The concept of betterment cannot just be put aside. One can not just assume that they do need certain things to get the particular things that they desire. The beautiful people on TikTok trend more because they have a certain requirement that is necessary to attract the audience. And that is also why the matter of presentation is of great importance. Having a keen approach to the presentation of whatever it is you have to offer is imperative to achieving success.
To think one can just "attain" without significant input is quite a flawed mentality. Everything is driven by something, and just as you have said, "Nothing goes for nothing in this world." Recognising those things that drive other things in this life places one in a position to truly exploit the principle of causality for one's betterment.
Ensuring that one amasses the capabilities to allow one to thrive in a life that is consumed by competition is key to forestalling the event of failure. Understanding and utilizing the idea that "the rules of the game are changing constantly" is crucial to succeeding and dominating the competition. One needs to get better and improve every day.
Bulls by the horn, brother!