Don’t lurk, do this instead

[wanderinglex]

breaking my lurking streak (I joined 2 hours ago) - thanks for tipping me in the direction to contribute a little more - !

 

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

[Koen_88]

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.

Thanks Andy. Good post. Made me reconsider my activities on the forum. The feeling of posting to "The Void" is also a good one, I can resonate with that (not on the FFF persé).

My reason is that I'm not doing anything business wise, I had one freelance gig in the 4 years on the forum, and it didnt even ended very succesfull (got paid though). So I dont consider myself as someone who has anything to contribute.

 

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

[Andre Aguiar]

Thanks a lot for the tip. It's just what I needed to read today.
My wife said to me yesterday that I was becoming a little too selfish.

When I appreciate other people's efforts, I become happier with myself, but sometimes it's hard to do this everyday.

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

4) You’ll get into the habit of “giving thanks” properly (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.

 

[Vinz]

This applies to other parts of Life too. Work is much better since I started partecipating instead of minding my own, and I made some good relationships in the meanwhile.

 

[Tjack102]

I'm seriously going to start forcing myself to participate the forum. I get so nervous about posting anything online. I'll (re)start here. Thank you for the post. It speaks to me and you're right I all i want to do is lurk. This helps me see that maybe I do have something to contribute to this forum. And you can't argue with the pros you listed!

 

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

[100k]

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.

Thanks for posting this.

I found it short, to the point and useful.

Keep giving little nuggets of golds like this one.

Good day sir.

 

[Andy Black]

short, to the point and useful.

High praise indeed! Thanks @100k.

 

[ElPatrico]

Thank you for this post Andy. Sometimes all a person needs is something like this, quick call to action that will wake you up. I am a person that usually consumes 95% of content, and very rarely produces something. But this post gave me the "permission" to go and write something mine. Immediately went to forum that I lurk onto since a long time and I commented like 3 different posts.

And also here I am commenting this thread.

 

[amandangvs]

No longer lurking, thanks to Andy.

Uncertain how much i can contribute to this forum. But I want to try and be active and build postive relationships for accountability and inspiration.

Its people like Andy and MJ who put themselves out there that make me feel like, I can do it too.
Grateful I found this forum and thankful to everyone for being active and posting, sharing, inspiring, mentoring ect ect.

As a budding fastlane student, this forum is a gold mine!
Thank you for keeping it real!

 

[natashaquinn88]

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.

Hey Andy!

I love reading your posts and comments! You have so much wisdom to share. I definitely feel like a lurker but I’ve challenged myself to be more active in commenting and even posting. I really don’t like social media and have never been big on putting myself out there as Facebook and instagram and all the others seem so shallow and make me feel crappy the more time I spend on them. So I’ve got rid off the apps off my phone and spend all that time I would be spending on social media on this forum now. I am wondering though as I start to build a brand and business is it essential to be well versed in marketing with social media??

 

[jmrumble]

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.

Thanks! It's true though. A good way to keep the dynamic happening, and indeed perfect practice makes perfect

 

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

[Myatt]

Thanks Andy. I've been a wantrepreneur for years. As an introvert, one of the things that has held me back is that I know I'm going to have to talk to a lot more people than I'm comfortable with right now. Saying thanks to someone online is a comfortable baby step forward.

 

[Keith15203]

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.

@Andy Black Thanks for this post. It was the first one I read upon returning to the forum last week after not being around since last year.

It came at a time when I was particularly down (for non-business reasons) and needed it. And it help set my head and mindset back on a good path for my life and my business.

So,
Thanks for the reminder to be thankful and grateful.
Thanks for being an example and a leader here to help all of us that are struggling.
Thanks for being a real person.
Thanks for always responding and giving thoughtful comments that are constructive and productive.

And I'm working on trying to pay forward the spirit of your comment. I just posted a long Update Post on what's happened with me and my business over the last 16 months (some good, some bad, some tragic). I'm not sure it will help anyone but maybe my perseverance and struggle, and modest success, can help someone else, so I wanted to share.

 

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

[Temiweb]

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.


>>> Read a related post from 2015 <<<


Video version added Sep-2022:

View: https://youtube.com/shorts/bVydKMkGj-E

I've been on this platform for more than a year and this is my first comment. Thank you for this eye-opener!

 

[Gilly Crys]

I have been lurking here for months now, not even been able to introduce myself because I felt there was nothing interesting about my story, and I probably don't have anything valuable to contribute. Even though it might be true to some degree, it isn't wise to just sit around and consume, I should at least express some gratitude for the value I get. Thanks very much for this post @Andy Black, It was greatly needed.

 

[PC123]

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.


Video version added Sep-2022:

View: https://youtube.com/shorts/bVydKMkGj-E

Thanks for explaining how to maximize forum usage. Initially, I was overwhelmed but I get it now.

 

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

[krishna246]

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.


Video version added Sep-2022:

View: https://youtube.com/shorts/bVydKMkGj-E

Hey Andy! I am new here and this might a right first step in the forum

Thanks!

 

[Mr.Nichan]

I encourage people to try not to see the forum as a platform for consuming content, but more of a place to engage with people, help people, get help, etc.

Thank you Andy for putting this into words even though a forum (especially like this) should primarily be viewed as a place of information exchange, not consumption.

If you take your time and respond with giving thanks while also driving the discussion further you might even get tips and advice from others or their individual posts that really hits home in you particular situation. Trying to get advice from consumption will most likely never lead you to a perfectly good example that can be applied in your own situation.

So, thank you again! I'm new here since yesterday, so I'm still learning the ropes even navigating the forum.

And big thanks to @MJ DeMarco for creating this place for us to converge and share!

 

[B-qiri]

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.


Video version added Sep-2022:

View: https://youtube.com/shorts/bVydKMkGj-E

Thanks! I have been thinking how I could give back some value as I don't have great results to back up my input yet. I do have some ideas but this is definitely a good option I can immediately implement!

 

[shubham___3011]

Hey @Andy Black Ive been a part of this forum past a month you have been a great source of information to not only me but fellow fastlaners. The example you gave above I have been practicing that lately and really has helped me alot. Thank you so much

 

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

[Lou7]

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.


Video version added Sep-2022:

View: https://youtube.com/shorts/bVydKMkGj-E

Was thinking about this yesterday.

I'm not a millionaire yet, so I can't help with that LOL

But I can help with doing hard things and how to be happy I guess:

I overcame depression and anxiety, stay in shape duruing the whole year, my investments are doing great, I know how to fly planes for fun, did a sub 40min 6 mile race, my relatationship with my wife is great and she supports fastlane...among others

thanks

 

[ttblue]

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.


Video version added Sep-2022:

View: https://youtube.com/shorts/bVydKMkGj-E

Such a great reminder, not just for this forum, but every other aspects in life. Here is my first thanks in this forum thank you!

 

[Jinzou]

Thank you for your advice.
I love content that gives me new insights and challenges my knowledge, be it on Youtube or wherever, though I rarely ever comment anything. I've been in only a few forums this far and tried to be active at first but I always lost track of it soon after. Maybe because I wasn't engaged enough, perhaps because others didn't do what you advice here. I want to take it to heart and start anew.

Guess it's important to keep in mind that even small changes in our daily behavior can end up in something much bigger and positive.

 

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

[Vinz]

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

I urge you to participate instead.

Worried you don’t have value to add?

The easiest way you can participate is to “give 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 support them and help them keep going, possibly through dark times.

4) You’ll get into the habit of “giving thanks” properly (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.

Well, felt obligated to thank you
I like how everytime I log into this forum I find a gem. It reminds me how this is really a goldmine.


Love the analogy of your post with sales. These little things can make the difference in your life and business

 

[RexAnghelo]

It's so hard to shift, I'm trying too!

yeah its is, but like what they say, nothing worth it comes easy.

Have you posted your intro here? Maybe we can start from there

 

[Roido]

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

I urge you to participate instead.

Worried you don’t have value to add?

The easiest way you can participate is to “give 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” properly (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'm going to start by thanking you. Thank you for your post, for your encouragement. I'm new in this forum and I'm quite struggling how to participate in any way, so you're idea was like a light bulb showing how easy it should be.

 

[Dino_saur]

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

I urge you to participate instead.

Worried you don’t have value to add?

The easiest way you can participate is to “give 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” properly (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.

Thankyou sir! I’m new here, very useful to me

 

[fastlaner_1992]

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

I urge you to participate instead.

Worried you don’t have value to add?

The easiest way you can participate is to “give 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” properly (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.

So true brother,

I used to feel I'd need to have built something significant to participate, but then I realised that I always grow and that growth no matter how small or insignificant my (at times) insecure self believes it is, I actually have value to share and insights people can use.

So I agree guys/ gals on the forum don't lurk - jump in and enjoy the ride because....

you miss 100% of the shots you don't take.

Thanks Andy

 

[klaipeda]

The Surrender Experiment

Oh, this is nice. I just bought it. Thank you

 

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

[Andy Black]

I dont consider myself as someone who has anything to contribute.

This is very common. Except now you realise "giving thanks" contributes a lot of value.