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Sucked back into the Slowlane?

Anything related to matters of the mind
G

Guest1413tpa

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I thought this deserved its own thread, I haven't really seen a similar topic.

How do you avoid the temptation of getting sucked back into the Slowlane?

Bit of a backstory as to why I am asking this:

I got fired from my job in August of this year over highly questionable reasons. I worked as a Salesforce Consultant, and was told that the reason I was being let go was because of "technical skills". I pressured my former boss to clarify, turns out he couldn't. I've chalked the real reason to be his own incompetence after working through the emotions and dealing with my head after that.

After thinking about it over the past few weeks, I decided to move away from the industry I was in (Salesforce), to really get myself to focus on my own business and stop being the "Salesforce guy". I've stopped going after contract and regular work (other than what I have already), and made it clear to contacts that I am moving out of the industry.

I felt confident in the decision until I spoke with a former co-worker who mentioned that my ex-boss has been vocal about missing me and my work. She also chastised me about the decision to leave Salesforce and kept saying that I "needed to figure out why I was going to close the chapter". I

I am standing firm with the fact that I do not want to go back to working for them or for anyone else, and trying to stay focused on my Fastlane plan even though the remarks shook me a bit.

However, I have people constantly asking about interviews & other opportunities working for others, so the "Salary Security blanket" is tempting. So sometimes, my mental state goes back to a Slowlane mentality, feeling like I have to get a job to succeed. Its a constant battle between who I was at the beginning of 2020 (Slowlaner) and who I am trying to become now (Fastlaner).

To sum it up, I'm curious to hear if others have been in a similar position where the allure of the Slowlane is appealing and distracts you from the Fastlane, or if you are in a constant battle between the two. How did you deal with it? Does it still come up even though you may be further along in your entrepreneurial journey? Am I just crazy?
 
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alexkuzmov

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I thought this deserved its own thread, I haven't really seen a similar topic.

How do you avoid the temptation of getting sucked back into the Slowlane?

Bit of a backstory as to why I am asking this:

I got fired from my job in August of this year over highly questionable reasons. I worked as a Salesforce Consultant, and was told that the reason I was being let go was because of "technical skills". I pressured my former boss to clarify, turns out he couldn't. I've chalked the real reason to be his own incompetence after working through the emotions and dealing with my head after that.

After thinking about it over the past few weeks, I decided to move away from the industry I was in (Salesforce), to really get myself to focus on my own business and stop being the "Salesforce guy". I've stopped going after contract and regular work (other than what I have already), and made it clear to contacts that I am moving out of the industry.

I felt confident in the decision until I spoke with a former co-worker who mentioned that my ex-boss has been vocal about missing me and my work. She also chastised me about the decision to leave Salesforce and kept saying that I "needed to figure out why I was going to close the chapter". I

I am standing firm with the fact that I do not want to go back to working for them or for anyone else, and trying to stay focused on my Fastlane plan even though the remarks shook me a bit.

However, I have people constantly asking about interviews & other opportunities working for others, so the "Salary Security blanket" is tempting. So sometimes, my mental state goes back to a Slowlane mentality, feeling like I have to get a job to succeed. Its a constant battle between who I was at the beginning of 2020 (Slowlaner) and who I am trying to become now (Fastlaner).

To sum it up, I'm curious to hear if others have been in a similar position where the allure of the Slowlane is appealing and distracts you from the Fastlane, or if you are in a constant battle between the two. How did you deal with it? Does it still come up even though you may be further along in your entrepreneurial journey? Am I just crazy?
Doesnt sound crazy.
Sounds like you have doubts, which is common place.
Maybe the nail is not hurting bad enough?
I can understand you, but I cant relate, sorry.
If you are seeing "allure" in the slowlane mindset, then maybe your purpose is not strong enough.
 

Ronak

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Fastlane doesn't have to mean you completely abandon your past and start afresh. It's akin to merging onto a highway. You don't immediately get on and change to the fastest lane, otherwise you'll cause an accident.

You have a valuable skill in an in-demand industry. A full time job is one, but not the only way to monetize. You can take contract/project based work and do it on your schedule while pursuing your fastlane venture. You can turn your knowledge and experience into a fastlane venture as well, maybe by creating
a guide/training/community around it (see wall street oasis for an example).

It all depends on where you are in your journey. If your fastlane venture is producing revenue and you want to scale it up, and can afford to do so, then there's nothing wrong in doing that. Otherwise, a middle option can be a viable path. Either way, doubts along the way are a normal part of the process. Eventually, people will stop caring and leave you alone.
 
Last edited:

S.Y.

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I'm in a similar situation to yours.

I do have a day job, with a decent amount of autonomy. And at the same time, I want to be on my own. Getting something I own, with the upside (and downside really) that comes with it.

I struggled to reconcile both. And I still do. Should I leave my job and focus on my side business? Is staying a waste of time?

As of now, it is not an either-or proposition. For two reasons:
1. For the most part, I can get my job done in 4 hours. And have the remaining of my day to focus on my own things
2. Outside of the job hours, I can put in a solid 3 hours of focused time on weekdays. (not half-assed, half focused time. This is important. I'm fully engaged. Deep work time.). More on week-ends.

Looking at those above two, there is no reason for me to leave my job yet. When my venture will demand more attention than I can give because of work, I will cut that route. As of now, I am taking a system-approach on my ventures. And the $$ I have from my job goes into hiring. A win-win for me.

In the end, self-awareness and radical truth are key. You know your situation.

Fastlane is a mentality anyways. It is not about not having a job.
 
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Last edited:

The-J

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Having a good job isn't Slowlane. Relying on it for your long term financial security is.

Ultimately it's your decision. But don't think that Fastlaners never have jobs, or that they quit as soon as they're able to. Some Fastlaners keep their job and contracts as long as humanly possible so that they're able to take the financial and time risks necessary to move forward.
 
G

Guest1413tpa

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Doesnt sound crazy.
Sounds like you have doubts, which is common place.
Maybe the nail is not hurting bad enough?
I can understand you, but I cant relate, sorry.
If you are seeing "allure" in the slowlane mindset, then maybe your purpose is not strong enough.
That is a good point about purpose, it has been something that I have struggled with.

It really clicked when I was up in the UP last week, and I had all the time in the world to explore nature and disconnect. For me, the purpose behind what I am doing is to free up my time so I can disconnect and be able to explore interests that I cannot right now because of time and money restraints.
Fastlane doesn't have to mean you completely abandon your past and start afresh. It's akin to merging onto a highway. You don't immediately get on and change to the fastest lane, otherwise you'll cause an accident.

You have a valuable skill in an in-demand industry. A full time job is one, but not the only way to monetize. You can take contract/project based work and do it on your schedule while pursuing your fastlane venture. You can turn your knowledge and experience into a fastlane venture as well, maybe by creating
a guide/training/community around it (see wall street oasis for an example).

It all depends on where you are in your journey. If your fastlane venture is producing revenue and you want to scale it up, and can afford to do so, then there's nothing wrong in doing that. Otherwise, a middle option can be a viable path. Either way, doubts along the way are a normal part of the process. Eventually, people will stop caring and leave you alone.
Good points here! In all honesty, I have been extremely burnt out from full time work. Last job was 60-70 hour weeks, which lead to the story above and my decision to really stop looking for full time work (I should have made that clear).

I still have contract and freelance work to keep myself busy as I build revenue up, which is good.

I still have a paused idea around Salesforce training for users that I cannot stop thinking about. I had to take a break because I just got so burnt out.

I've been thinking about starting work on it again, but instead of doing video courses, looking at making a guide. Its more my style, I am a writer to be honest. I really should channel my energy into that area again, but do it my way so I don't get burnt out from it.

I'm in a similar situation to yours.

I do have a day job, with a decent amount of autonomy. And at the same time, I want to be on my own. Getting something I own, with the upside (and downside really) that comes with it.

I struggled to reconcile both. And I still do. Should I leave my job and focus on my side business? Is staying a waste of time?

As of now, it is not an either-or proposition. For two reasons:
1. For the most part, I can get my job done in 4 hours. And have the remaining of my day to focus on my own things
2. Outside of the job hours, I can put in a solid 3 hours of focused time on weekdays. (not half-assed, half focused time. This is important. I'm fully engaged. Deep work time.). More on week-ends.

Looking at those above two, there is no reason for me to leave my job yet. When my venture will demand more attention than I can give because of work, I will cut that route. As of now, I am taking a system-approach on my ventures. And the $$ I have from my job goes into hiring. A win-win for me.

In the end, self-awareness and radical truth are key. You know your situation.

Fastlane is a mentality anyways. It is not about not having a job.
Thanks for the thoughts on this one! Your dilemma is where I was earlier this year, before I got thrust into thinking more like a Fastlaner. I spent 2-4 hours of the day doing actual work, because a lot of my time was spent waiting for others. I was terrible at using the remaining time/time after hours though. What are some of the strategies you use to manage time more effectively? I have some of my own, but I am always adding to the tool box.

Having a good job isn't Slowlane. Relying on it for your long term financial security is.

Ultimately it's your decision. But don't think that Fastlaners never have jobs, or that they quit as soon as they're able to. Some Fastlaners keep their job and contracts as long as humanly possible so that they're able to take the financial and time risks necessary to move forward.
Good point. I think I got the two mixed up which has lead to my confusion.
 

GoodluckChuck

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I contracted a Salesforce consultant to help one of my clients get set up and running with the CRM and Pardot. We are charging 175/hr for them. She has a full time job and does this on the side. It's very flexible and she works on her terms.

Could you do something like this? Find some clients and consult with them while you work on other things.

I think you are wise to hesitate on going back to a full time salary position. It will be tough to get much going on the side when you have a demanding day job that pays well.

At the end of the day only you know the answer. If you are committed to making a change and feel like having a FT job will hinder that, then get on the horse and ride it!

I should say that in my experience it's a lot easier to start/grow a business when you have other income. The desperation that comes from needing to take money out makes it harder to sell.
 
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G

Guest1413tpa

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I contracted a Salesforce consultant to help one of my clients get set up and running with the CRM and Pardot. We are charging 175/hr for them. She has a full time job and does this on the side. It's very flexible and she works on her terms.

Could you do something like this? Find some clients and consult with them while you work on other things.

I think you are wise to hesitate on going back to a full time salary position. It will be tough to get much going on the side when you have a demanding day job that pays well.

At the end of the day only you know the answer. If you are committed to making a change and feel like having a FT job will hinder that, then get on the horse and ride it!

I should say that in my experience it's a lot easier to start/grow a business when you have other income. The desperation that comes from needing to take money out makes it harder to sell.
I do this already, but its good to see that people are charging the right rates in the industry!

The problem is that Salesforce consulting grinds you to the bone, which is what happened in my last FT role. There are a few other reasons as to why I want out of it, but its not a sustainable option right now, so I am trying to make it work for myself.

The contracts/freelancing I have right now are manageable for my mental health and financial stability, which is good. I agree that it is easier to grow/start a business when you have income. Takes a major load off.

And to the point about getting something started on the side -> That is my exact reason why I am hesisitant to hop into FT employment. Not to mention that when you tell some people that you freelance, they get all uppity and weird. I've stopped mentioning what I am doing right now to anyone looking at hiring for FT employment.

Another reason why I am apprehensive to FT employment -> The amount of interviews has been insane. 5-6 rounds and hours spent on take homes & talking with people. I had to put a stop to it.
 
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Raja

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I am in no way, shape, or form to advice you on fastlane,

but what I learn from reading and learning investing is
have 6 to 12 months of emergency fund which will not compromise on your current living standard.

Note: your emergency fund is not there to make you wealthy but to save you from troubles.
 

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