Save Yourself Years Of Frustration; It Worked For Me!

[Mattie]

I figured out, I can waste a lot of time trying to solve the worlds problems. I've learned to appreciate my gifts, what I have to offer the world, and design a product that gives authenticity, truth, and keys to success. If they happen to be searching for a solution to their problem, then they will find my product.

If they happen to be not looking for a solution, then most likely they won't find what they need. In most cases, you can stick things in front of their face a hundred times, and they'll ignore the solution. When they're ready to solve their problem, they might do something different then what they've done before.

 

[vshetty.vs]

Re-read this whole thread and you will see why your mindset is flawed. If you start solving problems you are going to start learning things, creating connections and adding value, which is the recipe for success. You are improving yourself and your situation simply by helping others, in a way you are using someone else's problem to help yourself.

But is there a line between solving others problems and being taken advantage of.

I have always been at the top of my class and I spend a lot of time teaching others and helping them understand the subject. But people start expecting even more things from me.

I get calls in that middle of the night about doubts.
I have my exams in a couple of days and I haven't studied properly because I spent all day explaining what the professor taught in class.

 

[SindbadtheSailor]

Thank you for this thread and answers to questions. It completely flipped my viewpoint and I hope it's going to change my life.

I must read your other posts, you are throwing value all around in your threads. Also, I have a question why do you like every post?

Besides that, I just transferred rep, thanks again.

 

[MrYoshi]

Unbelievable post. Thanks so much MustImprove. I took a ton of notes and will implement this in my business moving forward. I've been slacking lately on solving each customer's problems.

 

[keith4444]

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

 

[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.

 

[Ernman]

Great thread, thank you. Rep XFR

 

[ced]

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!

Problem Solving is everything. I think I have a lot of my own problems to solve first like living with my parents, having a dirty kitchen, having a dirty room. Get businesses more clients. Being a better brother. Building other people's reputations.

 

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[Jata]

Hey @TomTrepreneur !

You were first to bat in today’s Fastlane innings of life, so I’m going to dig in to your questions first.

I want to give you a personalised and thought-out answer, and so (if you will excuse me) I took a look through some of your old posts.

You come across as a decent and enthusiastic type. A good foundation! I’m not looking to beat you up or anything, and stalking isn’t my bag, so just take what I say as well intentioned. I want you to get “it”…….and all the joy that goes with “it”.


About 20 months ago in another thread, amongst other stuff TomTrepreneur said:

“How would you go about finding out the information you would need in order to provide value in an area where it is lacking….”​

MustImprove Translation Services Ltd reckons that might mean:

“……in what way do we go looking for problems to solve?”​

About 20 hours ago in this thread, TomTrepreneur said:

“…..in what way do we go looking for problems to solve?”​

About 20 months ago in the other thread, a real smart person with more that 10k in his RepBank called @Get Right said to TomTrepreneur:

“Analysis paralysis.

Get in the game bro.

Love to see action in your next post! Go get it!”​

….and, about 20 months ago in the other thread, some new guy called @MJ DeMarco with oh, I dunno, about 120k in his RepBank said:

“Engage in life. Engage an industry.”​

…and yet….

About 20 hours ago in this thread, TomTrepreneur said:

“In a nutshell, my life currently comprises of me studying for most of the day, going to the gym in the evening and meeting friends on the weekends for drinks... “​

Now that indicates to me that you haven’t really decided to be an entrepreneur yet, but you have decided that you like the potential payoff. Hmmmmm…….


….and that’s like trying to hit the winning home run, clinch the title, swig the champers, do the interviews, jump in the Lambo, raz back to your swanky mansion, and slap your supermodel wife on her tush as she pours the Margaux and flips your Wagyu steak……


……whilst you are on the back row of the stands with your soggy popcorn.


So yeh, like I said, first you got to decide man!

That’s step 1.


The key thing about this entrepreneurship lark is that you need to build a small snowball and start it rolling. In fact, scratch that, you probably need to build hundreds.

The point is that not all snowballs will hold together and gather momentum, but eventually you get better at building the core of the snowball, and better at rolling them. Then you have a chance of building one that starts to roll on its own, adding to its own layers as it trundles.


So, let’s assume that this time you REALLY decide to be an entrepreneur. Then what?


Let me address your questions directly:

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

No, if you do that, folks will think you’re a scout with a hormone issue. Best not.

“Like literally helping someone take out the trash? I know that's not much brain work, but is this the kind of attitude you're talking about, just to get into the mode of helping people in at least a small way?”​

Now you are getting warmer, and since you mention the trash, let’s get all hypothetical.

Imagine, go on play along…..

…….You are on your way to work, and you see a previously un-noticed elderly neighbour struggling to lift their rubbish bag. Do you……

A) Trot on. “Hey, life’s tough for everyone dude, en I got ma mojo on to pay 6 dollars for a Starbucks pumpkin special!”


B) Stop and help.​

Turns out Mrs Jones wants to give you two dollars. Obviously you politely refuse (now ain’t that the perfect word!).


Turns out Mrs Jones has several elderly neighbours, and you know that old Jack has a bad back, and Mrs Jones used to help him, but now Mrs Jones can’t even do her own really.


Turns out your town has an aging population problem.


Turns out the official regulations forbid your official city refuse disposal experts from officially setting foot on private property.


Turns out that Mrs Jones is willing to introduce the pleasant and kind young man to her old dear’s tea party group so you can ask all the questions you want over a nice Earl Grey.


Turns out 10 of the 20 think 40 dollars a month to have an emptied, cleaned and washed bin at a time of their choosing, is a fair deal.


Well done! That’s a 400 dollar monthly recurring revenue from one street.


Hey, setting foot on the field of play wasn’t so bad was it?


Turns out that’s a snowball.​

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.

I truly wish you the best of success!

That question was floating around in my mind too and that response is fantastic.

 

[Aaron W]

Wisdom. You speak it.

 

[Roli]

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!

Thanks for this post, to hear from someone in the top 3% is just fantastic and what I need to hear right now.

 

[skho]

Thank you, @MustImprove ! One of the best posts on this forum.

 

[BeFound Faithful]

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!

If you haven't read this post from @MustImprove, you can go to it directly from here. Well worth the time. Thank you @MustImprove.

 

[AlwaysWright]

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

 

[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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[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.

 

[cv_guimara]

Awesome post!

Thanks!

 

[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?

 

[Ryauko]

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

 

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[Almantas]

Ok...this is weird. See my own experience and explain what had just happened, lol: NOTABLE! - Chasing a Cat vs Attracting a Cat, a Breakthrough Story

 

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[ChristianX]

Thank you for this great thread! I really enjoyed reading this, and I learned a lot too!

 

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[1523.]

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!

Hi if I was to find a solution to a problem how would I test the waters.Some people believe in there solution to a level where they start spending money and remortgaging there house even if its a dead end.

 

[William Ainslie]

Thank you for this post - moving people closer to where they want to be is a good feeling.

Being more aware of the challenges that can be solved.

 

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[ElleMg]

What a great post @MustImprove, really got me thinking...

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

So I haven't commited myself to repeated and continuous effort yet, but as I read your post I thought of the times recently I've gotten a 'thank you' for helping someone, or a message of appreciation.

This tends to be when I share my experience of my struggle in regards to my mental health journey. I'm a very actionable thinker so when I talk about it I tend to offer genuine more uncommon advice that, for those open to it, is valuable.

In the past month on Reddit I've got two messages in regard to this:

Hi, I saw your comment talking about your experience with depression. I've also had depression for the majority of my life (13 years too, what a coincidence!) and despite going through therapy and taking meds, you helped alleviate my fears that I'm going through this forever. You made my mind a bit lighter today, so thank you so much! <3

and

I just wanted to let you know your comment in r/******** had quite an impact on me as I'd never heard anxiety described in that way. The way you tackle those feelings is inspiring and I see what you mean about detaching from those thoughts, never thought of it that way. Just wanted to let you know you're great.

In both cases I suggested them further reading and said thanks, besides that I feel like there's not really anything I could've offered to deliver a(n even more) satisfactory solution.

I'm happy just to help and I get at least one message a month like this so I'm just glad I can lift people's mood/spirits/attitude a little.

…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.

Despite reading FLF for almost a year now I'm not sure what you mean by this.

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!

When I keep my Facebook community active (actually the group portion has 38k members and runs smoothly without me), I get hundreds of messages not quite like the ones above but more along the lines of 'your content really helps me', 'thanks for what you do' (meaning posting), and 'I'm so happy you created this page!' as it solves the problem of Facebook being too negative, but I don't know how to solve their problems in a valuable enough way to monetise it.

I solved a problem I saw, gained hundreds of thousands of supporters, then got stuck. I already solved the problem for them for free, and set the stage for lots of other people to solve the problem in a similar way (for free). I just feel so lost in this regard.

Maybe I'm too positive but outside of the internet I feel like most of the 'problems' I see that I could, technically, solve are based on minor/unnecessary value-skews rather than solving the problem itself, and couldn't actually be a fastlane business.

 

[Lyzmin]

Great post and timeless, thank you!

Step 1 - Make a personal decision that from now on you will be steely determined

As of now I'll stay committed to it.

I want you to get into the habit of solving problems for people.

The right answer, lays in asking the right question. Committed to this.

People will start to call you when they need a solution.

Actually this morning a close friend with his own company called me with a challenge he's having.
We had a conversation for an hour and his struggle with delegation is stalling his growth.

After many questions I gave him a few suggestions and how he would be able to 'solve' this problem and how I would do it. He thanked me and we hung up the phone.

After like 5 minutes he called me back: "Emiel, why don't I hire you for this problem? You're free right?"
Haha awesome how things can work out.

I had a coaching call earlier this year. I paid for 30 minutes at a special-offer rate, but we over-ran so I took up 2 hours of his time. I thanked him for over-delivering. His reply stuck with me...

He said if I paid for the full 2 hours then the "transaction" would be complete. He wouldn't have created an imbalance in the world, and there would be nothing to come back to him.

It's an interesting way of looking at it. Some might think it a bit foo-foo, but it makes sense even viewed with the cold lense of ROI. I feel I owe him. I am more likely to do repeat business with him again, and be happy to pay more next time. I am more likely to recommend him to others. With that extra 90 minutes of coaching, I am more likely to succeed and earn more money, and therefore more likely to be able to afford him at a higher rate.

Perfect example as well of reciprocity, thank you for sharing @Andy Black.
Also came to this thread through your signature post, so double thanks!

Still working through all the gold on this forum as a new member, but what a great community!

 

[MakeItHappen]

Great post! Rep$$$ given.

 

[Oztrepreneur]

how to find these problems

Exactly...

 

[tafy]

@MustImprove Awesome thread! Loving your writing style too.

Question: If you had a company aimed at helping small businesses e.g. Marketing for Lawyers, and you want to provide them value upfront so that they will trust you and maybe try out your service.

How would you go about that?

 

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