This is my rough 10-year plan (or at least the direction I'm heading right now) I'm 19, mech eng student, and I'm out here in Portugal for a month. Surf every morning, deep work on robotics software during the day, client stuff in the evenings. It's actually unreal. The waves, the sun, I genuinely don't want to fucking leave. But at the same time I need more business coming in, a stronger network, and yeah, somewhere a bit cheaper long-term. So I'm pretty obsessed with making all this work together. From September I'm starting second year mechanical engineering back in the UK. I could drop out but im not gonna. One, because I already learned that lesson. Two, because it just destroys the whole pressure environment you need to actually push hard. So the plan is finish the degree while building everything else on the side. Short term (right now through summer): - Finish this month strong in Portugal - Fly back beginning of July - Lock the fuck in for the rest of July in England, building robots, pushing robotics simulator hard (the browser-based 2D/3D circuits & robotics simulator with STL support, AI Copilot, BOMs, build guides, all that) - Keep posting content every single day even when it's not blowing up yet. Just more and more and more until it compounds - Sign more clients (websites, WhatsApp automation, SMMA, custom AI tools, lead gen stuff). The new commission partnership I just set up with the guy from that old scammy sales course should help bring in warm leads - Mid-August probably disappear somewhere in Europe or maybe even Asia for a couple of weeks to network and keep the travel momentum Next summer (2026/2027): I'm going to apply to a shit ton of internships. Ideally abroad, Switzerland would be the dream for the network and the type of work. Real mechanical engineering robotics experience on the CV. After the internship finishes (whether it's 2-3 months or whatever), the rest of the summer is pure travel because by then client money and hopefully some Robotics Simulator revenue should give me the freedom. Longer term after that: Finish third year, graduate with a proper mech eng degree a bunch of serious personal robotics projects robotics simulator as actual shipping software in the hardware/education space a solid client portfolio from years of building websites, automation, and custom tools for people. Then? Probably go full-time travelling for a while, maybe a full year. If I still feel like doing a master's I can always do it later when I'm in a much stronger position. But if the robotics simulator and the client work are printing by then, maybe I just keep building, travelling, and living. The places aren't going anywhere. One thing I'm properly excited about: as soon as it's realistic, I want to get a sick warehouse. Proper halfpipe or skate bowl inside, walls for graffiti and painting, dedicated space for building and testing robots, laptop area for software and client work, a decent gym, full DJ setup so I can throw small events. Park the car inside too. Just a creative base where I can mix hardware, software, skating, music, and actual life without everything feeling separated. Basically the big vision is: build serious software in a hardware/robotics niche (robotics simulator is the main bet), stack client work for cashflow and real skills, get the degree done without half-assing it, land strong internships abroad, travel when it makes sense, and keep the lifestyle balanced with surfing, skating, building shit, and not burning out. I know plans change and this is all pretty loose, but right now it feels like the right mix of ambition and realism. Focus on today, keep shipping small wins, keep posting the journey even when it's messy. If you're another student builder, indie dev, mech eng person, or just someone trying to figure out their own path at the same time as uni/life, what's one thing you're putting in your 5-10 year plan? Or what would you change in mine? Drop it in the comments, I'm actually curious. Posting this from Portugal while the sun's still out and I'm thinking about the next surf session ☀️

Day 14/30 in Portugal 🇵🇹🏄‍♂️ Surfing, working on client projects, and building software for engineers. Today: • Did a beach workout (pull ups, muscle ups and dips) • Went for a swim in the sea afterwards • Completed client work and social media content • Continued testing and improving the robotics simulator • Started building an e commerce website concept for a client Learned: Sometimes the fastest way to create opportunities is to build first. Instead of pitching an idea, build it. Instead of explaining the vision, show it. That's exactly what I'm doing with this website. Worst case, I improve my skills. Best case, we launch something awesome. Halfway through the Portugal trip already. Time is flying.

At the start of the year: Goal 1: Build enough online income to spend my summer travelling. Current status: Writing this from Portugal 🇵🇹 Goal 2: Read 10 books this year. Current status: 2/10 😂

Question for engineers: If you could instantly simulate any project before spending money on parts... Would you? A drone. A robotic arm. An RC car. A manufacturing process. Anything. Because after spending time building this simulator, I'm convinced most students waste months waiting for hardware when they could have learned the same lessons in software first. Curious if I'm wrong ? Would it be useful ?

One thing I've realised after 2 weeks in Portugal: Most people don't need more motivation. They need fewer distractions. Back home I had: • Notifications • Endless errands • Random commitments • People pulling me in different directions Here it's simple. Wake up. Build. SURF. Eat. Sleep. And surprise surprise... The work gets done.

A weird thing happens when you run a service business. The first client changes everything. The second client changes everything again. Then you realise growth isn't always about working harder. Sometimes it's about finding leverage. Right now I'm spending most of my time: • Building software • Looking after clients • Shipping updates What if someone else handled outreach? What if I only focused on product and closing deals? One good client can completely change the trajectory of a small business. The goal isn't to work more hours. The goal is to make each hour worth more.

Working from a cafe today watching the waves Part of me wants to be out there surfing But the other part knows if I want to do this every day I need to keep working Earn money, build the robotics simulator, get good clients So I can actually live this life long term instead of just for a month The constant balance

Day 13/30 in Lisbon 🇵🇹🏄‍♂️ Surfing, working on client projects, and building software for engineers. Today: • Worked from a cafe with espresso and water • Did a lot of client work • Scheduled loads more YouTube shorts with the automatic stitcher • Made progress on the robotics simulator • Went for a surf but found a chip in my board so had to take it to the shop Learned: Simple consistent days still move the needle even when things dont go perfectly. Tomorrow: • More client work • More simulator testing and development • Hopefully get the surfboard back • Keep the momentum going Day 13 was solid even with the surfboard setback. Lets keep building.

New bulking plan because I hate cooking Wake up at 7 Breakfast smoothie → banana, oats, milk, creatine, 2 scoops protein, frozen berries. Around 1000 calories and takes 2 minutes. Then after a few hours of deep work → 6 eggs, avocado or smoked salmon, sourdough toast big glass of orange juice. Dinner around 4pm → beef or chicken with rice/pasta veg. I can meal prep this. Snacks throughout the day like kiwi, apple etc. Hits 3000 calories easy and I actually enjoy it. Simple shit that works. Anyone else got an easy bulking setup they actually stick to?

"i make a few thousand a month, im rich" bro i saw beach front sofas in lisbon for 250 euros a day and i had to walk away i want to reach the level where i see any price and just tap my card without thinking twice not to flex but because i want the freedom where money stops being a factor i could sit there, have one espresso, enjoy the view, stay as long as i want, and the price doesnt even register thats the real flex for me im locked in on client work and robotics simulator because i dont want to be the guy who has to walk away anymore

New day new fucking money 🇵🇹 Slept 9 solid hours Now at a cafe working Just made some much better CTAs for the automatic shorts (AI generated 2 and they actually slap) Gonna download another 20 videos today and stitch them Also got heavy testing to do on the robotics simulator — making sure everything actually works properly and is worth the money Let’s hope some of these new shorts blow up What’s your first move today?

Day 12/30 in Lisbon 🇵🇹 Yesterday I skipped the daily post because I went to the World Cup opener. Today: • Woke up late after getting back • Doing some client work from the laptop • Went to the shops and got food • Went for a long walk to get the steps in last minute

Saw @athcanft post about downloading viral shorts and stitching his app CTA Got inspired and started doing the same thing for my own app Downloading high performing shorts, stitching my CTA, and scheduling them out A few of them are already getting 1k views and sending people to my app Really smart tactic. Thanks for the inspiration mate @athcanft What’s one system or tactic you’ve copied recently that actually worked?

The "Ugly Version" Philosophy Most people wait until something looks perfect before they show it I used to do the same Now I try to ship the ugly version as fast as possible The current version of my robotics simulator is still rough It’s not live yet, it’s definitely not the best it can be, and I know it needs a lot of work But I’m building it in public anyway Because waiting for perfect means it never ships Ugly versions get feedback and improve Perfect versions stay in your head forever If you’re building something right now, what’s stopping you from shipping the ugly first version?

Togi just cashed out $2 million from one PSG bet I’m happy for him… …but damn it hit different. I want systems that print every single month. Client work on autopilot. My own SaaS making money while I sleep. Enough cashflow that I can tap my card without thinking. That’s the real flex. One time wins are cool. Recurring money is freedom.

Morning in Lisbon 🇵🇹 Woke up late today after getting back from the World Cup opener. Yesterday was nice, spent most of the day walking around, checking out coworking spaces, hotels, parks and just exploring. Today so far: • 11:25 and still haven’t eaten or had water • Doing some client work from the laptop • Need to wash up, get food, then hopefully surf espresso

The robotics simulator post hit 7k views That’s the most any post of mine has ever gotten I’m just a 19 year old mech eng student trying to build something useful while figuring life out The fact that people are actually interested in accessible robotics tools is pretty motivating So I’m going to keep shipping and posting the journey Who’s watching the World Cup opening ceremony ?

Just got my uni results back 90/100 on the latest submission Feels good but honestly it just reminds me how much more important the stuff I build outside of lectures is University gives the theory The real learning and progress is happening while shipping client work and my own SaaS What was your most recent win big or small?

Morning in Lisbon 🇵🇹 Just ordered breakfast from Instant Crunch Doing some basic dev client work while I wait Plan for today: - Gym workout - Hopefully spa or pool - Then coworking space maybe - Few cool coffee places

Day 10/30 in Lisbon 🇵🇹🏄‍♂️ Surfing, working on client projects, and building software for engineers. Today: • Handled some client work that came up • Went for a surf • Made more progress on the robotics simulator • Continued building and posting online • Saw my audience grow from around 400 to 460 followers over the last few days • Had a post reach over 4,000 views Learned: Consistency compounds. Tomorrow: • Day trip to Lisbon • Find some great coffee spots • Gym session • Explore the city • Attend a digital nomad meetup • More development work

Quick productivity hack for you fellow slackers Wake up Beach cafe Espresso fruit juice Blast house music Open MacBook Air Get Claude to help me cook on my SaaS and client work And just like that I’m locked in building real shit with zero distractions NO PHONE...