Prdgy's Journal

[Prdgy]

Inspired by my chat in the random chat thread (thanks @GPM , @thechosen1 , @Ing , @piano and @BizyDad !) , I've decided to write an open journal with feedback as a thread on here! I do also have a private journal that I write by hand, so this one will mainly just be for noteworthy things that I've noticed during any particular eventful day, and hopefully, also helps me keep myself accountable. (Warning: this will not be daily, as my life is not THAT noteworthy.)

31st of March, 2023​

A little bit of background is warranted. I live in Eastern Europe (the specific country has absolutely 0 relevance, if you've been to one, you've been to all of them for the purpose of this journal), in a medium-sized town, so we don't get many important architectural projects, despite being a very important regional city, thus, when one DOES get built, the entirety of the populace goes to check it out, case study: the new mall that was built with a KFC (the first KFC in 60kms or so, or 37.28277 freedom units for the Americans). You know how people used to stay overnight for the release of the iPhone 4? That's literally what happened with that KFC. I'm actually not really sure what to make of it. The people in my area love novelty, I guess?
After hitting a gym session with my buddies, I decided to walk slower than usual and just observe what goes on in town, and there's some things to note:

• Thinking of going door-to-door? No bloody chance. People turn them down so quick, you'd be thinking the salesmen forgot their sales pitch in the car.
• People are such recluses. Randomly striking a conversation with someone on the street immediately gives you weird stares and an aura of discomfort emanating from their brain waves.
• You know those communist blocks? The really depressing ones that tiktok girls fantasize over because of their aesthetic? Yeah, we live in them, it's not that nice. Albeit, an upside is that the walls are made out of the same thing bunkers are made of, so you can't hear your neighbour having sex. But the depressing nature of the architecture means there's 0 sense of community on a block. You go to a job/school, ride a bus or drive home, and stay there. No one walks outside.

But, I can't be a pessimist, there are some good parts:

• People will always have a need, and they don't care who you are if you overhear them and are able to help them. Case in point: I was at the supermarket buying my usual death-in-a-can, and this granny couldn't carry all of her shopping bag stuff to the car. Helped her, and granny gave me a whopping 10 euros (in regional currency)! Don't be fooled, that kind of money isn't disposable income in my country, especially just giving a teen that kind of money for carrying some groceries around to the car.
• It's kind of quiet. Just sitting outside and thinking about stuff is pretty pleasurable, it's not as bustling of a city as you'd expect it to be.
• Dogs, dogs everywhere! Yes, I know that's not a good thing, since stray dogs are a public problem, but I love dogs, so shut up.

Overall? Not an actionable day. But I did make 10 euros for basically free! Right now I'm just chilling until my next allowance, I'm looking to buy Unscripted (and while I do have around 200 euros saved up, I'm about to get another 140 euros, so I can just pay off everything that I have to at once, like the gym, creatine and stuff, I like keeping track of my money.)

If there's any info you guys think is necessary, I'm more than happy to answer. (within reason, of course.)

 

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

[constant]

You know how people used to stay overnight for the release of the iPhone 4? That's literally what happened with that KFC.

Haha same here.
Eastern Europe moment.

Good luck on your progress.

 

[Prdgy]

1st of April, 2023​

This isn't all that important, but Screen Time tells me I've spent barely 6 minutes on my phone today. (Viva la productivity!)

It's 8 PM right now and I'm winding down listening to some of Kak's podcasts on Spreaker. Today I just spent some time thinking of some ideas of side hustles that I could do around town, to no avail, really; I don't think this is so much an issue that there's a lack of opportunity, I'm just not tuned to the frequency of the needs. Oh, but I did go ahead and make a desktop wallpaper inspired by a concept in TMF .

I'm thinking of writing things that are bothering me, something like pain points in my daily life, that I could then try to brainstorm fixes for. Worst case scenario, I just find something that helps my life, right?

My main blight is that I don't have any books to read until the 7th or 8th, when Unscripted arrives (yeah, I pulled the trigger and bought it before my allowance arrived). Reading much can actually be a downside sometimes.

Quote of the day: "No man is more unhappy than he who never faces adversity. For he is not permitted to prove himself." -Seneca

 

[Ing]

April!

 

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

[Prdgy]

April!

Oh my God.

You know how you're used to writing 2022 instead of 2023 for the first 2 weeks of the year? It's kind of like that but with months for me

Alternatively, you could take that as april fools!

 

[Prdgy]

10th of April, 2023​

Unscripted is coming tomorrow! (or at least that's what the courier said, but knowing them, it's probably gonna be way late, lol)

Anyway, I had a major health DEFCON 2 on saturday. My entire legs cramped up and I was screaming in pain until the paramedics came, helped me stretch and gave me some magnesium; so that's another FTE (we had to eat some cheap food that wasn't very nutritious for quite a while, my micronutrients were down in the depths). So I'm taking some multivitamins and magnesium now (which I'm trying to get rid of as I gradually have the money to buy healthier food; who knew nutrition was so goddamn expensive??).

There's nothing new on the business front. I've been talking to a lot of people about their problems, stuff that they want fixed, but there's nothing that they haven't already fixed / are fixing, and if there is, it's not something I can do, because I can't start a business. Even side hustle wise I've been trying to make some money on the side, but there's not much I see in my horizon that is doable. My main source of money nowadays is academic success (the government provides us monetary incentives for exceptional results in schools and competitions, and I'm one of the best people in my country when it comes to English, so I basically always get some money from going to Olympiads) which is kind of frustrating, I'm basically at the whim of the government; F$#K THAT!

 

[Prdgy]

11th of April, 2023​

Customary to couriers in my area, they delayed it. BY HALF A MONTH.
My Unscripted copy should have arrived today, but nope! It's arriving within the ambiguous date of "29.04.2023" and "16.05.2023".

Anyway, besides being absolutely livid, [SECTION REMOVED AND ADDED TO PRIVATE JOURNAL]

What I was going to write is something I'd rather keep secret right now, before I can apply it, sorry! The gist is that I'm thinking of making an app, and I'm starting to learn Kotlin and Swift. From what I see it fits CENTS perfectly.

 

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

[Prdgy]

14th of April, 2023

(That's it. That's the journal entry.)

 

[Prdgy]

21th of April, 2023​

Eid Mubarak muslim entrepreneurs!

Anyway, sorry for the extremely censored business idea post from the 11th. I'll go into a little more detail (but still not a lot, I still need to learn Kotlin and Swift and see if this works)

The idea is an app that has infinite need (because it is targeted towards an audience that everyone goes through, and the app has the ability to be ported into a more general type of app). The entry is pretty high (because programming knowledge is necessary, and AI still cannot fully write code for an app this complicated, only code snippets. Plus, you'd also probably need photoshop and video editing skills for advertising and icons.) Besides the platforms that would host the advertising (Google AdSense) and the app stores (Google Play and the Apple Appstore), I'd have complete control since I'm planning on building this from the ground up. It also fits the commandment of time as soon as I release the app, because it would use ads or a subscription service. (but I'm also thinking of one-time payments sort of deals) As for scale, it's an app... on the appstore... there's 49.5 million people that would potentially need this alone, maybe factor in about a 5% conversion rate for a 5 dollar subscription would mean $2,475,000 per month. (but I'm counting my chickens before they hatch, this is assuming that everyone in the US in the target audience would hear of the app.)

Anyway, I really feel like I struck gold with this idea (have to follow this with great execution too though), but I'm currently in the process of learning Kotlin and Swift (which, admittedly, I've been slacking tremendously on). Luckily, summer's coming right around the corner so that will give me a bunch of extra time to work on learning Kotlin and Swift.

I'm predicting this to be at least a 2 year project for me, simply because I have to reach 2 coding languages from absolute scratch, including everything there is to app development. But if this takes off, it takes off.

 

[constant]

21th of April, 2023​

Eid Mubarak muslim entrepreneurs!

Anyway, sorry for the extremely censored business idea post from the 11th. I'll go into a little more detail (but still not a lot, I still need to learn Kotlin and Swift and see if this works)

The idea is an app that has infinite need (because it is targeted towards an audience that everyone goes through, and the app has the ability to be ported into a more general type of app). The entry is pretty high (because programming knowledge is necessary, and AI still cannot fully write code for an app this complicated, only code snippets. Plus, you'd also probably need photoshop and video editing skills for advertising and icons.) Besides the platforms that would host the advertising (Google AdSense) and the app stores (Google Play and the Apple Appstore), I'd have complete control since I'm planning on building this from the ground up. It also fits the commandment of time as soon as I release the app, because it would use ads or a subscription service. (but I'm also thinking of one-time payments sort of deals) As for scale, it's an app... on the appstore... there's 49.5 million people that would potentially need this alone, maybe factor in about a 5% conversion rate for a 5 dollar subscription would mean $2,475,000 per month. (but I'm counting my chickens before they hatch, this is assuming that everyone in the US in the target audience would hear of the app.)

Anyway, I really feel like I struck gold with this idea (have to follow this with great execution too though), but I'm currently in the process of learning Kotlin and Swift (which, admittedly, I've been slacking tremendously on). Luckily, summer's coming right around the corner so that will give me a bunch of extra time to work on learning Kotlin and Swift.

I'm predicting this to be at least a 2 year project for me, simply because I have to reach 2 coding languages from absolute scratch, including everything there is to app development. But if this takes off, it takes off.

Heres what I recommend:

-Learn Swift only, because statistically iPhone users tend to spend more money on digital products. Learning 2 languages from scratch takes too much time.

- Make an MVP for iOS and test it. You need to validate your idea before investing more time into it.

- Get feedback and improve.

- Continue improving and marketing. Scale.

- Hire someone to make the Android version, don't do it yourself.

- Keep scaling & expanding.

- Pick color of Lambo

 

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

[Saad Khan]

21th of April, 2023​

Eid Mubarak muslim entrepreneurs!

Anyway, sorry for the extremely censored business idea post from the 11th. I'll go into a little more detail (but still not a lot, I still need to learn Kotlin and Swift and see if this works)

The idea is an app that has infinite need (because it is targeted towards an audience that everyone goes through, and the app has the ability to be ported into a more general type of app). The entry is pretty high (because programming knowledge is necessary, and AI still cannot fully write code for an app this complicated, only code snippets. Plus, you'd also probably need photoshop and video editing skills for advertising and icons.) Besides the platforms that would host the advertising (Google AdSense) and the app stores (Google Play and the Apple Appstore), I'd have complete control since I'm planning on building this from the ground up. It also fits the commandment of time as soon as I release the app, because it would use ads or a subscription service. (but I'm also thinking of one-time payments sort of deals) As for scale, it's an app... on the appstore... there's 49.5 million people that would potentially need this alone, maybe factor in about a 5% conversion rate for a 5 dollar subscription would mean $2,475,000 per month. (but I'm counting my chickens before they hatch, this is assuming that everyone in the US in the target audience would hear of the app.)

Anyway, I really feel like I struck gold with this idea (have to follow this with great execution too though), but I'm currently in the process of learning Kotlin and Swift (which, admittedly, I've been slacking tremendously on). Luckily, summer's coming right around the corner so that will give me a bunch of extra time to work on learning Kotlin and Swift.

I'm predicting this to be at least a 2 year project for me, simply because I have to reach 2 coding languages from absolute scratch, including everything there is to app development. But if this takes off, it takes off.

Why not go into facebook developer groups and have newbie developers build an MVP for your product? They would be more than happy to add a real life software to their portfolio/case studies.

Not discouraging you to learn coding but get hard proof first before you go on spending 2 years of your life building something that doesn't have hard proof and validation.

I would recommend getting soft proof first, creating the MVP/Prototype and then getting the hard proof. Once that's done, you will now be motivated by the hard proof itself.

Good luck bro! And Eid Mubarak to you as well!

P.S I was recently reading a thread of a nigerian developer who quit his job and wanted to go fastlane. That thread still should be in the feed somewhere. You both can work together.

I tagged him for you. He's @masiyas.

P.P.S He's new to the forum.

 

[Prdgy]

Great points, both @constant and @Saad Khan ! Thank you guys!

The thought of an MVP hadn't occurred to me, I'm a total beginner at app development, and it's not what I planned on pursuing at all (political sciences, lol).

I was thinking of doing a survey around my high school for the idea of the app to see if it has any traction at least regionally, and then I can abstract some of the data. You both have a good point about learning swift. I might focus on only that. Canva in one hand, coding on the other. My dad might know a guy who could mentor me with that.

I don't know how willing the new guy might be with working with me, haha. I'm barely turning 16, and I don't have any skin in the game. I admit my action faking wholeheartedly and ashamedly.

 

[Saad Khan]

I'm barely turning 16

Who gives a shit? I kept telling myself that. Don't be me. Go out there and ask people, pitch them your idea (gain some soft proof as well in the form of survey responses)

 

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

[piano]

I'm barely turning 16, and I don't have any skin in the game. I admit my action faking wholeheartedly and ashamedly.

Bro I thought you were like early 20s
Also, I think young talent might actually have a better rep in apps/digital-stuff than you might think.
Think Zuckerberg, idk. But either way, if you present yourself well, or maybe keep yourself anonymous, you can very likely pull big fish. Imagine a 16yo walking into your office, giving you a firm handshake and speaking confidently and calmy. Explaining things in a good manner and being very prepared, perhaps using some inside jokes from the company (even though he doesn't even work there!).

Presentation (perceived value) is everything.

 

[Prdgy]

22th of April, 2023​

Veeerry big problem: Swift only runs natively in Xcode, which requires a macbook, which I don't have. (Swift IS open source and you can use it on linux and windows, but it is extremely janky and most of the time compiling is a chore, and none of the courses I have found teach Swift in anything other than VSC) I'm at a serious impasse.

 

[Prdgy]

Follow up on impasse:

1. Learn Kotlin
2. Build MVP on Kotlin and release app
3. Add monetization of features
4. Use money to buy a macbook (I only need $200 more, I have the rest saved up)
5. Learn Swift
6. Remake app on Swift and monetise it (assuming it passes MVP on the 2nd step)
7. ???
8. Profit!


What do you think? I'd say I'm killing two birds with one stone, and also learning two programming languages. It's going to take longer, but it's not like I have anything better to do with my time.

 

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

[constant]

Follow up on impasse:

1. Learn Kotlin
2. Build MVP on Kotlin and release app
3. Add monetization of features
4. Use money to buy a macbook (I only need $200 more, I have the rest saved up)
5. Learn Swift
6. Remake app on Swift and monetise it (assuming it passes MVP on the 2nd step)
7. ???
8. Profit!


What do you think? I'd say I'm killing two birds with one stone, and also learning two programming languages. It's going to take longer, but it's not like I have anything better to do with my time.

If your app doesn't succeed enough on Android to make you enough money to hire a Swift developer/freelancer, then it's probably not gonna work on iOS aswell. Therefore, there's really no point learning two programming languages. Think more scalable. At one point, you're going to delegate all the programming to other people anyway so you can focus on the business.

 

[Prdgy]

If your app doesn't succeed enough on Android to make you enough money to hire a Swift developer/freelancer, then it's probably not gonna work on iOS aswell. Therefore, there's really no point learning two programming languages. Think more scalable. At one point, you're going to delegate all the programming to other people anyway so you can focus on the business.

Here's my thought process: Use the android app as an MVP to see viability, contrast to calculated possible sales on Apple, see if it's worth it. If not, I leave with Kotlin learnt and either a failed business venture or a very small semi-passive way to make some income for future endeavors.

 

[Prdgy]

26th of April, 2023​

Trip to the capital today! Bought myself "Atomic Habits" by James Clear, I think some of you may have read it already. I'll probably read it before Unscripted arrives

Anywho, I found a really nice Kotlin course on Udemy that looks pretty intuitive, and I'm going to get started on that.

I think I'm focusing a bit too much on the macro things though, I'm kind of letting myself go with my diet and going to the gym lately. I'll have to strike a balance between the two. My physical level directly correlates to my mental level, I can't work well if I can't train well.

 

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

[Prdgy]

15th of May, 2023​

Welp. Here's a good lesson in stupid. I ordered Unscripted from a site that I knew and trusted about a month and a half ago (check the posts around the 3rd of april mark, something like that) because it was cheaper than just buying it from a local shop. How cheap? 4 dollars.
I can't believe I cheapskated and lost one and a half months of reading time just because I couldn't bother to dish out another $4. I read Atomic Habits and re-read Meditations in that time, while learning for my exams. Let this be a warning to anyone who doesn't value their time.
I emailed the company that I wanted a refund, and I'm going to buy it next time I'm out and about.