Chasing a Cat vs Attracting a Cat, a Breakthrough Story

[Almantas]

Hi folks!

It's been a long while since I posted.

No, I didn't pull a plug on entrepreneurship. Although in moments of desperateness I thought of doing so multiple times already...

In the last year I have been desperately struggling with depression. I didn't have anyone who could've understood me and provided with decent advice in real life. The life was a misery, I tried all sorts of self-medications (including weed) that didn't help me in the slightest.

Then, January rolled over and something flipped in my mind. That flip turned a voice inside of my head that went something like "Instead of feeling sorry for yourself and wasting time, go provide some value for people - even if it is free of charge. Be of service to people and you'll feel better."

And there I went...not thinking about CENTS and monetization. The goal was to make that first step and be of service. The point was to turn the process of value providing into medication that was meant to help me deal with depression - because nothing else helped me at that point.

So, in January I began offering various research-related services for free. I began writing resumes and cover letters for Lithuanians living in Ireland (most of them lack English writing skills) - at first, my offer aroused suspicion and I got a good few of toxic comments my way...anyways, I continued...

In two months time my self-confidence began to grow as more and more people began referring me to their friends and random people started contacting me asking to write a resume and a cover letter for them for money...so, I did...

Sometime in April I began pumping more value into those Facebook groups. I started writing various informational packs for Lithuanians living in Ireland, such as how to get a mortgage, how to get into a state-funded academic program and get a job afterwards...once a month I picked a hot topic that most people felt confused about and elaborated it in a native language.

Bear in mind, there was and still is nobody doing what I do. Most people just bombard this group with various advertisements - pushing their services through peoples' throats. Nobody wants to give value in advance. What they get? Few eyeballs at best...

I don't want to sound braggy, but I became somewhat influential. Now people see me as a smart-a$$ guy who can do a lot of things and to them right. Now, when I post a new information package created with an aim to make their lives easier in Ireland my post attracts roughly 100 comments and 200-300 likes and document gets read (I assume) by at least 1k people...

...People started adding me as a friend. Girls I could've dreamed of attracting previously began texting me and showing interest in me. I started getting all sorts of questions from people regarding various things with offers to pay me if I can help them out...

Currently, people in those groups know me as a Resume and Cover Letter guy. Soon, I will begin spreading a word (via those free documents) that I also do Business Plans, help with academic projects and editing text non-related to academia. I don't daydream anymore, because it lead nowhere in the past - I experiment, analyze and adapt instead.

People trust me. People trust my services. No matter what I do now, people see me as a smart guy that knows his drill. And not because I pushed my ads through peoples' throats - it is because I showed what I am capable of by providing value and information people needed.

Former haters (even group trolls) turned into my supporters. Yeah, I still have toxic people stopping by, but I don't need to open my mouth in the comment section before they are eaten by dozens of people that support me and feel grateful for what I do.

This month I am going to write a mega information pack for Lithuanian community in Ireland. It will be roughly 100 page document, written in native language that will be an ultimate guide for Lithuanians thinking of moving to Ireland or folks that recently came here. It will explain everything, from tax system to getting a mortgage for people on minimum wage. I will share this document for free in groups, websites related to Lithuanian community and more...and I will drop few hints here and there in that document as to what I do and my contact details.

So, I don't chase the cat anymore. I concentrate on preparing a food cat desperately wants and wait until the cat comes to me purring and asking for more.

I don't count how much money I make via entrepreneurship. Why? While struggling with depression and having no energy to even get my butt out of bed I wasn't making any sales. The numbers were terrible, like €50-€100 per month. My savings were drying like mad...

So, I decided to have a look at what I made in pure profit since June. They are not something to be proud of, but represents of the value I provide:

In June I made €1500, in July €1900, in August €2200 and in September €1900. The numbers change due to the fact that money is chained to my time - I have created a job and every second I spend on building a system is not spent on making money.

Yeah, it's not CENTS - it's not a money making system that functions autonomously. But guess what? The whole point was to heal myself from depression - or at least learn how to control it while helping others...so the money I made so far is a lovely side-effect of that single choice to help others and help myself as a result.

It's 1:35am here and I am about to begin writing a Business Plan for one of my clients, because that feeling of worthiness is damn addictive and I want more, much more of it!

Best of luck providing value and reaching financial independence folks!

 

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[Almantas]

A little add-on:

I am not a type of a guy who spends his entire savings on a car. However, driving Opel Corsa for almost 3 years seemed enough. I wanted a bigger car that is within my means and leaves enough money in the sock for a fast-lane playground.

I decided to purchase a 2008 BMW 520d from the money I made since June. I didn't spend all money I made, just a fraction of it. The reason why I purchased this car goes deeper than simply getting a bigger and of a better performance car than my previous one. The number 1 reason why I decided to purchase this car is because it embodies the fact that people value my services - every time I see my car it reminds me that I am on the right track and should continue.

On the funny side - I don't even see as buying this car from my own pocket. I see as if people that paid me for services bought this car for me instead.

It's far from Lambo, but is probably one of the proudest purchases to date, because of its unique representation:

 

[Almantas]

Really ashamed, forgot to mention. There are many forum members that encouraged me, but there's one particular person that I will remember forever. I used to be bookworm, reading but taking no action. This particular person has open my eyes to the fact that by reading books and over-analyzing my moves I will remain paralyzed for another year with no tangible results and broken spirit. He opened my eyes long time ago, but it took me some time to finally implement his golden advice and make a first move.

I would like to thank from the depths of my heart @Andy Black

 

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[Bekit]

But guess what? The whole point was to heal myself from depression - or at least learn how to control it while helping others...so the money I made so far is a lovely side-effect of that single choice to help others and help myself as a result.

This is such an inspiring story! Thank you for sharing -- and for doing it in the first place. I am sure there are a whole lot of people who are grateful to you. ++Repped!++

I think you've hit on something here... something that most people don't consider or don't attempt as a relief from depression.

Reading this reminded me of a time when I was about 15 years old, and I was constantly bored.

"Mom, I'm bored," I would say, over and over, throughout the day. The only relief from boredom was when I was reading, which I did voraciously, but if I exhausted my supply of library books, I would be insufferably bored until we could go back to the library.

My mom would rack her brain to come up with something for me to do. "Why don't you go outside?"

"No, that's boring."

"How about if you do some housework?"

"No, that's even worse."

We would go around and around like this. It lasted for weeks.

Then, one day, my mother had a flash of insight.

"I think you're bored because you're unfulfilled. So why don't you try teaching your sisters? Maybe they could have an hour a day of 'learning time with Rebekah.'"

Something about this idea struck my imagination. My sisters were 4 and 5. I grabbed a spiral-bound notebook and started scribbling ideas of what I would do with them. I came up with a huge list of fun things to do together. Then I planned out each day with about 5 bullet points from my master list. In the afternoons, I would take my sisters down into the basement of my house and teach them things.

It was simple stuff. Songs. Nursery rhymes. The alphabet. Simple drawing. But they LOVED it. I would give out prizes, and as the days went by, I developed a structure for how we would pass our hour together.

Very quickly, I set my sights on teaching my sisters to read. I wanted them to gain the ability to sound out words, to take a "b" and an "a" and a "t" and be able to say, "bat" rather than "buh-aa-tuh."

We labored together, day after day.

And I remember the epiphany when it clicked. My sister saw how to do it. She grasped what I was trying to teach her. Euphoria washed over me in a flood. I had done it! She could read!

And I realized something... I was no longer bored.

I hadn't been bored in a long time.

And to this day, I've still never been bored, because I've found an endless string of these types of experiences to pursue. There's such an unlimited supply of them, I don't see how I could possibly ever be bored again. The only question is having the time and energy to keep up with the myriad of opportunities.

I never would have made the connection that the same type of approach could help with depression... but it seems that there is some overlap.

I wonder how we could impart this magnificent relief mechanism to our family members, friends, neighbors, and community members who are suffering from depression?

 

[MJ DeMarco]

Marked NOTABLE, congrats on the breakthrough. CENTS, Fastlane, etc., all that stuff can be put aside when you're dealing with depression and just trying to have a paradigm shift. Sounds like you're there. Happy to hear it.

 

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[Almantas]

A little update:

Back in December 31 people didn't know me. I didn't provide any services and I was depressed guy with a messed up diet and destructive habits.

There was a thread created by one of the guys I look up to that stated providing value for free is not wise. I am a living proof that his argument couldn't be further from the truth...

I don't know how the things will turn out, but due to continuous provision of free value I have created entire community that supports and trusts me and sees me as some sort of a wizard when it comes to researching things and providing value, lol. I have so many supporters-turned-into-paying-customers that I stopped running my ads in order to finish my orders.

Is providing value for free counterproductive? It depends. In my case it was the key that unlocked unlimited opportunities.

Thanks for stopping by and keep the hustle gear on!

P.S. My diet is still messed up and I missed entire week of gym - mainly due to the fact that I have more orders than I can fulfill and therefore lack time and that I am too lazy, lol - working on this now. TBH poor diet and lack of physical exercise impacts me big time, especially my mood.

 

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[SteveO]

What you have learned is far greater than the exchange of money for time!

 

[Almantas]

Usually, I am not a type of a guy that puts too much trust into destiny, but what happened in the last 2 days literally blew my beliefs away.

So, due to my generosity in multiple FB groups, many women started adding me, showing interest, etc. Two days ago, one particular woman contacted me saying she was observing my posts for a while and was really impressed with my generosity and personality in general...

Long story short, we have been chatting for a couple of days now. She is 21, already has a passive business and is into entrepreneurial books. She has like 30 of them. And all of them crazy good books, lol. I told her about this forum and she showed me a photo of TMF book - damn, how could I miss a shot on this one?

So we arranged to meet for a tea/coffee 30th of this month. I have talked to many women, many of them were in a top physical condition but something just didn't click, this particular woman stands out most...and guess what? She just revealed that her sister knows me as I wrote her a CV and a Cover Letter for free back in January - how weird, isn't it?

You know what could be weirder? Her reading this post - because I am pretty sure she has joined the forum and is currently scanning through threads. I hope this doesn't happen, lol.

P.s. Thanks for all the awesome comments, I am blessed to be part of such a superawesome community! Love you guys!

 

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[Bekit]

Really ashamed, forgot to mention. There are many forum members that encouraged me, but there's one particular person that I will remember forever. I used to be bookworm, reading but taking no action. This particular person has open my eyes to the fact that by reading books and over-analyzing my moves I will remain paralyzed for another year with no tangible results and broken spirit. He opened my eyes long time ago, but it took me some time to finally implement his golden advice and make a first move.

I would like to thank from the depths of my heart @Andy Black

Hear hear! A rousing cheer and enthusiastic round of applause for Andy Black!! Three cheers for Andy for contributing heroic value to the members of this forum, genuinely caring about others, and showing the way towards good outcomes.

 

[Andy Black]

Wow. I’ve only just spotted this thread. @Almantas ... the hairs came up on the back of my neck reading your story. Well done and thanks for sharing. I love it.

Your living proof that Mother Theresa knows a thing or two...

“Never worry about numbers. Help one person at a time and always start with the person nearest to you.” (Mother Theresa)


You up for another chat? I know you were super nervous first time round. Maybe you’ll be less so this time?

 

[MJ DeMarco]

Threads like these remind me why I started this forum years ago.

Love to see the outpouring of community support here and to hear about the progress.

It's a feedback loop connector for myself and hopefully, to many others who may follow. @Almantas -- I remember earlier you were having some tough times, glad to hear you are in a better place!!

 

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[Almantas]

Marked NOTABLE, congrats on the breakthrough. CENTS, Fastlane, etc., all that stuff can be put aside when you're dealing with depression and just trying to have a paradigm shift. Sounds like you're there. Happy to hear it.

Thanks very much! Seeing my thread being marked as a notable raised my spirits. Really appreciate it!

 

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[Walter Hay]

Hi, thanks for your insightful reply!

Very interesting story of yours. I definitely think there's a direct relation between helping others and reducing effects of depression - I am a living proof of it. Maybe I'm wrong, maybe it was related to my feeling of accomplishment and positive feedback I was receiving from many people - although not directly, IMHO it's still somewhat related to providing value and helping others.

Yes @Bekit's story was great. I loved it, and Bekit's mother deserves high praise for finding the solution to the problem.

@Almantas, your story has been most enjoyable. I rarely suffer from depression. At worst it might be very short term circumstantial depression, but reading your story has certainly given me a boost.

I don't think I am addicted to the Dopamine shots that I get from this amazing forum, but I certainly enjoy being here.

If anyone ever doubted that helping others is good for you, your thread provides the definitive answer. The benefits derived can be physical, mental, economic, and even spiritual.

Keep up the good work. To all readers I say: Don't start helping in order to gain the benefits. Just help because it is the right thing to do.

Walter

 

[Almantas]

This is great stuff for you, I am happy you have turned your life around. My own endeavour is about giving value and I have only a few ideas about making it into a money maker but I don't care too much as it will happen. This is inspirational to hear about your situation, well done Almantas. Did you give all your rep money away recently?

Hi, thanks!

Yeah, I've given away all my rep some time ago to people that keep providing value to this great community of entrepreneurs.

 

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[Almantas]

This is such an inspiring story! Thank you for sharing -- and for doing it in the first place. I am sure there are a whole lot of people who are grateful to you. ++Repped!++

I think you've hit on something here... something that most people don't consider or don't attempt as a relief from depression.

Reading this reminded me of a time when I was about 15 years old, and I was constantly bored.

"Mom, I'm bored," I would say, over and over, throughout the day. The only relief from boredom was when I was reading, which I did voraciously, but if I exhausted my supply of library books, I would be insufferably bored until we could go back to the library.

My mom would rack her brain to come up with something for me to do. "Why don't you go outside?"

"No, that's boring."

"How about if you do some housework?"

"No, that's even worse."

We would go around and around like this. It lasted for weeks.

Then, one day, my mother had a flash of insight.

"I think you're bored because you're unfulfilled. So why don't you try teaching your sisters? Maybe they could have an hour a day of 'learning time with Rebekah.'"

Something about this idea struck my imagination. My sisters were 4 and 5. I grabbed a spiral-bound notebook and started scribbling ideas of what I would do with them. I came up with a huge list of fun things to do together. Then I planned out each day with about 5 bullet points from my master list. In the afternoons, I would take my sisters down into the basement of my house and teach them things.

It was simple stuff. Songs. Nursery rhymes. The alphabet. Simple drawing. But they LOVED it. I would give out prizes, and as the days went by, I developed a structure for how we would pass our hour together.

Very quickly, I set my sights on teaching my sisters to read. I wanted them to gain the ability to sound out words, to take a "b" and an "a" and a "t" and be able to say, "bat" rather than "buh-aa-tuh."

We labored together, day after day.

And I remember the epiphany when it clicked. My sister saw how to do it. She grasped what I was trying to teach her. Euphoria washed over me in a flood. I had done it! She could read!

And I realized something... I was no longer bored.

I hadn't been bored in a long time.

And to this day, I've still never been bored, because I've found an endless string of these types of experiences to pursue. There's such an unlimited supply of them, I don't see how I could possibly ever be bored again. The only question is having the time and energy to keep up with the myriad of opportunities.

I never would have made the connection that the same type of approach could help with depression... but it seems that there is some overlap.

I wonder how we could impart this magnificent relief mechanism to our family members, friends, neighbors, and community members who are suffering from depression?

Hi, thanks for your insightful reply!

Very interesting story of yours. I definitely think there's a direct relation between helping others and reducing effects of depression - I am a living proof of it. Maybe I'm wrong, maybe it was related to my feeling of accomplishment and positive feedback I was receiving from many people - although not directly, IMHO it's still somewhat related to providing value and helping others.

 

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[Almantas]

Threads like these remind me why I started this forum years ago.

Love to see the outpouring of community support here and to hear about the progress.

It's a feedback loop connector for myself and hopefully, to many others who may follow. @Almantas -- I remember earlier you were having some tough times, glad to hear you are in a better place!!

This is why I call this forum my family. Because it's a place where I am understood. Thanks for creating this forum and being here with us.

 

[MashaN]

I definitely think there's a direct relation between helping others and reducing effects of depression

Gold! How great would that be if the mental health advocates and doctors would prescribe that approach to get you better, before putting you on mental health destroying medication?

 

[Almantas]

Gold! How great would that be if the mental health advocates and doctors would prescribe that approach to get you better, before putting you on mental health destroying medication?

I think it's plausible that this may happen in the future, when humanity as a whole advances a bit more ethically and spiritually. At the moment, most doctors act in accordance to potential financial benefits and not ethics. That's why knowledge and information is such a powerful tool.

 

[Kruiser]

So, I decided to have a look at what I made in pure profit since June. They are not something to be proud of

Sorry, but these numbers are DEFINITELY something to be proud of. What a great post! Sure, you're not going to rake in billions by being the go to guy serving the Lithuanian community in Ireland. But you started something from nothing and provided real value to real folks with real problems. That's much more than many "entreprenuers" ever accomplish.

 

[ChrisV]

I know we got some fans around here, this story is Jordan Peterson 101. Great to see.

Yep. This would have been JP’s exact advice.

When you have a goal it activates this ‘lock on’ system in the brain. then when you get closer to it, positive emotion is released.

When you don’t have any goals it sets up this existential crisis where you don’t even know why you exist, which can be one reason for depression. It’s. not the only one (genetic predisposition, diet, etc can seriously effect mood as well.)

 

[Almantas]

@Almantas, that 100 page book you plan to write to help people - have you considered selling it? I imagine that it will offer a lot of value to people, and there is no harm in not giving it away. If you self-publish, you can still give away free or reduced-cost copies to whomever you want. Since the book would be non-fiction, and you have many followers, you can reach your target audience. Also, if you are making some money from that, then you will have your time a little more freed to continue with other helpful ventures.

Thanks for stopping by. I understand what you are trying to say and it makes perfect financial sense, however I am currently still playing somewhat different game. This 100 page document will be a master marketing document for me - it will mention my services and my contact details on like every second page, so people can see from the quality of my work that I know what I am talking about. It is free marketing for me and I am pretty sure more than a thousand people will see this document, probably tens of thousands in longer-term and guess what? Each of them will get to know me (yes, there will be a small intro about me) and what services I offer if they (or their friends) happen to need my assistance in the future.

 

[PureA]

What a great story. Amazing stuff.

I think in doing work for others and 'serving' you found meaning.

I bet you feel like a new man! Keep running with this, the momentum is crazy...

You did what many others aren't willing to do, and it's paying dividends.

Will be keeping up with your posts.

Great stuff.

 

[ChrisV]

A little add-on:

I am not a type of a guy who spends his entire savings on a car. However, driving Opel Corsa for almost 3 years seemed enough. I wanted a bigger car that is within my means and leaves enough money in the sock for a fast-lane playground.

I decided to purchase a 2008 BMW 520d from the money I made since June. I didn't spend all money I made, just a fraction of it. The reason why I purchased this car goes deeper than simply getting a bigger and of a better performance car than my previous one. The number 1 reason why I decided to purchase this car is because it embodies the fact that people value my services - every time I see my car it reminds me that I am on the right track and should continue.

On the funny side - I don't even see as buying this car from my own pocket. I see as if people that paid me for services bought this car for me instead.

It's far from Lambo, but is probably one of the proudest purchases to date, because of its unique representation:

Oh man.. there’s nothing like a BMW with a standard transmission. Do it up.. you earned it.

 

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[Ninjakid]

Hey dude just came across this thread.

Remembering your posts from earlier this year you seemed to be a really bad place. But no matter what you were determined to change, and you never really accepted your situation.

It's incredible how much you've changed your life so far, and I'm looking forward to seeing your successes compound!

You've got what it takes, that iron willpower.

 

[Tommo]

This is great stuff for you, I am happy you have turned your life around. My own endeavour is about giving value and I have only a few ideas about making it into a money maker but I don't care too much as it will happen. This is inspirational to hear about your situation, well done Almantas. Did you give all your rep money away recently?

 

[Bearcorp]

Fantastic to read @Almantas! As an Aussie who lived in London for 12 months I wouldn't of been able to do it without the help from some facebook groups of people doing the same, and saw first hand through work colleagues and social friends the challenges facing people from non-english speaking backgrounds. I worked with a few guys from Eastern Europe and couldn't believe how "risky" their situation seemed compared to mine!

Keep adding value and helping people, you never know the doors it could open for you!

And as @SteveO said, what your learning and the energy you are operating in are so much more important than how much your getting "paid".

 

[ChrisV]

P.S. My diet is still messed up and I missed entire week of gym - mainly due to the fact that I have more orders than I can fulfill and therefore lack time and that I am too lazy, lol - working on this now. TBH poor diet and lack of physical exercise impacts me big time, especially my mood.

Yea, I was diagnosed with Major Depression a while ago, and i had to change my diet to fix it. Might i recommend The Mood Cure?

 

[PureA]

I know we got some fans around here, this story is Jordan Peterson 101. Great to see.

 

[F Wings]

This was an inspiring read. Truly.

So what's next in the bullet list for you now that you got your mojo & income up?

Might I suggest fixing the lifestyle once and for all? Start gradually making more and more healthy habits. If I might make a humble suggestion or two from someone who has had some struggles with depression in the past:

1. Get a steady circadian rhythm. I read on your post you were working in the wee hours. Most people tend to function best with getting up around the same time the sun gets up. It's what nature indented. Whatever the time you get up, it should be around the same time every day. This will help you sleep better. Sleep is numero uno - most crucial thing for keeping a good mood and your mind working.
   
   
2. Diet & exercise: Good on you you found your favourable diet. Now stick to it and only take a cheat meal when you yourself allow it. For example: once a week, no more and no less.
   
   Tip on getting exercise done: allow yourself to cut some slack when it comes to the quality of the workout but never ever skip it. If one set of pushups is all you can pull off today then go ahead and do it. Have the mind-set you at least did something, you progressed. Think marathon vs sprint. And besides, once you do your one set of pushups workout you usually don't stop there. First set is always the hardest. You will feel like doing something more.
   
   Bottom line: take it easy, but take it
   
   Tip n:2: Vary your exercises and make them fun. This isn't about building a bodybuilder physique, remember? It's about controlling your mood and keeping healthy. Do explosive sprints one day: feel your heart pound, and other day pick a pair of dumb-bells and do an arm workout. Whatever gets you going that day.
   
   
   
3. Have you researched intermitted fasting? Seems to work well with my diet (low carb/paleo)
   
   best of luck.

 

[PureA]

Amazing to hear brother, you are an inspiration.

Keep us updated.

Hi, thanks for your insightful reply!

Very interesting story of yours. I definitely think there's a direct relation between helping others and reducing effects of depression - I am a living proof of it. Maybe I'm wrong, maybe it was related to my feeling of accomplishment and positive feedback I was receiving from many people - although not directly, IMHO it's still somewhat related to providing value and helping others.

Looks like you found meaning... Not by waiting around until it struck you, but by pulling up your bootstraps making yourself genuinely useful, and the feedback loop begins....