Try again. Fail again. Fail better!

[m4s0n]

Hey there!

My name’s Matt. I’m 29 years old and live in Australia… G’day 😀

My last business was in education tech. We had repeat customers, a solid value proposition for our niche, and even some funding. For reasons I’ll get into some other time, it fell apart in January (and I wasn’t far behind).

This isn’t a sob story, but I do want to be genuine with you.

I spent three months holed up at home being depressed and dwelling on the experience. Playing the ‘coulda and shoulda’ game. You can imagine how much that helped (not much). Reflecting on a misstep can help you see the lesson and improve. Living in the past and kicking yourself isn’t healthy though. It depletes your confidence.

It took until April for me to get a grip and resolve to get better.

I started lifting weights. I’ve lost 10kg (22lbs) in the last 2 months. So far so good.

People started noticing the difference and complimenting me. I started slacking off. So I started being an ‘accountability buddy’ to 10 friends. I text them before each workout (including the 5am starters) and an hour afterward. I call them each weekend to ask how the week went and how they’ll do better. They invariably ask how my workouts have been. I haven’t missed a workout since. The whole group has improved its workout rate by some 400%.

A recruiter approached me for a CEO role in April. I ended up being the Board’s second choice. I took it as a compliment - some external validation. In the years to come it will be a blessing as I elect to do my own thing again.

I usually read 2-3 books each week. I haven’t read one in the last fortnight. Why not?

I found MJ’s book.

Then I found these forums.

I don’t know how many threads I’ve devoured in the last couple of weeks. But I will say that these forums have an incredible signal-to-noise ratio. It is awesome. The value here is immense.

Game Plan
I have some web development skills. The low-hanging fruit where I can be of service is web development work for small and medium businesses around town.

I have two ideas to be more time independent in the short-term. The first is outsource increasing amounts of development work to focus on sales and project management. The second is signing customers onto managed services contracts to grow their businesses online in the longer term. Free cashflows will go to Fastlane ideas I’m currently validating. I'm ready to work the process.

I nearly signed up for Fastlane INSIDERS last night. After my positive words a few paragraphs earlier, what would possibly stop me?

I will hold off until my first client pays me. And that money will pay for my subscription instead. That symbolism means something to me. I will somehow return the favour for the shot in the arm and the wisdom that this forum has given to so many.

I start cold-calling tomorrow. With similar thinking as my workout group, I’d like to share my metrics around cold calling with you guys. I have no doubt this crew will give me an objective appraisal.

Is it appropriate to do post the updates in this thread? Or should I take it to the Process / Progress / Execution Threads subforum? I appreciate your advice.

It's great to have found this group of likeminded people. Thank you for reading.

Cheers,
Matt.

 

Dislike ads? Become a Fastlane member: Subscribe today and surround yourself with winners and millionaire mentors, not those broke friends who only want to drink beer and play video games. :-)