Siri Shortcuts, It’s App Store Effect, Taking/Stealing Opportunity?

[MJ DeMarco]

You are a classic example of someone quitting as soon as it becomes difficult.

Yup. He's a perfect example of someone who is looking for the easiest path.

And when the difficulty shows up-- which it always will -- we get another thread from him saying why it can't be done, complete with a long laundry list of rationalizations.

On the bright side, he's giving me some great material for future books. Namely, how our minds are the great saboteur of doing anything worthwhile. It constantly seeks risk-free ease and comfort...

 

[MJ DeMarco]

Why are you here?

It's clear from your body of posts that you're only here to confirm and validate your excuses about why it can't be done.

Every thread is a damn excuse. A mental gymnastic. And it's getting tiresome.

 

[RazorCut]

. But my ego makes me believe that I'm the 1%. Illogical.

The 1% are not born they are (self)made. They have the same doubts, regrets, and fears as the other 99% does. However they keep putting one foot in front of the other DESPITE their doubt's, lack of money, resources etc..

It's a mindset thing but it is also the belief that if they don't give up they will succeed. Face a brick wall? Find a way around it. Face a mountain? Go over it. Hit a dead end? Back up and find another route, but don't change the destination regardless of how many times you have to course correct. Whatever it takes, just keep moving forward towards that one goal.

This is where you need a mindset adjustment. If you keep chopping and changing every time you come across an obstacle then you will never have a success because you can't have a successful business if it never gets past 60% built.

Stop looking at what everyone else is doing and go and find a pain point instead. See if you can find a solution then scale the hell out of it. Follow One Course Until Successful.

 

[biophase]

Buy cash flowing single family property. The plan is simple, that’s why I didn’t state it. From what I see a person can get 2/3 for open opportunity. Location, Neighborhood, Condition. I choose first two because condition is fixable assuming its cosmetic.

Not at all, these are legitimate reasons why it is more logical to go real estate. Actually I have one more legitimate reason. Local competition, not global. Providing Value is easy, Relative value is whats hard. Real estate, doesn't have that problem that much. Don't know how you can label those reasons as crap.

I have addressed this. What I am trying to say is that there are problems that do come up in real estate. Unavoidable. The difference is a business owner has a system in place to address the issue. The hobbyist does not and they most likely did not prepare themselves further increasing their liability.

Money isn't a problem in real estate. It's easy to get a mortgage. Plus you don't even want Class A properties anyways.

I don't even know what to say. You make it sound so simple. Just go find a SFH, get a loan, rent and cashflow. You are walking into this just like you did with your other businesses.

Do you want to know why I avoid REI as a business? I learned early on that real estate has one huge fundamental flaw. You can't control your gross income.

If you buy a SFH that rents for $2000/mo, the most you can gross is $24000/yr. You can try to increase it by providing furniture, pool service, etc... but for the most part you are stuck at $24000/yr. If rents decline to $1500/mo. You can't charge $2000/mo. If you buy a $200,000 house and the market drops to $180,000, you can't sell it at $200,000.

The market controls most of your parameters. All you can do is fix up the inside to change its value.

In a business, if your competitor drops the price, you can combat it by changing your product's value. There's so much more control in your business vs REI. But the fact that when your businesses failed, you just pointed elsewhere is scary. Because you just can't walk away in REI. It's not very liquid and you just can't quit it.

Now I do own real estate, I've bought and sold over 10 rentals so far, but I do it was a wealth preservation tool vs. a growth tool.

I'm just ranting on REI here because it's not as cut and dry as you believe. With your current mindset, you are heading into a train wreck again. Don't say we didn't warn you here. But just like your other threads, you formulate an opinion and don't listen to others and move forward. I would love to see a progress thread of your first SFH rental.

 

[biophase]

To solve the REI problem, can't you just increase the number of properties? You said you had 10. This is the trade off I am making, probability of success vs growth. Also, I don't plan to do quick flips. I am long term real estate, this combats the short term issues of value drops. Business in itself the probabilities are stacked against you. As someone that hasn't had a consistent passive income source. This is the best decision for me to go, maybe not for you. You have already passed this road. I will try ecom again, once I get this RE rolling. At that point I should be able to afford low probabilities.

I don't understand what you mean by solving the problem by increasing the number of properties. What problem are you trying to solve?

When you increase the number of properties, you increase your debt load and potential for repairs. So if multiple units go vacant or appliances break in multiple units, you could have a big cashflow issue. I don't know how much you make at your day job, but you better be able to handle this. I've had one fridge go out and an AC unit in 2 months. The fridge I replaced for $800 at bestbuy and the AC unit was $4800. If you had these two units and cashflowed $200 a month each, you would be -$800 for the year.

I'm not saying REI is bad, in fact I'm looking to purchase more SFH as soon as the market corrects a little. I plan to have alot of REI in my future. But you could crash and burn and lose way more money than in your ecommerce adventures.

Did you do RE first or Ecom? I am asking, because I think you underestimate how much of a cash cushion RE gave you to fuel your ecom ventures. If you did, you did it the right way. Choose high probability venture first and then use funds from that venture to fuel business with low probability and unlimited growth potential.

My Ecom business was started with $100. I had no cushion of cash when I started my business. In fact, I was working a job at the time making about $30k a year.

I had 3 REI properties at the time I started my Ecom business. My 3 properties were cashflowing maybe $300/mo at the time. So I wasn't rolling in the money.

See, this is where you aren't getting it. Again, you are assuming that I had an advantage that you didn't have, which was cash.

 

[Andy Black]

I might get my bottom kicked.

But I am in a 3% group that is most likely to speak up when a 'mental genocide' is ongoing.

Sorry for being lazy and not reading every post, thread etc... by @MoreValue . It's my sin but I am worried my emotions will evaporate, along with the inspiration.

Let's assume for now that by some galactic force I have been drawn to this thread as the first one on the forum.

And let's assume I am Elon Musk...

My impression is pretty appalling.

Where is your love for this fellow (lost) man guys? Has he done anything bad to you other than 'spamming' (in your opinion) this forum?

MoreValue is maybe lost. Or maybe not.

But who are you to judge?

Have you had your sh*t together for the whole life? Have you been depressed? ....

Now think how a person seeking help might feel now... even if he doesn't know he needs it.

And you are dropping your wisdom bombs like this and that without even asking and going with this fellow man on a deeper level... (this is btw building up your own ego using him)

This is why I 'hate' chats, forums and this forum. I love 90-95% of this forum, but this represents the 5-10% of the darkside of the forum.

Have more love for the guy!

You know why I know it. Because you are dropping 'bombs' - so it's either your first encounter with him? or you are banging your head against the wall, trying to build your own self-esteem using him?

And I hate myself for doing the same to you guys, as you are doing to MoreValue.

but maybe there is reason here...



I think that summarises it all...

This is the number on reason people lurk, and are afraid of coming out, and the number one reason for this forum's existence - to encourage slowlaners and sidewalkers to participate (or isn't it)...

We can see someone who's not figured out that the problems are the stepping stones. If no-one cared then no-one would answer.

The love shown for a fellow (potentially lost) man is the amount of time spent trying to help him. Time after all is our most valuable commodity.

Spending time helping someone else with negative thinking can impact our own mindset/state. I'm protective of my positive mindset, but am prepared to take a step backwards to help someone move forward. It leaves me open to getting frustrated though.

I'm frustrated almost daily when I log into the forum and see people:

• Get in their own way and don't start.
• Overcomplicate things.
• Complain instead of solve problems.
• Ask questions without Googling first.
• Say "Yes, but".
• Don't say Thanks for the help they get.

I can deal with spammers. That's easy. Skim though their crap post. Click button to delete account and garbage. It takes little time and little mental energy.

Unravelling why someone is stuck can take longer. Trying to help them get unravelled can take longer still, and a lot of energy. Sometimes it just doesn't work and I'll often leave a short note to help, then move on.

I for one am astonished at the amount of time @biophase spent reading and responding in this thread ... line by line.

If this was the first post I read on this forum then I'd be impressed.

 

[Xeon]

MJ is getting angry lol

 

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[biophase]

So most apps act as a utility or entertainment. Doesn’t anyone feel that Siri shortcuts destroyed almost all utility based apps. Pretty much lowered the barrier to code to anyone now. Thus in order to make money on App Store now, you gotta make something out of this world. Very discouraging, as the past couple months been going deep into iOS development...

I feel like the only ones that have a chance now are creative types. Your opinion?

Found the title intriguing, then I saw who started it and was like oh geez, not again.

Yes Siri and money have ruined everything, you should just get a job.

Here is your problem, you are looking for the root cause and it’s never your fault. Ecom takes money. Apps won’t work because of Siri.

When will you figure out you are full of excuses. It’s your mind, you aren’t growing it. Please list the last 10 books you’ve read.

 

[Longinus]

Sorry, MJ.

Everything I tried failed for years. I did not have this mentality from the start. I was eager and thought I could do anything I set my mind to. Then the market punched me in the face multiple times. People ask me, what do you do for fun? I can’t even answer. I have lost myself.

But I still keep trying regardless. I make these threads, to find the root cause of my failures. I said money was my problem for Ecom. So the solution is to find business that wasn’t based on money at all. Software. Total even playing field. Then realizing how fast everything I make in software can be irrelevant within months. Got me discouraged again. Hence this thread.

You are a classic example of someone quitting as soon as it becomes difficult.

"I've done all the work, and it doesn't sell!"
"I've followed everything step by step and no-one wants to my product."

Next thing will probably be:
"Agree? I should buy a business instead of starting one."

As soon as you find one problem, you're looking to another business. The truth is: there is not such thing as simple business. You'll have to work hard and dedicate yourself to get some traction.

Edit: Hate to say it, but I regret doing entrepreneurship. It destroyed me financially and my life with it. I am a scenario that not most hear about. The only person I can blame is myself

You're not "doing entrepreneurship", you just tried a couple of things, hoping something would eventually work without too much effort. It doesn't work that way. If you can't deal with problems, forget about owning a business as it's basically problem solving after problem solving. There are many other "problem-free" choices for you.

 

[biophase]

So bio is bringing up legitimate problem about the tenant breaking stuff. It seems to me there is a simple solution, which I posted above. So you guys can just tell me if that solution makes sense or not. And then we discuss back and forth. I will say again, that I'm not arguing.

Ok, I will try to explain the issue. I present a problem and you present a solution. The problem is that your solution is like level 1 thinking. At this level you problems as one simple solution and don't dive into any nuances.

You've never owned REI before and you don't research your solution before posting. In my example above about the dryer needing a repair or the fridge going out. You wrote,

"Take pictures of pre move in condition and videos of functionality like flushing toilets. If something breaks, you have proof that everything was in working order. If it’s broken after they move in. It’s their fault."

Just because something breaks, it's the tenants fault? Do you rent right now? If your washer didn't work today, are you really going to pay for the repairman?

So you are going to write in something like tenant is responsible for all repairs up to $300? What if your tenant moves in and day 1 the dryer breaks. Do you think he will pay for that repair? If you don't pay for it, the tenant will make sure that the dryer becomes unrepairable so you need a new dryer that will be over $500. Just saying...

All I'm saying is that you better be ready for repairs. Fine, you can try to minimize your repair responsibilities, but with your mindset, you are going to hate it when stuff like that shows up.

Not sure Longinus, why you don't look at arguments as is without an unbiased view. Instead, by default anyone with a reputation here is "automatically right" and anyone else has no say in anything. I mean just look at my suggestion above without attention to reputation just to the post as is. Would you listen if someone said word for word and had a legendary badge? Apparently, everyone is taking it as an insult that I am telling/asking someone with higher rep than me something. I get it, I am not allowed to have my own opinion or question anything. Just nod my head blindly.

I don't think I am disrespecting bio at all. I have actually learned form him in this thread. Most of all, I was unaware of OScommerce.

I don't think people are thinking that I'm right and you're wrong. Everyone loves a good debate, but it is tough to debate from a side where one person has experience and the other does not. But what is worst is if the other person doesn't have experience and doesn't do any research.

Again, REI example. Did you read up on what you can and cannot charge tenants for in repairs? What can you put in a lease in your state?

 

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[PizzaOnTheRoof]

Siri can’t even set an alarm correctly let alone replace entire apps.

 

[biophase]

I know these all still sound like excuses. The only thing I got going for me in the future is real estate. But still looking for something in addition to real estate. Real is hybrid fastlane in my opinion.

Edit: Hate to say it, but I regret doing entrepreneurship. It destroyed me financially and my life with it. I am a scenario that not most hear about. The only person I can blame is myself

Why is real estate going to work? I’d like to hear your plan before you shit on real estate 2 years from now blaming it on shitty tenants.

You say that but you aren’t blaming yourself at all.

 

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[biophase]

The bad event is the fridge and and AC Unit. Can be handled with proper preparation. I have already factored in 6 months rent to accommodate. Also not sure how old those things were. If they were old, you can prepare and buy new before tenants get in. What about new things breaking? I’m sure there are warranties on big ticket items.

6 months of cashflow (I assume that's what you meant) wouldn't accommodate that bill. The fridge was 10 years old. Not sure how old the AC was. Water heaters seemed to break every 8 years now. New things break. But more often, tenants break things. Things like, clogged toilet flooded the entire floor, needed new carpet. Standard landlord insurance doesn't pay for that if the carpet is past 7 years. Hard to prove the tenant clogged the toilet.

This year alone in one unit. Leaky faucet, $250 for plumber to replace. Dryer belt broke, $200 to replace. Kitchen sink p-trap leaking, $150 for plumber to fix. This tenant cannot fix anything herself. Ugh. But I'm cashflowing $1100/mo so I don't really care that much.

My point is that you will have expenses, but sounds like you've got it all covered.

What did that $100 go to? $100 from nothing to on the market? How many units on the market for that price? I believe you are leaving out a lot of hidden costs. I am trying to think of the logistics of product development at this cost. Assuming this is started on Amazon. Not limiting belief by the way, since I have built products myself. This has to be some sort of small accessory thing. Margins must be small at that startup cap. Or was it a single prototype that you sold?

This was my own ecommerce store. Was self hosted, used open source OS commerce software. $10 went to the domain. $10 went to hosting. $80 went to SSL certificate. The store was 100% dropship when I started. Traffic came from SEO, blogs, comments, forums, etc... Built it up into a business that sold for 7 figures.

 

[luniac]

The AndrewNC of negativity?

"In 10 seconds i promise to shatter your dreams and motivation no matter what your interests are!"

 

[Andy Black]

@MoreValue ... are you trolling?

If not, then I suggest you read “The Obstacle is the Way” by Ryan Holiday.

I’ve a similar thread here:

• What's Your Problem?

And this might help you too:

• Yes, but

If you’re here to learn and get better then why are you arguing with people who’ve already done what you’re thinking of doing?


I have rental properties and have done so for over 15 years. You don’t hear me giving advice about REI on the forum, especially to other landlords. Why? Because I don’t think I’m qualified... ***even though I have rental properties***.



@biophase ... I don’t know why you’re doing it, but thank you for your comments.

 

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[CareCPA]

I think the concern with REI is the same as with all the other businesses.

From what I see:
You think something is simple, cut and dry.
You decide you're going to jump in.
Something gets difficult (sometimes, this happens even during the research phase),
You quit.
You look for the next easy thing.

Nothing is easy. Whatever you do it going to require hard, dedicated work. If you spent a couple month on ecommerce, that wasn't long enough. If you were a PPC expert for 6 months, that wasn't long enough. If you analyze 100 properties and don't find one worth investing in, you didn't look hard enough.

Pick a path, and dedicate all of your energy to it for a minimum of 12 months. Then report back. But don't half-a$$ it and then complain nothing works.

 

[ZCP]

On the flip side ..... I get a message or two a week from someone I called out on their bullshit that is now killing it in their business. Tough love breeds stronger entrepreneurs.

@biophase actually helped me get started in one business and was absolutely incredible in the amount of knowledge and time he shared.

Just had this discussion at the engineering company yesterday .... weighted decision making. Those with the experience should have their opinion weighted more heavily to help the group make a better decision. Democratic voting and valuing the new guy's opinion the same (unless they have particular expertise / experience relevant to the topic) is probably not the best route to making the best decision for the company.

That requires two things though: young buck needs to check the ego and listen, old buck needs to steer without dismissing. Over time, we adjust their weighted ratio.

 

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[DeletedUser0287]

Why are you here?

It's clear from your body of posts that you're only here to confirm and validate your excuses about why it can't be done.

Every thread is a damn excuse. A mental gymnastic. And it's getting tiresome.

Sorry, MJ.

Everything I tried failed for years. I did not have this mentality from the start. I was eager and thought I could do anything I set my mind to. Then the market punched me in the face multiple times. People ask me, what do you do for fun? I can’t even answer. I have lost myself.

But I still keep trying regardless. I make these threads, to find the root cause of my failures. I said money was my problem for Ecom. So the solution is to find business that wasn’t based on money at all. Software. Total even playing field. Then realizing how fast everything I make in software can be irrelevant within months. Got me discouraged again. Hence this thread.

I know these all still sound like excuses. The only thing I got going for me in the future is real estate. But still looking for something in addition to real estate. Real is hybrid fastlane in my opinion.

Edit: Hate to say it, but I regret doing entrepreneurship. It destroyed me financially and my life with it. I am a scenario that not most hear about. The only person I can blame is myself

 

[Madame Peccato]

The market controls most of your parameters. All you can do is fix up the inside to change its value.

This is SO true. I inherited 1/4th of a house that belonged to a lady who lived next door, she was somewhat related to my family (but not really to me), the house's supposed value is HUGE (it's a very big house...about 350mq + garden), but since the market isn't interested in it, the 2 other owners and I have had to drop the price significantly, and it still took us 10 years (and multiple price drops) to sell it.

The value of the house is still the original one (a bit lower with the maintenance that is needed I suppose), but there's no way in hell we'd be able to sell it for its """real""" value. So we'll have to sell at a much lower price. I'm not really fussed about it, this whole ordeal let me realize a thing of two about the market and I'm getting paid for it too (eventually), but the other 2 owners are super frustrated at the whole situation. Understandable, but what can you do, the market is king.

The market is dictating how much value the house holds, not me, not a so called expert in real estate, and definitely not the banks.

 

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[biophase]

Ok, I will believe you. What year was this? US dropship?

LOL, it was 2007 and yes. And you don't need to reply. I can write your reply for you.

"That was 11 years ago and won't work now."

Oh and thanks for believing me, I'm so glad you do.

 

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[biophase]

@biophase ... I don’t know why you’re doing it, but thank you for your comments.

Me either. I think I'm done. He's a lost cause.

 

[biophase]

Where is your love for this fellow (lost) man guys? Has he done anything bad to you other than 'spamming' (in your opinion) this forum?

You know why I know it. Because you are dropping 'bombs' - so it's either your first encounter with him? or you are banging your head against the wall, trying to build your own self-esteem using him?

Umm, have you seen his other posts? We are actually being fairly nice to him. I think most other forums would have just ignored him by now.

 

[Chris25]

Thus in order to make money on App Store now, you gotta make something out of this world.

Then the market punched me in the face multiple times. People ask me, what do you do for fun? I can’t even answer. I have lost myself.

All the basic stuff in today's world have been done many many times. In order to succeed in whatever field of work you have to be out of this world. And yes things blow up and loose relevancy fast.

These are the signs of us developing as a race. So you're either good enough to stand out or you will be stuck with the average. It's always been survival of the fittest, the only difference is now people have platforms where they can complain, validate their average effort and shift blame.

Your real estate project will lose relevancy as well, because the smart entrepreneurs are starting to look into Mars real estate for next year, and you're still just thinking about the one on Earth.

I'm not claiming all-knowing status, just my opinion: )

 

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[Andy Black]

we discuss back and forth

Would you be better served by not discussing things back and forth and go help people instead?


I believe you're overthinking. A lot of analytical types are guilty of this. It means they never start because they're trying to get all the lights green before they start, or because they argue themselves out of everything before they even start.

• Overthinking is the art of solving problems you don’t have

What would happen if you diverted your time and energy to helping people, without worrying about problems you don't have yet?

• Who have you helped?

 

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[AgainstAllOdds]

Edit: Hate to say it, but I regret doing entrepreneurship. It destroyed me financially and my life with it. I am a scenario that not most hear about. The only person I can blame is myself

Entrepreneurship is not for everyone.

You might be happier getting a job. Figure out what's best for you.

 

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[Rivoli]

Umm, have you seen his other posts? We are actually being fairly nice to him. I think most other forums would have just ignored him by now.

This. He spreads a hidden, nasty kind of negativity. Almost every thread meant to demoralize the forum...

 

[PizzaOnTheRoof]

The 1% are not born they are (self)made. They have the same doubts, regrets, and fears as the other 99% does. However they keep putting one foot in front of the other DESPITE their doubt's, lack of money, resources etc..

It's a mindset thing but it is also the belief that if they don't give up they will succeed. Face a brick wall? Find a way around it. Face a mountain? Go over it. Hit a dead end? Back up and find another route, but don't change the destination regardless of how many times you have to course correct. Whatever it takes, just keep moving forward towards that one goal.

This is where you need a mindset adjustment. If you keep chopping and changing every time you come across an obstacle then you will never have a success because you can't have a successful business if it never gets past 60% built.

Stop looking at what everyone else is doing and go and find a pain point instead. See if you can find a solution then scale the hell out of it. Follow One Course Until Successful.

View attachment 23304

Right on the money. Love that end quote too.

 

[SquatchMan]

Thus in order to make money on App Store now, you gotta make something out of this world. Very discouraging, as the past couple months been going deep into iOS development...

You're complaining that you can't make low value apps that are profitable?

Really?

It's not like the apps have to be particularly good anyway. HQ Trivia is popular.

Don't know how much money it makes (or if it even makes money), but the app gets a lot of people glued to their phone for a few minutes. I'm sure advertisers are interested. HQ Trivia is probably looking for a buyout though.

 

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[Royce2]

So most apps act as a utility or entertainment. Doesn’t anyone feel that Siri shortcuts destroyed almost all utility based apps. Pretty much lowered the barrier to code to anyone now. Thus in order to make money on App Store now, you gotta make something out of this world. Very discouraging, as the past couple months been going deep into iOS development...

I feel like the only ones that have a chance now are creative types. Your opinion?

Aside from the GOLDEN ADVICE our friends here at TFLF have been enlightening you with, I'd like to put in my iOS app advice. Siri has most definitely NOT destroyed most utility apps because of one thing for me personally. Complicated. Yes, you might think its not complicated, but for me it is. I would rather download a separate utility app than deal with siri shortcuts. It's too complex. Here's a short little list of apps I can build and guarantee better usability if not INTEGRATION with siri shortcuts.

• Better forum browser or just a different style
• Online marketplace consolidator (craigslist/offerup/letgo) in one place or just as a price compare
• Swiss army style app that has a bunch of utilities that can use all information and capture history and use an algorithm that will enhance use of all apps (calculator/note taker/screen recorder/etc) in one UI that benefit from each other | What that solves is ugly iOS folder icon with history saving and dat analysis
• A hole puncher that can burn through 20 sheets of paper by putting it on the screen
• A auto babysitter that babysits your children without having to hire a babysitter. (didn't figure out how to feed them yet)

The list is endless. As technology advances the utility demand changes. A good way of thinking of new ideas and thoughts that worked for me is this:

Switch up your habits and environment instantly.
Change when you go to sleep, the style of clothes, food, where you go to study, go on a hike, meet 20 people in a city you rarely go to.
Cred also goes to @biophase - Stuck? Change Your Environment!

Hope we are not preaching to a wall here. Take the advice, listen, learn, apply, adapt.

 

[SquatchMan]

Would you listen if someone said word for word and had a legendary badge? Apparently, everyone is taking it as an insult that I am telling/asking someone with higher rep than me something. I get it, I am not allowed to have my own opinion or question anything. Just nod my head blindly.

Nah. @AndrewNC was a legendary poster that got roasted and run off the site for posting bullshit. So did a few other Legendary posters that I won't name.

You're just wrong in this case. And using a strawman fallacy, which is aggravating.