How to tell my slowlane parents about fastlane without making them sad about their wasted life?

[DrunkFish]

I also think its condescending. Not everyone needs to be making tons of money or running their own thing to be happy. You can definitely have a 9-5 and be happy or content. And like others say, show don't tell. Your life isn't his.

 

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[Real Deal Denver]

Reading your post made me feel so dirty, I had to go take a shower to rub off the distaste.

Me too. I just had a conversation with my wife yesterday, that fits into this mindset. I told her I have passed the stage in life of having an ego to protect. That is so refreshing. However, I have not been able to get past the stage of leaning on someone that has an oversized ego. I know many successful people, and I can honestly say that not one of them feels superior to me. Even though a few of them have a few million more than I do in the bank. They earned their success, and they certainly deserve it. And along the way, they were humbled by the process, which made them even more successful. One millionaire I know, and greatly admire, has a billionaire business partner. So, in the whole scheme of things, my multi-millionaire friend is just a sixth grader on the play ground of life. Sure he looks big to me - cause I'm just a first grader. But next to his partner, he's a dwarf. Get rid of the ego. The older generation had a lot on us that you may not realize. Quality of life. Love and faithfulness to their families. Solid morals. I could go and on - but my point is that I don't think they're making people better these days, as a general rule. I actually feel sorry for most people under 30 today. The crap they have for music and entertainment is, well - crap.

That is what I do, yes.
I will be the hero to rescue my family out of financial restrictions, willing to be earning more than the rest of my family combined

On the other hand, this is a very noble goal. I congratulate you on this outstanding frame of mind to have. These are the comments that bring tears to my eyes and make me proud to know there are people like you out there that don't put themselves first in everything. Kudos for learning this very important lesson in life! Some never do.

A final note I will leave you with is to give your Dad the book. If he is anything like me, he will completely enjoy the book, and that may lead to developing common ground for you and him to discuss and grow with. I bet your Dad has more than a little advice he could offer you which will improve things for you. Or, to rephrase that even better - BOTH of you. Ask his advice. You might be surprised what he has to offer. At the very least, he might not be interested at all, but I am sure he will be proud to watch you from the sidelines and be your biggest fan. Open that door! You never know what it may lead to!

 

[Silver Silk]

Show don't tell.

That's true, entrepreneurship is a lonely but rewarding road

 

[WorldImperator]

Of the most good answers here few are more than right:

1. Do not tell him that he Lost his life on slowlane. Determining that everyone wants to be a fastlaner is a great myth. In fact, a very small portion of society wants to have their own business. There are several reasons for it and if people are happy working 9-5 there absolutely nothing wrong with it. Your father may be more than happy while spending his life like that.

2. Telling him that he waste his life, you just put him in a coffin and making him being still at 67 unable to have a life that he wants. KFC owner opened his business while being 67 or so. Warren Buffet is at his 80 and still living full life. Arthur Rubinstein and Vladimir Horowitz were giving mind blowing piano recitals while being over 80 years old, playing most demanding piano repertoire ever written. And by many, in case of Horowitz, it was told that his playing at his old age was like coming directly from heaven.

3. Give him the book and let him do the decision by himself. Not everyone wants to be an entrepreneur, and he may have other plans for the rest of his life. But on the contrary, still nothing stops him from starting a billion dollar worth company.

4. Indeed, he will be more than happy to see that you succeeded on your way. There is really hard to find anything, what makes parents happy than to see their children having a good life whenfollowing their own path. You will be a big reason for him to be proud of who he made you and who you became.

5. I see you are trying too hard to change the world. Instead, find your way in that to be happy and let everyone follow its own path.

6. Respect everyone without thinking that someone is slowlaner or fastlaner. All big companies are being managed by people who would you called slowlaners, but they earn anything between 1-20 million EUR yearly.

7. Being slowlaner by yourself, and making your own company big, you will need to hire and listen to highly experienced slowlaner like financial director, accountant, lawyers, technical specialists and so on.

 

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[Real Deal Denver]

6. Respect everyone without thinking that someone is slowlaner or fastlane. All big companies are being managed by people who would you called slowlaners, but the earn anything between 1-20 million EUR yearly.

Excellent post, but I especially like the above excerpted portion.