With MJ’s new book Unscripted coming out soon I wanted to share with the Fastlane Forum members my challenges of breaking free of a successful “Slowlane” journey. My intent is to help myself through advice and insights as much as I help others avoid the same journey.
About me: I am 50yrs old living in the fun city of Las Vegas. I grew up in a small town in Ohio with the typical do good in school, go to college, get a good job at a factory or large company and save your money for retirement attitude. From the beginning I knew the “Scripted” life wasn’t for me. I always asked a lot of questions “why do I need to learn calculus, why do I need to know how to speak Spanish, etc.?” Being in a small town there wasn’t much opportunity so I joined the Air Force. My first real “scripted” choice. After 4yrs I knew the very controlled and limited life wasn’t for me so I got out (In Vegas). I immediately got a job at a Defense Contractor and here I am 27yrs later working for the same company. I completed my Bachelor of Science Degree in Computer Science and have moved up within the company to a mid level management. I make decent money (six figures) at least from a “slowlane” job. I have a family with three kids, one who is on her own now and two boys in college and working part time. I have a beautiful home I acquired during the housing downturn for a third of it original value. I drive Lexus cars but always buy them used and hold on to them for 10yrs. I get 6 weeks vacation a year although I am so busy I currently have 10 weeks on the books and can take no more than 2 weeks off at a time. I have money in a 401k and a limited pension that will allow me to buy food and pay my basic needs but certainly not live a freedom free life in my old age.
On the surface it seems like it is a great life to many. But deep down I know I cheated myself for the last 25yrs, I cheated my family, I cheated my soul. I sold out for a sure thing vs investing in myself for an eventual lifestyle of freedom and real wealth. I am one of those “cattle walking with the heard to slaughter” as MJ spoke of in his new book. Everyday I get up and go to work not knowing what changes the corporate world will throw my way. I work five days a week looking forward to the two days I can enjoy with my family and relax. Although I have a lot of vacation time on the books I can’t take them without my responsibilities piling up and more stress when I come back. I often get emails and calls for urgent needs that I need to drop everything and put it as a priority. Every year I might get a 3% raise IF I did an outstanding job of managing my department. Every year the corporation raises the cost of health care and takes benefits away from me. Every year I get older and wonder what the hell am I doing!
It’s time! It is time for me to take action to break the gravity of the slowlane herd mentality! It is time for me to use the skills and knowledge I have to help others and in turn build a successful business. I know deep down that once I take action I will succeed. The kick in the a$$ that The Fastlane Millionaire, Unscripted and this forum with like minded souls has provided me is greatly appreciated. It has taken me back to my earlier attitude before I followed the “script.” This post is just the first step but an important one. Feel free to kick me in the a$$ and being bold and honest! Cheers and respectfully!
About me: I am 50yrs old living in the fun city of Las Vegas. I grew up in a small town in Ohio with the typical do good in school, go to college, get a good job at a factory or large company and save your money for retirement attitude. From the beginning I knew the “Scripted” life wasn’t for me. I always asked a lot of questions “why do I need to learn calculus, why do I need to know how to speak Spanish, etc.?” Being in a small town there wasn’t much opportunity so I joined the Air Force. My first real “scripted” choice. After 4yrs I knew the very controlled and limited life wasn’t for me so I got out (In Vegas). I immediately got a job at a Defense Contractor and here I am 27yrs later working for the same company. I completed my Bachelor of Science Degree in Computer Science and have moved up within the company to a mid level management. I make decent money (six figures) at least from a “slowlane” job. I have a family with three kids, one who is on her own now and two boys in college and working part time. I have a beautiful home I acquired during the housing downturn for a third of it original value. I drive Lexus cars but always buy them used and hold on to them for 10yrs. I get 6 weeks vacation a year although I am so busy I currently have 10 weeks on the books and can take no more than 2 weeks off at a time. I have money in a 401k and a limited pension that will allow me to buy food and pay my basic needs but certainly not live a freedom free life in my old age.
On the surface it seems like it is a great life to many. But deep down I know I cheated myself for the last 25yrs, I cheated my family, I cheated my soul. I sold out for a sure thing vs investing in myself for an eventual lifestyle of freedom and real wealth. I am one of those “cattle walking with the heard to slaughter” as MJ spoke of in his new book. Everyday I get up and go to work not knowing what changes the corporate world will throw my way. I work five days a week looking forward to the two days I can enjoy with my family and relax. Although I have a lot of vacation time on the books I can’t take them without my responsibilities piling up and more stress when I come back. I often get emails and calls for urgent needs that I need to drop everything and put it as a priority. Every year I might get a 3% raise IF I did an outstanding job of managing my department. Every year the corporation raises the cost of health care and takes benefits away from me. Every year I get older and wonder what the hell am I doing!
It’s time! It is time for me to take action to break the gravity of the slowlane herd mentality! It is time for me to use the skills and knowledge I have to help others and in turn build a successful business. I know deep down that once I take action I will succeed. The kick in the a$$ that The Fastlane Millionaire, Unscripted and this forum with like minded souls has provided me is greatly appreciated. It has taken me back to my earlier attitude before I followed the “script.” This post is just the first step but an important one. Feel free to kick me in the a$$ and being bold and honest! Cheers and respectfully!
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