- Joined
- Apr 30, 2013
- Messages
- 57
Dear newly minted Fastlane member,
Good News!
With “just“ a focused attitude, relatively minor action (in terms of your life), little money, and without any formal qualifications whatsoever….
…(it’s true)….
…. you can set yourself on a verified road to financial freedom that will astound your friends, confound your enemies, and give you a grin to make Will Smith’s pearly white smile look British.
Well hot dang! Ain’t that terrific?
Sure is MustImprove, sure is! That’s why I’m here man! What next?!!
Well, I'll explain more below, but first.......
Bad News!
90% of people reading this won’t be bothered to make even the relatively minor effort required.
Threads here have shown time and time again that people can’t resist looking for the lazy-boy way to a mil, even though nearly every real millionaire says it doesn’t work like that.
…but wait, hold on, what’s that you say? All of you are part of the 10%?
Oh well, OK, then great! …and in that case I’ll continue. It’s my turn to put something in the pot.
This thread might get a few reads after all!
The Call We All Want…
A few days ago I received a most marvellous phone call. The type of call that makes you sing to your dog.
It was a customer who I have done business with before, and he’s a good one.
This chap plays the yes/no game with millions of dollars. Are you a “yes” or are you a “no”?…for the money I mean. Well, he decides.
Anyway, I’ll paraphrase, but this is roughly how the conversation went”
OK, ya got me. That bit was HEAVILY paraphrased, but you get the gist.
So let’s split up and look for clues.
Those who still think the shiny silver bullet to drill the werewolf of mediocrity between the eyes is just around the corner on the internet, you go that way.
Those who are interested in learning something of the real world that can make every day like a Superbowl half-time show, come with me.
The Clues
Some of you still with me? Top work team! On we go!
Look, I’ve found some clues!
Besides, the luminous footprints, and a fake beard, please note the following:
Clue Number 1
Clue Number 2
Clue Number 3
Now pay attention you potential power value generators, a key question is coming up!
A Key Question
How much incremental effort did it take me to secure a solution focused deal worth more than 7 times the average annual USA salary from just 1 customer?
You sir, with the stylish Hawaiian shirt at the back (not you Vigilante)….. Correct! – almost no effort at all!
Wow, imagine that. Almost zero effort!
No No No No No No No….
”All” I did to win another great deal was solve the right problem at the right time for the right person ONCE BEFORE.
I want you to think about that.
<contemplation time for you and for me>
‘…and I wuda gotten away with it if it wasn’t for you darned kids!”
Enough reminiscing. What’s the lesson here, and what specifically should you do?
The Lesson Here
At the start, your most important piece of self-development (in my humble opinion), is to become a black belted, top-of-the-class, 1st round draft, Cyberdyne Systems Model 101, whoop-a$$ problem solver!
An ability (and reputation) for solving problems can open doors for you in any industry you choose, and for the rest of your life.
Think about that too!.....the rest of your life. Right now that probably feels like a long time. Well, that feeling won’t last as long as you expect, so enjoy it now!
…and by the way, some of those things I just told you “NO”/ not to do ARE actually important, just at a different time in your development. You need to use them selectively, but you don’t need them to start solving problems now.
So I say “become a problem solver”, and you (might) say. “Good for you MustImprove, but……..”:
All valid questions. You are just starting out. You want/need more detail…I gets ya.
What Should You Do? – Two Steps
The first step is easy. It’s not easy to maintain, but that’s for later.
Step1….you find a girl to lov…..oops, sorry.
<reset>
Step 1 - Make a personal decision that from now on you will be steely determined
Step 2 - Develop your problem solving “muscle”
…and now we get to the piece that most of you will ignore, or promise to get back to later, and go for some action faking that will get you in trouble with @theag . If that’s you, you are probably one of the 90%.
For the remaining 10% of the 10% who stayed and haven’t got fed up with me yet, and by my reckoning that’s about 1% of those who read my opening lines, this is my Step 2 challenge to you.
I want you to get into the habit of solving problems for people.
Just start, and start simply.
Your first goal is to find someone that has a problem…almost anyone with almost any problem, and smash that problem to smithereens…..out of the park son!
However small it seems, just make that person’s life better…..for free, and without obligation of any kind. Pheww…heavy I know!
….and then, when you have done that and they say thank you (probably), make some time for yourself, pause for more contemplation, and reflect that you got your “starter for 10” (first question) correct, and that you’re now “in the game” properly.
You will have solved a real problem for a real person.
That’s worth a whole week of browsing without real action.
So, then you are a hero to someone. Birds are flyin high, and you’re feelin……good.
….then go be a hero again!.....and again, and again, and again, and again, and again, and….well you know how this works.
You Will Become More Effective With Every Solution
As you solve each new problem you will get better and better at solving.
At first, your creative synapses will barely sputter a spark. You will find solutions hard to come by.
However with each solution sprint, and with your different: approaches, angles, and possibilities, you pour creative go-go juice onto your nascent twinkles of brilliance.
You get better. You get faster. You get stronger and more effective.
More importantly, your personal reputation will grow, as will your self-belief and personal confidence.
People will start to call you when they need a solution.
You will be number 1 on more speed-dials, and that’s a powerful position.
Start To Focus Your Energy
…and then, as you keep reading this forum and TMF (for young Jedi, I know you will still read a lot whatever I/we say), you will become more aware of the value that each of your solutions generate.
…and then, as you become more aware of the value that each solution generates, you will become more aware of the potential for money to flow to you as a result of your problem solving.
…and then you will be able to focus on the solutions that will make you a fully paid-up rubber stamped fastlaner.
….and Then Comes Copywriting and Marketing
@MJ DeMarco and others will tell you that selling, copywriting, and marketing are absolutely vital for fastlaning.
….and they’re spot on, absolutely right. Well, who knew eh?
My only nuance is that you get yourself on the road and rolling first, and in my (extremely) humble opinion you do that best by solving the problems you see first. As you roll on, you focus…..and then you scale with the skills!
Still Doubting?
Well, OK. I can’t force it, but do remember I am telling you this from a very personal perspective.
This is what has worked for me, and nearly every successful person I have known/read about operates (more or less) in this way.
By some standards I am reasonably successful (top 3% financially according to the stats), and I wake up thankful and happy every single day. Life is wonderful.
However I know that I am far from a finished article. I have a lot of work to do to improve. I must! ….but still I hope I can pass on a gift to you so that you can fulfil your potential in your own way.
I don’t need to write this up. I have nothing to gain, apart from the pure satisfaction of passing on some knowledge to others, and giving back to this most special community.
Make of it what you will.
Summary
Problem solving works.
It works for customers and it can give you everything you want too.
It’s not easy, but it is doable. You can do it. You just need to start doing it.
I have personally witnessed millions of dollars being given to people who solve problems. You can be one of those people.
You can choose to be a sheep in the utterly fruitless mass flock search for an easy mil, or you can choose to be a problem solver that the mil will find. It really is your choice.
Now, I’m off to sing to my dog. Success and good luck to you all!
P.S. Respect to MJ and all the other authors and posters who have shared “execution” stories and advice to help new fastlaners before me. I salute you. This is merely my take and real world experience around execution and solutions, and it’s just my small contribution to the shared pool of knowledge. Best wishes!
Good News!
With “just“ a focused attitude, relatively minor action (in terms of your life), little money, and without any formal qualifications whatsoever….
…(it’s true)….
…. you can set yourself on a verified road to financial freedom that will astound your friends, confound your enemies, and give you a grin to make Will Smith’s pearly white smile look British.
Well hot dang! Ain’t that terrific?
Sure is MustImprove, sure is! That’s why I’m here man! What next?!!
Well, I'll explain more below, but first.......
Bad News!
90% of people reading this won’t be bothered to make even the relatively minor effort required.
Threads here have shown time and time again that people can’t resist looking for the lazy-boy way to a mil, even though nearly every real millionaire says it doesn’t work like that.
…but wait, hold on, what’s that you say? All of you are part of the 10%?
Oh well, OK, then great! …and in that case I’ll continue. It’s my turn to put something in the pot.
This thread might get a few reads after all!
The Call We All Want…
A few days ago I received a most marvellous phone call. The type of call that makes you sing to your dog.
Oh, and for @Vigilante ----this is the start of the “next time”. Thanks.
It was a customer who I have done business with before, and he’s a good one.
This chap plays the yes/no game with millions of dollars. Are you a “yes” or are you a “no”?…for the money I mean. Well, he decides.
Anyway, I’ll paraphrase, but this is roughly how the conversation went”
Mr Millions – “Hey, MustImprove, how are you? Family doing OK?”
MustImprove – “All great thanks, hopefully you too. I’ve been hanging about with the cool kids over at The Fastlane Forum, discussing how wonderful entrepreneurial life can be. Boy oh boy, I sure feel dandy when I’ve added so much value for my customers that they just LOVE to do business with me, and that when they have a problem that smarts like a 5 year old jabbing your iris, I’m number 1 on their speed dial.”
Mr Millions – “Wowsers, I bet that’s a rockin good joint, but listen……..I have a problem that smarts like a 5 year old jabbing your iris, and you’re number 1 on my speed dial!”
MustImprove – “All great thanks, hopefully you too. I’ve been hanging about with the cool kids over at The Fastlane Forum, discussing how wonderful entrepreneurial life can be. Boy oh boy, I sure feel dandy when I’ve added so much value for my customers that they just LOVE to do business with me, and that when they have a problem that smarts like a 5 year old jabbing your iris, I’m number 1 on their speed dial.”
Mr Millions – “Wowsers, I bet that’s a rockin good joint, but listen……..I have a problem that smarts like a 5 year old jabbing your iris, and you’re number 1 on my speed dial!”
OK, ya got me. That bit was HEAVILY paraphrased, but you get the gist.
So let’s split up and look for clues.
Those who still think the shiny silver bullet to drill the werewolf of mediocrity between the eyes is just around the corner on the internet, you go that way.
Those who are interested in learning something of the real world that can make every day like a Superbowl half-time show, come with me.
The Clues
Some of you still with me? Top work team! On we go!
Look, I’ve found some clues!
Besides, the luminous footprints, and a fake beard, please note the following:
Clue Number 1
Mr Millions didn’t talk about price. He knows my company will be one of the most expensive solutions, and this will be a 200k deal roughly (yeh yeh yeh fellow travellers, I know I need to expand my own mind-set too J). A solution is a higher priority.
Clue Number 2
Mr Millions didn’t dictate terms, such as being here or there at certain times, or how I solve the problem. A solution is what matters.
Clue Number 3
No clue, but just to drive it home like a prefect’s wedgie….. A. Solution. Mattered. More. Than. Anything.
Now pay attention you potential power value generators, a key question is coming up!
A Key Question
How much incremental effort did it take me to secure a solution focused deal worth more than 7 times the average annual USA salary from just 1 customer?
I’ll have to hurry you…….
You sir, with the stylish Hawaiian shirt at the back (not you Vigilante)….. Correct! – almost no effort at all!
Wow, imagine that. Almost zero effort!
No copywriting challenges and split-testing for months.
No 10k seminars with a guru.
No reading books for years.
No setting up a website, logos, and agonising over a brand.
No Google.
No research.
No digging in forums (again for years!) for the magic “buy now” link that will mean I can print money with no effort forever.
No 10k seminars with a guru.
No reading books for years.
No setting up a website, logos, and agonising over a brand.
No Google.
No research.
No digging in forums (again for years!) for the magic “buy now” link that will mean I can print money with no effort forever.
No No No No No No No….
”All” I did to win another great deal was solve the right problem at the right time for the right person ONCE BEFORE.
I want you to think about that.
<contemplation time for you and for me>
‘…and I wuda gotten away with it if it wasn’t for you darned kids!”
Enough reminiscing. What’s the lesson here, and what specifically should you do?
The Lesson Here
At the start, your most important piece of self-development (in my humble opinion), is to become a black belted, top-of-the-class, 1st round draft, Cyberdyne Systems Model 101, whoop-a$$ problem solver!
An ability (and reputation) for solving problems can open doors for you in any industry you choose, and for the rest of your life.
Think about that too!.....the rest of your life. Right now that probably feels like a long time. Well, that feeling won’t last as long as you expect, so enjoy it now!
…and by the way, some of those things I just told you “NO”/ not to do ARE actually important, just at a different time in your development. You need to use them selectively, but you don’t need them to start solving problems now.
So I say “become a problem solver”, and you (might) say. “Good for you MustImprove, but……..”:
“How do I become a problem solver?”
“Every problem is different!”
“How do I win the deal to solve the first problem?”
“Every problem is different!”
“How do I win the deal to solve the first problem?”
All valid questions. You are just starting out. You want/need more detail…I gets ya.
What Should You Do? – Two Steps
The first step is easy. It’s not easy to maintain, but that’s for later.
Step1….you find a girl to lov…..oops, sorry.
<reset>
Step 1 - Make a personal decision that from now on you will be steely determined
This means that you commit yourself to repeated and continuous effort, focused on a problem at hand, until you deliver a satisfactory solution (and ideally a delightful solution) for the person with the problem
Decided already?
Nah. Not right.
It doesn’t need to take a week, but you should consciously embrace this decision. It took me a few attempts, but one day, I really decided, and I’ve not looked back since.
Decided already?
Nah. Not right.
It doesn’t need to take a week, but you should consciously embrace this decision. It took me a few attempts, but one day, I really decided, and I’ve not looked back since.
Step 2 - Develop your problem solving “muscle”
…and now we get to the piece that most of you will ignore, or promise to get back to later, and go for some action faking that will get you in trouble with @theag . If that’s you, you are probably one of the 90%.
By the way, @theag is a valuable member here. He’s a tough love “back-hander” kind of chap, and he smells action faking across continents. He knows the score. Good luck in the ring with him if you are a 90%er!
For the remaining 10% of the 10% who stayed and haven’t got fed up with me yet, and by my reckoning that’s about 1% of those who read my opening lines, this is my Step 2 challenge to you.
I want you to get into the habit of solving problems for people.
That’s “all”.
It doesn’t need to take too much of your time.
It doesn’t need to cost you a lot of money.
It just takes a conscious decision and some effort.
It doesn’t need to take too much of your time.
It doesn’t need to cost you a lot of money.
It just takes a conscious decision and some effort.
Just start, and start simply.
Your first goal is to find someone that has a problem…almost anyone with almost any problem, and smash that problem to smithereens…..out of the park son!
However small it seems, just make that person’s life better…..for free, and without obligation of any kind. Pheww…heavy I know!
….and then, when you have done that and they say thank you (probably), make some time for yourself, pause for more contemplation, and reflect that you got your “starter for 10” (first question) correct, and that you’re now “in the game” properly.
You will have solved a real problem for a real person.
That’s worth a whole week of browsing without real action.
So, then you are a hero to someone. Birds are flyin high, and you’re feelin……good.
….then go be a hero again!.....and again, and again, and again, and again, and again, and….well you know how this works.
You Will Become More Effective With Every Solution
As you solve each new problem you will get better and better at solving.
At first, your creative synapses will barely sputter a spark. You will find solutions hard to come by.
However with each solution sprint, and with your different: approaches, angles, and possibilities, you pour creative go-go juice onto your nascent twinkles of brilliance.
You get better. You get faster. You get stronger and more effective.
More importantly, your personal reputation will grow, as will your self-belief and personal confidence.
People will start to call you when they need a solution.
You will be number 1 on more speed-dials, and that’s a powerful position.
Start To Focus Your Energy
…and then, as you keep reading this forum and TMF (for young Jedi, I know you will still read a lot whatever I/we say), you will become more aware of the value that each of your solutions generate.
…and then, as you become more aware of the value that each solution generates, you will become more aware of the potential for money to flow to you as a result of your problem solving.
…and then you will be able to focus on the solutions that will make you a fully paid-up rubber stamped fastlaner.
….and Then Comes Copywriting and Marketing
@MJ DeMarco and others will tell you that selling, copywriting, and marketing are absolutely vital for fastlaning.
….and they’re spot on, absolutely right. Well, who knew eh?
My only nuance is that you get yourself on the road and rolling first, and in my (extremely) humble opinion you do that best by solving the problems you see first. As you roll on, you focus…..and then you scale with the skills!
Still Doubting?
Well, OK. I can’t force it, but do remember I am telling you this from a very personal perspective.
This is what has worked for me, and nearly every successful person I have known/read about operates (more or less) in this way.
By some standards I am reasonably successful (top 3% financially according to the stats), and I wake up thankful and happy every single day. Life is wonderful.
However I know that I am far from a finished article. I have a lot of work to do to improve. I must! ….but still I hope I can pass on a gift to you so that you can fulfil your potential in your own way.
I don’t need to write this up. I have nothing to gain, apart from the pure satisfaction of passing on some knowledge to others, and giving back to this most special community.
Make of it what you will.
Summary
Problem solving works.
It works for customers and it can give you everything you want too.
It’s not easy, but it is doable. You can do it. You just need to start doing it.
I have personally witnessed millions of dollars being given to people who solve problems. You can be one of those people.
You can choose to be a sheep in the utterly fruitless mass flock search for an easy mil, or you can choose to be a problem solver that the mil will find. It really is your choice.
Now, I’m off to sing to my dog. Success and good luck to you all!
P.S. Respect to MJ and all the other authors and posters who have shared “execution” stories and advice to help new fastlaners before me. I salute you. This is merely my take and real world experience around execution and solutions, and it’s just my small contribution to the shared pool of knowledge. Best wishes!
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