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 want to be world-class but don't want the world-class effort! Tell me how!

Anything related to matters of the mind

MJ DeMarco

I followed the science; all I found was money.
Staff member
FASTLANE INSIDER
EPIC CONTRIBUTOR
Read Rat-Race Escape!
Read Fastlane!
Read Unscripted!
Summit Attendee
Speedway Pass
User Power
Value/Post Ratio
445%
Jul 23, 2007
38,080
169,500
Utah
Tell me, is this any different?

You just made up your mind that you want to be GOOD at something.

Ultimately you decide you want to be a world-class swimmer.

You go to a swimming forum.

Most people at the forum are swimmers. Some are even world-class. For the most part, the people at the forum are in the pool and swimmers. They're better than average.

As such, you post a thread and ask the swimmers at the forum, "How do I succeed as a swimmer?" (How do I go Fastlane??)

Here is how the forum regulars respond:

  • One swimmer (he was the best in college) says: Eat, breathe, and shit swimming.
  • Another swimmer (he was an alternate in the Olympics) recommends a strict macro-diet perfected for swimming. He gives you the dietary formula.
  • Another swimmer (he once trained with Michael Phelps and heard a lot of stuff) says train, train, train and get used to 6AM's in the pool. He also recommends a series of weight routines to do at the gym.
  • Another swimmer (he won a bunch of stuff in his college and still competes today) recommends getting a job as a lifeguard on a beach with rough swells, as well as several books by top swimmers, written years ago, but still relevant today.

After hearing all this advice from people WHO ACTUALLY HAVE HAD SUCCESS SWIMMING, you bounce back with...

  • But I don't like dieting!
  • Weight routines at the gym? Not my passion!
  • But I don't like the water!
  • I don't like getting up at 6AM!
  • I can't hold my breath very long!
  • Reading ain't my thing!
OK, now that I've said that, TELL ME HOW TO SUCCEED!!!

Will you ever become a world-class swimmer?

Nope.

Entrepreneurship is no different.

When you come here seeking answers but don't like the answers, don't blame us you can't succeed.

You can't be a world-class anything by skipping the world-class effort.

I bring this up because there are just too many damn people here who think getting a job is below them. They think a job automatically means, Oh no, Slowlane! Then, they besmirch people with a job and making a living, and yet live at home with their parents and consume goods and services bought by someone with a job.

A job is jumping into the damn pool and training.
A job is responsibility.
A job is learning.
A job is exposing yourself to the problems of the world.

There is no f*cking shortcut. There is no f*cking list. There is no way to win a Gold Medal in swimming when you abso-f*cking-lutely refuse to jump in the pool.

Do the damn work. And in entrepreneurship, that actually might mean getting a job and doing loathesome work.

And then set your damn expectations.

The damn work isn't fun, passionate, or designed to be easy.
 
Dislike ads? Remove them and support the forum: Subscribe to Fastlane Insiders.

Fox

Legendary Contributor
Staff member
FASTLANE INSIDER
EPIC CONTRIBUTOR
Read Rat-Race Escape!
Read Fastlane!
Read Unscripted!
Summit Attendee
Speedway Pass
Forum Sponsor
User Power
Value/Post Ratio
690%
Aug 19, 2015
3,881
26,766
Europe
Excellent thread.

I have had 20+ jobs since I was like 10 and learned so much.

No way I would have gotten the success in my own business I have if I didn't see first hand what worked for dozens of others.

No one is above getting a job.
 

iizu

Bronze Contributor
Read Fastlane!
Speedway Pass
User Power
Value/Post Ratio
260%
Jan 23, 2016
92
239
34
Finland
Great write-up. This will encourage people to get a job.

The greatest thing about having a job is that you can afford to be patient.
You don't come out as desperate when offering your services or products.

If you get rejected, big deal. Try again. What else should you do with your free time? Watch Game of Thrones? Eventually something will stick and you can start building from that.

I mean, if you truly want to be an entrepreneur.. You will either start something on the side or just work your a$$ off and pile enough money, so you can quit the job and start a business and cover your expenses with the money you saved from your JOB.
 

ZF Lee

Legendary Contributor
EPIC CONTRIBUTOR
Read Rat-Race Escape!
Read Fastlane!
Read Unscripted!
Speedway Pass
User Power
Value/Post Ratio
180%
Jul 27, 2016
2,840
5,113
25
Malaysia
@MJ DeMarco, maybe this should have been the first feature post you wrote before the Fastlane CENTS doctrines come in.

I understand your frustration though.

The number of folks who waltz in screaming 'Working a job is Slowlane.' has seen a rather sharp increase. Am I right?

We might need to have an entry test soon.
Do the damn work. And in entrepreneurship, that actually might mean getting a job and doing loathesome work.
I find freelance to be a good route as well. At least you can work on contractor terms with the hiring party as opposed to the regular employee.

There is no f*cking shortcut. There is no f*cking list. There is no way to win a Gold Medal in swimming when you abso-f*cking-lutely refuse to jump in the pool.
I can personally vouch for this.

I learned cycling and swimming all by myself....at the grand old age of 16 and 18.

No one was guiding me by the hand.

I just looked up some videos on best practices, spent a week falling or drowning on my a$$, and now both skills are like automatic.
I can cycle and swim without thinking about them...until some geek stole my bike, but that's another story.

Same goes for learning trumpet, copywriting and drafting novels.

I busted my a$$ to learn them.

Worked around the clock and sometimes at mealtimes.

Worked until my parents screamed at me for spoiling my eyes and forgoing sleep lol.

Made lesser friends at school. Kept mostly to myself.

I only got to meet my girl when I was 17! Most boys get girls waaaaay earlier than that.

Now, most of my friends struggle to even make a good grade at college or to even pick a decent degree. They didn't have the hard work built in to even succeed at a Slowlane.

I did.

While studying Fastlane methods, I worked with like 50% capacity on my pre-university studies. I skipped a few classes, but I did my own work to keep up.

I rang up professors.

Hit the library. Skipped some club activities.

Ended up with an 88 over 100 ATAR for my Australian Matriculation. I could use those grades to go for an engineering or business degree. Most of the Australians were just aiming for 70 or 60, judging from online study forums. Plus an active account on Upwork and some products in the pipeline, although I am still in the works;).

They thought 80 ATAR was a miracle mark. Not really!

I knew how to do the work, so that even a F*cking 50% capacity would do wonders.

How you do something is how you will do anything.

Although I am no millionaire, it is pretty insane to think that our businesses can run without jobs.
 
Dislike ads? Remove them and support the forum: Subscribe to Fastlane Insiders.

RobD88

Bronze Contributor
Read Fastlane!
Read Unscripted!
Speedway Pass
User Power
Value/Post Ratio
249%
Nov 20, 2017
196
489
Missouri
I'm a newbie here and just getting started on my FL adventure and even I know this tennant. I've already seen a dozen or more posts from people begging for the step by step how to like they didn't read the books and get the message.

I actually find it sad.
 

ZF Lee

Legendary Contributor
EPIC CONTRIBUTOR
Read Rat-Race Escape!
Read Fastlane!
Read Unscripted!
Speedway Pass
User Power
Value/Post Ratio
180%
Jul 27, 2016
2,840
5,113
25
Malaysia
I'm a newbie here and just getting started on my FL adventure and even I know this tennant. I've already seen a dozen or more posts from people begging for the step by step how to like they didn't read the books and get the message.

I actually find it sad.
It really is sad. I want more threads where we discuss more advanced stuff rather than these 'fundamentals' circle jerking over and over again.

If they were willing to do the required work, they would already be off on their way with some progress!

But no, you don't want the hard work.

What they are really saying is,
'I want to be chained to mediocrity and misery. Fasten more chains on me.'

'I want to stay poor and I hate growth and the rewards that come with it.'

'I want to disappoint those who have faith in my abilities.'


I see some of those kinds of people these days.

They are some of the most bitter people around, blaming everyone and everything for their woes and exploiting nefarious schemes so that they can get easy things.
 

RobD88

Bronze Contributor
Read Fastlane!
Read Unscripted!
Speedway Pass
User Power
Value/Post Ratio
249%
Nov 20, 2017
196
489
Missouri
It really is sad. I want more threads where we discuss more advanced stuff rather than these 'fundamentals' circle jerking over and over again.

If they were willing to do the required work, they would already be off on their way with some progress!

But no, you don't want the hard work.

What they are really saying is,
'I want to be chained to mediocrity and misery. Fasten more chains on me.'

'I want to stay poor and I hate growth and the rewards that come with it.'

'I want to disappoint those who have faith in my abilities.'


I see some of those kinds of people these days.

They are some of the most bitter people around, blaming everyone and everything for their woes and exploiting nefarious schemes so that they can get easy things.


What he said!
 

ZCP

Legendary Contributor
Staff member
FASTLANE INSIDER
EPIC CONTRIBUTOR
Read Rat-Race Escape!
Read Fastlane!
Read Unscripted!
Summit Attendee
Speedway Pass
User Power
Value/Post Ratio
336%
Oct 22, 2010
3,952
13,267
Woodstock, GA
Same thing seen coaching basketball.

Some kids get it and want to work. ... they go out in the rain, they have ball with them at all times, they ask for videos for extra work

Some kids think they can get by on current talent .... they will work a little. They will rise to the occasion vs a good team (and fall short). They just don't want to step off into the deep end.

Some kids show up once a week ... they half assedly do the drills during practice time. Lot of playstation and cookies for the rest of the week. They just don't understand why everyone else is getting better. Mom makes excuses for them .. Timmy has been sick, Timmy has a lot of school work ....

The worst though is when the Parent says 'I've been telling them!...'. You are the parent!!! They are not even 17 years old. You need to show them! Be early for practice. Work with them at home. Watch a game with them.

I made up a '33 days to form a habit'. We push the kids to do a workout / drill for 33 days at home so it is now a part of their routine.

This goes back to the other thread about things to do to grow as an entrepreneur ...... do something / anything consistently, every single day
 

NateTheGreat

Contributor
Read Fastlane!
Read Unscripted!
User Power
Value/Post Ratio
175%
Aug 25, 2016
20
35
Many people want handouts. They want to be told the exact steps how to get there, but are not willing to put in the work. My favorite quote in Unscripted was:

"Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work." - Thomas Edison

Action faking. Vision boards. Dream whiteboards Etc...

None of this matters because what truly creates success is:

You need to put in the work! There are no handouts in life.

Work that 9-5 job and put in those extra hours in the morning and at night to craft something special.

I think millennials (I am one) should develop humility and understand that a job should not be beneath them. It allows for a stepping stone for a future for yourself to obtain that success.

A J-O-B is a guaranteed way to make money. Put that money away to save for your business venture. Work hard in the morning and at night. When you're ready to make the leap, you're able to!
 
Dislike ads? Remove them and support the forum: Subscribe to Fastlane Insiders.

SquatchMan

Gold Contributor
Read Fastlane!
Read Unscripted!
Speedway Pass
User Power
Value/Post Ratio
383%
Dec 27, 2016
452
1,731
Nowhere
"Everybody wants to be a bodybuilder, but nobody wants to lift no heavy a$$ weights" - Ronnie Coleman

Applies to pretty much everything that requires any modicum of work without immediate gratification.

Another one that my dad used to tell me (and I've heard Marcus Lemonis say it now, too):

Trust the process, son.
 

MJ DeMarco

I followed the science; all I found was money.
Staff member
FASTLANE INSIDER
EPIC CONTRIBUTOR
Read Rat-Race Escape!
Read Fastlane!
Read Unscripted!
Summit Attendee
Speedway Pass
User Power
Value/Post Ratio
445%
Jul 23, 2007
38,080
169,500
Utah
They are some of the most bitter people around, blaming everyone and everything for their woes and exploiting nefarious schemes so that they can get easy things.

And that's the problem. They've been groomed for immediate gratification and pre-screened, pre-selected entertainment. Everything in life is easy. And yet, the moment difficulty arises, or the idea of having to do something that isn't fun or passionate comes along, the thought is terrifying and rejected outright.

They basically want to rule the world while sitting on their butt swiping left.
 
G

Guest92dX

Guest
Even though I haven't been around long, I think that if they're here they want to learn, and they're working as hard as they think they can.

Your example is also good for pointing out people who have been pushed and encouraged. Team sports are good for getting pushed past your boundaries.

Patience with people and compassion is much better. There are only two motivators for people:

Pain or pleasure.

You have to lead people with the pleasure to show them that the pain gives growth. They have to go to the limits of their boundaries first. Not the boundary they think, but the real boundary limited by the BODY and MIND.

Even children with their unbridled minds won't endure pain if they can't have a palpable payoff.
 
Dislike ads? Remove them and support the forum: Subscribe to Fastlane Insiders.

Argue

Gold Contributor
Read Fastlane!
Read Unscripted!
Speedway Pass
User Power
Value/Post Ratio
385%
Oct 1, 2016
645
2,482
32
NYC
Excellent thread @MJ DeMarco. This thread should be a required read.

I work 60 hours a week. I have a 1 hour commute from home and work.

But this doesn’t stop me from my work on my side-project. I’m putting in the work everyday, every second I get. It’s a sacrifice. It’s hard work. It’s uncomfortable. But it needs to be done.

There are no shortcuts or lucky breaks. To get good at anything, it requires hard work. And that’s the secret.

And I dislike my job, but it pays my bills. My job helps me fund my project.

I envy those with free time but not so much. Sometimes those people are at home, doing nothing productive. No offense. However, this isn’t directed to anyone here at the forum. I’m speaking in general.

So yeah, hard work, hard work, hard work. You have to be greedy with your time. The work is boring and uncomfortable. But you have to keep making progress.

Like Mr. Miyagi said:

200w.gif
 
Last edited:

GMSI7D

Gold Contributor
Read Fastlane!
Read Unscripted!
Speedway Pass
Jan 27, 2016
992
2,041
47
Lyon, France
Will you ever become a world-class swimmer?
.


the only thing that interests me is world class thinking

even if i don't become a milionaire, this world class thing can be applied to everything in life

unlike world class swimming or whatever.

world class thinking is more powerful, more dangerous that any world class thing in the world



the people i fear are not criminals in the street.

but rather smart world class thinkers : politicians and so on




world class.jpg


.


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

ZF Lee

Legendary Contributor
EPIC CONTRIBUTOR
Read Rat-Race Escape!
Read Fastlane!
Read Unscripted!
Speedway Pass
User Power
Value/Post Ratio
180%
Jul 27, 2016
2,840
5,113
25
Malaysia
And that's the problem. They've been groomed for immediate gratification and pre-screened, pre-selected entertainment. Everything in life is easy. And yet, the moment difficulty arises, or the idea of having to do something that isn't fun or passionate comes along, the thought is terrifying and rejected outright.

They basically want to rule the world while sitting on their butt swiping left.
'Groomed for immediate gratification' is a pretty sad term.

There's a junior from my high school who was tasked with a history project. She was tasked to make a history costume.

The old school generation might just use recyclables. Or get materials from the night market on the cheap.

Instead, she somehow got the means to spend a F*cking THOUSAND DOLLARS to buy material.

She's related to the CEO of my high school.....I don't know what to say.

The generation after mine is going to be all about 'buy this and buy that' as opposed to 'create this and create that'.

When I was in high school, I was tasked instead to make a history video.

I decided to film the thing on Minecraft. And it was tough as crap!

One-man operation. Minecraft may be a nice game and all, but when it comes to work, 'do what you love' BS melts away.

I had to rearrange everything on the game map, shoot several shots, readjust audio and speech and recheck again.

More late nights lol.

I'm thinking hard work is going to be a lost art, just like writing letters and sewing blankets by hand.


Excellent thread @MJ DeMarco. This thread should be a required read.

I work 60 hours a week. I have a 1 hour commute from home and work.

But this doesn’t stop me from my work on my side-project. I’m putting in the work everyday, every second I get. It’s a sacrifice. It’s hard work. It’s uncomfortable. But it needs to be done.

There are no shortcuts or lucky breaks. To get good at anything, it requires hard work. And that’s the secret.

And I dislike my job, but it pays my bills. My job helps me fund my project.

I envy those with free time but not so much. Sometimes those people are at home, doing nothing productive. No offense. However, this isn’t directed to anyone here at the forum. I’m speaking in general.

So yeah, hard work, hard work, hard work. You have to be greedy with your time. The work is boring and uncomfortable. But you have to keep making progress.

Like Mr. Miyagi said:

200w.gif
Even if you were to hire the skill out, you need to know what questions to ask in the interview to filter out the good and the bad.

Hiring is hard work too! :p

the only thing that interests me is world class thinking

even if i don't become a milionaire, this world class thing can be applied to everything in life

unlike world class swimming or whatever.
I perceive world-class thinking as the mental drive to get the results.

Sportspeople need that mental drive to go for insanely early trainings and brush off tournament upsets.

Our thought determine the focus of our actions.
 

GMSI7D

Gold Contributor
Read Fastlane!
Read Unscripted!
Speedway Pass
Jan 27, 2016
992
2,041
47
Lyon, France
i define world cass thinking as the ability to think at a meta level.

1) classical thinking is for example : " ok, i am aware that i need to exercice my body in order to be healthy "



2) thinking at a meta level , the level above classical thinking is :

" yes but saying a thing is not doing it ! so what conditions do i have to put in place to make sure that i will exercice my body in order to be healthy ? "

3) and so on , the second meta level above the first meta level is:

" what need to be done right now to make sure that i will put the conditions in place to make sure that i will exercice my body "



after years of research , i have found that people in power , the real powerful masters behind the scenes , not the puppets on TV like presidents , are thinking at the 3 or 4 th level



that's why they are extremely dangerous

because they can do anything they want on us and we don't even understand what's happening.



.
 

adventureguru

Bronze Contributor
User Power
Value/Post Ratio
738%
Mar 7, 2011
16
118

I found this youtube vid truely inspirational today and well worth a watch
.....................................................................................................................
It is an MIT presentation/lecture by world leading card mechanic "Richard Turner" and it has left a real impression on me today. First time in a long while a vid has done this to me

Richard talks on mentorship, turning situations back to your advantage, learning from experience, learning from doing something over and over, becoming world class or the absolute best in your field of expertise you dont need to chase money, money finds you and many Fast Lane & unscripted traits in his presentation.
He covers nearly every one of your own fastlane & unscripted qualities needed to succeed in his own way

His card magic presentation is amazing to show his skills while being entertaining, engaging, funny, thought provoking and a pleasure to both watch and listen to

Well worth an hour of your time
 
Dislike ads? Remove them and support the forum: Subscribe to Fastlane Insiders.

The EL Maven

No longer life's passenger
Read Fastlane!
Read Unscripted!
Speedway Pass
User Power
Value/Post Ratio
319%
Dec 3, 2015
83
265
As someone who spent two decades swimming and actually was the best swimmer at his college, I can confirm MJ's post.

If someone asked me how to be a world class swimmer, I'd tell them to get used to the 5am's (6am was for Saturdays) like MJ said, and be prepared to do that for a few years. After a few years, it still may not be enough. Just because you work hard doesn't mean you succeed, but you won't succeed without working hard. There's a lot of other ingredients you'll need, your best bet is to find a world class coach who can guide you through many of those ingredients.

Now, in this other world, there aren't entrepreneur clubs to join. You don't just walk onto ASU and get Bob Bowman (Phelp's coach). You don't just go to Michigan and get Mike Bottom. It doesn't work that way. It's far more achievable on your own, and that's good, because getting all the perfect mentors to give you the steps isn't going to happen. If the steps were already there written down for you, there would be zero opportunity. The opportunity is in discovering those steps for yourself.

Your mantra needs to be, "if it's going to be, it's up to me."

And these days, I don't swim, but I am working out again. I go in at 3am. That's not a typo. I wouldn't have it any other way.
 

Arrived2015

Contributor
User Power
Value/Post Ratio
155%
Dec 30, 2014
42
65
57
England
When you come here seeking answers but don't like the answers [...]

I'd like to add: they can just skip starting!

Not liking ANY answers that concerning, helpful FastLane forum members take time out and energy to give, doubtful will be liking the 'something' either when all said and done.

Oh wait a mo!

They'll only get to the 'something' when they start BUT until they hear/read the answer sought (and how are FastLane forum members suppose to know when it's clear from their responses
After hearing all this advice from people WHO ACTUALLY HAVE HAD SUCCESS SWIMMING, you bounce back with...

But I don't like dieting!
Weight routines at the gym? Not my passion!
But I don't like the water!
I don't like getting up at 6AM!
I can't hold my breath very long!
Reading ain't my thing!
OK, now that I've said that, TELL ME HOW TO SUCCEED!!!

they're asking a rhetorical question in the first place!!!!)

*scratches head*

Yep!

just skip starting!
 

ButGregSaid

Bronze Contributor
Read Fastlane!
Read Unscripted!
Speedway Pass
User Power
Value/Post Ratio
239%
Aug 9, 2017
72
172
35
Michigan
Tell me, is this any different?


Most people at the forum are swimmers. Some are even world-class. For the most part, the people at the forum are in the pool and swimmers. They're better than average.

This is probably what intimated me the most when I first joined the Forum - I see all these NFL players on the field and I'm just here like this kid who got his first pair of cleats. That's generally why I do a lot more reading than I really do contributing here - sure, I get that starting off can be overwhelming but I've found that the more I read the more confident I am that my sales are going to fly in. And maybe that's part of it, to @ZF Lee's point, package this post and put it in the orientation post - tell the newcomers that instead of posting "HEY YO I NEED IDEAS... HOW DO I TAKE THIS TEN BUCKS I STOLE FROM MY LITTLE BROTHER AND TURN IT INTO GOLD?", tell them to do their due diligence.. read. Come up with an idea.. put a little bow around it and sell it for $5. Then come to the Forum for their thoughts.

My 2 cents.
 
Dislike ads? Remove them and support the forum: Subscribe to Fastlane Insiders.

tpjay

Contributor
Read Fastlane!
Read Unscripted!
User Power
Value/Post Ratio
157%
Aug 19, 2016
46
72
30
Connecticut
I bring this up because there are just too many damn people here who think getting a job is below them. They think a job automatically means, Oh no, Slowlane! Then, they besmirch people with a job and making a living, and yet live at home with their parents and consume goods and services bought by someone with a job.

This is 100% true. After reading TMF I thought jobs were sh*t and I should get one cause that's slowlane but the fact that jobs are shit means there is so much opportunity in working in the slowlane. You're in the trenches. Since starting my job I found at least 10 problems and ways to make the job much easier. Now its a matter if you can be an intrapreneur and have management listen to you to implement those solutions, but intrapreneurship is not rewarded as it should be in my opinion. That's another conversation.
 

Supa

Came for the $. Stayed for the Ice Cream.
Read Fastlane!
Speedway Pass
User Power
Value/Post Ratio
289%
May 27, 2015
967
2,795
32
Germany
When I read TMF few years ago, I started to despise my job. No, actually not my job, but working a job in general.

I read large parts of it during my commute. So there I was, reading about financial freedom, running your own business and passive income, all that, while sitting on the train between young and old people on their way to their jobs.

There was something depressing about the people who were about 20-30 years older than me at that time. Standing there at the train station and later on sitting on the seats left and right besides me, talking about how it's only wednesday and how the weekend was just too short like it always is.

I don't use the train anymore, and even if I do, there's usually an audiobook playing through my earphones.
But just thinking about the train station makes me remember what I so often thought: I do not want to stand there, complaining about the work week, when I'm 50.

But I realize now, that even if I don't like working a job, it is something I can deal with.
What I cannot deal with, though, is the thought of still having to work a job when I'm 50. Knowing about the Fastlane, but didn't use the last 20 some years to get on it, or at least in its direction.

I don't have to like working a job to do it.
It's necessary to pay the bills, the rent, put food on the table.
It's necessary to be able to work on something different when I get home in the evening.

I'm working two jobs to be able to do what I actually want to be working on in the few hours after I get home.

If I'm honest, I do my best work in the evenings after a workday. Maybe, because I just got home from what I want to free myself and my fiancée from. Maybe, because of the limited time, that puts some pressure on me. Maybe a mix of both. I don't know.

If one is able to quit their job, I'd say go for it. But if you are not that far on your journey, there's nothing wrong with working a job.

In my opinion it's ok to be driving on the Slowlane, as long as you don't lose sight of that lane on your left and use your job to help you get on that lane.
 
G

Guest6814

Guest
It’s an entitlement mentality: “Mr. Politician, or Mr. Expert, we demand free stuff!” or “Why, oh why, wasn’t I born into a rich family??”

It makes no sense. People want results, yet they claim that the very process required to achieve those results is somehow beneath them. Working a job often means being a valuable member of a great team that contributes something valuable to the world; it’s not beneath anybody.

You have to start somewhere; everybody does. A Fastlane business will not materialize for an individual with no work ethic, and a job is the place to develop a work ethic.

Today’s high level of automation misleads many into thinking that every result in life must be instant. Even in the summer of 1992, the instructor in my community college music appreciation class bemoaned the fact that too many young people did not want to put in the time to practice their musical instruments, because they expected instant gratification. The world has only gotten faster and more hectic since then.

Throw away your television, do the arithmetic in your checkbook yourself, look up words in a printed dictionary, study diligently, and remember the sage advice on how to get to Carnegie Hall: “practice, practice, practice.”
 
Dislike ads? Remove them and support the forum: Subscribe to Fastlane Insiders.

Dunkafelics

Silver Contributor
Read Fastlane!
Read Unscripted!
Summit Attendee
Speedway Pass
User Power
Value/Post Ratio
229%
Jun 12, 2015
318
729
Vancouver, Canada
Thank you for this post- @MJ DeMarco

I still struggle with the fact at times that there are many others out there who are fulfilling their dreams and not having to work a JOB. When it gets hammered over and over again, that working a JOB will likely inhibit freedom down the road, it does have an effect on me.

What keeps me moving forward is the recognition that anyone who has achieved a high level of success, did not earn it overnight. They have also experienced hardship and struggles to get them to the point of where they are now.

I've been working a job for the last seven years and it actually has a lot of benefits for the time being. It allows me to have a steady income to support my family, while I slowly make the transition into being a full-time business owner.

For that, I am thankful...

Because at this exact moment, I do not have the necessary skills needed to be successful at running a full-time business. If I just got up and left my job today, there is a high chance that I would become another statistic and a failed business...

However, with small steps taken for the rest of the year and possibly 2019, I will be in a much better position to flourish in business and achieve the ultimate freedom to be home more with my family while earning a livable income.
 

LOYD

Bronze Contributor
Read Fastlane!
Read Unscripted!
Speedway Pass
User Power
Value/Post Ratio
136%
Sep 10, 2013
154
209
Ironically, a lot of the "anti-job" sentiment tends to come from folks with a Sidewalk mentality. I can't tell you how many folks get involved with some sort of MLM or other form of "business in a box" program where they spend all day talking about how they've decided to "be their own boss" or say things like "Maaaaannnn! I don't know how y'all keep doing that 9-5 sh!t."

There's a difference between not liking the idea of a job and not liking hard work. Hard work is a habit that's transferable to any aspect of life. That's why I side-eye anyone who talks down on the idea of working a job while bragging about some Sidewalk venture they're involved with.

My current job has allowed me to not only save up money for whatever venture comes to mind, but it's opened me up to a bunch of new possible needs I can address. The education field has a bunch of them that I probably would have never seen if I still thought I was too good for that "9-5 sh!t".
 

HackVenture

Digital Marketer
Read Fastlane!
Read Unscripted!
Summit Attendee
Speedway Pass
User Power
Value/Post Ratio
146%
Mar 11, 2011
345
502
Planet Earth
There's a difference between not liking the idea of a job and not liking hard work.

Amen to this.

I have been appalled multiple times on this forum by the condescending attitudes I see young people have toward jobs and I think there is a fundamental mis-conception people have that needs to be changed.
 
Dislike ads? Remove them and support the forum: Subscribe to Fastlane Insiders.

MJ DeMarco

I followed the science; all I found was money.
Staff member
FASTLANE INSIDER
EPIC CONTRIBUTOR
Read Rat-Race Escape!
Read Fastlane!
Read Unscripted!
Summit Attendee
Speedway Pass
User Power
Value/Post Ratio
445%
Jul 23, 2007
38,080
169,500
Utah
Bump.
 

Zubz

Contributor
User Power
Value/Post Ratio
44%
Oct 16, 2017
45
20
25
Toronto
Tell me, is this any different?

You just made up your mind that you want to be GOOD at something.

Ultimately you decide you want to be a world-class swimmer.

You go to a swimming forum.

Most people at the forum are swimmers. Some are even world-class. For the most part, the people at the forum are in the pool and swimmers. They're better than average.

As such, you post a thread and ask the swimmers at the forum, "How do I succeed as a swimmer?" (How do I go Fastlane??)

Here is how the forum regulars respond:

  • One swimmer (he was the best in college) says: Eat, breathe, and shit swimming.
  • Another swimmer (he was an alternate in the Olympics) recommends a strict macro-diet perfected for swimming. He gives you the dietary formula.
  • Another swimmer (he once trained with Michael Phelps and heard a lot of stuff) says train, train, train and get used to 6AM's in the pool. He also recommends a series of weight routines to do at the gym.
  • Another swimmer (he won a bunch of stuff in his college and still competes today) recommends getting a job as a lifeguard on a beach with rough swells, as well as several books by top swimmers, written years ago, but still relevant today.

After hearing all this advice from people WHO ACTUALLY HAVE HAD SUCCESS SWIMMING, you bounce back with...

  • But I don't like dieting!
  • Weight routines at the gym? Not my passion!
  • But I don't like the water!
  • I don't like getting up at 6AM!
  • I can't hold my breath very long!
  • Reading ain't my thing!
OK, now that I've said that, TELL ME HOW TO SUCCEED!!!

Will you ever become a world-class swimmer?

Nope.

Entrepreneurship is no different.

When you come here seeking answers but don't like the answers, don't blame us you can't succeed.

You can't be a world-class anything by skipping the world-class effort.

I bring this up because there are just too many damn people here who think getting a job is below them. They think a job automatically means, Oh no, Slowlane! Then, they besmirch people with a job and making a living, and yet live at home with their parents and consume goods and services bought by someone with a job.

A job is jumping into the damn pool and training.
A job is responsibility.
A job is learning.
A job is exposing yourself to the problems of the world.

There is no f*cking shortcut. There is no f*cking list. There is no way to win a Gold Medal in swimming when you abso-f*cking-lutely refuse to jump in the pool.

Do the damn work. And in entrepreneurship, that actually might mean getting a job and doing loathesome work.

And then set your damn expectations.

The damn work isn't fun, passionate, or designed to be easy.
I’m not ashamed to say I needed to hear this. Thank you
 

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