Why I don't need a billion dollars

[theag]

I need a billion dollars.

 

Dislike ads? Remove them and support the forum: Subscribe to Fastlane Insiders.

[Red]

Nobody *needs* a billion dollars. Just like I don't need a 1000cc sport bike. Do I have one? Hell yes. Do I need one? No. Then why do I have one? Because I F*cking love it. To each his own. Why take up mental energy concerning yourself with others like that? I'm going riding. I'll be the blur on the 101.

 

[AubreyJ]

Last year I had lunch with a man who used to own his own company, and one of his life goals was for his company to have a billion dollars worth of sales in one year. Everyone thought he was crazy for having this massive goal, and about 7 or so years ago his company reached about 950 million dollars in sales. He is now about 75 years old and has since sold his company- but if he never aimed for a billion he would have never reached 950 million. He said that he always set ridiculous goals because as long as he got close, he was still better off than if he would have set a more attainable goal in the first place.

I've always been made fun of by family members for having ridiculous goals- but stories like this really motivate me into having incredibly high goals and doing whatever it takes to reach them.

 

Dislike ads? Remove them and support the forum: Subscribe to Fastlane Insiders.

[RogueInnovation]

Most people, lets face it, are just saying this...
Its a routine you get into and you keep

"Hey guys! I'm new to the forum, I want to blah blah blah, now I don't want to be a billionaire I just want to help those closest to me"

Its not true though, because your NATURAL COMPULSION is to ask "how do I make it magically work and be worth billions!", you don't sit down and ask the dirty little questions and figure out the exact paths to help those you care about. You want the big bucks so you can wash it all away, and give them hope with the gold bullion you have, and you want to wave your finger and tell them "to be responsible" or to be smart like you.

You want to stick up your middle finger at the man and prove something to yourself while b#tching about how people need to be more decent.

You SAY you don't need a billion dollars, because YOU ARE RIGHT, and they are wrong, and money is what you find seperates you. But when you have money, where do you point? At those with more? Those who act indecent? Those who act ignorant?

So you then say, I don't need to
Be around average people anymore
Deal with sh#t
Think about anything other than what works

Or whatever... So you don't say the billion dollar line, but you still have that finger waving attitude, you still have that routine.


Do you know what that routine is?
It is misunderstanding of what you need.
A routine of never asking wtf it really is, you and others, TRULY NEED.

It is passing over that need, and then creating a generalisation. Something "easier". Something that will dull the white noise.


Admit you need a billion dollars
- to feel happy
- to prove it to yourself
- to make it all right

Stop sugar coating it with
- I love what I do
- I want to change things
- Its because I see the need that I make money and it comes like magic

No, you want a billion dollars.
And you know what, I do too.

Because I'm a selfish, self centered, and unashamed of it idiot.
Because for whatever reason, that is what MY brain still respects.
Because I keep making all these "work arounds" that disqualify this guy and that guy.
Because its my sheild, and I hide under it, afraid some comet will come and hit me.
Because it has become my superstition.
Because without really understanding what I am DOING, I have just acrewed ideas in the only direction that makes sense.
Because its hard and I'm owed a reprieve.
A billion dollar reprieve.

If you are going to say you don't want a billion dollars, then why not also say you don't want to hope?



I am not just a mediocre business apprentice grinding my way to success. I've been to success before.
And the secret is...
The things we hope for, hurt us the most.
And if you lose all hope, and think nothing can hurt you, you aren't invulnerable, just lost.

This hurt for hope you feel, its real.
It isn't going to go away.


I look at a billion dollars and I see a billion reasons why that hurt is real.
I see a billion reasons why I feel its the answer.
A billion reasons why I'm wrong.
And I ignore them all.

Because I want it to be true.
Because deep down I want the other changes that will take me there, but I don't enjoy finding them.
So I set that goal, not to achieve it, but to not stare in the face what I really want to achieve.
Because what I really want to achieve is heavy, its not glorious, people still act indecent, and it takes so much work, and I barely improve... But maybe that small change changes a life, accomplishes something without money, helps me act truer to myself, achieve a closer attunement.


We internally chase a billion dollars because we ALLOW ourselves to BE BLIND.
Don't race ahead, look ahead
Don't scream and tout, look and care
When you struggle to see, struggle deeper to do it justice

Ground yourself FIRST in reality
A billion dollars is a thousand things you are not

First, you are brave
First, you can put it aside
First, you look up to change... real change, and just for what it is, not what it brings
First, your heart feels it when people care, when you make that difference

Cast aside your shame
Your imaginary cloak, that hides that billion dollar wound
And rest by the fire that is you,
Your anger,
Your need,
All the neglect that got you here,

Don't turn away

The greatness in you, don't let it sneak in through the back door, watch it trickle in through the front.
Let the tiny wins, wage their tiny battles with their tiny defeats
And don't play it down, like some day it'll be bigger, mean more, or whatever.


My biggest fear, is that its as big as "this", where this is what I have.
Thats why we want the billion dollars.

I'm not saying be happy with being poor, thats asking you to be stupid, a moron and a matyr for some other person.
No, please do get a healthy flow of cash that is as abstracted from your time as possible.
But in the JOURNEY of KNOWING and FEELING, I ask you to be kinder to these gentle changes.
To fear less the war that wages inside of you.

To not HIDE you monster.


Sometimes I feel like I need a billion dollars.
But when I'm calm, I've started to understand, that what I need more, is respect for the path.
And its a brutal feeling.
A new LAYER of hurt.
One I don't THINK I can endure.

But thats how pain is.
And ignorance disguises that the way out isn't that far.

FEEL whats right, and desire that.

Let loose the old billion dollar target.
Lose all sense of reason, all sense of money.

Focus, pure.

 

Dislike ads? Remove them and support the forum: Subscribe to Fastlane Insiders.

[ilrein]

TLDR: Rational self-interest is a-ok.

 

[Mattie]

The destination isn't really as important as the journey. What is destination? You may have a goal in mind, but the destination changes moment to moment. It's like driving on a road trip.....you have detours, accidents, get stopped by the police, maybe hitchhikers, bathroom breaks, eating breaks, and so, there is a million different destinations where you arrive.

Now, you may be one of those drivers grumpy, complaining, yelling, and screaming cause you're in a hurry to get to your destination, but you still have to have patience, do what is necessary to get their, either handle your emotions and thinking, or be a wreck because you were just plane reckless. You still have to get around obstacles, and other people that you may feel are bad drivers, or going to slow etc.

You can give it your all and 100%, but there are still moments where there are delays for one reason or another. Your car may break down.

We can get stuck daydreaming about the future and be non-productive. We can get stuck in the past and not be productive. We can sit in the present moment and do nothing and be non-productive.

There's two things in life we can do Think about something for twenty years and be non-productive. We can talk about something for twenty years and be non-productive. All you have is now to act and do. If your focus is anywhere else and you're over thinking you're slowing yourself down. This is what meditation helps me with. Turning off the thoughts and doing. Sure I think while I produce, but just sitting around thinking about life doesn't create anything.

 

Dislike ads? Remove them and support the forum: Subscribe to Fastlane Insiders.

[DeletedUser394]

I want to be like Thoreau living on a pond not caring about anything or anyone. Seriously that'd be pretty sweet sometimes.. much stress currently

 

[smarty]

Last year I had lunch with a man who used to own his own company, and one of his life goals was for his company to have a billion dollars worth of sales in one year. Everyone thought he was crazy for having this massive goal, and about 7 or so years ago his company reached about 950 million dollars in sales. He is now about 75 years old and has since sold his company- but if he never aimed for a billion he would have never reached 950 million. He said that he always set ridiculous goals because as long as he got close, he was still better off than if he would have set a more attainable goal in the first place.

I've always been made fun of by family members for having ridiculous goals- but stories like this really motivate me into having incredibly high goals and doing whatever it takes to reach them.

Keep the kid alive...

...by the way the kid in the video thumbnail is me

 

[sle3pyguii]

I've always been made fun of by family members for having ridiculous goals- but stories like this really motivate me into having incredibly high goals and doing whatever it takes to reach them.

Damn straight.

 

[Ninjakid]

I've always been made fun of by family members for having ridiculous goals- but stories like this really motivate me into having incredibly high goals and doing whatever it takes to reach them.

Most people decide that big goals are childish, and leave them behind, as family, friends, and society encourages them to do. A few don't, and everyone else thinks they're immature.

Well I still get excited whenever someone suggests going out for ice cream. Guilty as charged.

Keep your big goals and ambitions, and don't listen to anyone who tells you otherwise.

 

Dislike ads? Remove them and support the forum: Subscribe to Fastlane Insiders.

[RogueInnovation]

We all have a bit of Nutbar some more than others.
To be honest if I had a billion I wouldn't be into big toys and luxury too much unless it was a holiday and then again I'd be spending for my family or friends sake...I would use a lot of my profits if I had enough to re-invest into my country and businesses there as well as education for relatives etc.

I think how Nutbar you are really comes down to how close you are to success. If you are far away, everything you say is crazy or below average, but the closer you are to it the more everything you say and do is a picture of sanity.

I don't think it is the money that makes that happen though, cuz you can have a lot of money and seem totally out of wack, at the end of the day you have to trust in something deeper inside yourself than the cash amount assigned to your name..

I still seem to "want" a billion dollar business, it drives me a little crazy wondering why the hell I am still stuck on that. I'm not ashamed of my cash status, and I don't crave another position in life, but still the billion dollar itch is there.

I think its just the manifestation of my doubts. You think you suck so much that only a magical number can "cure" you. I think that only self confidence can cure the doubts and scratch the itch.

Rogue get out of the mental zone. Ha Ha! Thinking to much!

What is really ironic is that biz is done in the few inches between your ears, but people say thinking is bad cuz of one TYPE of thinking.

The type of thinking that is bad is that hyper, paranoid, unconfident one.

Reassessing your feelings seems, ok.
But you are right, everything just gets you caught up, and you need to just break free and look ahead.

Maybe it is by giving it our all, we forget about destinations.

 

[Darius]

What if making a million dollars & making a billions dollars required the same amount of time and effort? Would you prefer the million?

 

[RogueInnovation]

we may have a great financial goal to achieve or even dream about but let go of the attachment to it and be free

Nice! This says it all really.
Possessing courage and the balls to do something is worth more than the cash.

when you are free of material attachment and 'wordly' longing you can be free and rise above to another state of conciousness, and at the same achieve your 'real' world goals

Exactly
If you stop bullshitting to yourself about "what you must do", you will start to have room to understand what you really can do, right now.
And doing stuff you can do, right now, can change your life, not just your bank account.

Your life is the sum of all of your thoughts, actions, and choices - If something doesn't feel right, shift these.

People always think that some huge, polaric change is what will create the life that they want. The reality is that you are probably way closer than you think

Yes man thats it, when a billion dollars is just a desire for "polaric change" you get all trapped in your head. That isn't to say a billion isn't a good goal, I just think that the more you question the worth of an amount of money, the better, because questioning your assumptions help you grow.

Why do we seek a "polaric change"? It is because you have issues with something, right? Handle the issues first. Don't use money as medication. It won't wash away your issues, and you need to grasp that to be ready to make your mark.

I think people can get addicted to using cash as a scapegoat for BS. "I have money, therefor I'm better at this", but ultimately it just bury's your fear, and it nags away at you.

Examining your assumptions about your monetary goals is trippy, but its good to do.

 

Dislike ads? Remove them and support the forum: Subscribe to Fastlane Insiders.

[ChasingPaper]

No offence but I didn't understand a word of what you just wrote.
You need to work on your communication skills!

I just read this whole thread, I understood everyone clearly and they were communicating with each other. What did you not understand? What are you talking about? Maybe you need to evaluate yourself and work in on your communication skills, no offence.

 

Dislike ads? Remove them and support the forum: Subscribe to Fastlane Insiders.

[DennisD]

Why I want a billion dollars:

• Build my dreamhome (a custom built modern castle) = 25 million
• Build my dream office/studio (yet another castle) = 25 million
• Research and Development into underwater construction advancements = 100-300 million (hoping to find a way to build an underwater castle resort just cuz that's how I roll)
• Research and Development into space construction advancements = 100-300 million (castle on the moon bitches)
• Play with consciousness transference+backup: 4 billion+

Honestly, I'm a very eccentric and weird person. I like weird things, I have weird ambitions, I'm okay with throwing money at my goals and the entire reason I want money is to spend it on my odd quirks and passions. Basically my personality is akin to Tony Stark's obsession with engineering and improving Iron Man body armor and AI.

 

[DennisD]

I literally have no idea what OP is talking about.. ever. So I'm strictly referencing your quote.

LMAO. yup.

Regarding the rest of what you said:

It's true.... most people aren't very ambitious. And like it or not: MOST PEOPLE ON THIS FORUM are sidewalkers with big dreams. Maybe I'll be disliked for saying it, but it's true. Reading a book and joining a community is just the first step of many that need to be taken and most don't have the balls to take it any further.

They want things because it sounds nice on paper, they want things because they think it'll solve all their personal problems, they want things because they need something to aspire to.

When it comes down to LIFE (not just business/money) most people are boring and lazy and don't know how to aim for and achieve goals. When left unattended and free, they destroy what they have. When given the opportunity to grab life by the horns they just DO NOT.

When given true opportunity and time and resources, most people act as if they're F*cking teenagers and their parents left the house for the week.
When left in what I call "sandbox" mode, they just F*ck around until they're forced back into hardship.

And then there are the brave knights and warriors, there are people who aren't content sitting around and enjoying the world provided to them by others. There are world shapers and dreamers. The people with the fire will rise to the top and the people who think "wouldn't it be nice" will be left in their dust.

 

[Darius]

I never mentioned college. Education is largely irrelevant.

My point is that most people choose the wrong goals, or blow it completely out of proportion.



Oh, a Henry Ford quote... haven't heard that one before.


Speaking for myself, I used to want the exact same 'out of this world, unrealistic goals' preached all the time. A billion, 10 ferraris in every colour.. because why not?

Now, I'm 22, I don't have to work ever again, I can travel whenever I want, I do what I want. I spend half my time training competitive speed skating because I love it. A billion? Every exotic car known to man, and a penthouse in every major city? aka some of my old goals? Forget about it.

I've reached my first 'number', and now I grow it more slowly.


When I was first confronted with this idea (the 'having enough' principle) it was presented to me by one of the wealthiest, most respected members here on the forum. And I didn't believe it, at all.

But I'm certainly convinced now. Living it.

Education statement was created with the same mindset, I assume you had, when you decided that making a million and making a billion requires more effort and time. It sounds like you believe it because, it's expected to be true. Reminds me of how the world is flat or how flying is impossible.

I've talked to a famous billionaire who told me its not much of a difference between million & billion, time, effort, and risk rise. I've read from other billionaires that there is a big difference between the three. I don't think there's a right or wrong answer, all relative.

Yes, people do choose the wrong goals and it is unlikely that anyone will ever become a billionaire or millionaire. I agree with you, on that. But in my opinion, "because it's unlikely" isn't the reason they don't become a millionaire or billionaire. They don't actually want it enough.

From your post, all I could see is "can't do it", "not likely", "odds are against you", blah blah. I respect your opinion and agree with some things you said, but just not the mindset. I also don't believe your intentions were negative.

Speaking for myself, a billion dollars is on my "why not" list, after achieving what's on my priority list. If I find a good reason not to pursue it, then I wont. If I want it, I'll get it. Unlikely didn't stop the greats, won't stop me, or anyone else on this forum

We've probably heard the same "having enough" principle, from the same member. Agree with that thinking as well. Get enough to be happy, then go be happy.

Congrats on reaching your number though.

My apologies to the OP, didn't intend to derail this thread with mindset talk.

 

Dislike ads? Remove them and support the forum: Subscribe to Fastlane Insiders.

[Leo Hendrix]

I feel you Rogue..was that a poem or some prose? Nice piece of writing
I forgot what prose is exactly...haha I'll google it soon...anyway...Anyway I think I get your point, yes we may have a great financial goal to achieve or even dream about but let go of the attachment to it and be free when you are free of material attachment and 'wordly' longing you can be free and rise above to another state of conciousness, and at the same achieve your 'real' world goals.

 

[pickeringmt]

Honestly, my goals don't have a direct monetary value attached to them

BUT, you could totally attach a monetary value to ALL of them and total that up.

It's kinda all how you look at it.

It is human nature for it to never be enough. It is exceedingly rare to find someone that is content with what they have - even if that person tells themself that they "don't need much".

In reality, 99.9% of people will always be saying they "don't need much MORE" for as long as they are alive.

Anyways, I see your point - and I agree with what you are trying to say.

Personally, I just want to keep building - as long as that satisfies a few requirements that I have there really won't be much of a difference to me. Just more to play with I guess.

 

Dislike ads? Remove them and support the forum: Subscribe to Fastlane Insiders.

[pickeringmt]

I want to be like Thoreau living on a pond not caring about anything or anyone. Seriously that'd be pretty sweet sometimes.. much stress currently

The idea is always better than the reality.

Your life is the sum of all of your thoughts, actions, and choices - If something doesn't feel right, shift these.

People always think that some huge, polaric change is what will create the life that they want. The reality is that you are probably way closer than you think. Just start taking micro-steps in the direction you want to go, and keep doing it for the rest of your life

You can't just go live at the pond dude, what about the forum?

 

[RogueInnovation]

This is an amazing example of someone thinking they NEED a billion dollars.
Ironically it comes with the devastating belief that you will just luck upon it.

Bwow bwow

Nothing wrong with having the goal, but that right there, is the reason you question yourself.

 

[Mike Kavanagh]

I don't need a billion dollars. My goals need at least ten billion.
Of course, I have some pretty lofty goals.

 

[RogueInnovation]

I've always been made fun of by family members for having ridiculous goals- but stories like this really motivate me into having incredibly high goals and doing whatever it takes to reach them.

Wow that was an awesome story.

I think now after reading that, that maybe we need to set our goals high in order to just be childish and enjoy where we are.

Rep++

 

[Leo Hendrix]

@RogueInnovation thanks for the clip(Dragons Den)...damn that dude set himself up for suicide...slight arrogance... also basing your valuation on some future projected market statistics??? Dude made me laugh...Such clips helps bring us and Matt back down to earth...nutbar level 9 hehe

 

[Leo Hendrix]

True he should've been more flexible and 1% equity..Im not sure if he had much revenue or sales coming in yet? His attitude did put the Dragons off.
Like you said talk success not strict and rigid rules...he should've maybe worked on his salesmanship and obviously approach more.
Good point though he had everything set in concrete and was too rigid and possibly overconfident in his business.
We all have a bit of Nutbar some more than others.
To be honest if I had a billion I wouldn't be into big toys and luxury too much unless it was a holiday and then again I'd be spending for my family or friends sake...I would use a lot of my profits if I had enough to re-invest into my country and businesses there as well as education for relatives etc.

 

[RogueInnovation]

So I guess integrity and principles are essential to overcome this self-doubt.

Abso-f#cking-lutely!
Its the same as lying to someone to close a deal, but in this case you are lying to yourself.
- false promises
- inconsistent delivery
- nagging at people and customers
The very rotten core of a business starts RIGHT HERE. In who you stand to be, right now, when things are at their thickest.

No paint job fixes a faulty engine. And money is the paint. The real BONES and MUSCLE is your discerning intuition, grit, inner fire and integrity.
And if you don't command things, and you only chase a number, there is no room for the great man in you to stand up and take charge.

If we have maintained our integrity and stuck to our principles no matter the achieved financial metric then I presume that this doubt can be eliminated or reduced as well as improving our self-confidence.

Yes,
I am PROOF of this.
Doubts burn away like layers of fat at the gym.
But the gym in business is sticking to your guns.


You just made me realise something...
If we itch for a billion dollars we might hang ourselves, in an attempt to be someone else.
ONLY your principles can take you through the rough seas and come out the end stronger.
Cherish that strength and be willing to walk away from a billion dollars.

Find the courage to get over greed, because at the heart of greed is fear.
You must face the fear, you must understand that the deeper you go, the more fear you will feel.
And you and your principles must get stronger to walk that gauntlet.

Its not a billion you should seek, its the test.

 

[RogueInnovation]

Excitement EATS money

When you get excited by a cash amount, it slips out of the cracks really fast. You "indulge" yourself because you CAN.

Fast moving cash like this creates pollution, because the more trinkets you have to create to feed your money supply, the more bits and pieces get thrown into landfills (with physical products).

Larger businesses, that FEED an exciteable host, are less likely to survive; due to excessive expenditures on ineffective marketting, unnecessary aquisitions, and bad/lax positioning (we are the best! Enough said! I love to boast and pretend I'm immortal!).

And, fast draining cash, causes a paradox where you need more cash to excite you, but lose it too quickly to reach the goal. This causes you to feel short changed and is unsustainable.



Instead of chasing billions, reduce pollution, feel complete in yourself, be responsible for cash amounts no matter the size, and do not be dependent on indulging.

If billions EXCITE you, they will EAT away at you.

YES be free, be rich, but never forget "its all good".


Billions? Why bother?

Find your own way to riches, and don't take on anyone elses meaning of it but your own.



BECOME in yourself what a billionaire means to YOU if you wish. Or just take the best parts and be the best you that you wanna be.

 

Dislike ads? Remove them and support the forum: Subscribe to Fastlane Insiders.

[DeletedUser394]

What if making a million dollars & making a billions dollars required the same amount of time and effort? Would you prefer the million?

But they don't, so what's the point of the question?

I literally have no idea what OP is talking about.. ever. So I'm strictly referencing your quote.

Most 'wealthy' people reach a threshold where any addition to their net worth/income becomes irrelevant.

There's really no point for anyone here to want to make 'billions', or to even strive towards something like that. With the wealthy people that I connect with (some on the forum, who will remain nameless out of privacy), the general consensus is that lifestyle doesn't change much past a certain amount of assets.. and it's a lot smaller than most realize.

I'm pretty confident in saying that nobody on this forum will be a billionaire. Statistically speaking, you are more likely to win the powerball, while getting mauled by a shark and/or being struck by lightning. But I know we must retain the rah rah 'we can do anything' attitude so prevalent here. Can anyone make a million dollars here? Absolutely, anybody with just a job can even manage that. Will the majority of users get there? Heck no.

Are there people here capable of making 10 million.. 100 million... 250 million? A handful of forum members can. A billion? Not likely.

Now, I certainly have confidence in many of the real entrepreneurs on this forum (yourself included), but some people really fail to grasp the enormity of 1 billion dollars. It sounds cool, but the reality is that it is such an elite club, that it becomes more or less statistically impossible to gain access to. And the 'rewards' are overblown when you realize you can have your perfectly great, satisfaction filled life, and make a real difference in the world.. with much less than that.

'Aim for the moon, land among the stars' or whatever that quote is supposed to be sounds nice, but people blow it out of proportions.

If a person enjoys what it is that's making them money, then by all means they should continue. Most will realize that there comes a time when it just isn't worth it.

 

[Darius]

But they don't, so what's the point of the question?

and you can't make a good living without a college degree, right?

There's really no point for anyone here to want to make 'billions', or to even strive towards something like that.

So because it's hard to achieve or unlikely, one shouldn't strive for it?

“Whether you think you can, or you think you can't--you're right.” - Henry Ford

 

Dislike ads? Remove them and support the forum: Subscribe to Fastlane Insiders.

[NoahSK]

No one needs a billion dollars.