Save Yourself Years Of Frustration; It Worked For Me!

[Willing2Learn]

I think this is great advice as well, but I do have a question.

I know this could potentially sound ridiculous, but I have to ask.

It is worth pointing out that I'm an introvert, although I do not use that as a handicap or as an excuse.

When it comes to solving other people's problems, my question is, how do I go about doing it?

For instance, do I walk into a Stop and Shop, go up to some random customer, and ask them if there is a problem they need help with?

What if they decide to say, in a rude manner, something like "Yeah, you can help carry my bags to the car."

So what I'm really asking is, how do you go about asking or finding out people's problems?

Going up to random strangers, people are going to look at you odd, or think you have an ulterior motive, or that you are trying to sell them something.

I can talk to people just fine, and I've been told I am able to connect with people. But I'm not exactly the most social person in the world.

Can someone give me some examples of how to get people to tell me about their problems?

Am I the only one that feels this way?

As I said, I'm not looking for excuses, and I'm not interested in action-faking, but just some general advice on how I can get people to open up about their problems would be appreciated.

Thank you.

 

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[Spstepp]

Listen to what people say in conversation and if you can help, do so. It might be a referral you can make or information you can offer. Look at this forum, it’s busting with people giving freely with no expectation of getting anything in return. For me, I do my best to help however I can.

You don’t have to go looking, just be open to hearing a need and be willing to answer it as best you can.

 

[Willing2Learn]

Listen to what people say in conversation and if you can help, do so. It might be a referral you can make or information you can offer. Look at this forum, it’s busting with people giving freely with no expectation of getting anything in return. For me, I do my best to help however I can.

You don’t have to go looking, just be open to hearing a need and be willing to answer it as best you can.

I appreciate your input, but in my situation, I have to look.

I've been working in retail for a long time, and I've been working for my previous employer for almost ten years. With this employer, I just lost my job two weeks ago, so I've been stuck mostly in the house. I've been reading the very good threads on this forum, researching copywriting, doing some market research, and looking for jobs (and let me tell you, the jobs out there just plain suck).

I'm in a bind. I have reached an impasse. I have no clue what to do. I went to the bookstore last week to read a book on iOS App Programming, and took a couple of books out on Accounting and Bookkeeping (although I didn't have the time to really go through those books).

I bookmarked a bunch of books that I will be purchasing from Amazon once I have some money coming in. Books that were recommended in this post: Notable! - 6-Figures In 12 Months Copywriting. Quit Job. Here's How I Did It:

I don't mind reading, and I know reading is definitely going to be a requirement through my journey, but all I've been doing IS reading, and it is getting me nowhere. I want to take action.

Aside from asking people about their problems on the Internet, or browsing forums and seeing what people are complaining about, and trying to find a solution to their problems, the only other way I see of finding about people's problems is just getting out there and asking them. This means going into stores, like Walmart, Stop and Shop, Home Depot, etc.

And then of course there is the way that IceCreamKid mentioned, in this thread: GOLD - No network? No money? No idea? No education? NO PROBLEM! Admittedly, I'm not at all confident in doing this.

I'm seriously considering going back to that bookstore to continue reading the book on iOS app programming, and programming a game for an Iphone. Or just writing a book. I know the game programming thing goes against the "Do what you love" philosophy that MJ has mentioned in his books, but I'm getting stressed out, because I need to take action.

This entrepreneurship endeavor is definitely not easy, and I'm not saying it should be, but it's defintely, in my opinion, the hardest, or one of the hardest things you can do in your life. I don't know if I'm cut out for it or not, but I need to do something. If that involves developing a game app (my hobby and passion is game development and modding), then so be it. It beats sitting around and doing nothing.

I agree with all of the stuff that is being said on this forum, I just don't know if I have it in me.

If anyone else feels the same way I do, feel free to share your story as well. I look forward to reading it.

 

[Spstepp]

I appreciate your input, but in my situation, I have to look.

I've been working in retail for a long time, and I've been working for my previous employer for almost ten years. With this employer, I just lost my job two weeks ago, so I've been stuck mostly in the house. I've been reading the very good threads on this forum, researching copywriting, doing some market research, and looking for jobs (and let me tell you, the jobs out there just plain suck).

I can appreciate the situation you find yourself in. Have you considered doing a personal inventory of your skills? Not just work skills but the things you are good at and enjoy doing. Are you handy around the house? Are you organized? Do you enjoy gardening? Do animals love you? After you do this assessment and while looking for a job if you must, look for opportunities to put your skills to work. Look for an opportunity to create a job. Where can you add value?

I obviously know nothing about you or where you live so these suggestions may not apply. In my mind, a person would be much better off creating a job than looking to work for someone else (unless the job is training you for a future business). There are many opportunities to put yourself to work - washing windows (good money), walking dogs, cleaning homes, cleaning businesses, you get the idea - the real world has unfilled needs all around and you can make money at them today, not after building a web site , driving traffic, etc.

 

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[Willing2Learn]

I can appreciate the situation you find yourself in. Have you considered doing a personal inventory of your skills? Not just work skills but the things you are good at and enjoy doing. Are you handy around the house? Are you organized? Do you enjoy gardening? Do animals love you? After you do this assessment and while looking for a job if you must, look for opportunities to put your skills to work. Look for an opportunity to create a job. Where can you add value?

I obviously know nothing about you or where you live so these suggestions may not apply. In my mind, a person would be much better off creating a job than looking to work for someone else (unless the job is training you for a future business). There are many opportunities to put yourself to work - washing windows (good money), walking dogs, cleaning homes, cleaning businesses, you get the idea - the real world has unfilled needs all around and you can make money at them today, not after building a web site , driving traffic, etc.

I know what you mean. And yes, I have taken an inventory of myself about a year ago. And since you mentioned it, I will be doing it again, and making sure I'm thorough with it. I'm currently revising and trying to finish a screenplay that I started back in March, and I will be purchasing the books on copywriting when I have some money coming in. I am going to do my best to keep pushing through.

Thank you Spstepp for trying to help.

 

[AlwaysWright]

So much good info here. I will defintely by using in the future as a reference tool.

 

[Dave Daily]

@MustImprove Thanks a bunch man for this post. I've got a new mantra rattling around in my noodle—"I am a problem solver." LOL. I need something up there. @Andy Black turned me on to this thread and I'm glad he did.

One tactic I've been working on to find problems in my areas of interest is to participate in Facebook groups. You could even start your own. And then just go in there everyday and be helpful, write long form content, and go out of your way to solve problems. For example, I eat whole food plant based and so I belong to a local Facebook group. We share recipes, talk about where to buy this or that, and there are plenty of opportunities to solve problems, which has led me to include two food business ideas in my recent POLL about which business makes the most CENTS.

Here's a good article from Neil Patel about setting up a Facebook Group. You don't have to set one up, you could just join a bunch, but if you have a niche that you'd like to start solving problems in, it's a good way to get going. I'm going to take my own advice. Thanks again @MustImprove . Here's the link:

https://neilpatel.com/blog/an-eye-opening-guide-on-how-to-grow-a-facebook-group/

 

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[Tommo]

q

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.

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!”​

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 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?”​

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.​

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.​

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!

wow how much do you want I'll buy it for $997 Cheques in the post

 

[keith4444]

bump this up, I too was alerted to this thread from one of @Andy Black posts.
Rep transferred!
thanks @MustImprove

 

[Marseille]

Having a go at answering this and the similar posts after it. .

Talking to people is the way to find problems. People at the gym, at work, friends and family, they all have problems. Talk to anybody and everybody you can, ask them how their day is going - don't just ask to be pleasant, show a genuine interest and people seem to open up quite a lot!

If you can start the conversation off and show interest, I'm finding people will open up very easily. Just let them talk, they'll tell you whats going on with their lives/jobs, what's annoying/stressing them, what they need to get done etc. Opportunities for this are everywhere.

I got a new dentist a few weeks ago. After one appointment I know quite a lot about him, including a major annoyance he's having in his personal life. The same works with the local shop attendants, hairdressers, and anybody else.

The other beautiful thing about talking to people and showing a genuine interest is they seem to want to help you in return when they can. Opportunities you didn't even know existed begin to come your way. .

Just keep your eyes open and help when and where you can.

P.S. I don't think you need huge problems, or successful people with problems. Maybe others will disagree with me, but to me helping is helping. If you can help somebody with their business, do it. If you can teach somebody something that helps them, do it. But for me, helping an elderly neighbour with their bins, helping somebody who's depressed to feel better, even helping somebody at the gym with tips on how to achieve their goals - it's all helping!

So, your post was good TeflonDon and logical. Honestly though, my question is: What if you don't like people? How are you finding those problems?

 

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[dpvtank]

I know this could potentially sound ridiculous, but I have to ask.

It is worth pointing out that I'm an introvert, although I do not use that as a handicap or as an excuse.

When it comes to solving other people's problems, my question is, how do I go about doing it?

For instance, do I walk into a Stop and Shop, go up to some random customer, and ask them if there is a problem they need help with?

Being an introvert doesn't have to be a limiting factor. As a previous poster here pointed out, you can join Facebook groups to find problems to solve.

However, I think being an introvert is an advantage in getting people to talk because you will actually listen!

There is an art to having these conversations, and maybe I'll make a longer thread about this. Learning the art of listening has been one of the most eye-opening experiences of my life. But the heart of it is this:

Approach people without wanting to convince them to have a conversation with you.
When they talk, do not offer opinions, judgement, approval. Remain neutral (this does not mean dead, it means not suggesting how they should react to you in turn).

Don't try to relate to them. Don't do anything. Make it entirely about them. NOT about your feelings, reactions, your passion, what you're trying to do. No relating at all.

Here's an example of how a conversation might go:

You: "How's your day going?"
Them: "Good. Great weather. It's good to spend more time out of the house."

Now, the topic that's open to you is spending time out of the house.

You: "What do you like to do when you're outside the house."
Them: "Oh you know...hiking, biking."

Now, the topics of hiking and biking are available to you.

You: "Where will you go hiking this season?"
Them: "Well, I really want to go through the Bruce Trail, but I've been so tied up these days"

Now the topic of the Bruce Trail is open, as is the topic of being tied up.

You: "What are you tied up with?"
Them: "A problem at work. We're in the middle of moving offices and it's hard to figure out how to do it without disrupting business operations."

Now you have permission to ask him about moving offices. You can ask him about why he's moving offices. From where to where. What it means to disrupt business operations. Etc.

A lot of people don't seem to understand this art of conversation. They jump all over the place. They never go deep enough. They're far too interested in "getting the juice" without listening. They make it about them, other than the person they are listening to. You receive permission to inquire more about a new topic if the person brings it up.

Being an introvert, if you can master the art of conversation like this, not only is it not threatening, but you will be SHOCKED at how quickly people will share their deepest more intimate problems.

If people are interested, I can write more about this. It is based on intense study, clinical validation, and personal experience. I've used it with strangers, professionals, and loved ones. I'm starting off my fastlane journey, so I haven't used it for an entrepreneurial (aka problem solving) venture, but with what I'm learning here, it's great to learn I already have the skill to unearth problems.

Edit: I posted a longer thread about this here.

 

[Castro]

If people are interested, I can write more about this. It is based on intense study, clinical validation, and personal experience. I've used it with strangers, professionals, and loved ones. I'm starting off my fastlane journey, so I haven't used it for an entrepreneurial (aka problem solving) venture, but with what I'm learning here, it's great to learn I already have the skill to unearth problems.

This is a method I use often, it's not something I studied, just what I figured out on my own through lots of interactions with people. However, I wouldn't consider myself a master on it. I'd definitely take a look at your write-up.

 

[Roli]

If people are interested, I can write more about this.

Definitely, doing so will help you and others. Go for it.

 

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[ApparentHorizon]

Being an introvert doesn't have to be a limiting factor. As a previous poster here pointed out, you can join Facebook groups to find problems to solve.

However, I think being an introvert is an advantage in getting people to talk because you will actually listen!

There is an art to having these conversations, and maybe I'll make a longer thread about this. Learning the art of listening has been one of the most eye-opening experiences of my life. But the heart of it is this:

Approach people without wanting to convince them to have a conversation with you.
When they talk, do not offer opinions, judgement, approval. Remain neutral (this does not mean dead, it means not suggesting how they should react to you in turn).

Don't try to relate to them. Don't do anything. Make it entirely about them. NOT about your feelings, reactions, your passion, what you're trying to do. No relating at all.

Here's an example of how a conversation might go:

You: "How's your day going?"
Them: "Good. Great weather. It's good to spend more time out of the house."

Now, the topic that's open to you is spending time out of the house.

You: "What do you like to do when you're outside the house."
Them: "Oh you know...hiking, biking."

Now, the topics of hiking and biking are available to you.

You: "Where will you go hiking this season?"
Them: "Well, I really want to go through the Bruce Trail, but I've been so tied up these days"
(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});
Now the topic of the Bruce Trail is open, as is the topic of being tied up.

You: "What are you tied up with?"
Them: "A problem at work. We're in the middle of moving offices and it's hard to figure out how to do it without disrupting business operations."

Now you have permission to ask him about moving offices. You can ask him about why he's moving offices. From where to where. What it means to disrupt business operations. Etc.

A lot of people don't seem to understand this art of conversation. They jump all over the place. They never go deep enough. They're far too interested in "getting the juice" without listening. They make it about them, other than the person they are listening to. You receive permission to inquire more about a new topic if the person brings it up.

Being an introvert, if you can master the art of conversation like this, not only is it not threatening, but you will be SHOCKED at how quickly people will share their deepest more intimate problems.

There was one study where participants rated non-interview conversations deeper and more meaningful.

How do you make them feel like you're not getting ready to say, "we'll be right back after this commercial break."

If people are interested, I can write more about this. It is based on intense study, clinical validation, and personal experience. I've used it with strangers, professionals, and loved ones. I'm starting off my fastlane journey, so I haven't used it for an entrepreneurial (aka problem solving) venture, but with what I'm learning here, it's great to learn I already have the skill to unearth problems.

Please do

 

[dpvtank]

There was one study where participants rated non-interview conversations deeper and more meaningful.

How do you make them feel like you're not getting ready to say, "we'll be right back after this commercial break."

That's an interesting point. Except that what I'm proposing is not an interview format. It's a method of active listening which uses questions to be more engaged. I'll write-up a longer post over the next week on this topic and post it. I'll make sure to tag you in it.

 

[El Príncipe]

Such a great thread. So much value.

Spotting the common theme across a lot of Gold Threads and TMF ; Solve a small, real, tangible, identifiable problem for one real person, a person you actually know and meet. Be helpful, add value, make people's lives better. Not in the grand, abstract sense of things. But in a direct, concrete way.

Thanks for the thread @MustImprove

 

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[chuckypita]

I taught a Young Entrepreneur Academy course a few years ago to a group of 12 - 18 year olds.

The winner?

A young 13 year old who created wood baby rattles that were toddler teeth friendly.

Finding ways to solve problems is a mindset.

GREAT POST!

 

[cv_guimara]

Awesome post!

Thanks!

 

[BlackMagician]

This just open my heart. Thanks @MustImprove. I always try to help others but the people I am surrounded always say, don't do it for free. And this really affected my mind set. I started doubting Myself to help others. Sometimes I thought they are just taking advance of.
But reading this just nails everything. Why I get many opportunity to help to ccommunicate, to earn.

Just this week, one of my colleagues friend needed help in making a custom web page mobile responsive. I tried to help him first with half heart. The codes was messy and felt not to help. But he text me that I am the only hope for him because the project needed to be delivered the next day. I decided (step 1 @MustImprove) to help him no mmatter what. Coded till 2am and solved his problem. And believe me when I solved that problem of him I felt that some kind of improvement happened in me. I felt I just unlocked some hidden Skill in me.

Next day he thanks me so much and asked me to tell him how much to pay. I told him it is a small work and I help de you thats all...

He was very happy and in the further conversation he offered a Project to me. A website development. I didn't asked for it.

Thanks everyone else Who have contributed your thoughts in this thread, I read them all. Specially that hell /heaven spoon story. That just blowed my mind(i forgot the person who posted).

Thanks again friends. I have recently joined the forum and improving Myself day by day.

 

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[heeya]

Thanks for this thread.

I was searching for how to add value in real life and saw this post. Now I realize solving problems for people around me comes first and then new business ideas follow. After decide to solve problems, I was watching twtich streaming and I found some problems that streamer has. That streamer is newbie so she needs video editor to post on youtube for marketing purpose. I know she has video editor but quality of editing is not good enough so I start to learn by doing. I finally made short video and sent to her. She loved it! I was so happy because of the fact that I add value(solve problem) in real life.

By solving other's problem I realize few more things,
1. Video editing is in my new skill set
2. I find another problem that she(the streamer) has which is expand streaming channel.
3. I think I find a business idea

I'll keep doing this.

Sorry for my bad english.

Have a great day!
Thanks again

 

[L457dwj]

Great topic, real eye opener.
I've always been searching for my passion and what I truly love.

It isn't about that, it's about giving value to others and solve their needs.

Maybe a silly question.. but what's like a good way to find these problems? Contact people on Linkedin? Cold calling?
And how do I pick a niche? Since you want to have progress in a certain niche to get an expert in that niche I guess?

 

[SDE]

Maybe a silly question.. but what's like a good way to find these problems? Contact people on Linkedin? Cold calling?

This was already asked in the thread.

I do have a question though. If we do not yet have our own business, and we are also unemployed, in what way do we go looking for problems to solve?

The answer was also given in this same thread.

“Engage in life. Engage an industry.”

Let me address your questions directly:

As MJ and Jean-Luc say…..”Engage”!

Look you just must get out there and interact with people….naturally.

That can be in a slowlane job….there must a problem to solve there, otherwise the job wouldn’t exist.

Can you solve the original problem better?

Can you help the business owner save money?

It can be at the gym (good for you)….what could be improved for the members?

Just casually chat to the manager

After small talk, say that you are passionate about improving businesses, especially good ones like his

Offer to do a member survey for the manager (for free)

Find the biggest problem

Find a viable solution.

Deliver a prototype (for free)

Ask him if he wants you to increase his member’s satisfaction significantly

These are just examples based only on what you said, but those “off the cuff” examples can lead to serious Fastlane results.


“ I myself have been looking for a way to get started for quite a while, and researching to find a niche on the internet is the thing I've planning on doing to get started, but since you mention no need for research, I'm trying to determine, do you mean completely irregardless of whether we have our niche, product or service or not?”

When I said “no research” I was illustrating the point that once you have solved a problem for a person, they tend to trust you to solve their next problem. So I didn’t need to research to win this particular business. My previous action negated the need for research in this case.


Research can be important. When you have a snowball rolling, do research to make the snowball roll faster or better….but you don’t necessarily need it to get started.


My advice

You strike me as a good chap who has spent a long time procrastinating, looking/researching all over trying to find the perfect place to focus your effort. Stop. The perfect place does not exist.

Your previous 2 years of super-duper in-depth but ultimately fruitless research should tell you that.


Start building some small snowballs by having natural conversations with people about their lives in whichever organisation/location you have in your daily life.

Observe, ask questions, and listen.

Ponder.

Think how you can improve their life.

Make a gentle suggestion to them as to how you can help them make the improvement.

Listen again.

Do a quick/small proof of concept for free.

Worst case scenario: one person with one problem (now hopefully solved) thinks you’re a decent and spiffing fellow. Your reputation grows.

Best case scenario, you discover a scalable business opportunity

I advise to start solving problems that are all around you, whatever your current industry, status, or hobbies. These are your potentially big snowballs.

Don’t look for massively scalable problems at first. Just start creating value in the world for someone.

As you do more, you will get better, and you will start to see which snowballs are rolling better than others. Then you can focus on those.


You have spent 2 years researching. Imagine that instead of researching you solved just one small problem a week for someone….taking trash out, gym surveys, or whatever.


By now you would have rolled 100+ snowballs, thereby massively increasing your chance of finding a real problem in the real world that you can solve and scale.

I think you are probably a pretty smart guy. Honestly, which use of your time makes more sense to you if you look at it objectively?...assuming you want to be a fastlaner!

Research doesn’t smash the ball out of the stadium. Focused energy with the right solution just might.

You can be a player, but you must decide to be player.

You might need to start on a little league field being watched by the community litter pickers, but that little league field is the first step to the majors.


You need to believe that the apparently small/hidden problems can lead to something much much bigger.

They can.

Ditch the soggy popcorn, pull on your problem solving plimsolls, “get in the game bro”, and start rolling some snow….then you have a massively greater chance of getting that Wagyu.

“….is it literally as direct as asking random people "do you have any problems you need help with"?

 

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[Joel Heffner]

Well, now I know why I suck.

I've heard this in other ways before, but It's never really sunk in until I read this post.

My problem is that I rarely try to solve the problems myself. I'm cheating myself out of learning this skill. I've always been the type of person to not want to reinvent the wheel, but I take it too far.

I'm very appreciative of your writing style, since I speak sarcasm quite fluently. Thanks for this post, I haven't had a good AHA! moment in awhile.

 

[chuckypita]

How do I pick a niche? How do I find what I love? ---- HOW IN THE HECK DO YOU EXPECT ANY OF US TO KNOW THOSE ANSWERS? - Take someone else's pain away and you'll make money. Eezy peezy.

 

[BlackMagician]

How do I pick a niche? How do I find what I love? ---- HOW IN THE HECK DO YOU EXPECT ANY OF US TO KNOW THOSE ANSWERS? - Take someone else's pain away and you'll make money. Eezy peezy.

Why do you want to pick a niche?
Why do you want to find what you love?
Just why?
I don't understand.

Please read the thread and beautiful comments from others on this thread again to understand.

Well, if you can solve my pain i will hold your hands, take money out from my pocket and put in yours'.

Yes, very easy.

 

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[ShamanKing]

Thank you. You made me realize something.

 

[Bekit]

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.
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.

I just ran across an amazing example of this, which occurs at approximately 1:03 in the interview in the following video.

Miguel Hernandez was just a guy who had moved from Spain to Canada, living in a lean, 750-square-foot apartment in British Columbia. He went from being a jack of all trades to the fastlane in one move. (Maybe he took your advice to heart, @MustImprove?)

In Miguel's own words...

"I did a video for Hipmunk.com, a flight search company, that is actually a Y combinator company, and the marketing principal is Alexis Ohanian (the guy who founded Reddit). I sent that through their support site, said, "I created this little video as a spec video, because I really love your site, your product, and let me know if you like it." And it turns out that Alexis really liked it, to the point that he said, "You know what, MIguel, as a thank you, I'm going to introduce you to everybody that I know that could possibly need a video like this." So I did videos for other companies..."

At around 9:08, the video describes why Miguel's video was successful. He solved a problem.

People had made other videos for Hipmunk. But they were falling flat. They weren't showing people why the site mattered. They weren't making it clear why they should use the site. Miguel's video took a different approach. It solved the problem that all the other videos had failed to solve.

Practically overnight, Miguel had so many requests coming in from high-profile companies that he had to hire other animators to create the videos in order to keep up.

@MustImprove isn't lying that this method can be a shortcut to save years of frustration.

 

[Ryauko]

This is a very good thread, I even dare say it is inspiring.

 

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[JJMac]

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.

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!”​

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 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?”​

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.​

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.​

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!

@MustImprove really great thread, very simple yet hard hitting. Love your style and humour.

This is a must read for me as it really tackles my early problems getting started with entrepreneurship, long have I been searching around the web and through books with the goal being money. The Millionaire Fastlane altered what I perceived as being my goal and this post just reaffirms it beautifully, entrepreneurship = solving problems = money will find you (not vice versa), as well as demonstrating how this can be done. Really very valuable to me and the way my mind needs to be tuned, thank you. @Andy Black appreciate you sending me in this direction, cheers!

 

[Andy Black]

I just ran across an amazing example of this, which occurs at approximately 1:03 in the interview in the following video.

Miguel Hernandez was just a guy who had moved from Spain to Canada, living in a lean, 750-square-foot apartment in British Columbia. He went from being a jack of all trades to the fastlane in one move. (Maybe he took your advice to heart, @MustImprove?)

In Miguel's own words...

"I did a video for Hipmunk.com, a flight search company, that is actually a Y combinator company, and the marketing principal is Alexis Ohanian (the guy who founded Reddit). I sent that through their support site, said, "I created this little video as a spec video, because I really love your site, your product, and let me know if you like it." And it turns out that Alexis really liked it, to the point that he said, "You know what, MIguel, as a thank you, I'm going to introduce you to everybody that I know that could possibly need a video like this." So I did videos for other companies..."

At around 9:08, the video describes why Miguel's video was successful. He solved a problem.

People had made other videos for Hipmunk. But they were falling flat. They weren't showing people why the site mattered. They weren't making it clear why they should use the site. Miguel's video took a different approach. It solved the problem that all the other videos had failed to solve.

Practically overnight, Miguel had so many requests coming in from high-profile companies that he had to hire other animators to create the videos in order to keep up.

@MustImprove isn't lying that this method can be a shortcut to save years of frustration.

You mean he helped someone for free, they loved it, referred him on, and he ended up building a business out of it?

Who’d have thought?