has this forum helped you out, or just mental masterbation?

[IceCreamKid]

For me personally, the real value comes from the relationships created behind the scenes. There are many members who no longer post here that I communicate with on a daily basis through Skype. Many have helped me and I have helped others as well.

There is enough laid out in the progress threads for you to learn from and take action on. You learn a lot more by seeing a business from the "front row seats" though. Since there are so many members here, the nitty gritty details are often left out and it's those finer points where you really learn a ton. I learned a lot from being able to see how AllenCrawley marketed his product. No, don't ask me what his product is.

I'm in the process of licensing an idea of mine the Stephen Key way. Vigilante deserves credit for introducing me to the concept of licensing through his thread. If the deal closes I'll fill you in on what it is and how it got done. It's a wild numbers game.

So has the forum helped me reach my financial goals? Yes, but it's not like I read a thread and magically became free from a job the next day. Just be careful not to get stuck in "dreamland mode".

There are 5 types of people in life and on this forum:
1. Mr. Give Up Fast-Gives up too easily. He bounces from idea to idea, doesn't really believe in himself, and likes to blame others for his lifestyle.

2. Mr. Douchebag-Likes to criticize everybody and tell others why XYZ idea won't work. His life kinda sucks and focuses a lot of his energy putting down others, but doesn't really take a moment to analyze who he really is portraying.

3. Mr. Dreamer- Has big dreams for himself, but lacks the focus to grind out the work. Don't worry though, he'll eventually have an "OH CRAP" moment when he realizes he's getting older and hasn't done much. Then he'll become an action taking machine.

4. Mr. Hustler- This guy takes action nonstop. Possibly creates multiple streams of income for himself. Craigslist flipping, side jobs, constantly taking action. This guy gets stuff done.

5. Mr. Emma Watson- Takes action nonstop just like Mr. Hustler, BUT with an additional ingredient: he thinks very strategically about what he's doing. Am I building a brand that I can sell? Am I creating a system with tangible assets or am I the asset that cannot be sold? He sees the big picture.

 

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[MJ DeMarco]

Some people use rope to climb walls and giant obstacles.... others use it to hang themselves.

 

[theag]

i have a quick and simple question... has this forum actually helped in getting you closer to your financial goal? if so the how? please share a story or two

Yes.

When I first read MJ's book in 2011 I was a know-it-all. I dropped out of a very prestigious university that I worked very hard to even get in to. I also walked away from job offers in the M&A department of 2 of the top investment banks (think GS, MS, JPM, DB...), which at the time was my goal for the last 3 years and everything I worked for. This career included a 6-figure salary at 21 and a pretty much guaranteed path to millions a few years down the line if I stuck to it.

So why? Because I suddenly had this itch that it was the wrong path and that I really wanted to be an entrepreneur. So I had this idea, tried to raise money for it, got 100k but they dropped out later, which was good because the idea sucked and I would have lost them all the money.

After that I went into 2 years of depression and bounced from idea to idea, part time job to part time job, got into more and more debt. A few months ago something clicked again and I found a scalable winner process. Now my business does mid 5-figures a month, is on track to do 6-figures a month soon at very healthy margins and I will take it to 8 figures in the next 5 years.

I took literally thousands of little knowledge nuggets, hints, tips, resources and experiences that I found all over the forum to make my business and myself as a person to what it and I am today. I still have a very long way to go but I'm on the path.

So yeah, the forum kinda helped me.

5. Mr. Emma Watson- Takes action nonstop just like Mr. Hustler, BUT with an additional ingredient: he thinks very strategically about what he's doing. Am I building a brand that I can sell? Am I creating a system with tangible assets or am I the asset that cannot be sold? He sees the big picture.

This.

 

[AndrewNC]

i have a quick and simple question... has this forum actually helped in getting you closer to your financial goal? if so the how? please share a story or two

Before forum: $250 in bank account, no job for 2 years
After forum: Haven't needed a job since June, make passive income, 3 businesses that make money, traveling the country and the world in 2015.

Forum reading + no progress each day = you will be stuck in the same place
knowledge from forum + networking from forum + putting that action into use on a regular basis = what I described above.

Learn, network, and take action.

 

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[IceCreamKid]

I have a hate/love relationship with the forum.

I love that people are doing things
I hate that almost everyone just talks about mindset and actual tactics on growth or whatever. (some threads have bits of information but, coming here for the small bits here and there is a waste)

And before someone says something about my mind set - I'm doing just fine with my own startup and my mindset is 100% that's why I wish there was more tactics/strategy discussed.

Thank you for posting your thoughts out in the open like this. I'm willing to bet there are many others just like you who would like to see more tactics on growth, but are too scared to request it out in the open.

Some may view it as an attack on the forum, but really it's an opportunity to learn and make this place better.

I will keep this in mind and post some tactical goods going forward, my brother.

edit: This is by far one of the best underground books on scaling.
http://www.amazon.com/Scaling-Up-Companies-Rockefeller-Habits/dp/0986019526/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1418598987&sr=8-1&keywords=scaling up

Also check Mixergy for their Master Class courses. They offer an incredible value for the amount they charge if you wish to learn tactical info about almost anything(negotiating, driving traffic, online marketing, copywriting, scaling, dealing with employees, venture capital, finding a niche, etc).

Best of luck on your journey.

 

[Xel]

Only you can help yourself to reach your own financial goal. No forum is going to do that for you. That being said this forum is very motivating if you let it be. There is a wealth of information and some very motivated and successful people have laid out their process. Use that and make it your own and you will reach whatever goals you set for yourself, providing you hold yourself to them.

If I have leaned anything from this forum. Reaching your financial goals is a process, not an event. Reading this forum wont change your life. Taking the knowledge that you learn here and applying it to your own personal process and not giving up when you fail may just be life changing.

 

[1step]

Today was my best sales day yet. I made more today than I made in 2 months at my last job. It wouldn't have happened without the forum. I am not special, there are hundreds of people just like me on here. I just wonder how you have been here since April and haven't seen it for yourself?

 

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[AllenCrawley]

There are more than a few stories found in the progress threads. With that said I'm sure there are many, many that read and visit the forum daily and think they are accomplishing something but in reality they are not.

 

[Vigilante]

I have a hate/love relationship with the forum.

I love that people are doing things
I hate that almost everyone just talks about mindset and actual tactics on growth or whatever. (some threads have bits of information but, coming here for the small bits here and there is a waste)

And before someone says something about my mind set - I'm doing just fine with my own startup and my mindset is 100% that's why I wish there was more tactics/strategy discussed.

Reoccurring theme for you. Still waiting for soneone to hand it to you in a package with a bow on top. You are old enough to know the world doesn't owe you shit.

 

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[Darius]

For me, this forum and the friends I've developed from it, have destroyed my previous way of thinking and mindset. I'm still surprised at how much your mindset contributes to the success of anything.

When I first got on this forum, I read every thread, every reply, and those from the beginning of forum time. I learned a lot but only what my mindset could process and understand.

Once my mindset got destroyed and rebuilt, it was really like I swallowed the matrix pill. I go back and look at the SAME POST that I read before the mindset change & POOF, it's new information everywhere. Everything I didn't understand or couldn't see before, is now available. My brain can now decode and utilize it.

I believe as I go further down this journey and my way of thinking constantly improves, I'll be able to go back and look at the same post once again and there will be new knowledge there for me to absorb that my brain couldn't process before.

In my case, the more knowledge I absorb, the easier starting a business gets (Makes me more comfortable to risk more time, money, etc..)
and more experience = more likely to succeed

 

[DeletedUser394]

Yo, it's 'masturbation'.

Trust me, I know.


edit: I'm referring to the spelling, not the forum.

 

[SeanyHang]

it literally depends on who you ask @charles J .

I wont even lie - this entire week (my finals week) I've totally been using this forum as a place of entertainment. I get bored of writing a paper - hop onto fastlane forum, cycle over to reddit, cycle over to facebook, and get crackin' with the school work again.

But that being said, I have learned so freakin' much about business in general (I'm a songwriter at heart with a rambling mans soul, who's a communication major and artist.. I never used to want anything to do with business) from forming llc's to marketing practices to importing and everything in between. I take what I learn and I apply it and it has undoubtedly made me decent money. Am I retired? No. But am I taking the steps to get there? Hope so

I honestly love seeing people's progress too. Seeing what @Vick and @AllenCrawley and @Ecom man have done is truly inspiring and in reading their posts you not only get a sense of entertainment in the same way you would when watching tv.. You learn practical lessons that you can apply! I honestly love the people on this forum even the ones I haven't personally talked to one on one. The guys I mentioned above (and many more) probably don't even realize it, but they've guided and mentored me in so many ways and I'm sure most people who've been on the forum for awhile feel the same way.

So as I wrap this up. The Fastlane Forum is what you make it. As @IceCreamKid stated, there's ALL KINDS of people here who have a different view on life and will give you a different opinion- which is great - You want that. You can sit on here and waste time (which Is kind of what I'm doing right now) or you can sit on here and apply the things that you learn ASAP. Will being here make you a millionaire? No. But being the type of person who comes here, talks to their fellow members and applies what they learn will significantly increase the odds that you will one day be a millionaire and more importantly proud of who you are.

 

[MJ DeMarco]

I hate that almost everyone just talks about mindset and actual tactics on growth or whatever.

This is true, particularly on the outside. However IMO, this is what's necessary. If I was forced to estimate the # of folks who don't have the mental Fastlane fortitude, at least hanging out on the outside, I'd say it was about 3 out of 5. So the mind needs to be right before moving forward for the strong majority. @Darius 's post is a prime example of what changing mindset can do, as well as @IceCreamKid 's body of postings.

The inside is more results oriented, and nuts-and-bolts. When you see someone start something from absolutely FREAKING NOTHING, and 6-months later, they report their first sales, their first customers, and their first profits, it's absolutely "jump-up-and-down-on-the-bed" exciting.

It's also difficult to discuss nuts-and-bolts when everyone is protecting their business IP from theft from money chasers, which you mentioned yourself in your own progress posts. Someone lurking and looking for the step-by-step, paint-by-number process that can be easily executed compliments of a kind Fastlaner, does NOT have the right mindset. And I'm not sure it could be changed, but its worthwhile to try.

Congrats on your first sale.

 

[sle3pyguii]

Before FLF: $0 earned from doing things.
After FLF: $100 earned from doing things.

 

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[Digamma]

Ok, now someone must explain this Emma Watson fetish on this forum.

 

[jazb]

If you can't learn anything from the big guys on the forum like zen*******, jack edwards etc then no one can help you. go through all their posts and thats basically free mentorship from multi millionaires who have been doing this for 25+ years.

I think people take for granted just how much knowledge they have. Its hard to find people like that in real life. go read their posts !!!

 

[theag]

Too bad both of these guys are shady as balls.

You dont have to build a rebill diet pill business to be able to learn from zen's posts.

 

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[Vigilante]

PS - @theag, have you spoken to any "guppies"?

Lets steer this back to the subject guys. Lets not litigate that off topic topic here.

 

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[Unknown]

I had also been reading the rich dad poor dad when I dug around and found most of his stuff is scams, shadow money, "Ideas" , there arent really 2 dads, or there are but the story is skewed, and everytime I called they wanted 5k just to get in the door.


TMF has one huge selling point is that MJ actually lived it. There are no lies or girls in small outfits selling the product while also warping your mindset. Its tough. Its harsh. That alone weeds out the weak.

I read the same stuff about it, but that book is still eye opening. Before reading it I didn't see any of the possibilities that he discusses in his book. Maybe he didn't actually live the story, but the story still opened up a whole new world for many people. Without it I never would have come across TMF .

 

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[Vigilante]

I think the analogy in RDPD is still solid. The paradigm shift is still valuable.

 

[beatgoezon]

Hey guys, I haven't posted much recently at all, but I think this could answer the question.

Actually, this forum has helped me to STOP mental masturbation for a very simple reason:
It's result oriented, and eventually I felt ashamed of the amount of time I was spending "making myself feel busy" without getting anything done.

Like I've said before, you'll usually you'll talk about what you've read, or what you WANT to do instead of DOING it, and you'll feel good about the "progress" you're making, but on the Fastlane Forum, all that matters is results.

It's embarrassing to say but I suppose that when I joined about a year ago, I was just a mental masturbator. Reading thread after thread, I noticed a pattern: The people here prevent you from having a false sense of progress because the common pattern which helped me break out of mental masturbation was that results are the only thing which matter.

Because of the result oriented individuals of this forum, I was forced in early 2014 to stop MMing and begin.
I learned more from 3 months of work than I learn from 2 years of mentally masturbating to "success porn"!

Currently I'm learning Objective-C and Cocoa touch and will be filling in the progress of what I'm doing (iOS applications), and the only reason I started was because after a month or two of mental masturbation here, you're either going to :
1) Quit and blame MJ DeMarco for showing you the reality of entrepreneurship by writing such a mean book...
or
2) Realize that as good as Mental Masturbation feels, you have to leave the wantrepreneur mindset and transcend into the entrepreneurial mindset to reach your destination, no matter how hard it may be...

This year was the best and worst year for me, but I wouldn't trade it in for anything because it gave me something greater: experience of what it feels like to be a dedicated and committed entrepreneur on the Fastlane.

The year's coming to an end (again lol) and if you still haven't quite left the habit of mental masturbation, make this the year you no longer need to "keep learning" and begin applying all that you know for your Fastlane freedom.

Thank you for all the slaps in the face that helped me get on the right track. I wish you all the best on your quests for freedom...

 

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[Catalyst]

*sigh* chasing money. Read the forum, it has served as a launching board for many successful businesses at this point.

 

[TedM]

I'm amazed that all you guys really took the time to answer the OP's post.

 

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[theag]

That's not what Im referring to.

You dont need to be a guppy to learn from zen's posts.

Better?

The stuff he wrote is still very valuable and true.

 

[Fotis]

I learned copywriting after being introduced to it by the legendary post of zen's secrets. I am no practicing it frequently but I learned how to sell. I also got introduced to Harry's Browne "The secret to selling anything", the best book on selling I have ever read. It has made closing personal training sessions much easier, giving me a great template.

I quit my previous job and I took a risk of moving alone, away from my mother, to a different city, just cause I had one friend who believed in me (If I had not read TMF I would still be waking up at 6 in the morning, going to work, getting home at 6 and have zero energy).

I tried publishing, both on Kindle with a fellow TMF -er and alone through my blog. It was not successful but I was reminded the concept of value.

I am experimenting with Teespring, and I forgot again the commandment of value. Hopefully the third time I will remember it.

I will also try the tactic laid out by IceCreamKid (again) on contacting top performers in a niche I am interested in.

So the forum helped me. Definitely. I took action, some things failed and I lost money, some went meh and I got some money but I am still getting inspired to try new things and learn. I feel sad for not starting earlier (I am 26 and I somehow feel like I have only until 30 to become financially independent) but I am willing to keep going by reminding myself my "why's" ^_^

 

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[Forodstar]

The company you keep determines a lot about how your life is going to play out. You could hang out with some deadbeats at the pub. Your TV obsessed family. Or what or not. Or you could hang out with some crazed money tree architects/wannabe money tree architects and maybe even become a money tree architect yourself.

No forum, no one bit of advice, no magic system can change your life. No one is coming to save you, it has to be you.

 

[Esquire]

Every now and then ... I have a question about something ... and seek out some feedback on the forum.

I've gotten some very good responses.

For example ... a couple months ago I asked for some good resources on blogging ... and someone recommended I check out David Risley's Blog Marketing Academy.

So I did ... and learned all sorts of great stuff about blogging that has been very helpful.

I can probably rattle off a dozen instances like that.

Small things ... that make a big difference.

The forums are not going to make anyone rich -- only you can do that.

But it is a great resource ... there's a lot of value here.

 

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[DeletedUser394]

There are 5 types of people in life and on this forum:
1. Mr. Give Up Fast-Gives up too easily. He bounces from idea to idea, doesn't really believe in himself, and likes to blame others for his lifestyle.

2. Mr. Douchebag-Likes to criticize everybody and tell others why XYZ idea won't work. His life kinda sucks and focuses a lot of his energy putting down others, but doesn't really take a moment to analyze who he really is portraying.

3. Mr. Dreamer- Has big dreams for himself, but lacks the focus to grind out the work. Don't worry though, he'll eventually have an "OH CRAP" moment when he realizes he's getting older and hasn't done much. Then he'll become an action taking machine.

4. Mr. Hustler- This guy takes action nonstop. Possibly creates multiple streams of income for himself. Craigslist flipping, side jobs, constantly taking action. This guy gets stuff done.

5. Mr. Emma Watson- Takes action nonstop just like Mr. Hustler, BUT with an additional ingredient: he thinks very strategically about what he's doing. Am I building a brand that I can sell? Am I creating a system with tangible assets or am I the asset that cannot be sold? He sees the big picture.

Solid post.


I identify with all 5 categories. So I think you should add a 6th category.. 'Mr. Egotistical Maniac'.

 

[GuestUser113]

Yo, it's 'masturbation'.

Trust me, I know.

 

[TennisOrDie]

For me personally, the real value comes from the relationships created behind the scenes. There are many members who no longer post here that I communicate with on a daily basis through Skype. Many have helped me and I have helped others as well.

There is enough laid out in the progress threads for you to learn from and take action on. You learn a lot more by seeing a business from the "front row seats" though. Since there are so many members here, the nitty gritty details are often left out and it's those finer points where you really learn a ton. I learned a lot from being able to see how AllenCrawley marketed his product. No, don't ask me what his product is.

I'm in the process of licensing an idea of mine the Stephen Key way. Vigilante deserves credit for introducing me to the concept of licensing through his thread. If the deal closes I'll fill you in on what it is and how it got done. It's a wild numbers game.

So has the forum helped me reach my financial goals? Yes, but it's not like I read a thread and magically became free from a job the next day. Just be careful not to get stuck in "dreamland mode".

There are 5 types of people in life and on this forum:
1. Mr. Give Up Fast-Gives up too easily. He bounces from idea to idea, doesn't really believe in himself, and likes to blame others for his lifestyle.

2. Mr. Douchebag-Likes to criticize everybody and tell others why XYZ idea won't work. His life kinda sucks and focuses a lot of his energy putting down others, but doesn't really take a moment to analyze who he really is portraying.

3. Mr. Dreamer- Has big dreams for himself, but lacks the focus to grind out the work. Don't worry though, he'll eventually have an "OH CRAP" moment when he realizes he's getting older and hasn't done much. Then he'll become an action taking machine.

4. Mr. Hustler- This guy takes action nonstop. Possibly creates multiple streams of income for himself. Craigslist flipping, side jobs, constantly taking action. This guy gets stuff done.

5. Mr. Emma Watson- Takes action nonstop just like Mr. Hustler, BUT with an additional ingredient: he thinks very strategically about what he's doing. Am I building a brand that I can sell? Am I creating a system with tangible assets or am I the asset that cannot be sold? He sees the big picture.

I feel like these are almost phases in the development of an entrepreneur. We've all been at 1, 2, and 3. What separates the men from the boys are steps 4 and 5. However, to reach step 5 you first gotta learn to hustle.

Phases

 

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