him, and you’ll waste hours debating instead of building. He’ll argue over the most minuscule shit and tank morale because admitting fault’s too hard for him.
Worse, he’ll sabotage you to save his ass, throw you under the bus to dodge his own heat.
A man who can’t lose right can’t win right either.
ID these types. He deflects blame like a pro - watch how he handles criticism.
If he doubles down or lashes out, run. You need guys who eat failure, not choke on it. Success isn’t a straight road, it’s forged in the shit. Ditch the sore loser - he’ll keep you stuck in the mud.
4. The Rat
This one’s a real weasel - always running to the boss, the group chat, or “big brother” with every slip up imaginable.
He’s not loyal - he’s a ladder climber with a megaphone.
Spilled a secret? He’s tattling.
Missed a deadline? He’s snitching.
He thrives on drama and trades info for favor, leaving you exposed. Trust is the currency of success - he’s bankrupt.
Rats kill momentum. Workplace conflicts stem from gossip - guys like him fuel it. He’ll sell you out to look good, and when the heat’s on, he’s the first to point fingers.
You can’t build with someone who’s always watching for your stumble - he’s not a teammate, he’s a spy.
His game’s short-term - yours isn’t.
Spot him immediately - it's not hard. His type is eager to “update” others, name drops authority, or fishes for dirt.
Test him... feed a harmless lie, see if it spreads. If it does, cut him cold.
You need allies who lock shields, not rats who run to the referee. Keep your circle solid.
5. The Always “Too Busy”
This dude’s always swamped but never gets shit done...
Always has meetings
Always has to make calls
Always having a “crazy week”
He wears “busy” like a badge, but it’s just poor time management in disguise. You’ll wait on him, chase him, and watch him flake while he moans about his schedule.
Success demands discipline - he’s a chaos agent who’ll waste your hours too.
Most professionals admit to procrastination, but this guy’s a pro at pretending it’s hustle.
He’s not busy - he’s scattered.
Hang with him, and your plans stall... deadlines slip, projects drag, and you’re stuck babysitting his excuses.
Time’s your edge - he’s a black hole.
Catch him... he’s late, vague, and overpromises "always slammed” catch him in one lie and watch how he reacts.
Drop him fast, don’t let his mess bleed into your grind.
Winners own their clocks - this guy’s a slave to his. Surround yourself with men who deliver, not ones who dodge.
Bonus Archetype - The Victim
This is the king of poison - the man who’s always screwed by the world.
Job sucks? “Economy’s rigged.”
No cash? “System’s against me.”
He’s got a sob story for every loss, and zero fight to change it. Victimhood’s his identity, he doesn’t just fail, he wallows.
Hang with him, and you’ll drown in his quicksand.
The victim’s a mind-killer. Victim mindset doubles stress and slashes resilience - chronic complainers never bounce back.
He’ll sap your drive, guilt you for winning, and drag you into his pity party.
Success is ownership - he’s allergic to it. Worse, his whining’s contagious, spend too long, and you’ll start seeing ghosts too.
Spot him... everything’s “unfair,” nothing’s his fault, listen for the “why me”.
Run - don’t walk.
Test him, offer a solution, see if he bites. If he deflects, he’s dead weight.
You need men who punch back, not ones who play martyr.
The victim’s the ultimate trap - cut him out, or he’ll bury you.
Shitty people aren’t optional - they’re inevitable. These five (plus the victim king) will cross your path, test your resolve, and try to hitch a ride. Don’t let them.
Success isn’t solo, but it’s selective... build a crew of winners and sidestep the trash.
Audit your circle. Who’s dragging, dodging, or dumping on you?
Cut them loose, no apologies, no second chances. You’re not here to fix people, you’re here to rise.
Spot these types, ditch them fast, and keep moving. Your future’s too big for their baggage.
