Hello everyone!
I’m David. I'm a 32-year-old software engineer, born and living in Poland. I've been in software engineering my entire career.
I first discovered the Fastlane forum/book around the time I started my professional career, which was in 2013. To be honest, I can’t complain. It did change my life completely. It was probably the most impactful knowledge I’ve gained to date.
Long story short, my parents always worked in blue-collar jobs, so I thought I was destined to do the same. You know, not because I really was, but because I, and people around me were thinking nothing else was possible. Somehow, anonymously browsing the forum, and reading the book, I got a confidence boost. I started believing that I can achieve a better position in life. I dreamed about being a software engineer.
I got my foot in the door at a bookstore/warehouse company as an IT guy, but got into programming from the beginning. I think, games helped a lot. Most of what I knew about software development was from the time when I was developing mods for Counter Strike 1.6, as a passion and hobby, not because I had read it pays well.
I then switched to a bigger company, where I stayed for 5 years. I went from software engineer, to team lead, to a manager. Great experience, gained even more confidence, and was able to see how other people work, even in higher positions. I got to see that they also don’t know everything, and don't have an answer to everything upfront.
Up to this point I was basically addicted to software engineering, so I became good at that. I also gained exposure to working with non-tech customers, and other aspects of business, not only managing software engineering teams.
After that, probably one of my best learning experience, but at the same time, a failure. I started my own company, with a colleague from work. We built our product (low-code tool) that then we’ve sold (licence to use). Our target customer base were non-tech companies that needed some internal business tooling, that we have created using our software. So in short, the customer just got a tool delivered. From the business perspective it doesn’t matter how it was built, but for me it was tech marvel and the most important aspect, which of course is the wrong way of thinking, and nobody cares.
The issue: I was a CEO/CTO (of basically 3 people so don’t dig much into that), co-founder was a sales/marketing guy, had one software engineer. I was spending 16 hours daily, even weekends, working on that. The business was bootstrapped and we were running short on money. Also the co-founder didn’t have as much experience as I thought to be very useful and we struggled with customer acquisition. This was also totally in his hands. He bailed, left me with everything, I “exited” by giving away the engineer and the software to our first customer.
Today I know I was thinking about it completely wrong. It stays with me to this day. Something I want to get rid of. Thinking as an engineer, a builder. Whatever idea or problem I hear, I am instantly in “how can I solve this using tech X”. No validation, no questions, no “does anyone want to buy it”. I know that’s not the way and I have to get rid of it. I have to fix my mindset.
I also had experience in something that was very scary for me. The administrative tasks of running a company, accounting, a limited company etc. I am past that. Of course I don’t know everything, but I’m no longer scared of it like it is a life threatening situation.
After that, by recommendation of a friend, I got a job as an engineering manager in a SaaS startup. Had a comfortable life, salary, paid my debts, two years passed. Gained a lot of experience, learned more about how non-tech founders think as I worked closely with them. I had a lot of exposure to hiring process (in a startup so not a lot of processes, the founder had zero experience with business and processes), but I got to interview many tech people. In the end, I think it was useful a experience.
After that I was on a break from work, not doing anything but just wasting money for a few months. Burnt out. Now I am working as a software engineer. I faked my experience, removing my leadership/management positions, as after my company and the last job at a startup, I was exhausted and was thinking that I will lay low and not have to care about much. It worked for 2 weeks and I am all over the place, speaking with other people as a lead. I am managing a project, deadlines, tasks etc. I don’t think I will be able to lay low. I am getting annoyed that I can’t do things I was able to do before as a manager, and this will probably lead me to getting fired for being a pain in the butt, or a promotion.
The thing is, I don’t want to work that way anymore. Time passes quickly, and I’ve lived the scripted life. I hope, I will be back on the Fastlane path. I don’t want to be a billionaire, I don’t want to be an inventor of new cool tech startup. I don’t want to look for something that was never done before and become a celebrity. I want to stop trading my time for money. If my tech experience can help, so be it, but I’m no longer necessarily locked into tech companies/solutions.
I only know one thing, to be comfortable and not stressing out 24/7, I won’t be diving into something without any financial thought. I am no longer that young guy who didn’t care if maybe in 6 months it will fail and what I will do. I won’t also work constantly long hours just for the sake of it. I don’t even know if it was actually productive or it just looked that way.
I’ll be thinking about something that I can bootstrap. Maybe even starting with something that targets very low income, some side business that I can start while being still employed. At least until I know the risk is small.
I’m David. I'm a 32-year-old software engineer, born and living in Poland. I've been in software engineering my entire career.
I first discovered the Fastlane forum/book around the time I started my professional career, which was in 2013. To be honest, I can’t complain. It did change my life completely. It was probably the most impactful knowledge I’ve gained to date.
Long story short, my parents always worked in blue-collar jobs, so I thought I was destined to do the same. You know, not because I really was, but because I, and people around me were thinking nothing else was possible. Somehow, anonymously browsing the forum, and reading the book, I got a confidence boost. I started believing that I can achieve a better position in life. I dreamed about being a software engineer.
I got my foot in the door at a bookstore/warehouse company as an IT guy, but got into programming from the beginning. I think, games helped a lot. Most of what I knew about software development was from the time when I was developing mods for Counter Strike 1.6, as a passion and hobby, not because I had read it pays well.
I then switched to a bigger company, where I stayed for 5 years. I went from software engineer, to team lead, to a manager. Great experience, gained even more confidence, and was able to see how other people work, even in higher positions. I got to see that they also don’t know everything, and don't have an answer to everything upfront.
Up to this point I was basically addicted to software engineering, so I became good at that. I also gained exposure to working with non-tech customers, and other aspects of business, not only managing software engineering teams.
After that, probably one of my best learning experience, but at the same time, a failure. I started my own company, with a colleague from work. We built our product (low-code tool) that then we’ve sold (licence to use). Our target customer base were non-tech companies that needed some internal business tooling, that we have created using our software. So in short, the customer just got a tool delivered. From the business perspective it doesn’t matter how it was built, but for me it was tech marvel and the most important aspect, which of course is the wrong way of thinking, and nobody cares.
The issue: I was a CEO/CTO (of basically 3 people so don’t dig much into that), co-founder was a sales/marketing guy, had one software engineer. I was spending 16 hours daily, even weekends, working on that. The business was bootstrapped and we were running short on money. Also the co-founder didn’t have as much experience as I thought to be very useful and we struggled with customer acquisition. This was also totally in his hands. He bailed, left me with everything, I “exited” by giving away the engineer and the software to our first customer.
Today I know I was thinking about it completely wrong. It stays with me to this day. Something I want to get rid of. Thinking as an engineer, a builder. Whatever idea or problem I hear, I am instantly in “how can I solve this using tech X”. No validation, no questions, no “does anyone want to buy it”. I know that’s not the way and I have to get rid of it. I have to fix my mindset.
I also had experience in something that was very scary for me. The administrative tasks of running a company, accounting, a limited company etc. I am past that. Of course I don’t know everything, but I’m no longer scared of it like it is a life threatening situation.
After that, by recommendation of a friend, I got a job as an engineering manager in a SaaS startup. Had a comfortable life, salary, paid my debts, two years passed. Gained a lot of experience, learned more about how non-tech founders think as I worked closely with them. I had a lot of exposure to hiring process (in a startup so not a lot of processes, the founder had zero experience with business and processes), but I got to interview many tech people. In the end, I think it was useful a experience.
After that I was on a break from work, not doing anything but just wasting money for a few months. Burnt out. Now I am working as a software engineer. I faked my experience, removing my leadership/management positions, as after my company and the last job at a startup, I was exhausted and was thinking that I will lay low and not have to care about much. It worked for 2 weeks and I am all over the place, speaking with other people as a lead. I am managing a project, deadlines, tasks etc. I don’t think I will be able to lay low. I am getting annoyed that I can’t do things I was able to do before as a manager, and this will probably lead me to getting fired for being a pain in the butt, or a promotion.
The thing is, I don’t want to work that way anymore. Time passes quickly, and I’ve lived the scripted life. I hope, I will be back on the Fastlane path. I don’t want to be a billionaire, I don’t want to be an inventor of new cool tech startup. I don’t want to look for something that was never done before and become a celebrity. I want to stop trading my time for money. If my tech experience can help, so be it, but I’m no longer necessarily locked into tech companies/solutions.
I only know one thing, to be comfortable and not stressing out 24/7, I won’t be diving into something without any financial thought. I am no longer that young guy who didn’t care if maybe in 6 months it will fail and what I will do. I won’t also work constantly long hours just for the sake of it. I don’t even know if it was actually productive or it just looked that way.
I’ll be thinking about something that I can bootstrap. Maybe even starting with something that targets very low income, some side business that I can start while being still employed. At least until I know the risk is small.
Dislike ads? Become a Fastlane member:
Subscribe today and surround yourself with winners and millionaire mentors, not those broke friends who only want to drink beer and play video games. :-)
Membership Required: Upgrade to Expose Nearly 1,000,000 Posts
Ready to Unleash the Millionaire Entrepreneur in You?
Become a member of the Fastlane Forum, the private community founded by best-selling author and multi-millionaire entrepreneur MJ DeMarco. Since 2007, MJ DeMarco has poured his heart and soul into the Fastlane Forum, helping entrepreneurs reclaim their time, win their financial freedom, and live their best life.
With more than 39,000 posts packed with insights, strategies, and advice, you’re not just a member—you’re stepping into MJ’s inner-circle, a place where you’ll never be left alone.
Become a member and gain immediate access to...
- Active Community: Ever join a community only to find it DEAD? Not at Fastlane! As you can see from our home page, life-changing content is posted dozens of times daily.
- Exclusive Insights: Direct access to MJ DeMarco’s daily contributions and wisdom.
- Powerful Networking Opportunities: Connect with a diverse group of successful entrepreneurs who can offer mentorship, collaboration, and opportunities.
- Proven Strategies: Learn from the best in the business, with actionable advice and strategies that can accelerate your success.
"You are the average of the five people you surround yourself with the most..."
Who are you surrounding yourself with? Surround yourself with millionaire success. Join Fastlane today!
Join Today
