The Entrepreneur Forum | Financial Freedom | Starting a Business | Motivation | Money | Success

Welcome to the only entrepreneur forum dedicated to building life-changing wealth.

Build a Fastlane business. Earn real financial freedom. Join free.

Join over 80,000 entrepreneurs who have rejected the paradigm of mediocrity and said "NO!" to underpaid jobs, ascetic frugality, and suffocating savings rituals— learn how to build a Fastlane business that pays both freedom and lifestyle affluence.

Free registration at the forum removes this block.

jarvisdiego

Contributor
Read Fastlane!
User Power
Value/Post Ratio
100%
Nov 16, 2016
36
36
What's up everyone!

I am confused about my future (currently 22 years old). So many opportunities, not much time to do them all. I would appreciate some help/ideas on what to do. Being stuck in this part of my journey for a while now.

I am studying mechanical engineering and I am doing my last year for a B.S. in a "good" engineering university. I am studying pick-up [learning how to be better with women. If you want some info about it let me know, I consider myself pretty knowledgeable in that area]. I do flipping on ebay [go to thrift stores and buy cheap stuff and resell them at a higher price]. I workout and play soccer.

Honestly, I love doing all those things (especially pick-up and soccer). Sitting down and doing engineering problems gets me in a flow state [time passes so quick without me noticing and I just enjoy engineering. It is amazing]. Flipping is exciting, because I get to earn money from used thing. That feeling when you sell something that you bought super cheap and you earn good money on it, feels cool :)

Soooo I dedicate my time to too many things. I want to join the fastlane line. BUT I THINK I am chasing the money, instead of doing it for fun. I always decide on something and change my mind in between 2-4 weeks. Maybe it is the fear of failure that I don't want to accept [Even though it is funny since I do pick-up and I get rejected so many times and do not care]. Some ideas I have (but I haven't executed) are:

- Keep doing the engineering thing (which I think this one sounds better and less risky :p) and get some experience in the field. As I get experience with engineering I will try and focus on how I can make things better. After that, I will try to find something the engineering industry is not doing right and make it better. Becoming my own boss and creating something new. If I fail, I keep being an engineer (which sounds pretty safe). BUT I know safe will not get me to be at the top.

- Keep doing the flipping thing. See how far I can get with it and start an eCommerce company. Shopify, Amazon or wherever else.

- Become a pick-up instructor in the spanish language as it is not that big in the hispanic community. Build products for South America/Central America/Mexico. But at the same time doing those things down in the South can be somewhat dangerous.

- I also want to do something with social media, but don't know where to start.

Also, I want to finish my degree, because my parents have done so much for me (only one year left). That is how I want to pay them back.

Thank you and I would really appreciate your feedback! or any other thing you want to tell me.
If you need any help with pick-up and/or healthy eating I will be glad to help you out.
Just hit me up :)
 
Dislike ads? Remove them and support the forum: Subscribe to Fastlane Insiders.
D

Deleted2BB3x9

Guest
Finish your degree but definitely keep doing the flipping thing.

Also, if you want to start something with social media, maybe start a page for your city "I <3 San Francisco" and start posting reviews of restaurants and local establishments. Then eventually you can go to restaurants and ask them to pay you to put their review on your page.
My friend does this and has had great success.
 

jarvisdiego

Contributor
Read Fastlane!
User Power
Value/Post Ratio
100%
Nov 16, 2016
36
36
Also, if you want to start something with social media, maybe start a page for your city "I <3 San Francisco" and start posting reviews of restaurants and local establishments. Then eventually you can go to restaurants and ask them to pay you to put their review on your page.
My friend does this and has had great success.

Amazing. I hold weekly meetings at different restaurants/bars/coffees shops in the city that I live, so I could be doing this easily. Taking a picture of what I eat/drink and giving it a review.

I'll let you know how it turns out ;-)
Thank you!
 

Doubly_Frank

New Contributor
User Power
Value/Post Ratio
283%
Jul 26, 2017
6
17
Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Since you've already invested so much time into uni, I'd definitely agree with your plan to finish your degree. That aside, I'll give you some tips that I would have given to myself several years back:
  • Focus on learning about and improving yourself as much as possible now- while you have a lot of time and no dependents to care for. That way, in several years' time when you have a good job or growing business you'll have productivity, life goals, etc. dialed in.
  • Maintain a balance between being productive and doing too much. I strongly believe that if you do several things at the same time you're better at all of them. The idea is that what you learn from each business or pursuit respectively improves your skillset and abilities to work on your other pursuits and businesses. However, make sure you don't do too much and get enough time for rest and relaxation- lest you burnout.
  • Watch out for "squirrel syndrome!" It's very easy to see a "shiny" idea and flit from what your doing to something seemingly more exciting- but this is to the detriment of many wantrepreneurs. It's important as hell to know when to quit, but you should only do so (assuming it was a well thought out idea) once you've spent some time trying to make it work. It's often a bad idea to quit at the first sign of difficulty.
One more thing to keep in mind is that a caricature of entrepreneurship is trending these days. Be careful! The vast majority of "overnight" successes took years of waiting and work. There's absolutely nothing wrong with working for someone else- in the least working on a side-hustle or two while working a W2.

My advice would be to evaluate your priorities, make sure you're giving everything enough time (but not too much) and pursue employment in engineering. You're young- if you get a great opportunity, feel free to jump ship ;)
 
Dislike ads? Remove them and support the forum: Subscribe to Fastlane Insiders.

Olimac21

Silver Contributor
Read Fastlane!
Read Unscripted!
Speedway Pass
User Power
Value/Post Ratio
175%
Dec 3, 2015
545
954
31
Belo Horizonte, Brasil
Hey Diego

First of all good combination of skills coming from an engineer, you seem to have both hard and soft skills because of your interests and skill of picking up girls (and the fact of being in this forum). I would suggest finishing Uni for sure, explore those other options part time, taking one gap year after graduation to take risks in those things you might like trying.

You are still young and you do not need to start working as an engineer right away after college. Experiment a bit before taking a determined decision about your future.

Buena suerte!
 

jarvisdiego

Contributor
Read Fastlane!
User Power
Value/Post Ratio
100%
Nov 16, 2016
36
36
My advice would be to evaluate your priorities, make sure you're giving everything enough time (but not too much) and pursue employment in engineering. You're young- if you get a great opportunity, feel free to jump ship ;)

Thank you!

You are still young and you do not need to start working as an engineer right away after college. Experiment a bit before taking a determined decision about your future.

Buena suerte!

How would you describe your experimenting around after college? Just curious :)

and thank you! @Camilo Ardiles
 

Olimac21

Silver Contributor
Read Fastlane!
Read Unscripted!
Speedway Pass
User Power
Value/Post Ratio
175%
Dec 3, 2015
545
954
31
Belo Horizonte, Brasil
Thank you!



How would you describe your experimenting around after college? Just curious :)

and thank you! @Camilo Ardiles

Basically give space to do many things during a year, stuff you will not normally would be allow to do later. I did that in 2015-2016 and was awesome did a variety of stuff which gave me a broader perspective for the future.
 
Dislike ads? Remove them and support the forum: Subscribe to Fastlane Insiders.

Andy Daniels

Bronze Contributor
Read Fastlane!
Read Unscripted!
Speedway Pass
User Power
Value/Post Ratio
206%
May 29, 2017
205
423
Oregon
Well, finish your degree since you're pretty close to finishing. But your statements aren't very definitive.

I might do this, I may do that. You need to shift your mindset to I WILL do this.

And about the less risk sticking to engineering. You'll find in MJ's books that it's just as risky if not more to stay in the slow lane. You're trading 5 days for 2, a terrible investment.

Welcome to the forum.
 

Tanisha

Bronze Contributor
Jun 16, 2017
158
100
30
sacramento
What's up everyone!

I am confused about my future (currently 22 years old). So many opportunities, not much time to do them all. I would appreciate some help/ideas on what to do. Being stuck in this part of my journey for a while now.

I am studying mechanical engineering and I am doing my last year for a B.S. in a "good" engineering university. I am studying pick-up [learning how to be better with women. If you want some info about it let me know, I consider myself pretty knowledgeable in that area]. I do flipping on ebay [go to thrift stores and buy cheap stuff and resell them at a higher price]. I workout and play soccer.

Honestly, I love doing all those things (especially pick-up and soccer). Sitting down and doing engineering problems gets me in a flow state [time passes so quick without me noticing and I just enjoy engineering. It is amazing]. Flipping is exciting, because I get to earn money from used thing. That feeling when you sell something that you bought super cheap and you earn good money on it, feels cool :)

Soooo I dedicate my time to too many things. I want to join the fastlane line. BUT I THINK I am chasing the money, instead of doing it for fun. I always decide on something and change my mind in between 2-4 weeks. Maybe it is the fear of failure that I don't want to accept [Even though it is funny since I do pick-up and I get rejected so many times and do not care]. Some ideas I have (but I haven't executed) are:

- Keep doing the engineering thing (which I think this one sounds better and less risky :p) and get some experience in the field. As I get experience with engineering I will try and focus on how I can make things better. After that, I will try to find something the engineering industry is not doing right and make it better. Becoming my own boss and creating something new. If I fail, I keep being an engineer (which sounds pretty safe). BUT I know safe will not get me to be at the top.

- Keep doing the flipping thing. See how far I can get with it and start an eCommerce company. Shopify, Amazon or wherever else.

- Become a pick-up instructor in the spanish language as it is not that big in the hispanic community. Build products for South America/Central America/Mexico. But at the same time doing those things down in the South can be somewhat dangerous.

- I also want to do something with social media, but don't know where to start.

Also, I want to finish my degree, because my parents have done so much for me (only one year left). That is how I want to pay them back.

Thank you and I would really appreciate your feedback! or any other thing you want to tell me.
If you need any help with pick-up and/or healthy eating I will be glad to help you out.
Just hit me up :)

now you eating healthy thats very rare, but i like it, we're close to the same age so just relax you have all the time in the world, looks like you got a good head on your shoulders, so keep it up
 

jarvisdiego

Contributor
Read Fastlane!
User Power
Value/Post Ratio
100%
Nov 16, 2016
36
36
And about the less risk sticking to engineering. You'll find in MJ's books that it's just as risky if not more to stay in the slow lane. You're trading 5 days for 2, a terrible investment.

Welcome to the forum.
Yeah I remember that. May I ask what do you do? Just out of curiosity :)
And thank you!

now you eating healthy thats very rare, but i like it, we're close to the same age so just relax you have all the time in the world, looks like you got a good head on your shoulders, so keep it up
Hallo,
Love taking care of my body :)
And are you doing something that gets you in the fast lane?
 
Dislike ads? Remove them and support the forum: Subscribe to Fastlane Insiders.

Duane

Silver Contributor
FASTLANE INSIDER
Read Fastlane!
Read Unscripted!
Speedway Pass
User Power
Value/Post Ratio
286%
Jul 23, 2015
339
969
30
Lakeland FL
I agree with a lot of the above posts, finish the degree.

In order to improve a process and solve problems in the mechanical industry, you will have to master your craft first. School doesn't help for shit with performing well in the actual field. This will take time to master and find needs.

While you finish your degree, keep on flipping, but once you graduate you should be in ecommerce buying and selling all your products online because you won't have time to drive around looking for deals. You never know, it may work out well and you drop the whole engineering thing... Or itll be a flop and you continue mastering your craft.

There's plenty of time to do both and see which avenue is more promising for you.
 

inputchip

Gold Contributor
Read Fastlane!
Read Unscripted!
Summit Attendee
Speedway Pass
User Power
Value/Post Ratio
409%
Mar 26, 2017
312
1,277
www.tmkings.com
I am studying mechanical engineering and I am doing my last year for a B.S. in a "good" engineering university.
You are exactly where I was a couple years ago. I graduated with my mech degree last year, and have been working full time since.

Sitting down and doing engineering problems gets me in a flow state [time passes so quick without me noticing and I just enjoy engineering. It is amazing]. Flipping is exciting, because I get to earn money from used thing. That feeling when you sell something that you bought super cheap and you earn good money on it, feels cool
I would say it's safe to say that you are in flow when you are solving problems (period). This is where you want to be. Make solving problems your passion. They don't necessarily have to be engineering problems. I used to flip a lot of stuff when I was younger as well. It's a great way to build experience in sales, marketing, pricing, social relations, etc. Never stop hustling.

I want to join the fastlane line. BUT I THINK I am chasing the money, instead of doing it for fun. I always decide on something and change my mind in between 2-4 weeks. Maybe it is the fear of failure that I don't want to accept [Even though it is funny since I do pick-up and I get rejected so many times and do not care].
Don't chase money, chase freedom. Chase problem solving and the money will follow. How can you help someone you know today?

Some ideas I have (but I haven't executed) are:

- Keep doing the engineering thing (which I think this one sounds better and less risky :p) and get some experience in the field. As I get experience with engineering I will try and focus on how I can make things better. After that, I will try to find something the engineering industry is not doing right and make it better. Becoming my own boss and creating something new. If I fail, I keep being an engineer (which sounds pretty safe). BUT I know safe will not get me to be at the top.
Finish your degree. The problem solving skills are worth the degree even if you don't want to work full time in engineering. I have been working for about a year, it has been a huge motivation for what I DON'T want to do for the rest of my life. This eventually led me to pursue entrepreneurship. I would say it's more of a risk to put all your eggs in one basket (single income job, could get fired at any moment) than to pursue your own ventures where you can have multiple streams of income. Not to mention all the other benefits.

I also want to do something with social media, but don't know where to start.
Again, find the problem, solve the problem, profit. Don't waste your time chasing something you "think" might work or where your interests lie. Make solving problems your passion.

Also, I want to finish my degree, because my parents have done so much for me (only one year left). That is how I want to pay them back.
I agree. Do it. Then work you a$$ off and make your parents proud. You don't need to work a 9-5 engineering job in order to use the skills you learned during your degree. Always remember that. Never regret going to school.
 

inputchip

Gold Contributor
Read Fastlane!
Read Unscripted!
Summit Attendee
Speedway Pass
User Power
Value/Post Ratio
409%
Mar 26, 2017
312
1,277
www.tmkings.com
@inputchip thank you dude!
Are you working as an engineer right now? or are you being an entrepreneur?

@Duane thank you!
My mindset is that I am an entrepreneur. I eat, sleep and breath fastlane. It isn't a temporary event, but rather a complete mindset shift. Remember, fastlane is about process. Consistent actions transforming into habit. My goal is to completely rewire my brain to think like a seasoned entrepreneur. To see needs and solve them. To make something from nothing. As MJ says, "Money is proof you helped your fellow man".

This forum is filled with a lot of great content, and a lot of great people. Absorb the posts from the top contributors here. They have a large rep bank for a reason.

Welcome to the forum and good luck. If you ever want to talk shoot me a PM.
 

Post New Topic

Please SEARCH before posting.
Please select the BEST category.

Post new topic

Guest post submissions offered HERE.

Latest Posts

New Topics

Fastlane Insiders

View the forum AD FREE.
Private, unindexed content
Detailed process/execution threads
Ideas needing execution, more!

Join Fastlane Insiders.

Top