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ateares

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You may be tempted to lurk - in this forum, other forums, or in life.

You'll do better to participate instead.

Worried you don’t have value to add?

Start by giving thanks.

If you read something you like then don’t just hit the Like button.

Quote it, thank the poster, and explain why it helped you.

Here’s what’ll happen:

1) You’ll help the poster realise they’re not posting to the void.

2) You’ll encourage them to post again.

3) You’ll help them keep going, possibly through dark times.

4) You’ll get into the habit of “giving thanks” where you explain how it’s helped you.

5) You’ll start being seen as someone who appreciates and supports others.

6) You’ll slowly move from team consumer to team producer.

7) You’ll start making friends, building relationships, and creating win-wins (the essence of business).

Try it and see what happens.

Come back and thank me later.
Thank you for posting this. This is a beautiful piece of advice and a reminder that we can still be present and participate online and not just in person. I do find myself lurking on the internet and also becoming a mindless consumer at times.

This season has been a tougher one due to so much isolation and changes from job to business, and general family craziness.

I've made it a plan to be more present, grateful and happy in 2022 and beyond, and this is something I am incorporating into my life and intentional interactions. Thank you!
 
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ronlugo

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You may be tempted to lurk - in this forum, other forums, or in life.

You'll do better to participate instead.

Worried you don’t have value to add?

Start by giving thanks.

If you read something you like then don’t just hit the Like button.

Quote it, thank the poster, and explain why it helped you.

Here’s what’ll happen:

1) You’ll help the poster realise they’re not posting to the void.

2) You’ll encourage them to post again.

3) You’ll help them keep going, possibly through dark times.

4) You’ll get into the habit of “giving thanks” where you explain how it’s helped you.

5) You’ll start being seen as someone who appreciates and supports others.

6) You’ll slowly move from team consumer to team producer.

7) You’ll start making friends, building relationships, and creating win-wins (the essence of business).

Try it and see what happens.

Come back and thank me later.
@Andy Black. Great post and for the reminder!
 

Dionysos

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This thread is gold and was the actual reason for me to start contributing on here. I realized there's truth to it.

Before I was the person who will google anything and then lurk on the subject in forums or whatever without offering solutions or giving feedback. The same applied to the Fastlane forum.

While I'm not the most active user I agree on the benefits of contributing and saying thanks.


So here goes:
- Thank you Andy!
- Thank you MJ for your books and this forum!
- Thank you to so many other epic members of this forum, this is really life-changing!
 

Andy Black

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This thread is gold and was the actual reason for me to start contributing on here. I realized there's truth to it.

Before I was the person who will google anything and then lurk on the subject in forums or whatever without offering solutions or giving feedback. The same applied to the Fastlane forum.

While I'm not the most active user I agree on the benefits of contributing and saying thanks.


So here goes:
- Thank you Andy!
- Thank you MJ for your books and this forum!
- Thank you to so many other epic members of this forum, this is really life-changing!
I’m glad you replied and gave thanks. Your words are alive with energy and enthusiasm. Keep it up!
 
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Not Sure

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Thank you, @Andy Black for starting this thread and providing the impetus for us chronic lurkers to step out of the shadows. I have a Google Doc called "Fastlane intro" from April 2019. Seriously. As if my join date isn't enough to solidify my status.

You hit the nail on the head regarding the motivation, or lack thereof. I didn't feel like my introduction would be particularly helpful to anyone on its own merit, so no reason to put it out there if it's not of value. This parallels why so many of us put-off venturing into business for ourselves - we feel like we don't have some killer product or that someone else has beaten you to market, so we never take the leap. I realize that's starting a business and posting on an online forum are not apt comparisons, but the common thread is devaluing ones ability to contribute, whether to a market or an online forum.

Again, thanks for pulling this lurker out of his hole. I'll make my intro post soon and won't wait until I finish The Great Rat-Race Escape first. :)
 

Andy Black

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I realize that's starting a business and posting on an online forum are not apt comparisons
Actually, I think they're very similar. It's all about getting out of your own way and just starting. One of the biggest reasons people don't start a business is because they don't think they can add value (yet). One of the biggest reasons people don't post in this forum is because they don't think they can add value (yet).

I created a thread a few years ago after PM'ing over 700 members who followed me or sent me rep. It's over 3,000 PMs now.

Anyway, I send a message to say thanks and I ended up getting into conversation. A common theme in those conversations was that people loved the forum, were super enthusiastic about business, but hadn't posted yet because they didn't think they could add value.

You can read more about that here:

Look at the first row of links in my signature and you'll see they're a common theme.
 

the_daniele

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Nov 13, 2018
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You may be tempted to lurk - in this forum, other forums, or in life.

You'll do better to participate instead.

Worried you don’t have value to add?

Start by giving thanks.

If you read something you like then don’t just hit the Like button.

Quote it, thank the poster, and explain why it helped you.

Here’s what’ll happen:

1) You’ll help the poster realise they’re not posting to the void.

2) You’ll encourage them to post again.

3) You’ll help them keep going, possibly through dark times.

4) You’ll get into the habit of “giving thanks” where you explain how it’s helped you.

5) You’ll start being seen as someone who appreciates and supports others.

6) You’ll slowly move from team consumer to team producer.

7) You’ll start making friends, building relationships, and creating win-wins (the essence of business).

Try it and see what happens.

Come back and thank me later.
Excellent post @Andy Black it reminds us how important is for both sides to participate
 
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nami93

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You may be tempted to lurk - in this forum, other forums, or in life.

You'll do better to participate instead.

Worried you don’t have value to add?

Start by giving thanks.

If you read something you like then don’t just hit the Like button.

Quote it, thank the poster, and explain why it helped you.

Here’s what’ll happen:

1) You’ll help the poster realise they’re not posting to the void.

2) You’ll encourage them to post again.

3) You’ll help them keep going, possibly through dark times.

4) You’ll get into the habit of “giving thanks” where you explain how it’s helped you.

5) You’ll start being seen as someone who appreciates and supports others.

6) You’ll slowly move from team consumer to team producer.

7) You’ll start making friends, building relationships, and creating win-wins (the essence of business).

Try it and see what happens.

Come back and thank me later.
Thank you @Andy Black !
You managed to get me to write my first comment on this forum. I registered a long ago, after I heared about the forum in the MJ's book. And for a long time I just read the threads, but nothing to add.... And after a while I even don't visited the forum for a long time. Today it just popped in my mind that this forum is exist and it has tons of valuable content. I looked for GOLD threads and found this. I've benn thinking about for a while to be more active in online platforms, but I didn't know where to start, because I feeled I can't offer value.... So thank you again for this advice.
And Thanks @MJ DeMarco for mark as GOLD, because that's the reason I can found it (and for the forum, and for the books as well)
 

Andy Black

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Excellent post @Andy Black it reminds us how important is for both sides to participate

Thank you @Andy Black !
You managed to get me to write my first comment on this forum. I registered a long ago, after I heared about the forum in the MJ's book. And for a long time I just read the threads, but nothing to add.... And after a while I even don't visited the forum for a long time. Today it just popped in my mind that this forum is exist and it has tons of valuable content. I looked for GOLD threads and found this. I've benn thinking about for a while to be more active in online platforms, but I didn't know where to start, because I feeled I can't offer value.... So thank you again for this advice.
And Thanks @MJ DeMarco for mark as GOLD, because that's the reason I can found it (and for the forum, and for the books as well)
Thank you @the_daniele and @nami93 for your first posts. It was easy right?

Now you just need to keep going. Trawl the forum for people to support and/or thank.
 

tysoncazier

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@Andy Black this is a great post, thanks for your words of wisdom. My natural inclination is to be a lurker. Not because I want to be but because I am not sure what to say or how to add value.

In addition to my Fastlane pursuits I am also an aspiring or up and coming video game composer. One thing I do to improve as a composer is call up more established video game composers and get career advice. Most of these calls don't go anywhere beyond the first call because I don't know how I could ever add value to these people that are so much further along than me. This has been on my mind a lot recently since I want my initial meetings with these pro's to mature into long term friendships/aquaintanceships. Your post has motivated me to email all the past connections I've made and just say "thank you again for chatting with me." That just saying thank you is a good basic starting place to adding value.

Thank you for the great advice!
 

Andy Black

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Your post has motivated me to email all the past connections I've made and just say "thank you again for chatting with me." That just saying thank you is a good basic starting place to adding value.
Definitely email them all and thank them. You’ll be surprised how few do.

Even better is to explain why it helped you, and best of all is to show some results after taking their advice.
 

tysoncazier

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Definitely email them all and thank them. You’ll be surprised how few do.

Even better is to explain why it helped you, and best of all is to show some results after taking their advice.
Great suggestion, I definitely will!
 
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Kimbrough2046

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Thank you for your words. I'm not new to the site but newly returned. I don't do much social interacting online, but I guess it's time to stop being such a luddite.
 

sherminator

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You may be tempted to lurk - in this forum, other forums, or in life.

Come back and thank me later.
Andy, like the card my daughter gave me on father's day last year said,
"Dad, you've frequently said 'one day you'll thank me for this.' Today's the day, thanks Dad!"

I appreciate the encouragement to participate. I'm just getting into this forum, but I'm not stranger to participating in forums... but it never hurts to have a reminder of how to 'behave.'

Have a great day! Looking forward to PARTICIPATING here.
 

Vanyka

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You may be tempted to lurk - in this forum, other forums, or in life.

You'll do better to participate instead.

Worried you don’t have value to add?

Start by giving thanks.

If you read something you like then don’t just hit the Like button.

Quote it, thank the poster, and explain why it helped you.

Here’s what’ll happen:

1) You’ll help the poster realise they’re not posting to the void.

2) You’ll encourage them to post again.

3) You’ll help them keep going, possibly through dark times.

4) You’ll get into the habit of “giving thanks” where you explain how it’s helped you.

5) You’ll start being seen as someone who appreciates and supports others.

6) You’ll slowly move from team consumer to team producer.

7) You’ll start making friends, building relationships, and creating win-wins (the essence of business).

Try it and see what happens.

Come back and thank me later.
Lurk mode deactivated. Thanks for this reminder, Andy! We all get busy with life, forgetting simple things like this can make someone's day.
 
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Andy Black

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Lurk mode deactivated. Thanks for this reminder, Andy! We all get busy with life, forgetting simple things like this can make someone's day.
Lol. We should create a button for Lurk Mode, or maybe create a Lurk Mode Deactivated badge.
 

SunshineGrit

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You may be tempted to lurk - in this forum, other forums, or in life.

You'll do better to participate instead.

Worried you don’t have value to add?

Start by giving thanks.

If you read something you like then don’t just hit the Like button.

Quote it, thank the poster, and explain why it helped you.
I am a self described "encouraging lurker"(giving likes and encouraging words when no one else is), HA. Guess I'll have to change that. I think a lot of times I analyze what I said and think it was of no value so it discourages me from saying more. I am my own greatest critic. And I gotta get over it.
Thanks for the reminder, Andy
 

levij4

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Jan 5, 2022
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You may be tempted to lurk - in this forum, other forums, or in life.

You'll do better to participate instead.

Worried you don’t have value to add?

Start by giving thanks.

If you read something you like then don’t just hit the Like button.

Quote it, thank the poster, and explain why it helped you.

Here’s what’ll happen:

1) You’ll help the poster realise they’re not posting to the void.

2) You’ll encourage them to post again.

3) You’ll help them keep going, possibly through dark times.

4) You’ll get into the habit of “giving thanks” where you explain how it’s helped you.

5) You’ll start being seen as someone who appreciates and supports others.

6) You’ll slowly move from team consumer to team producer.

7) You’ll start making friends, building relationships, and creating win-wins (the essence of business).

Try it and see what happens.

Come back and thank me later.
Love this! Thank you for making it ok to post on Fast Lane! I'm new here and am just nervous because I don't have much business insight to offer. I recently bought the Fast Lane Millionaire and I am so excited about tuning a corner in my life from someone who was working a corporate job (beer sales) to someone who will be focused, much harder working and the person I have wanted to be for me entire life!

I'm not waiting for retirement to finally have money. I'm going to become a person of more value and earn my financial freedom! I'm grateful to have a forum like this to learn from and hope I can contribute back!

As of now, the only information I can contribute which might be helpful is regarding Web3 (the idea for a new iteration of the World Wide Web that incorporates decentralization based on blockchains) I am very fascinated by cryptocurrency, specifically how it will relate to video games.

People will be playing games based on earning different coins! I recently found one that I think is SUPER interesting: DeRace - which is a horse racing game where people bet using crypto. There are literally hundreds of micro coins to invest in that are part of video games people are currently playing. Picking winners seems to bring nice reward. I have so much to learn but I'm looking forward to learning and being a part of this community!
 
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Iammelissamoore

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Try it and see what happens.

Come back and thank me later.
I always enjoy the value you share, and more than the value putting it into practise. This is important, my downfall, before this entire journey was full-on procrastination. Going through an entire mindset change was an awakening I needed.

When we put things in action, magic happens.

The impossible becomes possible.

Thank you for this reminder.
 

ASINGH

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You may be tempted to lurk - in this forum, other forums, or in life.

You'll do better to participate instead.

Worried you don’t have value to add?

Start by giving thanks.

If you read something you like then don’t just hit the Like button.

Quote it, thank the poster, and explain why it helped you.

Here’s what’ll happen:

1) You’ll help the poster realise they’re not posting to the void.

2) You’ll encourage them to post again.

3) You’ll help them keep going, possibly through dark times.

4) You’ll get into the habit of “giving thanks” where you explain how it’s helped you.

5) You’ll start being seen as someone who appreciates and supports others.

6) You’ll slowly move from team consumer to team producer.

7) You’ll start making friends, building relationships, and creating win-wins (the essence of business).

Try it and see what happens.

Come back and thank me later.
Thank you Andy, quite helpful to a newbie like me. I am learning about the Forum, so this is my jumping into the pool reply.
 

ASINGH

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I always enjoy the value you share, and more than the value putting it into practise. This is important, my downfall, before this entire journey was full-on procrastination. Going through an entire mindset change was an awakening I needed.

When we put things in action, magic happens.

The impossible becomes possible.

Thank you for this reminder.
I have gotten so accustomed to just getting things done that it is difficult for me to post these replies. Andy's post helped me to just be calm and enjoy myself a bit with the Posts and Replies.
 
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Iammelissamoore

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I have gotten so accustomed to just getting things done that it is difficult for me to post these replies. Andy's post helped me to just be calm and enjoy myself a bit with the Posts and Replies.
Definitely, Andy is a true gem, a lot of the contributors and posts on the forum are filled with sustenance and is always a pleasure to read, and in most cases, actively apply them accordingly.

Enjoy the remarkable Fastlane journey ahead.
 

calmed98

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You may be tempted to lurk - in this forum, other forums, or in life.

You'll do better to participate instead.

Worried you don’t have value to add?

Start by giving thanks.

If you read something you like then don’t just hit the Like button.

Quote it, thank the poster, and explain why it helped you.

Here’s what’ll happen:

1) You’ll help the poster realise they’re not posting to the void.

2) You’ll encourage them to post again.

3) You’ll help them keep going, possibly through dark times.

4) You’ll get into the habit of “giving thanks” where you explain how it’s helped you.

5) You’ll start being seen as someone who appreciates and supports others.

6) You’ll slowly move from team consumer to team producer.

7) You’ll start making friends, building relationships, and creating win-wins (the essence of business).

Try it and see what happens.

Come back and thank me later.
Thank you for the reminder. I haven't been active in the forum for a year while I was focusing on getting started with my web design business. I definitely need to go to this forum more often and actually post instead of just liking people's posts. That way I can make new friends!
 

Gtp

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You may be tempted to lurk - in this forum, other forums, or in life.

You'll do better to participate instead.

Worried you don’t have value to add?

Start by giving thanks.

If you read something you like then don’t just hit the Like button.

Quote it, thank the poster, and explain why it helped you.

Here’s what’ll happen:

1) You’ll help the poster realise they’re not posting to the void.

2) You’ll encourage them to post again.

3) You’ll help them keep going, possibly through dark times.

4) You’ll get into the habit of “giving thanks” where you explain how it’s helped you.

5) You’ll start being seen as someone who appreciates and supports others.

6) You’ll slowly move from team consumer to team producer.

7) You’ll start making friends, building relationships, and creating win-wins (the essence of business).

Try it and see what happens.

Come back and thank me later.
I needed to read this, thank you.
 
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DougRMR

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You may be tempted to lurk - in this forum, other forums, or in life.

You'll do better to participate instead.

Worried you don’t have value to add?

Start by giving thanks.

If you read something you like then don’t just hit the Like button.

Quote it, thank the poster, and explain why it helped you.

Here’s what’ll happen:

1) You’ll help the poster realise they’re not posting to the void.

2) You’ll encourage them to post again.

3) You’ll help them keep going, possibly through dark times.

4) You’ll get into the habit of “giving thanks” where you explain how it’s helped you.

5) You’ll start being seen as someone who appreciates and supports others.

6) You’ll slowly move from team consumer to team producer.

7) You’ll start making friends, building relationships, and creating win-wins (the essence of business).

Try it and see what happens.

Come back and thank me later.
Thank you for this, Andy! Have been going through some hard times trying to get the Fastlane started and these words of encouragement are good.
 

RolliePollie

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Thank you so much for this post, Andy!
Your advice gave me the courage to join & be active within the forum.

To my surprise, community members did engage with my introductory post and it felt good. Cant thank you enough!
 
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leighxxd8

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Thank you Andy for the tip. I am new to this forum and I definitely needed that for when I am around in the streets of the forum. I like what you said about building relationships from within this forum. Thanks!
 

p0stscript

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You may be tempted to lurk - in this forum, other forums, or in life.
And reality hits, smack between the eyes. Thanks Andy for wake up call, time to put your comments into practice, not just on this forum but in every area, before I become a life lurker.
 

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