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.

I've Given Up on Chasing Money... Time to Start Chasing Passion

A detailed account of a Fastlane process...

Aaron T

Silver Contributor
FASTLANE INSIDER
Read Fastlane!
Read Unscripted!
Speedway Pass
User Power
Value/Post Ratio
345%
Aug 27, 2017
266
919
52
I made the saaaame mistake.

I am still making this same mistake and was just called out on it a couple days ago. It is perfectly OK.

Learning moments are awesome!
 
Dislike ads? Remove them and support the forum: Subscribe to Fastlane Insiders.

Will Armstrong

New Contributor
User Power
Value/Post Ratio
100%
Sep 20, 2017
5
5
27
Ohio
I am still making this same mistake and was just called out on it a couple days ago. It is perfectly OK.

Learning moments are awesome!

Do you have any advice for a newbie? I must admit, it's a little intimidating posting in a forum with people who have been around for much longer. Sorry if this conversation is straying from the thread, but I was just wondering for future reference...so I avoid mistakes in the future.
 

Aaron T

Silver Contributor
FASTLANE INSIDER
Read Fastlane!
Read Unscripted!
Speedway Pass
User Power
Value/Post Ratio
345%
Aug 27, 2017
266
919
52
Do you have any advice for a newbie? I must admit, it's a little intimidating posting in a forum with people who have been around for much longer. Sorry if this conversation is straying from the thread, but I was just wondering for future reference...so I avoid mistakes in the future.

Honestly, you can't avoid mistakes. Learn to relish them, and learn from them. Take the advice given. Most of it from those that have been here a while (not me yet) is very well meaning and helpful.

Without a doubt you should absolutely pick up both of MJ DeMarco's books. They are invaluable. I sear they encapsulate my life and thinking and that of so many others here. It should resonate well.
 

Symphony

Contributor
Read Fastlane!
User Power
Value/Post Ratio
92%
Oct 6, 2015
24
22
31
full

I agree that the grind is a source of passion. As you go deeper and deeper into something-like I've done with eSports + Writing- noticing the little intricacies and reaching new levels of understanding and execution brings a lot of joy.

I'm definitely not arguing this point.

I'm trying to figure my shit out and I knew nothing was going to happen by just sitting on my a$$.

So I came up with a rudimentary plan and I've started working it.

I imagine in time the pieces that make sense or aren't effective will fall away.

I made the post because the shit I was doing wasn't working and I was really sick and tired of spinning in circles. Maybe the core message is wrong but, great, I'm down with learning and adjusting.

Basically- I didn't know what else to start with, so I'm starting with something.

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

Amon

Bronze Contributor
Read Fastlane!
Speedway Pass
User Power
Value/Post Ratio
274%
Jun 29, 2016
85
233
Cleveland, OH
I totally feel you on this one and share a similar story. I am very entrepreneurial which isn't a bad thing but unfortunately it means I have trouble shutting my brain off. Like a lot of entrepreneurs, I have shiny object syndrome which means I have trouble finishing projects before moving on to the next.

I think there is some confusion on what being an entrepreneur is. It doesn't mean being in constant mental chaos.

There's a difference between being productive or just active.

It sounds like you need to address an attention deficit problem and focus on what's actually important. A lot of entrepreneurs invent tasks to make them feel as if they are headed towards a goal.

Stop inventing things to do to avoid the important. Being more effective (doing the tasks that will lead you to your goal) starts with eliminating all of the nonsense in your schedule.

Recently I've been keeping myself in check by asking, "If this is the only thing I accomplish today, will I be satisfied with the day?"

Its stopped me from creating an infinite list of to-dos and focusing on what's actually important.

I suggest you do the same.
 

Symphony

Contributor
Read Fastlane!
User Power
Value/Post Ratio
92%
Oct 6, 2015
24
22
31
Could you please clarify something for me?

Why don't you create a business that leverages the C.E.N.T.S. and then do whatever you please using the money you made?

Reading your post I feel like you saying: "The Fastlane failed me, so I'm going for passion", but it's pretty evident that your misery was partially caused by your self employment situation, which is no better than having a dead end job in many regards.

Also, do you have any purpose, aspirations, goals or objectives?

Thank you.

To be clear- I blame NO ONE but myself.

I chased the cat (money), and instead of applying the C.E.N.T.S principles I tried to make quick bucks.

A big part of my plan is to create a super high quality learning/training resource but I'm years off from being done with that (potentially).

I've already started working on it, but in the mean time I have to eat and have a place to take dumps. Hence the intermediate stuff.

Plus, in building this product I'll have to have a lot of field experience seeing what works and what doesn't so getting myself involved deeply in the esports scene makes sense in that regard.

The fast lane didn't fail me- I failed to apply the principlces.

Plus, I've struggled with a lot of emotional ups and downs for pretty much my whole life. I'm building more behaviours into my routine to balance myself out but I also want to spend more time doing things that make me happy.

I'm perfectly fine if the cost of that is extending my journey to financial freedom by 5 years. Could be considered stupid, but it's my time. Maybe halfway through I'll decide to switch things up.

No idea. I'm just doing what feels right and balancing that against the wisdom I get from people much smarter than I am.
 

Symphony

Contributor
Read Fastlane!
User Power
Value/Post Ratio
92%
Oct 6, 2015
24
22
31
Could you please clarify something for me?

Why don't you create a business that leverages the C.E.N.T.S. and then do whatever you please using the money you made?

Reading your post I feel like you saying: "The Fastlane failed me, so I'm going for passion", but it's pretty evident that your misery was partially caused by your self employment situation, which is no better than having a dead end job in many regards.

Also, do you have any purpose, aspirations, goals or objectives?

Thank you.

In terms of purpose, dreams aspirations etc. I have a few.

I actually want to continue excel at one of the games I play and compete at the highest level.

I want to create a resource/tool/foundation/program w.e. for people like me who've suffered from childhood traumas to help them shake it off.

Even if they haven't been through trauma specifically, I want to create something that helps people like me, who know they have potential and intelligence and charisma but just can't seem to put one foot infront of the other for long enough to get somewhere.

Start an eSports team (medium -> long term)

Start an organic farm (medium -> long term)
 
Dislike ads? Remove them and support the forum: Subscribe to Fastlane Insiders.

Symphony

Contributor
Read Fastlane!
User Power
Value/Post Ratio
92%
Oct 6, 2015
24
22
31
I think there is some confusion on what being an entrepreneur is. It doesn't mean being in constant mental chaos.

There's a difference between being productive or just active.

It sounds like you need to address an attention deficit problem and focus on what's actually important. A lot of entrepreneurs invent tasks to make them feel as if they are headed towards a goal.

Stop inventing things to do to avoid the important. Being more effective (doing the tasks that will lead you to your goal) starts with eliminating all of the nonsense in your schedule.

Recently I've been keeping myself in check by asking, "If this is the only thing I accomplish today, will I be satisfied with the day?"

Its stopped me from creating an infinite list of to-dos and focusing on what's actually important.

I suggest you do the same.

I definitely agree with you on this one. I've made progress overcoming this issue in myself over my past 3 years of living.

Prior to that there were a couple years when I was just all over the place.

What I try to do is set 3 tasks that are "must do's" every night at 8pm. The first things I get out of the way are those tasks on the next day.
 

Symphony

Contributor
Read Fastlane!
User Power
Value/Post Ratio
92%
Oct 6, 2015
24
22
31
I understand that, but what does your brand actually do?

Let me give you an example: Tapout built an enormous brand around MMA, and I remember like 10 years when they were really popular. But fundamentally their business came down to selling clothes, and their brand grew from that.

I definitely agree that building a brand is effective, but what's your avenue of reaching people and getting them to buy your brand?

Also, if you're trying to build back your money, go back to Upwork? $2000 USD a week is pretty dope

Thanks for the clarifying question- it's helping me too.

I'm still figuring out 100% of the picture and I imagine as I involve myself more deeply in the field, I'll get more clarity.

For right now, I want to create a learning/training tool, but that's pretty far off. I'll be delivering valuable content in the meanwhile but the end goal is to build a reputation for knowing wtf I talk about, so that when I release my finished product I have some credibility to fall back on.

What the brand will do between now and then? Dnno exactly.

I'm pretty funny IRL -it's either that or I get WAYYY too many courteosy laughs- so I figured I could rely on that, create entertaining content, as well as some educational stuff and build a "fan base". I could then market products to that fan base, like apparel, gaming equipment, supplements etc.

That's how I plan to monetize before I launch the Fast lane product. (Which passes all the criteria btw)
 

Symphony

Contributor
Read Fastlane!
User Power
Value/Post Ratio
92%
Oct 6, 2015
24
22
31
Stop chasing passion and start chasing value. Or even better, make providing value your passion. Best of luck!
I'm aiming for that truly and I've got an idea that I think might be pretty good. OFC no way to know for sure until I test right?

But, I'm gonna develop it for now anyway. It solves one of the most common yet UTTERLY unanswerable complaints that gamers make when they attempt to move into the higher realms of play.

And i've met ALOT of gamers who have the same complaint.
 
Dislike ads? Remove them and support the forum: Subscribe to Fastlane Insiders.

Almantas

Nothing to Lose
Read Fastlane!
Read Unscripted!
Speedway Pass
User Power
Value/Post Ratio
475%
Dec 21, 2015
887
4,210
32
Ireland
I'm aiming for that truly and I've got an idea that I think might be pretty good. OFC no way to know for sure until I test right?

But, I'm gonna develop it for now anyway. It solves one of the most common yet UTTERLY unanswerable complaints that gamers make when they attempt to move into the higher realms of play.

And i've met ALOT of gamers who have the same complaint.

Well done! That's what I call thinking in terms of providing value. If you concentrate on your target audience, their pain points and think of most efficient ways of solving their pain points, you'll get rich, famous and be perceived as a God by many players in no time. You see how many rabbits you can eliminate by a single shot? Ready - Aim - Shoot!
 

Symphony

Contributor
Read Fastlane!
User Power
Value/Post Ratio
92%
Oct 6, 2015
24
22
31
By the way I still don't think I understand the esports thing. Especially when he mention esports brand. But I'm a dummy when it comes to gaming.

I definitely agree that "passion" is a bit of a fallacy. I guess another way that you could look at it, is instead of spending another year looking for a place where I can deliver value, I'm using what's already around me, that I care about, am deeply involved in and have spotted a number of needs that LITERALLY no one else has been able to solve adequately that I could have fun solving.


EDIT- they've not been solved because they're actually incredibly difficult to produce concrete solutions to. (E for Entry)

Plus, I guess you'd just have to be more involved in the scene to get me on the brand stuff.

Unless I'm just garbage at explaining. Which I can work on in future.

You can shoot me a message if you'd like. I'm down to explain more
 

Symphony

Contributor
Read Fastlane!
User Power
Value/Post Ratio
92%
Oct 6, 2015
24
22
31
Okay Peeps.

Update time.

I've actually made a ton of progress in a short amount of time.

Anyway, I accomplished the tasks I set for myself the other day and in the process realised that I need to build a systematic approach to getting where I want to go.

I'm focusing on the first part of the plan for now, which is: - build a good freelance income.

To make my process as streamlined as possible, I did some searching and found a few case studies to digest that I then built a system out of.

Three of those case studies came from this forum.

Okay- onto the actual plan.

My current objective is to get at least 10-15 clients, by December 31st (98 days) who:

- Need regular (weekly/monthly) deliveries
- Order at least $1000 of work per month
- Work in a few of the Niches I've chosen based on my previous writing success, as well as my own personal knowledge base

The HOW:

- Set up a Website/Home base
- Explore multiple avenues for generating leads: Fiverr, Upwork, Craigslist, People Per Hour, Linked In, Direct/Cold Emails
- Outsource as much of the work as possible (Have already established an arrangement with another writer and am closing a second this week)
- Bathe myself in $Guala$

I'll also be recording as much of my journey as possible moving forward and share things on Youtube, social media etc. (I'm a big Gary Vee fan and it's not like it takes hours a day to post videos- it's seriously easy and my sister is an editor)

I imagine most of the high quality leads/prospects/clients will come from direct outreach, but I'll be using the freelance platofrms in the meanwhile so that I've got at least SOME extra cash coming in.

Outreach process:

- Google keywords in my niche of choice
- acquire the email for the marketing director/decision maker of the blog
- Reach out via cold email/Linkedin AFTER I do some research and identify key areas where I coudl deliver value
- Incentivize 1st and Repeat orders by offering free stuff as extra value
- Also creating a few package subscriptions so that clients who need things on a monthly basis can simply subscribe and not re-order every month
- I'll also have a couple old clients write me a testimonial or two for some social proof
- Will also be producing content regularly moving forward (since the website has a blog) to continue delivering extra value and building authority

Critical Tasks for this week:
- Complete Website Set up- Monday 25th
- Send out at LEAST 100 cold emails (Will figure out how I can upload some proof for accountability)
- Apply to at least 50 freelance gigs (Should be easy, using a template and applying on like 5 sites)
- Workout, Meditate

Time for massive action people.
 
Dislike ads? Remove them and support the forum: Subscribe to Fastlane Insiders.

Symphony

Contributor
Read Fastlane!
User Power
Value/Post Ratio
92%
Oct 6, 2015
24
22
31
** UPDATE**

Website design complete. Used Wix.com- Took me long as F*** to figure everything out but I'm copy pasting in some copy right now and them I'm off to grinding leads.

Had to take a break- brain was asploding. Figured I'd report in.
 

Post New Topic

Please SEARCH before posting.
Please select the BEST category.

Post new topic

Guest post submissions offered HERE.

New Topics

Fastlane Insiders

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

Join Fastlane Insiders.

Top