Thread: Hello from Chicago...Long Post o_O

Hello,

Please read about my introduction to the Fastlane.

I found this forum when I typed in my Google search engine "How I made $5,000 in one week"

A link for the first 3 chapters of Millionaire Fastlane returned in the search. I clicked and read it from my MacBook Pro. 5 minutes later I was on iBooks on my iPad downloading the full book. Formatted to my iBooks it was 580 pages, I completed the book in 2 days. It was so easy to read and understand. A total page turner, I did not watch TV, use Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram...I could not read this book fast enough.

The best part was comprehending and receiving all of the confirmations, and revelations.

I saw the link to this forum, went to it, and I have not watched any TV since then. I have been reading every thread, post, and comment here.

I am 28 years old, and live in Chicago. As I began to get closer to 30, I knew that what I was doing (Railroading for the biggest Railroad in North America) was not going to be my life's work. I am a single parent and I have 7 year old twins.

Sadness would set in at the THOUGHT of giving the next 30 years of my life to this place in hopes of securing a pension of $3,500 per month for the rest of my life once I turned 60. (Working with "my elders" has been a very eyeopening experience) I have a LOT of thoughts and views on these Slowlaners who were predominately born in the 50s and 60s...The majority of the people I have met were OBVIOUSLY and CLEARLY, literally LIVING in the Slowlane for the last 3 DECADES!!!! OH.MY.GOD. Most of the people I worked with were in most cases 3 to 5 years away from obtaining their pension so it is a FACT that they have been on this job for the last 30 YEARS or more, of their life (in fact most have actually been on the job by the time they retire for 35 to 45 years. This in itself was an epiphany, revelation, confirmation, and eyeopening marker in my life.

***

I was (am?!) a SERIOUS combination of Sidewalker and Slowlane. Making $65k since 24 years old, being able to help my family and friends, and treat myself to MANY things that I wanted, (that MANY of my peers could not necessarily, easily or readily afford) made me feel happy at the time, but I always knew that I wanted more and could be more and do more.

I contributed to my company's stock, 401k and I saved on my own. I spent whatever else was left over after all of these deductions, (plus bills) however I wanted.

I skipped college out on high school, starting a career in the military. I always dreamed of becoming a Journalist when I grew up. I started to feel TRAPPED by being 24, with no college degree, making $65k a year. My work was stressful and I had 0 interest in Railroading.

Having a FREE full ride to go to college (via the military education benefit) I more seriously started to plot and plan a way out of my current life and lifestyle.

I always KNEW and BELIEVED that despite my CURRENT situation that this did NOT and would NOT be the life I'd live. I have always been a reader, a thinker, and a doer. I have always set HIGH standards and goals for myself.

My mind is my STRONGEST and BEST attribute, and I always try to keep my mind in pristine conditions: feeding it positivity, knowledge, wisdom, happy thoughts, happy moments, etc. I try to stay away from ALL negativity and drama. I am an optimist, and try to live as "correct" as possible, fully governed by MY ideals, beliefs, morals, and ethics.

My mind set has PHYSICALLY taken me and given me EVERYTHING I have had in my life thus far. I can say that by MOST standards I have lived very fortunately and overall have had a really PROBLEM FREE life. (Is this perception? Or is there a governing authority?!)

***

I am a prior service combat veteran. The majority of my work experience is in the Transportation industry (Intermodal, and Logistics; Movement coordination) from the government and civilian sectors. I also have a lot of administrative experience with high ranking military personnel, as well as Senior and Upper management from the military and corporate sectors.

Where I am at PRESENTLY:

I do NOT work at the Railroad anymore, as of the beginning of the year.

I am in school pursuing a degree in Journalism, (fully free, and 3 days a week) while also generating a monthly stream of income from the Post 9/11 Grant.
I have a stream of income from my childrens' father which assists me in sustaining our children.
I am about to reenlist with a reserve component in the military to create an additional small stream of income, while also creating a long term military retirement for my family. (1 weekend per month and 2 weeks out of the summer)
I plan to apply at an upscale restaurant as a part time (2 day a week) hostess to generate fast, cash.
I am in the process of creating an additional stream of passive income online.

I am a Virgo, I love service and hospitality- With that, and in conjunction with my future business endeavor I plan to volunteer (2 times a week) with either NorthWestern Hospital or The University of Chicago Hospital, which will also hopefully prove to be a fruitful networking move as well.

I have a mentor.

All of this, coupled with the WEALTH and freedom of TIME that I now have (due to not working at the Railroad) affords me the opportunity to focus on my biggest goal ever of starting my own business! I will tell you guys about this in another post.

I have seen and done a few things, I am not yet 30 years old. The best part for me is also that I get to take Journalism courses, because in the back of my mind I have always wanted to pursue being a Journalist. If I become a successful one or not, at the end of my life I can still say that I PURSUED and followed my passion to attempt to be one.

I believe that I am on the RIGHT track, and shifting over to the right lane (Fastlane). I want to reach financial freedom and freedom of time by the age of 35 or before. I have been holding that intention, and making the choices and decisions to get me there.

I am so excited about my life, and happy to have found this forum. I look forward to meeting many of you and discussing and learning from you guys.

If there is a Fastlane network in Chicago I would love to be apart of it.

I have a natural tenacity, resilience, and perseverance inside of me. I am an autodidact, and I am passionate about people and life.


***

Best Books I ever read:

The Secret

Think & Grow Rich

The Millionaire Fastlane

Favorite quotes:

Go CONFIDENTLY in the direction of your dreams. Live the life that you have imagined. Henry David Thoreau

What the mind of man can conceive it can achieve. Napoleon Hill

Your imagination is an extremely POWERFUL tool. Rhonda Byrne

The fabric of your life is sewn by the cumulative consequences of your choices. Yes, you are as you have chosen. MJ Demarco

3 Fun facts:

1. I love to travel. In April 2012 I visited 4 continents in 30 days.
2. I am a food LOVER. Restaurant I am dying to dine at is Alinea.
3. I love live art. Theatre, plays, musicals, concerts, sports, etc.

Hi everyone! Thanks for all of the replies. I am still amped up about Fastlane, and my "big idea".

Words are powerful. Whoever said they weren't never read anything worth reading.

@Jilla82-

Roosevelt.

@Jake-
Active Duty Army
Reserve component Navy....

Though at this point I have semi ruled out going reserve...I did factor that in to my plan (mostly to ensure the military pension---if nothing else) but at this point I have taken it out of the plans for now.

@MJ-

I noticed that you have made it a point to interact with what seems like ALL of the people on this forum. To some extent, in an extremely timely manner- you have responded with a hi or welcome, and in some cases even an in-depth response to the people here...That personal touch, in many ways, that SPECIAL touch, that you are giving to everyone that comes to this site has NOT gone unnoticed on me. WOW.

I have been around CEO's and other extremely busy people...no one takes the TIME to interact with people like that. That is awesome.... I love that you are going that EXTRA step...because really its not like you have to...everyone is here because you already "won them over" with the book. And that's how most people think--- I did that, my work is done... But I see exactly what you are doing. Nice!

After I read TMF I kept asking myself why haven't I heard of this book before...Then I went back to see that this book has only been around since 2011...That's why...I have never felt compelled to do anything working from the strength of a book that I have read before... I wish this book was around 5 years ago.

I have wasted a lot of money on Suzie Orman and David Bach books...I always had a mindset, but it needed fine tuning-...I could never get into their books because their books didn't speak to me...

This book seems to have been written specifically and purposefully for a younger audience and specific type of person---. I am shocked to see 14 yr olds on this forum...that makes me feel like I got a SUPER late start! I was not thinking about entrepreneurship at 14... or 20 either...Only really in the past 5 years.

I think this book is so relatable to many of the readers, esp. those who are young..younger...because this book IS different, and I believe that people born in the 80s and 90s are way more open minded to almost ANYTHING besides what is traditional....(Normal)

The way that this book is written is just so cut and dry, easy to understand. Easy to connect to, easy to relate to.
The way this book is edited, structured, and organized is just like a song that everyone can learn the lyrics to. You have made everyone feel and believe they can sing this song.


I just wanted to say thank you.

I have been able to apply this book to relationships/friendships as well...So that is an added bonus. This book was $4.99 on iBooks. This might be the best money I have ever spent.

When I have that pivotal Fastlane moment (the moment guaranteeing my freedom of time and money) you are invited to attend the event so that I can thank you in person. You have definitely impacted me and the course of my life.

Ps... Please add my Fastlane Badge under my user name!!!