has this forum helped you out, or just mental masterbation?

[charles J]

i have a quick and simple question... has this forum actually helped in getting you closer to your financial goal? if so the how? please share a story or two

 

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[Xel]

Only you can help yourself to reach your own financial goal. No forum is going to do that for you. That being said this forum is very motivating if you let it be. There is a wealth of information and some very motivated and successful people have laid out their process. Use that and make it your own and you will reach whatever goals you set for yourself, providing you hold yourself to them.

If I have leaned anything from this forum. Reaching your financial goals is a process, not an event. Reading this forum wont change your life. Taking the knowledge that you learn here and applying it to your own personal process and not giving up when you fail may just be life changing.

 

[Catalyst]

*sigh* chasing money. Read the forum, it has served as a launching board for many successful businesses at this point.

 

[sle3pyguii]

Before FLF: $0 earned from doing things.
After FLF: $100 earned from doing things.

 

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[AllenCrawley]

There are more than a few stories found in the progress threads. With that said I'm sure there are many, many that read and visit the forum daily and think they are accomplishing something but in reality they are not.

 

[BlokeInProgress]

This forum have taught me a lot, it wouldn't get me closer to my goals if I don't act though. The forum became another stepping stone for me, now its up to me if I stay in that step or take another one (step 2 - action).

well, just like any other books, forums, advices, blogs out there, if you don't take the next step then you are not moving forward.

 

[IceCreamKid]

For me personally, the real value comes from the relationships created behind the scenes. There are many members who no longer post here that I communicate with on a daily basis through Skype. Many have helped me and I have helped others as well.

There is enough laid out in the progress threads for you to learn from and take action on. You learn a lot more by seeing a business from the "front row seats" though. Since there are so many members here, the nitty gritty details are often left out and it's those finer points where you really learn a ton. I learned a lot from being able to see how AllenCrawley marketed his product. No, don't ask me what his product is.

I'm in the process of licensing an idea of mine the Stephen Key way. Vigilante deserves credit for introducing me to the concept of licensing through his thread. If the deal closes I'll fill you in on what it is and how it got done. It's a wild numbers game.

So has the forum helped me reach my financial goals? Yes, but it's not like I read a thread and magically became free from a job the next day. Just be careful not to get stuck in "dreamland mode".

There are 5 types of people in life and on this forum:
1. Mr. Give Up Fast-Gives up too easily. He bounces from idea to idea, doesn't really believe in himself, and likes to blame others for his lifestyle.

2. Mr. Douchebag-Likes to criticize everybody and tell others why XYZ idea won't work. His life kinda sucks and focuses a lot of his energy putting down others, but doesn't really take a moment to analyze who he really is portraying.

3. Mr. Dreamer- Has big dreams for himself, but lacks the focus to grind out the work. Don't worry though, he'll eventually have an "OH CRAP" moment when he realizes he's getting older and hasn't done much. Then he'll become an action taking machine.

4. Mr. Hustler- This guy takes action nonstop. Possibly creates multiple streams of income for himself. Craigslist flipping, side jobs, constantly taking action. This guy gets stuff done.

5. Mr. Emma Watson- Takes action nonstop just like Mr. Hustler, BUT with an additional ingredient: he thinks very strategically about what he's doing. Am I building a brand that I can sell? Am I creating a system with tangible assets or am I the asset that cannot be sold? He sees the big picture.

 

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[DeletedUser394]

Yo, it's 'masturbation'.

Trust me, I know.


edit: I'm referring to the spelling, not the forum.

 

[DeletedUser394]

There are 5 types of people in life and on this forum:
1. Mr. Give Up Fast-Gives up too easily. He bounces from idea to idea, doesn't really believe in himself, and likes to blame others for his lifestyle.

2. Mr. Douchebag-Likes to criticize everybody and tell others why XYZ idea won't work. His life kinda sucks and focuses a lot of his energy putting down others, but doesn't really take a moment to analyze who he really is portraying.

3. Mr. Dreamer- Has big dreams for himself, but lacks the focus to grind out the work. Don't worry though, he'll eventually have an "OH CRAP" moment when he realizes he's getting older and hasn't done much. Then he'll become an action taking machine.

4. Mr. Hustler- This guy takes action nonstop. Possibly creates multiple streams of income for himself. Craigslist flipping, side jobs, constantly taking action. This guy gets stuff done.

5. Mr. Emma Watson- Takes action nonstop just like Mr. Hustler, BUT with an additional ingredient: he thinks very strategically about what he's doing. Am I building a brand that I can sell? Am I creating a system with tangible assets or am I the asset that cannot be sold? He sees the big picture.

Solid post.


I identify with all 5 categories. So I think you should add a 6th category.. 'Mr. Egotistical Maniac'.

 

[1step]

Today was my best sales day yet. I made more today than I made in 2 months at my last job. It wouldn't have happened without the forum. I am not special, there are hundreds of people just like me on here. I just wonder how you have been here since April and haven't seen it for yourself?

 

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[GuestUser113]

Yo, it's 'masturbation'.

Trust me, I know.

 

[SeanyHang]

it literally depends on who you ask @charles J .

I wont even lie - this entire week (my finals week) I've totally been using this forum as a place of entertainment. I get bored of writing a paper - hop onto fastlane forum, cycle over to reddit, cycle over to facebook, and get crackin' with the school work again.

But that being said, I have learned so freakin' much about business in general (I'm a songwriter at heart with a rambling mans soul, who's a communication major and artist.. I never used to want anything to do with business) from forming llc's to marketing practices to importing and everything in between. I take what I learn and I apply it and it has undoubtedly made me decent money. Am I retired? No. But am I taking the steps to get there? Hope so

I honestly love seeing people's progress too. Seeing what @Vick and @AllenCrawley and @Ecom man have done is truly inspiring and in reading their posts you not only get a sense of entertainment in the same way you would when watching tv.. You learn practical lessons that you can apply! I honestly love the people on this forum even the ones I haven't personally talked to one on one. The guys I mentioned above (and many more) probably don't even realize it, but they've guided and mentored me in so many ways and I'm sure most people who've been on the forum for awhile feel the same way.

So as I wrap this up. The Fastlane Forum is what you make it. As @IceCreamKid stated, there's ALL KINDS of people here who have a different view on life and will give you a different opinion- which is great - You want that. You can sit on here and waste time (which Is kind of what I'm doing right now) or you can sit on here and apply the things that you learn ASAP. Will being here make you a millionaire? No. But being the type of person who comes here, talks to their fellow members and applies what they learn will significantly increase the odds that you will one day be a millionaire and more importantly proud of who you are.

 

[TennisOrDie]

For me personally, the real value comes from the relationships created behind the scenes. There are many members who no longer post here that I communicate with on a daily basis through Skype. Many have helped me and I have helped others as well.

There is enough laid out in the progress threads for you to learn from and take action on. You learn a lot more by seeing a business from the "front row seats" though. Since there are so many members here, the nitty gritty details are often left out and it's those finer points where you really learn a ton. I learned a lot from being able to see how AllenCrawley marketed his product. No, don't ask me what his product is.

I'm in the process of licensing an idea of mine the Stephen Key way. Vigilante deserves credit for introducing me to the concept of licensing through his thread. If the deal closes I'll fill you in on what it is and how it got done. It's a wild numbers game.

So has the forum helped me reach my financial goals? Yes, but it's not like I read a thread and magically became free from a job the next day. Just be careful not to get stuck in "dreamland mode".

There are 5 types of people in life and on this forum:
1. Mr. Give Up Fast-Gives up too easily. He bounces from idea to idea, doesn't really believe in himself, and likes to blame others for his lifestyle.

2. Mr. Douchebag-Likes to criticize everybody and tell others why XYZ idea won't work. His life kinda sucks and focuses a lot of his energy putting down others, but doesn't really take a moment to analyze who he really is portraying.

3. Mr. Dreamer- Has big dreams for himself, but lacks the focus to grind out the work. Don't worry though, he'll eventually have an "OH CRAP" moment when he realizes he's getting older and hasn't done much. Then he'll become an action taking machine.

4. Mr. Hustler- This guy takes action nonstop. Possibly creates multiple streams of income for himself. Craigslist flipping, side jobs, constantly taking action. This guy gets stuff done.

5. Mr. Emma Watson- Takes action nonstop just like Mr. Hustler, BUT with an additional ingredient: he thinks very strategically about what he's doing. Am I building a brand that I can sell? Am I creating a system with tangible assets or am I the asset that cannot be sold? He sees the big picture.

I feel like these are almost phases in the development of an entrepreneur. We've all been at 1, 2, and 3. What separates the men from the boys are steps 4 and 5. However, to reach step 5 you first gotta learn to hustle.

Phases

 

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[Jamesdoesmith]

This forum has taught me alot. It has taught me yes you will need some paper money to get anything started. You will probably need credit as well. It also sparked a reader in me. I love to read but now I know what to read. I have moved from many threads here to bigger pockets, a real estate forum. To another forum based entirely to passive income models. To paper books to read at any given time. It has added to my potential energy. My knowledge. I now have a much more lined out "path". Before it was just a vision. Hell, before the fast lane book it was just a dream. Now I have goals I have plans. I have a small network of people who can help me learn more.

When I was reading TMF and trying to talk about it I was considered insane and crazy. When I tried to tell people I will be done with the rat race (before even knowing what TMF was) I was considered a dummy who had no grasp of reality. Just finding people like me has been a blessing. the "Oh! there are others like me! I am not insane! Awesome" that little victory is something I am happy with.

Also, it drastically affected my scope. If I can fill a need and make 50 bucks from it. I can take it somewhere to make 50k. Or 500k. I have learned and done so much. I have created websites. I have moved my insurance business up on google. It is a hurricane of info and it can be daunting to zone in on one piece. But that is one main thing. Yes. people out there make in a month what some make in their whole 401k. It is possible. Not easy, but possible.


So while alot of my success on here cannot be measured in paper assets today..The things learned could pay big dividends tomorrow.

 

[MJ DeMarco]

Some people use rope to climb walls and giant obstacles.... others use it to hang themselves.

 

[AndrewNC]

i have a quick and simple question... has this forum actually helped in getting you closer to your financial goal? if so the how? please share a story or two

Before forum: $250 in bank account, no job for 2 years
After forum: Haven't needed a job since June, make passive income, 3 businesses that make money, traveling the country and the world in 2015.

Forum reading + no progress each day = you will be stuck in the same place
knowledge from forum + networking from forum + putting that action into use on a regular basis = what I described above.

Learn, network, and take action.

 

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[theag]

i have a quick and simple question... has this forum actually helped in getting you closer to your financial goal? if so the how? please share a story or two

Yes.

When I first read MJ's book in 2011 I was a know-it-all. I dropped out of a very prestigious university that I worked very hard to even get in to. I also walked away from job offers in the M&A department of 2 of the top investment banks (think GS, MS, JPM, DB...), which at the time was my goal for the last 3 years and everything I worked for. This career included a 6-figure salary at 21 and a pretty much guaranteed path to millions a few years down the line if I stuck to it.

So why? Because I suddenly had this itch that it was the wrong path and that I really wanted to be an entrepreneur. So I had this idea, tried to raise money for it, got 100k but they dropped out later, which was good because the idea sucked and I would have lost them all the money.

After that I went into 2 years of depression and bounced from idea to idea, part time job to part time job, got into more and more debt. A few months ago something clicked again and I found a scalable winner process. Now my business does mid 5-figures a month, is on track to do 6-figures a month soon at very healthy margins and I will take it to 8 figures in the next 5 years.

I took literally thousands of little knowledge nuggets, hints, tips, resources and experiences that I found all over the forum to make my business and myself as a person to what it and I am today. I still have a very long way to go but I'm on the path.

So yeah, the forum kinda helped me.

5. Mr. Emma Watson- Takes action nonstop just like Mr. Hustler, BUT with an additional ingredient: he thinks very strategically about what he's doing. Am I building a brand that I can sell? Am I creating a system with tangible assets or am I the asset that cannot be sold? He sees the big picture.

This.

 

[Digamma]

Ok, now someone must explain this Emma Watson fetish on this forum.

 

[TedM]

I'm amazed that all you guys really took the time to answer the OP's post.

 

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[csalvato]

This forum put me in touch with the right people, who now make up my inner circle and I am on track for my best day, week, month, and year ever.

 

[mosdef]

i think it have. Before i read tmf i only thought about starting a some kind of biz. Now few month later i just made my first 200 dollars from selling my own product. In the first few days. I know i got so far to go. But this few weeks of launching a product has got me learning alot and its all hard work.

still got ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- x1000 long way to go

 

[Even Steven]

So as I wrap this up. The Fastlane Forum is what you make it.

This. As with anything else, it's a tool, and it's what YOU take and do with it that will determine how much it helps you.

I'm amazed that all you guys really took the time to answer the OP's post

Also, this. I'm assuming the OP just signed up and tossed this question out without even looking at any gold posts or progress threads. Because if he had, he'd see the answer. I'm guessing the OP won't get much from the forum.

 

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[Get Right]

I'll let you decide: https://www.thefastlaneforum.com/community/threads/today-is-my-1-year-tmf-anniversary.53436/

 

[Bila]

This forum is helping me being more agressive, and being more practical about details ....THANKS A LOT guys.

 

[OVOvince]

Im in my early twenties, after isolating myself from bad influences of peers, im all by myself in this new city. I do have some connections but they don't have the same mentality as me, and I can't even talk to them about anything because, as the quote says, i feel uncomfortable talking about my ideas and goals and visions to small minded people (no offense to them). their goal is to go to college and repeat the same exact process as everyone else.

this place serves as a place where i can meet competition that will push me past my limits if i allow myself, i just recently discovered that.

 

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[jazb]

If you can't learn anything from the big guys on the forum like zen*******, jack edwards etc then no one can help you. go through all their posts and thats basically free mentorship from multi millionaires who have been doing this for 25+ years.

I think people take for granted just how much knowledge they have. Its hard to find people like that in real life. go read their posts !!!

 

[Unknown]

You already know the answer is yes. Getting past your fear is the hard part. I still deal with the fear of failure, but I choose to ignore it. Take action until something works for you.

 

[tafy]

This forum has helped me a tonn

Before this forum I had read Rich Dad Poor dad, I was looking for some way of getting a passive income. I was reading Patts passive income blog like all the other newbies.

I was lost and I didnt even know it

I stumbled across this forum because I was looking for property/real estate articles and threads. Some of them older real estate threads are frickin gold!

I thought the forum was a bit cheesy to begin with, because I read some silly progress threads that said they were going to make a million in 6 months

Luckily I hung around and joined the INSIDERS, much less crap in there and some great people doing great things.

 

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[Unknown]

I had read Rich Dad Poor dad.

That's the same book I read right before finding TMF .

 

[csalvato]

zen*******, jack edwards

Too bad both of these guys are shady as balls.