The Entrepreneur Forum | Financial Freedom | Starting a Business | Motivation | Money | Success

Welcome to the only entrepreneur forum dedicated to building life-changing wealth.

Build a Fastlane business. Earn real financial freedom. Join free.

Join over 80,000 entrepreneurs who have rejected the paradigm of mediocrity and said "NO!" to underpaid jobs, ascetic frugality, and suffocating savings rituals— learn how to build a Fastlane business that pays both freedom and lifestyle affluence.

Free registration at the forum removes this block.

I met them on the internet?

Sid23

Bronze Contributor
Speedway Pass
User Power
Value/Post Ratio
17%
Aug 9, 2007
682
114
I feel like a lot of the exercises, advice and posts I read on this fourm are fantastic. I was talking to a friend yesterday about some of the ideas and he asked how I know some of you.

I told him I never met any of you personally but I have corresponded via this forum. He said, "So you are making life plans based on advice from random people on the internet? WHY WOULD YOU DO THAT?"

I tried to explain further but didn't get anywhere.

Have any of you had experiences like this? How did you explain the "validity" of the ideas presented here?
 
Dislike ads? Remove them and support the forum: Subscribe to Fastlane Insiders.

biophase

Legendary Contributor
FASTLANE INSIDER
EPIC CONTRIBUTOR
Read Unscripted!
Summit Attendee
Speedway Pass
User Power
Value/Post Ratio
474%
Jul 25, 2007
9,122
43,266
Scottsdale, AZ
The alternative is to make life plans based on individuals you know like your friend. But somehow I don't think that that would be any better. The fact that you have not met anyone personally on here does not really matter when you really think about who you really know in person. Does walking into a financial planner and sitting down for a 2 hour meeting really change that you just met the person 2 hours ago? Same goes for your accountant and doctor.

On these forums you can have a running dialogue lasting days, weeks and months with a person. I'm sure that after a while you would feel as if you knew that person more than just a random person.

I've met many of the people on this forum. The biggest change after meeting them is that you can put a face with the name. I never felt that once I met them that they went from random strangers to friends instantly.
 

AroundTheWorld

Be in the Moment
FASTLANE INSIDER
Speedway Pass
User Power
Value/Post Ratio
68%
Jul 24, 2007
2,871
1,950
.
Ya, if people haven't experienced it for themselves - it is hard to understand.

Maybe point them to the site.
Or point them to RDPD books (later MJ's book - when he is done with it!) and then say that we are a group of people that are living life by those lessons.
 
Dislike ads? Remove them and support the forum: Subscribe to Fastlane Insiders.

Kevin

PARKED
User Power
Value/Post Ratio
0% - New User
Nov 14, 2007
13
0
NYC
kurtyordy

I have the same problem with "friends" of mine

Biophase- great analogy
 

Yankees338

Bronze Contributor
User Power
Value/Post Ratio
8%
Jul 24, 2007
1,800
149
33
NJ/MD
Very good points here...

This is a similar to a situation I was in about a year ago. I used to take part in these baseball simulation leagues where we essentially run teams as a GM (like fantasy sports but more in-depth). After about a year, I became very friendly with some of the guys from the league. It seemed like I'd known them for years, and we all seemed to get along great even though I was at least a few years younger than them all. But when I'd tell people stories about them or conversations we'd have, they'd call me crazy. I guess some things just aren't meant for everyone...
 

Bilgefisher

Bronze Contributor
Read Fastlane!
User Power
Value/Post Ratio
17%
Aug 29, 2007
1,815
308
Aurora, Co
To be honest, I almost prefer first meeting folks this way. My eyes and ears no longer betray me on first impressions. Their intelligence is the first thing you notice, not their purple hair. Besides, its not like you are actually making the entire decision based on what you read here. I get plenty of excellent advice on these forums, but its not the only source I use.
 
Dislike ads? Remove them and support the forum: Subscribe to Fastlane Insiders.

hakrjak

Bronze Contributor
Read Fastlane!
User Power
Value/Post Ratio
7%
Sep 15, 2007
1,887
127
Colorado Springs
We have some investment clubs in my area, but since they meet on the nights that I have my kids -- I usually can't attend their live meetings. I prefer to participate on their message boards, and message boards like this one to bounce my ideas and get advice.

Some of the people here I've known for years, and I have a lot more in common with those people than some of my face to face friends.

Cheers,

- Hakrjak
 

Jason_MI

New Contributor
User Power
Value/Post Ratio
8%
Jul 25, 2007
106
8
The easiest way to make your friends or family see the value in the work, and relationships that you have here is to be successful.



I have a link somewhere here to my local assessor's site that shows me buying a house on one day for 7K and selling it the next for70K. That stops a lot of conversations. :cool:
 

SteveO

Legendary Contributor
FASTLANE INSIDER
EPIC CONTRIBUTOR
Summit Attendee
Speedway Pass
User Power
Value/Post Ratio
456%
Jul 24, 2007
4,228
19,294
I tell my wife all the time "I read it on the internet, so it must be true!". :smx6:
 
Dislike ads? Remove them and support the forum: Subscribe to Fastlane Insiders.

Jonleehacker

Gold Contributor
Read Fastlane!
Speedway Pass
User Power
Value/Post Ratio
61%
Oct 31, 2007
1,845
1,124
Edmonton, Canada
The word "met" is an interesting one when applied to the internet. I find that there is no difference really.

I "met" in person, a lot of the people on this forum a couple years ago after only knowing them online and I found that I already did know them from the online interactions, much the same as if I had know them in real life. There was a level of comfort there from the online interactions.

As for taking advice, well, you have to learn to develop your own instincts about who to trust and who not to, whether online or offline. It's your responsibility to steer the ship no matter who suggests things to you.
 

andviv

Gold Contributor
Read Fastlane!
Summit Attendee
Speedway Pass
User Power
Value/Post Ratio
40%
Jul 27, 2007
5,361
2,143
Washington DC
Yes, your friend's concern is a valid one... most forums I've seen are not more than a bunch of trolls that have not accomplished anything in life and/or spammers. This is a great forum thanks to the quality of the participants. My wife used to think I was kind of crazy when I said I was going to the get-together last year. But now that she knows better who these people are and what they do her resistant has changed. We are even planning to reschedule my daughter's birthday party so I can go to the meeting this year. The success accomplished by the members here is what makes a difference.

Now, if you think people give you a hard time when you mention this, imagine what I've been through when I ask people to trust me with their money to put a deal together with other members of the forum??? (yes, I've done deals with people I've met in the forum)
 

Andrew

Contributor
User Power
Value/Post Ratio
22%
Aug 8, 2007
190
41
Here is a guy who met some people on the internet; 5 years later, his net worth is between $500 million to $1 billion: http://www.dnjournal.com/cover/2007/december.htm

Can you make your own decisions and judgment calls? If so, its irrelevant were your first point of contact is. If you've had problems in the past, meeting women online who turned out to be men, or something of that sort, then perhaps you should take a step back and re-think things.
 
Dislike ads? Remove them and support the forum: Subscribe to Fastlane Insiders.

Russ H

Gold Contributor
Read Fastlane!
Speedway Pass
User Power
Value/Post Ratio
21%
Jul 25, 2007
6,471
1,363
62
Napa Valley, CA
My wife found me on the 'net.

Turned out to be one of the best "meetings" of my life.

Not only did we both find a lover, best friend, and great parent,

We also found an incredible business partner in each other.

Our lives together are far, fare more than what we had separately.

Very cool. :)

-Russ H.
 

JesseO

Contributor
User Power
Value/Post Ratio
6%
Jul 25, 2007
542
33
Phoenix, AZ
I have had nothing but bad experiences from trying to give examples to those who wish to live in the slow lane. It cost me a friendship (not sorry to lose *that* friend though), and has created a few other awkward situations, so I don't talk about it anymore. Best advice I ever heard was that they'll come to you if they're interested, otherwise let it be.
 

Diane Kennedy

Bronze Contributor
User Power
Value/Post Ratio
25%
Aug 31, 2007
780
193
I just finally read this thread.

My first reaction is "How OLD are these friends of yours?" That thinking seems so 1980's...

I've been running a very successful tax CPA practice for over 7 years with almost NO face to face contact. The client might meet me at a seminar or maybe see my picture in a book or on my website, but I often don't have a clue what they look like...nor do I care. My business is helping them grow their businesses and investments and save on taxes. That's all about the numbers. The rest of the stuff often just gets in the way. (especially for us quick starts who get distracted by bright, shiny objects)

As far as I can recall the only people on this forum I've met are Russ H., SteveO and Megan H. All great people and I didn't need to meet F2F to know that.
 
Dislike ads? Remove them and support the forum: Subscribe to Fastlane Insiders.

nomadjanet

Contributor
User Power
Value/Post Ratio
17%
Aug 28, 2007
301
50
TX
I feel like a lot of the exercises, advice and posts I read on this fourm are fantastic. I was talking to a friend yesterday about some of the ideas and he asked how I know some of you.

I told him I never met any of you personally but I have corresponded via this forum. He said, "So you are making life plans based on advice from random people on the internet? WHY WOULD YOU DO THAT?"

I tried to explain further but didn't get anywhere.

Have any of you had experiences like this? How did you explain the "validity" of the ideas presented here?


WOW does that mean this person makes his life plans based on advice from everyone he meets or talks to?So everytime he meets someone in person he changes his opinion or plans? Of course not, just because you disscuss things and bring different perspectives to issues does not mean you are basing your life plans on these disscussions. You base your decisions & life plans on many different things you hear, read & see this forum is just an additional tool to meet people and get new perspectives. Narrow minded people with narrow minded view, what was that song?

Janet
 

SteveO

Legendary Contributor
FASTLANE INSIDER
EPIC CONTRIBUTOR
Summit Attendee
Speedway Pass
User Power
Value/Post Ratio
456%
Jul 24, 2007
4,228
19,294
Narrow minded people with narrow minded view, what was that song?

Can't believe that I might know this one...

Glen Campbell - "Try a Little Kindness"

And if you try a little kindness
Then you'll overlook the blindness
Of narrow-minded people on the narrow-minded streets
 

Russ H

Gold Contributor
Read Fastlane!
Speedway Pass
User Power
Value/Post Ratio
21%
Jul 25, 2007
6,471
1,363
62
Napa Valley, CA
SteveO-

I listened to Glen Campbell a lot as a kid.

I liked this song a lot, and sang along with it.

But the weird thing is, here is what I sang (and thought he was singing):

"if you try a little kindness
Then you'll overlook the blindness
Of the narrow-minded people or their narrow-minded dreams"


Funny how we sometimes hear what we want to hear. :)

-Russ H.
 
Dislike ads? Remove them and support the forum: Subscribe to Fastlane Insiders.

Jito

New Contributor
User Power
Value/Post Ratio
6%
Dec 2, 2007
140
8
Bay Area
The internet removes the geography that separates exceptionally motivated like minded individuals. The same people that may mock "internet friends" are not in the "fastlane". But if criticism is a concern, maybe you could refer to us as members of your business/investing group.
 

andviv

Gold Contributor
Read Fastlane!
Summit Attendee
Speedway Pass
User Power
Value/Post Ratio
40%
Jul 27, 2007
5,361
2,143
Washington DC
Very good point.
I didn't know anybody here that were in the same idea and mindset that I was on. When I went to the get-together last march I met somebody that lives half an hour away from my home, and we ended up meeting in Phx. Go figure.
The RD forum and now this one provide me with the networking and contacts that I wouldn't have otherwise.
 

S928

Contributor
User Power
Value/Post Ratio
18%
Aug 7, 2007
161
29
In today's day and age, the internet is a very power tool. It amazing to look back, even just ten years back, and see how much knowledge is out there in cyberspace, all readily available for those who seek it. Sure, F2F is great, yet is it truly necessary? For example, of all the influential authors in the world, how many have we ever met F2F? None for me. I'm trying to say: F2F is not always what people expect it to be, and yes it's extremely overrated.

If not for cyberspace, I'd be stuck with people who are institutionalized (not a joke) and slowlane all the way to the grave. (Hm, makes me realize why I'm working on chaging my environment.) In my book, it's okay to acknowledge that "I met them on the internet", but that sure doesn't make me a lunatic.

So, I frequent boards often and learn a lot from them along the way. In fact, I predict most of my future financial success will be a tribute to many countless and faceless individuals who silently, yet willingly, guide me along the way.

:smx7:
 
Dislike ads? Remove them and support the forum: Subscribe to Fastlane Insiders.

michael515

Bronze Contributor
User Power
Value/Post Ratio
114%
Aug 27, 2007
91
104
44
I too don't talk too much about what I am getting into. I have a few select people that I can but most no way. Most just have too much of an employee or self-employed mindset.

One of the most critical lessons I've learned is be careful to take advice of those who have a different mindset that you. They don't have to be successful yet, but they must understand the entrepreneurial mindset of leverage, having things working for you vs. being a specialist, exponential growth, etc.. For most employees this either doesn't make sense or just isn't possible they believe.

I agree with Andiv re. forums are mostly time wasters. I was talking with my best friend and I told him about here and that Diane Kennedy from RD was a contributor. That's a big deal as the RD books were NY Times Best sellers.
 

thecoach

Contributor
User Power
Value/Post Ratio
19%
Aug 29, 2007
125
24
Regina, SK, Canada
I was just about to post what GreatBear just mentioned. I would assume that this friend has been taking advice from people he's never met all his life via books and educational videos/TV. I've read just as many books that have incomplete information as I have seen websites of the same. The bottom line is the more you educate yourself on something the easier it is to sift out the BS and find what really works and what doesn't.

I've honestly stopped trying to explain this site to most of the people that I know. Many of them are diehard government workers (I live in a government town pretty much...lots of governement offices, etc), so it's a tough sell to explain to any of them that they are doing it wrong..."But the government will take care of me, why would they not want everyone in society to succeed?". I'll talk to them about it, if they don't strike up interest I move on to a new topic. You can only help those who want the help...
 

andviv

Gold Contributor
Read Fastlane!
Summit Attendee
Speedway Pass
User Power
Value/Post Ratio
40%
Jul 27, 2007
5,361
2,143
Washington DC
so it's a tough sell to explain to any of them that they are doing it wrong..."But the government will take care of me, why would they not want everyone in society to succeed?".

Actually, I don't believe they are "doing it wrong". They are just following a different path, one that does not fit in your plans/mindset. It is a matter of opinion/preferences. Good/Wrong approaches are not that effective, IMO.
 
Dislike ads? Remove them and support the forum: Subscribe to Fastlane Insiders.

michael515

Bronze Contributor
User Power
Value/Post Ratio
114%
Aug 27, 2007
91
104
44
Actually, I don't believe they are "doing it wrong". They are just following a different path, one that does not fit in your plans/mindset. It is a matter of opinion/preferences. Good/Wrong approaches are not that effective, IMO.

:iagree: This is one of the most powerful insights I've learned over the years. Everybody sees the world differently.

Just because I think it's good for me doesn't mean it's good for everybody. People have different skill sets and desires. That's the biggest problem I have with network marketing. They want you to try to sell everybody including your friends and family. Most of which have no desire to do anything. If you need me to motivate you, you've got some deeper issues to sort out.
 

CarrieW

Gold Contributor
Read Fastlane!
Speedway Pass
User Power
Value/Post Ratio
41%
Nov 12, 2007
2,537
1,035
suburbs of savannah in Ga
I have heard this soo many times lmao!

All I know is without you guys on this forum(and another we used to frequent) I would be nowhere near the level of thinking I am at now, the level thats required to attempt fastlane ideas.

You all keep me in check and let me express my ideas and advise me. when I talk about things like these to people I know irl their eyes glaze over and they just nod. they dont understand. they have no real imput, if they do have any imput at all its almost always negative.

If they were my only information sources Id likely go insane!

eta- dont try to tell a doctor your questions are related to something you found or heard on the net. trust me lol.
 

Rawr

Gold Contributor
Speedway Pass
User Power
Value/Post Ratio
95%
Aug 12, 2007
1,838
1,755
south florida
Over the last 5 years, the majority of things I have learned were from the internet and particularly discussion boards.
 
Dislike ads? Remove them and support the forum: Subscribe to Fastlane Insiders.

Russ H

Gold Contributor
Read Fastlane!
Speedway Pass
User Power
Value/Post Ratio
21%
Jul 25, 2007
6,471
1,363
62
Napa Valley, CA
CarrieW said:
. . . eta . . .

OK, I give up.

What does "eta" mean?

(thanks in advance for cluing me in) :)

Acronym Definition

ETA Estimated Time of Arrival
ETA E-Sektionens Teletekniska Avdelning
ETA Earthville Travel Adventures
ETA Eastern Training Area
ETA Edited to Add
ETA Eelam Tamil Association (Sydney, Australia)
ETA Eesti Teadeteagentuur (Estonian News Agency)
ETA Electro-Thermal Atomizer
ETA Electronic Target Acquisition (also sometimes abbreviated as E/TA)
ETA Electronic Tax Administration
ETA Electronic Test Automation
ETA Electronic Transactions Association
ETA Electronic Transfer Account
ETA Electronic Transportation Acquisition
ETA Electronic Travel Aid
ETA Electronic Travel Authority
ETA Electronics Technicians Association (Greencastle, IN)
ETA Electronics Test Area
ETA Elektrotechnische Apparate GmbH (Nuremburg, Germany)
ETA Elgin Teachers Association
ETA Ellenville Teachers Association
ETA Embedded Transport Acceleration (Intel)
ETA Embroidery Trade Association
ETA Emergency Tire Assistance
ETA Emergency Towing Arrangement (requirement at forward & aft ends of oil tanker)
ETA Employment and Training Administration (US Department of Labor)
ETA Energy Tax Act
ETA Energy Technology Assessment
ETA Engineering Task Assignment
ETA Engineering Technical Assistant
ETA Engineering Technologies Academy
ETA Engineering Technologies Associates
ETA Engineering Test Article
ETA English Teachers Association
ETA Enterprise Transaction Analysis
ETA Enterprise Transaction Archive
ETA Entertainment Technology Alliance
ETA Environmental Transport Association (UK)
ETA EOOW Training Assistant
ETA Erosion Transport Accumulation
ETA Estimated Time for Accomplishment
ETA Estimated Transmitting Ability (cow breeding)
EtA Eternal Allegiance (fan site)
ETA Etnoteam Adriatica
ETA European Technical Approval
ETA European Thyroid Association
ETA European Tropospheric-Scatter Army (communications system)
ETA European Tugowners' Association
ETA Euskadi Ta Askatasuna (Basque Homeland and Liberty; terrorist group in Spain)
ETA Evangelical Training Association
ETA Event Tracking Agent
ETA Event Tree Analysis
ETA Exception Time Accounting
ETA Executive Travel Associates
ETA Expected Time of Arrival
ETA Experimental Test Accelerator
ETA Extension Travel Adjustment (Marzocchi bicycle forks)
ETA External Tank Attachment
ETA External Tank Attack
ETA Extraterrestrial Activity
ETA Extraterrestrial Artifact

-Russ H.
 

Post New Topic

Please SEARCH before posting.
Please select the BEST category.

Post new topic

Guest post submissions offered HERE.

Latest Posts

New Topics

Fastlane Insiders

View the forum AD FREE.
Private, unindexed content
Detailed process/execution threads
Ideas needing execution, more!

Join Fastlane Insiders.

Top