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.

Greetings from Mexico: The Start of A New Stage in My Life

ElDiablo

Contributor
FASTLANE INSIDER
Read Fastlane!
Read Unscripted!
Speedway Pass
User Power
Value/Post Ratio
102%
Sep 17, 2021
83
85
Hello, dear members of the Fastlane Forum,

I recently joined this site but have already read most of the work from @MJ DeMarco.
It took me a while to register at The Fastlane Forum since I felt I was still missing further knowledge to pursue a business venture more formally.

However, as it is a common trope in this forum and the books themselves, you'll never be 100% percent ready. Furthermore, rarely will you have perfect timing.

As a little bit of background about myself, I formally studied finance just as @MJ DeMarco, and similar to lots of people in my career, I thought about joined a fancy pants bank that could open me the door for both status and money.
Similar to the usual path stated in Scripted, I spent most of my college years trying to get the most knowledge possible and even studied at some prestigious institutions both in the US and in the UK.
Funny enough, it was in my very first semester, during a visit to some banks in New York City that I had a major crossroad.
That for a large financial institution to pay hefty bonuses to their employees, they must have been racking absurd amounts of money.

I know, I know.
That's cool and everything, but such a statement is nothing new.

However, it ignited some thought in me about the priorities that I would have to choose later in life. As if that weren't enough, I ended up questioning myself even more. I decided to read the "classic" literature regarding both personal finance and investing.
In my mind, I wanted to become a well-rounded financier.
That's where I solidified my knowledge about the tools of the Slowlane, as its general outlook

Long story short, I eventually graduated with better than average grades at a prestigious institution in Mexico and found myself working as a derivatives trader in a big Mexican bank.
Just six months before my entrance to the workforce, I played with the idea of startup and even had a fair shot at a business accelerator in Silicon Valley.
However, I ditched the project altogether as the social pressure to get some experience and money first got quite intense.

Once in the bank, I was given a dose of reality by being told that I was still too young to become an entrepreneur. And to be fair, there was some truth to it.
I was young, still dependent on my parents even with my current job, and inexperienced in the "real world."

Call that a way to break your morale.

Moreover, if there was ever a big carrot on a stick on this "side of the border," it was a trading desk. Even in a developing country like Mexico, you could eventually become the head trader at a decent bank and potentially earn $X M USD (Yes, the equivalent of dollars in Mexican pesos).

What was the catch? It's simple.
Follow the Script and jump from one financial institution to another, play the pesky corporate politics, get either a Master's degree in Finance or the CFA certification, have nerves of steel in a competitive and demanding industry, and become a superstar in the industry.

Do that, and you too can enjoy some margaritas in Tulum, Darlin.

That being said, I'm humble enough to admit that these opportunities are not common, and at least offer a decent shot to earn enough money to start other ventures. Potentially the types of ventures that will eventually provide you with financial independence of your labor.
In the same way, I believe that the Slowlane offers the best opportunity for those that don't want to worry too much about their finances or at the very least are in such a dire condition that they can't afford to take significant risks.

One year later, in my desire to seek a more balanced work environment, I tried to change banks but did not get the job. And as if that were not enough, just two months went by, and the pandemic began.

All this time has served me to reflect on my past decisions. It has also made me think about the path I will take with my career.
On the one hand, I know that I am a young man with a lot of ambition and wanting to contribute something of value to society, and on the other, I admit that I am still a somewhat naive and a bit entitled lad.

I have the interest and conviction that creating a business could be my opportunity to test myself as an educated individual. To start something of value for others that can allow me to leave my dent in the universe.
And if I can manage to become a financially independent and stable man, what more can a man ask for?

Here is my story in a nutshell.

I come to this forum to learn a lot from all of you. And to potentially lay the foundations for a personal project.

And of course, I trust that I can contribute something of use to all of you despite my short work experience.

You never know when a personal anecdote or a financial/economic insight could end up being of value to others.

Respectfully,

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

RicardoGrande

Silver Contributor
Read Rat-Race Escape!
Read Fastlane!
Read Unscripted!
Speedway Pass
User Power
Value/Post Ratio
250%
May 9, 2021
353
883
Welcome aboard Diablo!

Don't let them break you. A lot of us had a similar experience coming out of college "Shit down, shut the f--- up, and maybe you can be my favorite wageslave in 4-6 years with a lot of OT hee-hee!".
It does sound like you're up the proverbial creek at the moment, but it also sounds like you're completely set on turning an idea into gold.
Best of luck.
 

Mammoth

Amor Fati
Read Rat-Race Escape!
Read Fastlane!
Read Unscripted!
Speedway Pass
User Power
Value/Post Ratio
247%
Dec 4, 2019
246
607
México
Bienvenido!

There's a lot to learn here and the community is very helpful, as well as brutally honest which is what most people need.

Now that I look back on higher education, finance is probably one of the only subjects I'd consider going for. I think that gives you a solid knowledge base to pursue any venture.

Ahhh margaritas in Tulum....is that what Mexicanos dream about during the work week grind?
 

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
38,076
169,476
Utah
Welcome aboard, appreciate the intro.

However, as it is a common trope in this forum and the books themselves, you'll never be 100% percent ready. Furthermore, rarely will you have perfect timing.

When you think about it, a life with a growth mindset is truly never ready for anything. If you're "ready", you're not growing.
 
Dislike ads? Remove them and support the forum: Subscribe to Fastlane Insiders.

ElDiablo

Contributor
FASTLANE INSIDER
Read Fastlane!
Read Unscripted!
Speedway Pass
User Power
Value/Post Ratio
102%
Sep 17, 2021
83
85
Welcome aboard Diablo!

Don't let them break you. A lot of us had a similar experience coming out of college "Shit down, shut the f--- up, and maybe you can be my favorite wageslave in 4-6 years with a lot of OT hee-hee!".
It does sound like you're up the proverbial creek at the moment, but it also sounds like you're completely set on turning an idea into gold.
Best of luck.
Thanks for the nice wishes @RicardoGrande.
I guess the "healthy dose of reality" can turn into a double edged sword if you take it at heart. You can't give up that easily.

Moreover, I might as well just be one step to fix my last startup idea into a powerful project. Maybe I should pitch the project here to get some feedback hahaha
 

ElDiablo

Contributor
FASTLANE INSIDER
Read Fastlane!
Read Unscripted!
Speedway Pass
User Power
Value/Post Ratio
102%
Sep 17, 2021
83
85
Bienvenido!

There's a lot to learn here and the community is very helpful, as well as brutally honest which is what most people need.

Now that I look back on higher education, finance is probably one of the only subjects I'd consider going for. I think that gives you a solid knowledge base to pursue any venture.

Ahhh margaritas in Tulum....is that what Mexicanos dream about during the work week grind?
Thanks for the welcome @Mammoth

Yeah, I can imagine how things roll around here, and I encourage it. It is always helpful to have others point out your blind spots to create a better business.

Knowing the foundations of Finance gives you a powerful tool to make decisions under uncertainty. The only caveat is that it takes some time to master the concepts more practically.

Not sure about the margaritas, but most definitely having the option to travel often without worrying about the bills hahaha
 

ElDiablo

Contributor
FASTLANE INSIDER
Read Fastlane!
Read Unscripted!
Speedway Pass
User Power
Value/Post Ratio
102%
Sep 17, 2021
83
85
Welcome aboard, appreciate the intro.



When you think about it, a life with a growth mindset is truly never ready for anything. If you're "ready", you're not growing.
Thanks, @MJ DeMarco . I'm glad to know you liked it.

I agree with your statement, as you have to keep learning every day since what worked yesterday may not work today.

Moreover, I believe that self-actualization can only be reached once you achieve something quite challenging for yourself. And by definition, you can never do that from a place of total comfort.
 
Dislike ads? Remove them and support the forum: Subscribe to Fastlane Insiders.

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.

More Intros...

Top