Introduction of a business newbie

[Bernardo D]

If preparation for starting a business counts, I have a solid foundation. OK, there are some missing pieces still, but I'm taking care of that.

But I'm 36 and I've decided it's time to ACT. The consciousness of having to work 9-5 until I'm crippled old without a choice is not something that amuses me. The Millionaire Fastlane is the first business book I read that hit the nail on the head for me so strongly, I cannot do anything else but ACT. Ideas and foundation are worth nothing without action.

It's only the beginning of my business journey. Thank you @MJ DeMarco

Greetings from Holland,
Bernardo

 

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[amp0193]

But I'm 36 and I've decided it's time to ACT. The consciousness of having to work 9-5 until I'm crippled old without a choice is not something that amuses me.

Hi Bernado, welcome to the forum.

I read a book recently on the culture of Dutch parenting, and it implied that working "Part-time", like 30 hours a week, was the norm, or at least common. A quote from the book is that Americans "live to work", and the Dutch "work to live".

Do you find that to be true in your experience?

 

[ErikGladiator85]

@amp0193

A quote from the book is that Americans "live to work", and the Dutch "work to live".

Still sounds like industrialized Slavery to me to be completely honest - "Get some babies so they can feed the government with taxes, and make sure you contribute to society by being a cog in the machine so you can enjoy the basics of life."

I may have a harsh hatred against society, but in my world view, the only acceptable choice is "Live, but also Work". However, i do agree that the Part-time model for Parents is atleast the right step to a more human albeit still SCRIPTED society.

@Bernardo D Welcome to the Forum. I'm sure you will find your path if you keep looking.

 

[RobD88]

If preparation for starting a business counts, I have a solid foundation. OK, there are some missing pieces still, but I'm taking care of that.

But I'm 36 and I've decided it's time to ACT. The consciousness of having to work 9-5 until I'm crippled old without a choice is not something that amuses me. The Millionaire Fastlane is the first business book I read that hit the nail on the head for me so strongly, I cannot do anything else but ACT. Ideas and foundation are worth nothing without action.

It's only the beginning of my business journey. Thank you @MJ DeMarco

Greetings from Holland,
Bernardo

Welcom @Bernardo D. It's never too late to get started. I'm 47 and beginning my journey. I hope to see more posts from you about your successes.

 

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[ErikGladiator85]

@RobD88 The founder of "Bank of America" was 60 years old when he started - Michael Dell was 18. I completely agree - Age is no factor, the Shackles of the SCRIPT don't get any stronger over time

 

[amp0193]

@amp0193
I may have a harsh hatred against society, but in my world view, the only acceptable choice is "Live, but also Work". However, i do agree that the Part-time model for Parents is atleast the right step to a more human albeit still SCRIPTED society.

Haha, well, I'm a member of this forum, so I can't say I disagree with you.

Just was wondering if there was any truth to what I had read. Even if something is not ideal, one system can be better than another, even if it's fundamentally still a "cog in the wheel" situation.

 

[ErikGladiator85]

@amp0193 Sure, 100% agree with you there

 

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[Bernardo D]

Hi Bernado, welcome to the forum.

I read a book recently on the culture of Dutch parenting, and it implied that working "Part-time", like 30 hours a week, was the norm, or at least common. A quote from the book is that Americans "live to work", and the Dutch "work to live".

Do you find that to be true in your experience?

I'm not a parent, but I've managed to reduce my work contract to 32 hours. It was not easy at all, I had to to threat to quit actually before they gave it to me. Now I trade four days of work for three free days, which is a slightly better deal.

Parents can temporarily reduce their full-time contracts to 30-32 by law, so that's true for them. Dutch people in general do not work overtime and there is a solid welfare system. These are all positive things, but perhaps that also demotivates people further in leaving the slowlane.

On the other hand, you cannot compare the entrepreneurial mindset of an American to Europeans in general. People here don't think as big, even when they have a business mindset. That's my opinion.

 

[JoannaGl]

@amp0193


Still sounds like industrialized Slavery to me to be completely honest - "Get some babies so they can feed the government with taxes, and make sure you contribute to society by being a cog in the machine so you can enjoy the basics of life."

I may have a harsh hatred against society, but in my world view, the only acceptable choice is "Live, but also Work". However, i do agree that the Part-time model for Parents is atleast the right step to a more human albeit still SCRIPTED society.

@Bernardo D Welcome to the Forum. I'm sure you will find your path if you keep looking.

Totally agree with you, Erik. My observations from "a norwegian point of view" are following:
I moved to Norway for 4 years ago. Before that, I lived in a poorer country so I had a plenty of motivation, business ideas, energy for action due to more competitive market. I had quite a lot of money and possibilities when I was about 23 years old. But I decided to move. Here in Norway I have got a great job, above the national average wage, and a safe, boring life from with short and lazy working days. Taxes and other costs are extremely high. The whole society is prepared for that kind of life and the kids are being prepared for the same from the very beginning.

This safety killed my motivation, energy and ambitions for something more. The worst is that you are becoming a "better slave" on that way. I've been stuck in this trap for a few years. I do not really recommend.

 

[amp0193]

On the other hand, you cannot compare the entrepreneurial mindset of an American to Europeans in general. People here don't think as big, even when they have a business mindset. That's my opinion.

From conversations I've had, in Scandanavia it's almost shameful to talk about having great financial success. Like, you'd be looked down upon for it.

Maybe there's something like that at play, when it comes to limiting dreams.

 

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[Bernardo D]

From conversations I've had, in Scandanavia it's almost shameful to talk about having great financial success. Like, you'd be looked down upon for it.

Maybe there's something like that at play, when it comes to limiting dreams.

I have no doubt that some of the motivational aspects of entrepreneurs is fear of poverty, massive debt and structural unemployment. These are negative aspects. Take this out of the equation and you get diminished motivation for starting a business e.g. Scandinavia.

What I like about the work of @MJ DeMarco is that he emphasizes both the positive and negative motivations to start business. He advocates freedom, and at least for me (who lives comfortably with a cushioned job), more freedom is a big motivational issue and he made me see it clearer.

 

[Niptuck MD]

america is not as educated nor is as civil as the dutch or nordic countries. i have been to germany, iceland, belgium and stockholm and have much more respect for those nations, their people and their structure then america....
america will always be a teeter tottering see saw of idiots and the unfathomable running the show. i believe americans do not believe in middle ground; just one extreme or another.....
with that being said, no other country in the world offers the level of business startup easiness and for that am grateful for eternally. my parents may have come from what the POTUS (POS) states a "sh*thole" country or as I like to call "TURD" world nation but am glad that ended up here....

 

[Bernardo D]

america is not as educated nor is as civil as the dutch or nordic countries. i have been to germany, iceland, belgium and stockholm and have much more respect for those nations, their people and their structure then america....
america will always be a teeter tottering see saw of idiots and the unfathomable running the show. i believe americans do not believe in middle ground; just one extreme or another.....
with that being said, no other country in the world offers the level of business startup easiness and for that am grateful for eternally. my parents may have come from what the POTUS (POS) states a "sh*thole" country or as I like to call "TURD" world nation but am glad that ended up here....

Don’t disagree with you, but Americans think big. Just check how far many of their companies go. Can’t say the same for North European companies, with few good exceptions.

Just check this tables out List of public corporations by market capitalization - Wikipedia

 

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