The Entrepreneur Forum | Financial Freedom | Starting a Business | Motivation | Money | Success

Welcome to the only entrepreneur forum dedicated to building life-changing wealth.

Build a Fastlane business. Earn real financial freedom. Join free.

Join over 80,000 entrepreneurs who have rejected the paradigm of mediocrity and said "NO!" to underpaid jobs, ascetic frugality, and suffocating savings rituals— learn how to build a Fastlane business that pays both freedom and lifestyle affluence.

Free registration at the forum removes this block.

ChrisV

Legendary Contributor
EPIC CONTRIBUTOR
Read Fastlane!
Read Unscripted!
Speedway Pass
User Power
Value/Post Ratio
225%
May 10, 2015
3,141
7,055
Islands of Calleja

ChrisV

Legendary Contributor
EPIC CONTRIBUTOR
Read Fastlane!
Read Unscripted!
Speedway Pass
User Power
Value/Post Ratio
225%
May 10, 2015
3,141
7,055
Islands of Calleja
work ethics are to blame for their misery. I know too many people who do hard and dirty work that is never rewarded.
It’s not just work ethic. Statistically these are the things that correlate to income. The biggest ones being IQ, Contientiousness (including work ethic,) their social network, and specific skills.

IMG_0344.PNG

Also, the wage of a job is determined by a few factors. A quote from Freakonomics:

These budding drug lords bumped up against an immutable law of labor: when there are a lot of people willing and able to do a job, that job generally doesn’t pay well. This is one of four meaningful factors that determine a wage. The others are the specialized skills a job requires, the unpleasantness of a job, and the demand for services that the job fulfills.
I wrote a little about it here so we don’t get far off topic in this thread.
 

Attachments

  • IMG_0344.PNG
    IMG_0344.PNG
    286.4 KB · Views: 7

ALC

Silver Contributor
Read Fastlane!
Read Unscripted!
Speedway Pass
User Power
Value/Post Ratio
99%
Jul 19, 2017
506
502
27
France
I got a continuously changing wallpaper (6/7) with all the thing i want in life and a photo of me took by a photographer (check my profil avatar), which was at a turning point in my life when a lot of bad things happened to me, it was a FTE Event and every time i see this picture when i'm starting to go sideways or proscrastinating it get me back on track with a huge motivation, this one has a strong meaning behind it.
 
Last edited:

ChrisV

Legendary Contributor
EPIC CONTRIBUTOR
Read Fastlane!
Read Unscripted!
Speedway Pass
User Power
Value/Post Ratio
225%
May 10, 2015
3,141
7,055
Islands of Calleja
this is what gets me back on track when i f--- up lol

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NdBV7LTd07g

i wish i was joking but i used to have this habit of ignoring my problems and not stressing (hakuna mattata anyone?) but while i was ignoring them, they were really just piling up.. which is actually the theme of that movie. He put his head in the sand while his kingdom went to shit. Disney movies can be pretty deep.
 
Dislike ads? Remove them and support the forum: Subscribe to Fastlane Insiders.

MakeItHappen

Gold Contributor
Read Fastlane!
Read Unscripted!
Speedway Pass
User Power
Value/Post Ratio
191%
Apr 12, 2012
635
1,216
Love the thread & overall the value that KAK provides!

One book that I really enjoyed about thinking big is 10x from Grant Cardone. Whatever your goal is... 10x it and figure out a plan to get it.

I also enjoy this quote by Peter Thiel:
"If you have a 10-year plan of how to get [somewhere], you should ask: Why can’t you do this in 6 months?”

Lets say you want to be worth 10 mil in 10 years... 10x it and think DEEPLY about how you can be worth 100 mil in 10 years. Now ask yourself "Why can't you do this in 6 month?"

This will get you to think in ways otherwise not possible. BTW the 10x concept isn't just about your goals. It's also about 10x your output. So if you have your plan to get to 100 mil in 10 years ask yourself, "How can I exectute 10x what's needed to achieve my goal?"

It's also important to remember that after all the planning and thinking big you have to focus on the task ahead. Don't fall into the trap of procratinating on your work because it seems like it won't get you to 100 mil anyways. The principle of compounding applies. Even through the task(s) ahead of you might seem meaningless and even almost pointless at time in comparision to your huge goals, they aren't. Just F*cking do what you got to do today and with the right plan and big vision you will eventually get there. However the first 1-3 years might feel like the "Desert of Desertion" which MJ talks about. But if you just F*cking do what you have to do today and keep doing it every day you will eventually start to see the magic of compounding at work.

Just don't quit! Have huge F*cking goals but be willing to the small important stuff today, which seems meaningless at times for ultra ambitious people, and keep going until you have crossed the "Desert of Desertion".

Good luck
 

ChrisV

Legendary Contributor
EPIC CONTRIBUTOR
Read Fastlane!
Read Unscripted!
Speedway Pass
User Power
Value/Post Ratio
225%
May 10, 2015
3,141
7,055
Islands of Calleja
Love the thread & overall the value that KAK provides!
And yes, I have slowly but surely realized that @Kak is a really good guy with some great insights, and is capable of sparking some amazing discussions.

So -salute- to you sir. :thumbsup::praise:
 

Kak

Legendary Contributor
FASTLANE INSIDER
EPIC CONTRIBUTOR
Read Rat-Race Escape!
Read Fastlane!
Read Unscripted!
Summit Attendee
Speedway Pass
User Power
Value/Post Ratio
493%
Jan 23, 2011
9,678
47,666
34
Texas

Andreas Thiel

Silver Contributor
FASTLANE INSIDER
Read Rat-Race Escape!
Read Fastlane!
Read Unscripted!
Speedway Pass
User Power
Value/Post Ratio
112%
Aug 27, 2018
626
702
43
Karlsruhe, Germany
Why do you think that might be?
I think the free market economies have worked in the past when growth was what we needed to incentivize. Arts were turned into crafts, which allowed the masses to contribute in the field.
(
Arts in the following sense:
Art is a shortcut way of using the human brain to achieve results not achievable in any other way.
)
That concept works less and less. I suppose it is almost impossible to create business models around accessible crafts because some competitor has a bigger lever (or they pretend they do)? There are race-to-the-bottom dynamics and even when there is skill shortage, companies won't pay higher salaries. Value can only be found close to the adjacent possible - only in arts.

What do you mean by rewarded? Just curious.
I mean pretty much everything that Unscripted outlines. Many people create crazy value, ... some in magnitude ... some in scale, but they make somebody else rich. Others are funneled / forced into jobs where they cannot create much value.
It is one thing to say they should wake up and do something about it.
I would argue that it has to be possible to challenge that and find a way to make sure even people who follow the script (or a new and improved script) can live unremarkable but comfortable lifes again.
That promise is made and not kept too often.
 

Kak

Legendary Contributor
FASTLANE INSIDER
EPIC CONTRIBUTOR
Read Rat-Race Escape!
Read Fastlane!
Read Unscripted!
Summit Attendee
Speedway Pass
User Power
Value/Post Ratio
493%
Jan 23, 2011
9,678
47,666
34
Texas
I think the free market economies have worked in the past when growth was what we needed to incentivize. Arts were turned into crafts, which allowed the masses to contribute in the field.
(
Arts in the following sense:

)
That concept works less and less. I suppose it is almost impossible to create business models around accessible crafts because some competitor has a bigger lever (or they pretend they do)? There are race-to-the-bottom dynamics and even when there is skill shortage, companies won't pay higher salaries. Value can only be found close to the adjacent possible - only in arts.


I mean pretty much everything that Unscripted outlines. Many people create crazy value, ... some in magnitude ... some in scale, but they make somebody else rich. Others are funneled / forced into jobs where they cannot create much value.
It is one thing to say they should wake up and do something about it.
I would argue that it has to be possible to challenge that and find a way to make sure even people who follow the script (or a new and improved script) can live unremarkable but comfortable lifes again.
That promise is made and not kept too often.

I can’t make sense of this. I’m sorry I asked.

Unless you live in an oppressive dictatorship you generally have a choice in careers. As in, you agree or disagree with the terms of your employment. Therefore, I rarely feel sorry for workers that bitch about their job and want more pay.
 

MTF

Never give up
FASTLANE INSIDER
EPIC CONTRIBUTOR
Read Fastlane!
Read Unscripted!
Speedway Pass
User Power
Value/Post Ratio
455%
May 1, 2011
7,560
34,430
I'm reading "Tribe of Mentors" by Tim Ferriss now. One of the interviewees was the late Terry Laughlin, founder of Total Immersion, one of the most popular swim training systems in the world. This part struck me:

Two years ago, I was given a diagnosis of incurable, stage IV prostate cancer. Realizing that treatment would take up time and sap my energy, and that I did not have limitless time to accomplish important undone work, I delegated most of my executive responsibilities to a pair of associates, both of whom are a generation younger and who have impressive loyalty and intelligence, and bring a boundless sense of caring to their work. Since that decision, Total Immersion has undergone a striking turnaround and is now far better positioned for business success—and to endure for the long term—than was previously the case.

Terry was very invested and enthusiastic about teaching people how to swim. Yet, he knew that if his teaching method were to survive and prosper (particularly given his diagnosis), he needed somebody better suited for the executive role.

I think it's a very important lesson for all of us. If you don't consider yourself a good leader or your strengths lie elsewhere (like Terry's main skill being coaching), you can still be a great leader by identifying and delegating to people who are better suited for important roles.

It takes humility to recognize that it might be you who's limiting the growth of your big project, and it takes courage to remove yourself from some of the most important roles, but in the end that's precisely what a person might need to ensure that their project continues growing or outlives them.

This is also a note to myself, as I have a lot of ideas for things that could grow to be big, but they won't happen at all if I always put myself at the center of everything instead of being humble and admitting that other people might be better suited to make these ideas come true.
 
Dislike ads? Remove them and support the forum: Subscribe to Fastlane Insiders.

Tommo

Silver Contributor
Read Rat-Race Escape!
Read Fastlane!
Read Unscripted!
Speedway Pass
User Power
Value/Post Ratio
168%
Jan 21, 2018
438
738
70
Perth Australia
this is what gets me back on track when i f--- up lol

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NdBV7LTd07g

i wish i was joking but i used to have this habit of ignoring my problems and not stressing (hakuna mattata anyone?) but while i was ignoring them, they were really just piling up.. which is actually the theme of that movie. He put his head in the sand while his kingdom went to sh*t. Disney movies can be pretty deep.
Back to Jordan Peterson and his ideas on Disney movies bro. It is an interesting perspective of his and I really got the religious side of it after discarding it a way back.
Back on track , Walt Disney thought big for sure.
 

Kak

Legendary Contributor
FASTLANE INSIDER
EPIC CONTRIBUTOR
Read Rat-Race Escape!
Read Fastlane!
Read Unscripted!
Summit Attendee
Speedway Pass
User Power
Value/Post Ratio
493%
Jan 23, 2011
9,678
47,666
34
Texas
I'm reading "Tribe of Mentors" by Tim Ferriss now. One of the interviewees was the late Terry Laughlin, founder of Total Immersion, one of the most popular swim training systems in the world. This part struck me:



Terry was very invested and enthusiastic about teaching people how to swim. Yet, he knew that if his teaching method were to survive and prosper (particularly given his diagnosis), he needed somebody better suited for the executive role.

I think it's a very important lesson for all of us. If you don't consider yourself a good leader or your strengths lie elsewhere (like Terry's main skill being coaching), you can still be a great leader by identifying and delegating to people who are better suited for important roles.

It takes humility to recognize that it might be you who's limiting the growth of your big project, and it takes courage to remove yourself from some of the most important roles, but in the end that's precisely what a person might need to ensure that their project continues growing or outlives them.

This is also a note to myself, as I have a lot of ideas for things that could grow to be big, but they won't happen at all if I always put myself at the center of everything instead of being humble and admitting that other people might be better suited to make these ideas come true.

One of the best leadership quotes I have ever heard applies here.

"Surround yourself with people that are smarter than you."
 

ChrisV

Legendary Contributor
EPIC CONTRIBUTOR
Read Fastlane!
Read Unscripted!
Speedway Pass
User Power
Value/Post Ratio
225%
May 10, 2015
3,141
7,055
Islands of Calleja
I think the free market economies have worked in the past when growth was what we needed to incentivize. Arts were turned into crafts, which allowed the masses to contribute in the field.
(
Arts in the following sense:

)
That concept works less and less. I suppose it is almost impossible to create business models around accessible crafts because some competitor has a bigger lever (or they pretend they do)? There are race-to-the-bottom dynamics and even when there is skill shortage, companies won't pay higher salaries. Value can only be found close to the adjacent possible - only in arts.


I mean pretty much everything that Unscripted outlines. Many people create crazy value, ... some in magnitude ... some in scale, but they make somebody else rich. Others are funneled / forced into jobs where they cannot create much value.
It is one thing to say they should wake up and do something about it.
I would argue that it has to be possible to challenge that and find a way to make sure even people who follow the script (or a new and improved script) can live unremarkable but comfortable lifes again.
That promise is made and not kept too often.

Yea you’re not gonna get much love for that sentiment around here. Jobs that many people are willing and able to do just don’t pay well. It’s the employment version of getting into an overcrowded market. I mean it may or may not be fair, but there’s no practical solution to this. What do you suggest? Scold employers? Force them to pay employees of certain trades more? How would you feel if the government said “you know, this isn’t fair to farmers... we’re going to MAKE you pay $7 for a dozen eggs.” Because that’s what that does to employers. What would you say if you had to pay $7 for 12 eggs? You’re gonna day first off F*ck YOU then you’re gonna day second off “F*ck eggs.” It ends up screwing both the farmer and the consumer. So that’s what happens when governments try to screw with free wages. And this is how well-meaning liberals screw up the economy.

Government: “okay we’re gonna boost the minimum wage to $15/hr”

Companies “hmm... how much would it cost to develop machines? Oh it’s cheaper!”

People: “OMG look at the unemployment rate.. everyone is poor... we need more money and higher wages”

Literally what you’re saying.. the only practical solution to what you’re talking about is having the government set wages for each individual job. They’ve done it in other countries. It’s a F*cking disaster.

In Cuba, cab drivers are the one percent

In capitalism resources are allocated where people see them most for. If you don’t want something, you don’t buy it.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Dislike ads? Remove them and support the forum: Subscribe to Fastlane Insiders.

ChrisV

Legendary Contributor
EPIC CONTRIBUTOR
Read Fastlane!
Read Unscripted!
Speedway Pass
User Power
Value/Post Ratio
225%
May 10, 2015
3,141
7,055
Islands of Calleja
It sounds absurd when people blame companies for not paying people enough. Again it’s like if a bunch of people came in “omg people are only paying $3/gallon for milk? It’s like they don’t even care about the farmer. They’re so greedy... don’t you realize that farmers need to make a living?!”

Yo people pay the prices they feel an good or service is worth. Employment is a service. Employment is you selling your skills to a company in the same way your mechanic sells his skills to you. It’s all trade.

If you have an issue with your wage you have to make yourself worth more. Which means you provide more value. The “employers aren’t paying enough” stuff goes against the entire spirit of this website. Become a producer. If you are a producer. Produce better shit.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 

MTEE1985

Platinum Contributor
Read Fastlane!
Read Unscripted!
Speedway Pass
User Power
Value/Post Ratio
425%
Jun 12, 2018
685
2,914
Arizona
Relax guys, @Andreas Thiel is not saying he’s motivated by wanting to insert a global socialistic economy. His motivation is expanding on the message of Unscripted and helping empower people who believe that they have little to no choice in life outside of an hourly wage that barely covers rent.

It’s along the exact same lines as this thread: What would Earth be like if everyone were millionaires? (NOT VIA INFLATION)

He is saying that his long term mission would be to educate people on how to create more value and therefore earn said comfortable living wage.

Or, I could be wrong and he could want a globalistic socialism. Just not how I interpreted it.
 

ChrisV

Legendary Contributor
EPIC CONTRIBUTOR
Read Fastlane!
Read Unscripted!
Speedway Pass
User Power
Value/Post Ratio
225%
May 10, 2015
3,141
7,055
Islands of Calleja
Relax guys, @Andreas Thiel is not saying he’s motivated by wanting to insert a global socialistic economy. His motivation is expanding on the message of Unscripted and helping empower people who believe that they have little to no choice in life outside of an hourly wage that barely covers rent.

It’s along the exact same lines as this thread: What would Earth be like if everyone were millionaires? (NOT VIA INFLATION)

He is saying that his long term mission would be to educate people on how to create more value and therefore earn said comfortable living wage.

Or, I could be wrong and he could want a globalistic socialism. Just not how I interpreted it.

My comments have context based on another short discussion I had with him.

e178295f9f9e446efc88c5b7493cf7ea.png


There are only two ways to make money... do what no one else CAN do, or do what no one else WANTS to

And I don’t even disagree. It’s just hard to come up With solutions from that perspective.

And your right. Much of my comment wasn’t aimed at him... it was aimed at those who DO want to set wages. So I didn’t mean to make it seem like I was aiming it at him.

I sometimes get passionate about what I’m writing then it looks like I’m attacking someone when I’m not.. then I realize it when I go back and read it. And this is one of those times.

I can’t knock the drive though because it all stems from compassion and wanting to see people do well for themselves, which I’m sure we can all agree with. Just sometimes well meaning and caring liberals end up makin it harder for people. Milton Freedmon argues the best thing you could do for poor people would be to abolish the minimum wage, which sounds counter intuitive but from a market perspective makes sense.

View: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=ca8Z__o52sk



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Dislike ads? Remove them and support the forum: Subscribe to Fastlane Insiders.
Last edited:

amp0193

Legendary Contributor
FASTLANE INSIDER
EPIC CONTRIBUTOR
Read Fastlane!
Read Unscripted!
Summit Attendee
Speedway Pass
User Power
Value/Post Ratio
444%
May 27, 2013
3,639
16,159
United States
I think a big part that plays into thinking big and playing big without quitting is your motivation.

What are you motivated by?

This is what's driving me:

I want to get as many ____ type of people using _____ on a daily basis. It's kind of an altruistic, "bigger than me" type goal. My products are life changing and I want as many people as possible using them.

I'm willing to give up some equity (if necessary) in order to serve that purpose. Me self-funding and re-investing does not serve this goal to it's potential. It keeps me niche and mom and pop. It would take 10 years to make a dent in my goal, assuming that someone with deeper pockets didn't come in and make me irrelevant before then.

Talked to the owner of X company yesterday, no new ideas came out of it really, but it did provide some clarity, as I listened to him comment on my situation and how they grew through their own early beginnings.

Basically... they sold their products anywhere and everywhere they could. Direct to consumer, to dealers... whoever would buy it. They didn't worry about cashflow from selling too many units wholesale pricing (like I have been), because they raised enough money to where they could just make as much inventory as they needed to meet demand and grow in all of their channels.

Me being constantly out of stock or in a perpetual "pre-order" mode, is not benefiting anyone. I hate it, my employees hate it, my customers hate it, and I'm losing sales because of it.

That, and I'm ready to hire a full-time sales guy yesterday, as well as maybe 2 more employees, but I don't have the cash to do it yet, because I don't have the inventory available to sell to cover it.

I think I'm ready to follow X company's example and try to get some fuel on this fire.
 
Last edited:

throttleforward

Platinum Contributor
FASTLANE INSIDER
Summit Attendee
Speedway Pass
User Power
Value/Post Ratio
278%
Oct 30, 2009
1,193
3,314
Washington DC
One of the best leadership quotes I have ever heard applies here.

"Surround yourself with people that are smarter than you."

A related Steve Jobs quote: "It doesn't make sense to hire smart people and tell them what to do; we hire smart people so they can tell us what to do."
 

Kak

Legendary Contributor
FASTLANE INSIDER
EPIC CONTRIBUTOR
Read Rat-Race Escape!
Read Fastlane!
Read Unscripted!
Summit Attendee
Speedway Pass
User Power
Value/Post Ratio
493%
Jan 23, 2011
9,678
47,666
34
Texas
This is what's driving me:

I want to get as many ____ type of people using _____ on a daily basis. It's kind of an altruistic, "bigger than me" type goal. My products are life changing and I want as many people as possible using them.

I'm willing to give up some equity (if necessary) in order to serve that purpose. Me self-funding and re-investing does not serve this goal to it's potential. It keeps me niche and mom and pop. It would take 10 years to make a dent in my goal, assuming that someone with deeper pockets didn't come in and make me irrelevant before then.

Talked to the owner of X company yesterday, no new ideas came out of it really, but it did provide some clarity, as I listened to him comment on my situation and how they grew through their own early beginnings.

Basically... they sold their products anywhere and everywhere they could. Direct to consumer, to dealers... whoever would buy it. They didn't worry about cashflow from selling too many units wholesale pricing (like I have been), because they raised enough money to where they could just make as much inventory as they needed to meet demand and grow in all of their channels.

Me being constantly out of stock or in a perpetual "pre-order" mode, is not benefiting anyone. I hate it, my employees hate it, my customers hate it, and I'm losing sales because of it.

That, and I'm ready to hire a full-time sales guy yesterday, as well as maybe 2 more employees, but I don't have the cash to do it yet, because I don't have the inventory available to sell to cover it.

I think I'm ready to follow X company's example and try to get some fuel on this fire.

Nice post.

You highlighted a BIG threat. You think someone with bigger pockets could come in and make you irrelevant. You have issues fulfilling orders. These are the problems that separate big business from small business. Problems that need to be addressed, but, once addressed, will propel you forward.

I’m assuming you’re going to go after solving these issues and scooting up that 10 year minimum horizon to something more like 2.

I’m excited to see what you do with this information you’ve mined out of your business.

My suggestion, if this really has that 9 figure potential, get funded and stop pinching pennies. The hard work of proving the concept sounds over.

I have several businesses, for one in particular, the concept has yet to be proven, however, I have a private equity firm in a holding pattern to buy me my 15 million dollar supplier on a moment’s notice and maybe the 5 million dollar logistics side too. The better we can prove it the more of these companies we can own. I love having some business horsepower.

I’m hopefully going to use the same model for a monopolistic buyout of the two largest suppliers of a commodity in the same industry. One has a 60 percent market share and a website that was last copyrighted in 2007 and trust me, it looks like it was made in the 90s.
 
Dislike ads? Remove them and support the forum: Subscribe to Fastlane Insiders.
Last edited:

MTEE1985

Platinum Contributor
Read Fastlane!
Read Unscripted!
Speedway Pass
User Power
Value/Post Ratio
425%
Jun 12, 2018
685
2,914
Arizona
This is what's driving me:

I want to get as many ____ type of people using _____ on a daily basis. It's kind of an altruistic, "bigger than me" type goal. My products are life changing and I want as many people as possible using them.

I'm willing to give up some equity (if necessary) in order to serve that purpose. Me self-funding and re-investing does not serve this goal to it's potential. It keeps me niche and mom and pop. It would take 10 years to make a dent in my goal, assuming that someone with deeper pockets didn't come in and make me irrelevant before then.

Talked to the owner of X company yesterday, no new ideas came out of it really, but it did provide some clarity, as I listened to him comment on my situation and how they grew through their own early beginnings.

Basically... they sold their products anywhere and everywhere they could. Direct to consumer, to dealers... whoever would buy it. They didn't worry about cashflow from selling too many units wholesale pricing (like I have been), because they raised enough money to where they could just make as much inventory as they needed to meet demand and grow in all of their channels.

Me being constantly out of stock or in a perpetual "pre-order" mode, is not benefiting anyone. I hate it, my employees hate it, my customers hate it, and I'm losing sales because of it.

That, and I'm ready to hire a full-time sales guy yesterday, as well as maybe 2 more employees, but I don't have the cash to do it yet, because I don't have the inventory available to sell to cover it.

I think I'm ready to follow X company's example and try to get some fuel on this fire.

So what is the solution? I believe @Kak has referenced in the past that he would look to buy the supplier and possibly even the manufacturer. With much and well deserved respect to you and what you have accomplished already, how can you overcome the inventory issue? Could you be the manufacturer as well as the distributor? Sincere question as I don’t know your market like you do. It may be extremely far fetched, but hey, we’re thinking big here.
 

Kak

Legendary Contributor
FASTLANE INSIDER
EPIC CONTRIBUTOR
Read Rat-Race Escape!
Read Fastlane!
Read Unscripted!
Summit Attendee
Speedway Pass
User Power
Value/Post Ratio
493%
Jan 23, 2011
9,678
47,666
34
Texas
Question for you guys... What do Tesla, Amazon and Bitcoin have in common?

What have the proprietors of them proven?
 
Last edited:

MTEE1985

Platinum Contributor
Read Fastlane!
Read Unscripted!
Speedway Pass
User Power
Value/Post Ratio
425%
Jun 12, 2018
685
2,914
Arizona
Question for you guys... What do Tesla, Amazon and Bitcoin have in common?

What have they proven?

Ok I’m in. Aside from their crazy valuations from a fundamental/logical standpoint..

They are all 100% being driven by their leader, and a leader whos goal from the onset was to change the world.

None of them require traditional marketing to be the topic of conversation or to grow.

They have proven that there is virtually unlimited funding available in the world toward achieving a stated result.

They have proven that the worlds biggest ideas aren’t “new” just better.

And that humans are highly emotional creatures as mention of any of the three can practically start a political style debate.

After typing all that...honestly, I don’t know and I’m hoping I don’t have to wait long to hear the answer.
 
Dislike ads? Remove them and support the forum: Subscribe to Fastlane Insiders.

ChrisV

Legendary Contributor
EPIC CONTRIBUTOR
Read Fastlane!
Read Unscripted!
Speedway Pass
User Power
Value/Post Ratio
225%
May 10, 2015
3,141
7,055
Islands of Calleja

Andreas Thiel

Silver Contributor
FASTLANE INSIDER
Read Rat-Race Escape!
Read Fastlane!
Read Unscripted!
Speedway Pass
User Power
Value/Post Ratio
112%
Aug 27, 2018
626
702
43
Karlsruhe, Germany
Relax guys, @Andreas Thiel is not saying he’s motivated by wanting to insert a global socialistic economy. His motivation is expanding on the message of Unscripted and helping empower people who believe that they have little to no choice in life outside of an hourly wage that barely covers rent.

It’s along the exact same lines as this thread: What would Earth be like if everyone were millionaires? (NOT VIA INFLATION)

He is saying that his long term mission would be to educate people on how to create more value and therefore earn said comfortable living wage.

Or, I could be wrong and he could want a globalistic socialism. Just not how I interpreted it.

Almost ... yeah, I want to empower those who want to lead and those who want to follow but also take on responsibility along the way.

If we told people that the world is a financial warzone, that would already be an improvement for me.

If we decided to look at metrics and establish incentives that turn the market into more of a meritocracy, that would be even better.

BUT, I think people who call themselves leaders and have a F*ck 'em attitude towards "guppies" are lame.
It is kinda the "Better Call Saul" sentiment, where Mike Ehrmantraut goes batshit crazy because somebody was killed who was "not in the game".
Jimmy, Saul, Irene, and the phrase "in the game" : betterCallSaul
Love that concept.

Probably doesn't make much sense to explain that here, but the question (paraphrased) was what our "Why" is, right?
Doesn't have to be everybody's "Why".

I feel if we fail to make sure progress raises more boats again, then the free market economy will stop working. Period. I see the Amazon Monopoly as one little symptom. I would very much prefer a future where some leaders do business in a more responsible way and where people do not shrug off all the roadkill around them.

@ChrisV - I think you trivialize the issue ... hard. There is only one explanation for not seeing 100 things that we could do differently: never playing the thought. I know several people that are guilty of nothing. They think for themselves, they chose jobs carefully and actual commitments prevent them from making drastic changes. The one person that probably had the strongest impact on my beliefs is a guy who wrecked his back but kept working - carrying heavy steel products. He worked as a Barkeeper in the evenings. At some point not just his back was f*cked up, his legs got amputated. He always had to think twice about spending a single penny and could not marry his life partner because the financials would not allow it.
The industry that he was working in turns to politicians to do something about the "lack of skilled workers" to exploit.
Nah, something is broken and it makes sense to identify metrics to watch and the parameters that we can change.
 

Kak

Legendary Contributor
FASTLANE INSIDER
EPIC CONTRIBUTOR
Read Rat-Race Escape!
Read Fastlane!
Read Unscripted!
Summit Attendee
Speedway Pass
User Power
Value/Post Ratio
493%
Jan 23, 2011
9,678
47,666
34
Texas
Almost ... yeah, I want to empower those who want to lead and those who want to follow but also take on responsibility along the way.

What the hell does this mean? Empowering leaders? By definition they are already empowered. Empowering employees? You mean like a labor union that destroys leadership and takes leverage from the people that should have it?

Are you aiming at a systemic change or on a micro level within one business?

My argument, you are free to run your business as you see fit. Employees have the freedom to work elsewhere or choose you. Customers have the freedom to buy elsewhere or choose you. It’s all about choice. Find your balance. In this market the labor holds a LOT of the leverage.

My take. You are talking from a position of how things “ought” to be, offering up no true solutions to a problem that really isn’t a problem... At least in the civilized world.

This is not a why, this is a mess.
 
Dislike ads? Remove them and support the forum: Subscribe to Fastlane Insiders.

ChrisV

Legendary Contributor
EPIC CONTRIBUTOR
Read Fastlane!
Read Unscripted!
Speedway Pass
User Power
Value/Post Ratio
225%
May 10, 2015
3,141
7,055
Islands of Calleja
@ChrisV - I think you trivialize the issue ... hard. I know several people that are guilty of nothing. They think for themselves, they chose jobs carefully and actual commitments prevent them from making drastic changes. The one person that probably had the strongest impact on my beliefs is a guy who wrecked his back but kept working - carrying heavy steel products. He worked as a Barkeeper in the evenings. At some point not just his back was f*cked up, his legs got amputated. He always had to think twice about spending a single penny and could not marry his life partner because the financials would not allow it.
The industry that he was working in turns to politicians to do something about the "lack of skilled workers" to exploit.
Nah, something is broken and it makes sense to identify metrics to watch and the parameters that we can change.
So what do you suggest we do? Okay, life isn’t fair. So what’s the solution? Employers being forced to pay employees more?

Capitalism is a system where the shit that is needed is rewarded financially. Skills that are needed are rewarded financially. Your wage is a bid. When you mess with that things get screwey.

I mean he may have bee a great guy. He may have been an awesome person who walked on the sidewalk and loved his mom... but the reality is it doesn’t matter. You want money, you have to do the things that make you money. Which means helping others and getting paid for it. I mean, yes there should be things in place for those who get hurt. Workers compensation, etc, but I feel like citing that is muddying the waters of the ‘employers don’t pay their workers enough’ debate.

This article is essential reading. I think MJ posted it a while back too. 6 Harsh Truths That Will Make You a Better Person

The World Only Cares About What It Can Get from You

"Let's say that the person you love the most has just been shot. He or she is lying in the street, bleeding and screaming. A guy rushes up and says, "Step aside." He looks over your loved one's bullet wound and pulls out a pocket knife -- he's going to operate right there in the street.

You ask, "Are you a doctor?”

The guy says, "No.”

You say, "But you know what you're doing, right? You're an old Army medic, or ..."
At this point the guy becomes annoyed. He tells you that he is a nice guy, he is honest, he is always on time. He tells you that he is a great son to his mother and has a rich life full of fulfilling hobbies, and he boasts that he never uses foul language.

Confused, you say, "How does any of that F*cking matter when my [wife/husband/best friend/parent] is lying here bleeding! I need somebody who knows how to operate on bullet wounds! Can you do that or not?!?”

Now the man becomes agitated -- why are you being shallow and selfish? Do you not care about any of his other good qualities? Didn't you just hear him say that he always remembers his girlfriend's birthday? In light of all of the good things he does, does it really matter if he knows how to perform surgery?

In that panicked moment, you will take your bloody hands and shake him by the shoulders, screaming, "Yes, I'm saying that none of that other shit matters, because in this specific situation, I just need somebody who can stop the bleeding, you crazy F*cking a**hole.”

So here is my terrible truth about the adult world: You are in that very situation every single day. Only you are the confused guy with the pocket knife. All of society is the bleeding gunshot victim.
If you want to know why society seems to shun you, or why you seem to get no respect, it's because society is full of people who need things. They need houses built, they need food to eat, they need entertainment, they need fulfilling sexual relationships. You arrived at the scene of that emergency, holding your pocket knife, by virtue of your birth -- the moment you came into the world, you became part of a system designed purely to see to people's needs.​

From Glengarry Glen Ross:

"Nice guy? I don't give a shit. Good father? F*ck you! Go home and play with your kids. You wanna work here - close!” (
View: https://youtu.be/Q4PE2hSqVnk?t=284
-4:44)

I mean again, i sense that you hav a deep compassion for people, and that’s great.. but the solution isn’t employers being less ‘stingy,’ the solution is employee offering more value. And your friend, he hurt his back... so what was stopping him from starting an e-commerce business from home? or taking a less physical office job? Again, I’m not trying to blame victims but we all have rough shit we have to deal with. I have brutal ADHD that’s wrecked havoc on my life. And I had to own that and resolve it.
 

Andreas Thiel

Silver Contributor
FASTLANE INSIDER
Read Rat-Race Escape!
Read Fastlane!
Read Unscripted!
Speedway Pass
User Power
Value/Post Ratio
112%
Aug 27, 2018
626
702
43
Karlsruhe, Germany
My take. You are talking from a position of how things “ought” to be, offering up no true solutions to a problem that really isn’t a problem... At least in the civilized world.
I don't get it ... all the book UNSCRIPTED is about is that there IS a HUGE problem. No?
 

ChrisV

Legendary Contributor
EPIC CONTRIBUTOR
Read Fastlane!
Read Unscripted!
Speedway Pass
User Power
Value/Post Ratio
225%
May 10, 2015
3,141
7,055
Islands of Calleja
My take. You are talking from a position of how things “ought” to be, offering up no true solutions to a problem that really isn’t a problem... At least in the civilized world.

This is not a why, this is a mess.
Oh there are people who have offered up solutions to the ‘employers don’t pay their employees enough’ problem. The ideas were outlined in depth in this book.

Unfortunately, in practice it didn’t work out too well.
 
Dislike ads? Remove them and support the forum: Subscribe to Fastlane Insiders.

Andreas Thiel

Silver Contributor
FASTLANE INSIDER
Read Rat-Race Escape!
Read Fastlane!
Read Unscripted!
Speedway Pass
User Power
Value/Post Ratio
112%
Aug 27, 2018
626
702
43
Karlsruhe, Germany
Capitalism is a system where the sh*t that is needed is rewarded financially. Skills that are needed are rewarded financially. Your wage is a bid. When you mess with that things get screwey.
Too long, won't read - like everybody else does with my posts - apparently. I am saying that pretty much all leaders currently ARE messing with that concept. They all dine and dash.
 

MTEE1985

Platinum Contributor
Read Fastlane!
Read Unscripted!
Speedway Pass
User Power
Value/Post Ratio
425%
Jun 12, 2018
685
2,914
Arizona
This seems to be an ethics tangent more than anything. The reality is there are sh*tbag business owners who pray on people and exploit them. There are business owners like @Kak who offer viable plans for his employees to better their situation and their futures. Would the world be a better place if ALL business owners operated that way? Of course. It just is unlikely to ever be the world we live in given human behavior. I do however commend anybody who’s drive is to change that.
 
Last edited:

Post New Topic

Please SEARCH before posting.
Please select the BEST category.

Post new topic

Guest post submissions offered HERE.

New Topics

Fastlane Insiders

View the forum AD FREE.
Private, unindexed content
Detailed process/execution threads
Ideas needing execution, more!

Join Fastlane Insiders.

Top