Don’t lurk, do this instead

[fastlane_dad]

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.

The funny thing is this works great for any part of life you are working to improve. Whether thats getting stronger (physically), getting your finances in order, building a business, cleaning up your room or simply adding value on this forum. Interacting with the market, making small (but measurable) steps, and growing from there is key! Thanks for this post.

 

[Mommyp19]

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 so much for the encouragement! I am new to the forum but have already commented here and there. However, it is easy to feel like the odd one out when you enter a new group and can be difficult to make yourself visible. So thank you again, it is good to know that my participation is appreciated.

 

[sigmapreneur]

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.

After coming back to the forum from a long hiatus, I come across your post and....... I feel exposed and naked and a little guilty. I use to lurk on here without even logging in. And with LIFE getting in the way, I stopped coming to the forum. I have made a few posts here and there.

I also feel like I don't have value to add since I'm still a beginner in the entrepreneurial world and carrying the belief I need to figure things out for myself without asking for help at all. I've been meaning to post an intro but I wouldn't know where to even begin and what to say.

I guess I should start by saying 'Thanks'. Thanks for the post @Andy Black. I'm very thankful that a forum like this even exists. It's scary to me how much value is in here. There's so much information in here, how am I gonna apply it all?!

And thank you to @MJ DeMarco for your books. I'm on page 79 of the Rat Race Escape and I already LOVE IT!

 

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[Interstellar]

Thank you, let's make the world a better place

 

[Zooman009]

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 a lot Andy! honestly that's something I've been struggling with as I have grow up team consumer, but I'm grateful for this forum, and for all the books I've been able to read.

 

[Danny_Cox]

Come back and thank me later.

I'm gonna go ahead and thank you now! Gratitude has been a huge theme for me in the past five or so years. It changes everything. So thanks, and may we all enjoy an big collaborative upward spiral

 

[Albert KOUADJA]

Thanks @andy for this post.
I feel targeted.

From now on, I will comment and interact more.personally, i don't participate so much by what i think you'll take for someone who talks too much, and also i don't know the different ages of everyone here, i'm sure there are some who are old, like dad MJ. .according to our traditions to intervene while the great ones is rude. And in my opinion intervening uninvited would not be wise to me since we were very young, we were often forbidden not to talk to strangers and to pay a lot of attention to them. .I didn't have too much parental education but I acquired this lesson very deeply. And that made me an introverted person. And moreover, I often doubt if what I would share would be perceived with value. .but as, you post this post I will come out of my hiding place and comment more because it is the best way to also know my level of communications, to know myself and finally to improve. The other times I did it was out of great curiosity.
.I would love to see people ask me or ask questions if they find the posts incomprehensible, I will answer with pleasure..I would love to see people ask me or ask questions if they find the posts incomprehensible, I will answer with pleasure.

 

[pfadlos]

You're right man. I have to admit, I tend to take things for granted, hence why I often don't appreciate things. Something to work on. Giving a simple "thank you" or compliment, to someone you don't really know, can change their day and mood. So why not make the world a bit better.

Thank you for this reminder.

 

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[Andy Black]

what has been the most counterintuitive thing you have learned on your entreprenuerial journey?

That we already know enough.

 

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[Valtuck]

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 this, it was especially useful for me, I am always on the sidelines of everything, so starting to participate in the forum is helping me change my mindset from team consumer to team producer.

 

[Neptisces]

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.

This is great advice. Thank you and I look forward to contributing to this forum.

 

[DB1]

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.

Well said! I'm a new forum member and need to work on this, thanks Andy!

 

[Tyehaakon]

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.

You know, I really appreciate you sharing this. It's very true. I have let fear consume the better part of me my entire life.
I want to thank you. Your post allowed me to take action here. Team Producer all the way

 

[Tammyanne]

Oh Andy, how right you are!
Thanks for your reminder. I hope to get a Guiness with you somedays!

Sound's refreshing and fun! Yes, Andy well said always a good reminder.

 

[focusedlife]

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've been going through and seeing nothing but gold from you, lately, @Andy Black . Thank you!

 

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[gminfusion]

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.

100% Andy, 100%
I can tend to be a lurker but honestly i am really trying to learn what i can from many who are much more talented. BUT, i gotta say, contributing makes you feel you are part of the energy being created and that is good. I like what you say in your point list and I absolutely want to be part of the energy,
so i will put forth my energy and see how it all comes out in the wash.

I also read some of your posts on being the 'adwords guy'. I believe that is an excellent way to attract people without even trying and offering your help and advice for free or friendship, best sales tactic, ever.

My gig is 'email marketing' - so i suppose i would want to become known as that 'email marketing guy." I am still trying to learn the ropes and at 78 i am way behind but one thing i got going is i believe in carrying on.

My close. You really have yourself tuned in here and I will be paying close attention to what you have to say. Very nice to meet you.

Oh, and I just found out quite recently that i am 95% Irish. I guess now one of my primary goals will be to make enough revenue to get my missus and meself over there as soon as possible.

It's a pleasure indeed to get to know you and thank you for being here and spoutin' th' word!

 

[Jessica Reid]

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. And so true. I want to give as much as I'm sure I'll take from this amazing forum.

 

[DavidePaco00]

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, I need to thank You because Your post are allowing me to finally realize how to take action.

I think that analysis paralisys is the biggest obstacles for new entrepreneurs.

I understood that I don't need to provide value because I AM THE VALUE.

You don't need to build a brand, make social media page and complicated funnels, not in the beginning at least.

Even posting on forums, helping people everyday, will give You RESULTS in the long run.

Thank You very much Andy, you've helped me to break down one of my mental barriers.

Davide

 

[Claude Roy]

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

Thank you Andy, that is really kind of you. I just started lurking back on the forum after being off for a while. Your post helped me with 3 things:
- I always say thank you in life, even for little things people do so this is encouraging me to keep that good habit.
- It helped me realize that people care. You didn't have to write this post but yet you did because you genuinely wanted to help people. I sometimes forget that people actually care so that's also a great reminder.
- It gave me a little confidence boost that "I can do it". I can build something great and get paid for it. The feeling of not being able to add value, feeling a little bit "unworthy" so to speak is always in the back of my mind but your post, gave me a little belief in myself that I can join team producer as well.

PS: I really enjoyed the video version. The human connection is even better when seeing/hearing you.

Thank you

 

[Isaac Odongo]

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

Great wisdom there.
I began participating immediately I joined. That's some months ago. I haven't identified a benefit in anyway but I think this encouragement one such benefit. Besides, it makes me feel at home.

 

[redcrimson]

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

Thank you! I do this too often and reading this got me out of my head and back in the game. I'm new here and just half way through the book the Millionaire Fastlane . I'm happy to be apart of this, this is cool!

 

[EthanH]

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

Thanks Andy, I've been lurking here for a while and want to put it to an end. I've found lots of your posts very helpful. You mentioned "The 7 day Startup" in a comment some time ago and it's changed the way I view business and getting started in entrepreneurship altogether so thankyou very much.

 

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[Super Shiva]

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

Thank you very much for posting this, Mr. Black.

 

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[Keith501]

It's so obvious when someone spells it out, thankyou.

 

[piano]

I wrote a long a$$ post but decided to discard it because I felt like it didn't get my point across without sounding odd haha.

In short, this one of the most important threads on here in my opinion. Thanks for posting!

 

[Tomco]

Thank you for this post Andy! I realized that I have been lurking a good deal of my life, preferring to stay back and consume media rather than producing. Sometimes I find it hard where I should start, since the web is filled with online courses promising you a guided route to wealth; I don't really believe in them since, as you have already said, I believe in providing value with what I already know

Your comment on a previous post of mine lit a fire under me, and (after lurking some more) decided to take action and ask around my friend and work circles to try and figure out what's not working. Also, I know that previously you mentioned that perhaps we already know enough to produce, but I think that learning a leverage skill could be beneficial in the long term. That's why I took up practicing code in my free time, but I'm worried that I'm using this as a crutch to remain on team consumer.

However, I am ever grateful for your post, as now, I have a clearer picture of where to start, and I'll try and participate more often!

 

[Uzamiz102]

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

I guess it wouldn't make sense to see this post as new member and not thank you for initiating the start of me breaking my lurking habit.

Forum's have always been one of those things where I felt more comfortably lurking on them instead of participating, and even with groups I've only recently started participating in the ones I'm a member of, and through having convos and joining discussions I've met some really cool people. So I look forward to doing the same here.

 

[Brandonistaken]

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

Good post thanks for this reminder, its a good encouragement especially for new people.

 

[drAlly]

Thank you Andy for this great reminder

Greetings from North Mara, Tanzania

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

 

[Raedrum]

I began recently to welcome new people on TFF by commenting their intros, giving advices of what I knew about using the forum properly, people who helped me, etc...

I see you Andy Black doing it from time to time, I think it's great and this way I can participate regularly and usefully.

I quote the Get Started part of your signature everytime ^^

 

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