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Reminder 9-5'ers; we are NOT safe!

Mr.Chaos

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Today, January 3rd, 2017.

After having an amazing fun filled Christmas.

A spectacular drunken New Years.

Leading into what looks like a very promising 2017.

This morning at 10-am my employer laid off 10 Engineers. Most of which did not have a rainy day fund, only a few had enough savings to hold off until they can find something else. Some just signed new leases. Some just bought new cars in December.


Needless to say this bothers me. While we are building our businesses or "Fast Lane Vehicle's" we can never forget that we are NOT safe. When you get home from work and consider relaxing and enjoying netflix instead of pushing the ball forward. Remember " You are NOT safe"

When your boss has stressed you out and you just want to lounge around with the boys or the gals, remember "You are NOT safe".

This subject alone has always been a huge motivator for me.

A job is a great financial asset to building your business on the side, just do not let it cripple your action.

Because any day, any minute, this could be you or me.

Just wanted to share, today was a sad day as most of those guys were good friends of mines and without an additional source of income, they are now seemingly lost.

Tonight, I will go home and work because I know as long as I'm attached to my job. I AM NOT SAFE

Happy New Years All.
 
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MJ DeMarco

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"But building a business is risky!"
 

Vigilante

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Today, January 3rd, 2017.

After having an amazing fun filled Christmas.

A spectacular drunken New Years.

Leading into what looks like a very promising 2017.

This morning at 10-am my employer laid off 10 Engineers. Most of which did not have a rainy day fun, only a few had enough savings to hold off until they can find something else. Some just signed new leases. Some just bought new cars in December.


Needless to say this bothers me. While we are building our businesses or "Fast Lane Vehicle's" we can never forget that we are NOT safe. When you get home from work and consider relaxing and enjoying netflix instead of pushing the ball forward. Remember " You are NOT safe"

When your boss has stressed you out and you just want to lounge around with the boys or the gals, remember "You are NOT safe".

This subject alone has always been a huge motivator for me.

A job is a great financial asset to building your business on the side, just do not let it cripple your action.

Because any day, any minute, this could be you or me.

Just wanted to share, today was a sad day as most of those guys were good friends of mines and without an additional source of income, they are now seemingly lost.

Tonight, I will go home and work because I know as long as I'm attached to my job. I AM NOT SAFE

Happy New Years All.

Job security is a myth. The ONLY real security is money in the bank.
 

Scot

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I work in an industry notorious for its shaky employment. Every day is another roll of the dice if I'll have a job tomorrow.

And every day I put in a little more work at home to building my business. Because I don't want to have to worry not if, when I get the email to stay at home and wait by the phone.
 

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The funny thing is... sometimes deep down inside myself I do hope I get laid-off... So I can have more time invested and focus on finishing what I need to grow my business opportunities. I know MJ would say just QUIT already. But honestly, i don't have the guts or resources to dive in that deep yet. The truth is I need the health insurance and a steady paycheck to keep my family afloat.
 

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The company my Dad works for went bankrupt yesterday. The writing was on the wall, but he ignored it. I've been warning him for months that this was coming...

No job, no savings, nothing. Sidewalker for life. (slowlaner on a good day)

This is the same guy that has told me my entire life that being self-employed is "way too risky" and "most business people fail, what makes you think you're any different?"

But jobs are safe....yeah right.

I work so hard so I don't end up like HIM!!
 

GPM

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I work in an industry that fires people on a whim. Every 7 years there are MAJOR layoffs (up to 40% per company), and yet every 7 years everyone is surprised when it happens.

When you said people went out and bought new houses and cars, I think you really meant to say that they currently occupy houses and drive cars owned by the bank. At least that's what nearly every employee I have ever met does.

I am friends with a lot of the people here, but in the end if they get laid off and lose everything they have no one to blame but themselves. I've made the choice to make money on the side and have been doing it since I was in grade 7. That was a choice I made that no one else was willing to do. Unfortunately it wasn't until recently in life that I realised I needed to be doing it in a better way, and building something up that didn't need me in the equation to thrive.
 
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G-Man

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I work for a startup that is poised to get big. Also, at any given point for the last year, we've never been more than 60 days from being broke. If you want security, switch from boxers to briefs.
 
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Nicoknowsbest

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"Insanity: Doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results." - Albert Einstein (?)

I just came back from meeting an old high school friend this morning.

He lived the good life working at a jewelry shop while studying something that was in fashion a few years back.

A couple of months ago he got laid off, is now out of money and close to finishing his studies.

Turns out he doesn't want to work in the industry he has been studying for 6+ years.

Trying to find a job he's been sending on average 5-8 applications per week over the last couple of months with ZERO response.

When talking things through, I recognized a familiar pattern.

"I need a job. I need money. I want... I... I... I..."

Well, yeah, and they all thought I was crazy when I said I was off to building a business.

The slowlane mindset goes very deep.

"It ain't what you don't know that gets you into trouble. It's what you know for sure that just ain't so." - Josh Billings
 

jpanarra

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Today, January 3rd, 2017.

After having an amazing fun filled Christmas.

A spectacular drunken New Years.

Leading into what looks like a very promising 2017.

This morning at 10-am my employer laid off 10 Engineers. Most of which did not have a rainy day fun, only a few had enough savings to hold off until they can find something else. Some just signed new leases. Some just bought new cars in December.


Needless to say this bothers me. While we are building our businesses or "Fast Lane Vehicle's" we can never forget that we are NOT safe. When you get home from work and consider relaxing and enjoying netflix instead of pushing the ball forward. Remember " You are NOT safe"

When your boss has stressed you out and you just want to lounge around with the boys or the gals, remember "You are NOT safe".

This subject alone has always been a huge motivator for me.

A job is a great financial asset to building your business on the side, just do not let it cripple your action.

Because any day, any minute, this could be you or me.

Just wanted to share, today was a sad day as most of those guys were good friends of mines and without an additional source of income, they are now seemingly lost.

Tonight, I will go home and work because I know as long as I'm attached to my job. I AM NOT SAFE

Happy New Years All.

Same, This is one of the biggest drivers I have for my family and me as well.

I am a chemist at a pretty large company in Indianapolis and am still currently employed. I don't keep my ideas or ventures a secret from my co-workers and boss, I told them all that it is my intention to grow a business that makes a passive income 3x of my current salary then I'll consider leaving. Luckily they are all supportive and sometimes even ask questions on how I'm doing or updates.
Sometimes they even ask, why am I doing this I have a "safe" job at a big company. I always explain that I'm never safe and am always moving/improving myself so I can survive on my own without depending on other people/companies.

Sometimes it wallops them and sometimes it doesn't. They think I'm crazy because I have a higher position than them and they all feel safe...
 
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Mr.Chaos

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Same, This is one of the biggest drivers I have for my family and me as well.

I am a chemist at a pretty large company in Indianapolis and am still currently employed. I don't keep my ideas or ventures a secret from my co-workers and boss, I told them all that it is my intention to grow a business that makes a passive income 3x of my current salary then I'll consider leaving. Luckily they are all supportive and sometimes even ask questions on how I'm doing or updates.
Sometimes they even ask, why am I doing this I have a "safe" job at a big company. I always explain that I'm never safe and am always moving/improving myself so I can survive on my own without depending on other people/companies.

Sometimes it wallops them and sometimes it doesn't. They think I'm crazy because I have a higher position than them and they all feel safe...


Wow, I feel the same way. In my current position, I lack control. In our businesses, if something goes bad we can react and adjust to compensate. If our companies lose a big contract or experience hardship, there is very little that we can do as employees to correct the ship so to speak
 

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I was laid off too in August. I learned to cut my expenses, avoid signing leases on apartments (live with roommates who own the lease), and keep building a professional network. I'm still looking for a good full time job. My life has been on hold and things are VERY real being unemployed. However, it's still up to me to control my own fate
 

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Not if customers love the value I give!

I'm going to get a ton of slack/hate for this, but sometimes this "value" doesn't matter either.

It all comes down to who is running the show and who is dependent on whom.

I could provide a multitude of examples why personally both in a job setting, consultant setting, and ecom setting. I ALSO know others could provide examples on how I am wrong too...

In the end, your value has to make your customer/client dependent on you. If not, your value accounts for shit. I've also seen instances where even a dependent client still will cancel/make the wrong choice and you're left out in the cold if they were a large client.

In the end, who do you depend on?
 
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GPM

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It's practically a running joke in the office that im somehow still employed there.

Don't give zero F*cks, focusing on my fastlane.

I am sorry but reading this has made me have to reply. It doesn't matter what people do in life you have to put effort in it to it, or don't do it at all. It is a work ethic and a pride in yourself that can be carried over to no matter what you do.

I don't care how much I hated the jobs I have had, even when I had big red target "quit dates" on my calendar, I would still put in maximum effort while I was there. If I can do my overachieve and do my entire day's worth of work in 3 hours, and then work on myself the the rest that is fine. But not a chance in hell will I put in 0 hours of real work and be dead weight at wherever I am. It is a matter of pride, morals and ethics that I will bring with me everywhere in my life. From shoveling snow on the walkway, to doing dishes, to crap warehouse jobs and fastfood places I have worked. It has allowed me to grow and succeed at everything I throw myself at
 
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G-Man

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I work for a startup that is poised to get big. Also, at any given point for the last year, we've never been more than 60 days from being broke. If you want security, switch from boxers to briefs.

Just to update TFLF, we're now very much less than 60 days from being broke.

I know this is gonna sound weird, but this is the most interesting shit has ever been around here. I like coming to work now,... and every day might be the last :clench:
 

Dinho7

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Good post, OP! It is not a shame to hold a job, but it is a shame to believe that a 9 to 5 is a secure path to security and financial freedom.

I wasted my time in a Reddit forum this morning trying to fight off a mass of slowlane thinkers while give a young student advice on not follow a similar traditional path. Good to get back in this forum for some mindset "re-calibration".
 
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jpanarra

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Wow, I feel the same way. In my current position, I lack control. In our businesses, if something goes bad we can react and adjust to compensate. If our companies lose a big contract or experience hardship, there is very little that we can do as employees to correct the ship so to speak

Yup, the one thing that also stuck with me from the book was the matter of raises. I could work at my current job and invest everything I've got and by the end of the year at most I'll have a 15% raise to show for it and MAYBE a promotion(which won't happen every year). Where if I shifted my energy and focused on an entrepreneurship venture, I would be able to have a 1000% raise... which one sounds better to you? ;)
 
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Mr.Chaos

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I work in an industry notorious for its shaky employment. Every day is another roll of the dice if I'll have a job tomorrow.

And every day I put in a little more work at home to building my business. Because I don't want to have to worry not if, when I get the email to stay at home and wait by the phone.


Spot on....it's a horrible feeling being completely out of control. Every day we walk through those doors.
 

luniac

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What do you work as?
A salesguy? I don't remember any profession with such a strict management!:yawn::grumpy:
litigation support analyst. My job numbers are always just high enough not to get fired, i've received final warnings twice, been on the chopping block a few times, was on probation for months because of comin late to work.
but someone else always gets fired or quits before me LOL and i only make 32k a year and i dont ask for raises even though ive been there for 3 years now. Everyone makes at least 10k more than me.
It's practically a running joke in the office that im somehow still employed there.

Don't give zero F*cks, focusing on my fastlane.
 

Shamrox

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*Face palm*

I blame the ignorance again :D and lack of coffee!

When talking things through, I recognized a familiar pattern.

"I need a job. I need money. I want... I... I... I..."

Well, yeah, and they all thought I was crazy when I said I was off to building a business.

One of the things that impresses me with the fast lane mentality is the need to keep asking yourself what you can do for other people vs money chasing (me me me). Your buddy is a great example of what the fast lane mentality isn't. Thanks for sharing.
 
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Castillo

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Job security is a myth. The ONLY real security is money in the bank.
Even so that can also be a bit unstable [emoji6]

Sent from my Nexus 6P using Tapatalk
 
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LifeTransformer

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Thanks for the book, it will be on my to read list. Did you read it yourself?

Yes I did.

Short summary would be that it is more of a mindset/attitude changing book than a roadmap book like TMF . But well worth reading.
 

Passion4u

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Today, January 3rd, 2017.

After having an amazing fun filled Christmas.

A spectacular drunken New Years.

Leading into what looks like a very promising 2017.

This morning at 10-am my employer laid off 10 Engineers. Most of which did not have a rainy day fund, only a few had enough savings to hold off until they can find something else. Some just signed new leases. Some just bought new cars in December.


Needless to say this bothers me. While we are building our businesses or "Fast Lane Vehicle's" we can never forget that we are NOT safe. When you get home from work and consider relaxing and enjoying netflix instead of pushing the ball forward. Remember " You are NOT safe"

When your boss has stressed you out and you just want to lounge around with the boys or the gals, remember "You are NOT safe".

This subject alone has always been a huge motivator for me.

A job is a great financial asset to building your business on the side, just do not let it cripple your action.

Because any day, any minute, this could be you or me.

Just wanted to share, today was a sad day as most of those guys were good friends of mines and without an additional source of income, they are now seemingly lost.

Tonight, I will go home and work because I know as long as I'm attached to my job. I AM NOT SAFE

Happy New Years All.

Thank you for this post. It was exactly what I needed to hear.
 
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Mr.Chaos

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Or take the time to manage your money well. An engineer that doesn't have an emergency fund is stupid.

Interesting when you say that this bothers you. I think this is how life should happen and is for the best of the world. The company does what it does to be profitable. It is your job as a worker to do what you can to be profitable in your own right. Not having assurances against this kind of thing is just irresponsible.

You may have overlooked the point of the post. This is indeed how the world works, however, the majority of people live as if their job is the most secure thing on this planet. Whether they were engineers or associates at Walmart is irrelevant.

For the average person, this is fine. Save your money, grow that 401K if you can. If something ever happens to your employer, you are now the "Victim" because you let yourself become the "Victim". Statistically speaking " Most" people fail to save enough.

The majority of us here work so that we can better dictate what happens to us and not have to play "Victim". Having someone control my cash flow and my time is what bothers me. I could have 100k saved in the bank working 50 hour weeks for someone else's company and I would feel just as uncomfortable.

TLDR: " Don't let the comfort of your job distract you from your primary goals." is the point of the entire story.
 

luniac

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I am sorry but reading this has made me have to reply. It doesn't matter what people do in life you have to put effort in it to it, or don't do it at all. It is a work ethic and a pride in yourself that can be carried over to no matter what you do.

I don't care how much I hated the jobs I have had, even when I had big red target "quit dates" on my calendar, I would still put in maximum effort while I was there. If I can do my overachieve and do my entire day's worth of work in 3 hours, and then work on myself the the rest that is fine. But not a chance in hell will I put in 0 hours of real work and be dead weight at wherever I am. It is a matter of pride, morals and ethics that I will bring with me everywhere in my life. From shoveling snow on the walkway, to doing dishes, to crap warehouse jobs and fastfood places I have worked. It has allowed me to grow and succeed at everything I throw myself at

Ha i knew it i just knew it someone would come in with "How I do anything is how i do everything" mantra!
Yes you're right, i agree with you but i gotta defend myself.

My job doesn't work the way you describe, there's no set workload, a case comes in a someone takes it.
If i get a case to do i always do my best to do it right, however i do the least cases in the department.
I also get paid the least and i get no raises like i said. I think that's fair. If management didn't think so i wouldn't have lasted 3.5 years.

So yes i'd rather work on personal stuff than take an available case if someone else is available.
But if there's work to be done and i'm the only one left ill take the case and i won't halfass it, ill do it right.

and yes 2 years back id tell you F*ck that F*ck the job i only care about my personal business, but i've since improved my mindset. I still give zero F*cks about the career im in but I try to do my due diligence at work.

I also come in at least half hour early for 2 months now thanks to the probation lol, noone in the office is that consistent.
 

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