(VENT) Frustrated, Broke and No Job!

[Mike.B]

We all see the excuses! It is laughable that the people who you were asking for advice a day ago are now loser "trinket salesmen" do everyone here a big favor and get out you stupid shit.

Once again your eloquence is outstanding sir! You haven't added a single bit of useful text to this thread. You're wasting space that could be used by someone that has something intelligent to add.

Maybe you should read what I actually post instead of being so quick to add your rhetoric bullshit. Try engaging in some thought provoking conversation sometime instead throwing out repeated insults. You might find it more stimulating.

 

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[theag]

Kak 1
Mike.B 0

 

[Mike.B]

The perfect opportunity is not going to land on your doorstep, stop looking for it. Beggars can't be choosers.

"Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work."

Stop posting and stop arguing, go get things done and only report back when you have accomplished something. Prove to us that we are wrong.

I'm sorry, but I wasn't arguing, I was asking questions and explaining why I thought someones analogy was flawed. If you can't engage in anything besides bashing someone for trying to provoke some conversation, than please go away.

By the way, I never asked for anything to land on my doorstep. If I stop looking for opportunity, how the hell am I ever supposed to find it? That's probably the dumbest thing I've read yet.

 

[Mike.B]

Kak 1
Mike.B 0

I see, it's all about keeping score now. Bravo!

 

[FastLearner]

Anyway, I’ll STFU now; I just needed to get this out. I know I’ll probably get a bunch of shit for this post, but it is what it is.

You knew what you were getting into when you posted this.

Just remember this forum doesn't care about your feelings, your girlfriend does. Go talk to her about them.

No more responses to petty comments. Read the advice here and go put it to good use.

 

[JudoTom]

one thing that might help you out is a detailed journal. I have all my fitness clients, competitors and fighters do it. Log everything you do during the day. start w/ 15 or 30 min blocks and also log any completed task and then the result of the task. Results might take time but you keep reviewing the tasks overtime to see the results of your efforts.

To be honest since a bunch of people have said you make excuses and complain it would not be a bad idea to log all the times you complain, make an excuse, curse, get pissed off vs all the times you are positive, focused, visualize a great result, etc

I do this all w/ index cards. first one is a to do list, 2nd is a schedule (planned then actual) 3rd is tasks completed, then the rest are notes.

Good luck

 

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[Mike.B]

You knew what you were getting into when you posted this.

Just remember this forum doesn't care about your feelings, your girlfriend does. Go talk to her about them.

No more responses to petty comments. Read the advice here and go put it to good use.

I absolutely understood when I posted that. As the thread progressed though, I tried more than once to change it into something positive by asking questions and trying to engage some of the people that posted. In return I received a repeated vituperative attack on my character. Just thought it was a bit unwarranted at that point. Am I wrong?

 

[splok]

Are they worth the time and effort when compared to other options?

Well, how have those other options been working out for you?

 

[PopEmersen]

All this time you've been in this thread posting rebuttals, you could have been researching a new plan. Do something man, you take a dump sitting down like the rest of the world and you got the same 24 hours we all do.

 

[mayana]

This thread, as freaking frustrating as it has been to read through, has actually morphed into a really amazing collection of advice. There is some golden stuff on here. A lot of people have gone through really hard times, but you never hear successful entrepreneurs making excuses.

In fact, instead of being closed, it should be a STICKY! Everyone should have to read it before posting.

As an aside, a majority of the "bootstrapping" ideas mentioned here (even by the OP) could be fastlane businesses in their own right. There are people all over the country that are doing them successfully and making tons of money at it.

For the OP, it seems like you might make a serious consideration to changing your geographic location (get your GF on board, of course). You might find that a larger metro area has more opportunities to offer. It's tough to make a move, but it might be worth it for you.

 

[H. Palmer]

Mike B., what you need first and foremost is positive energy.

Take a break. Take a long - hours long - walk into a forest or over a mountain.

As long as there's no people around.

Shout out your anger and frustrations. Admit that it all went wrong. Cry if you like until you're exhausted.

What you need to do will reveal itself there and then.

You will find peace of mind and come back a new man.

 

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[Mike.B]

Well, how have those other options been working out for you?

Not as well as I had planned, but that's my fault. When I posed this question, I was looking for peoples opinions on low barrier internet businesses vs, say, a serviced based business (e.g. consulting). Sorry I didn't state my question very well.

 

[Mike.B]

There is some golden stuff on here.

I totally agree. I really appreciate everyone that responded with something valuable.

 

[Get Right]

Move. Preferably with GF and child.

Get a job of any variety.

Take a fastlane break, get back on your feet, then dust off the entrepreneur hat.

 

[FastLearner]

Move. Preferably with GF and child.

I say move with or without her. Your life choices shouldn't depend on someone you're not even married to.

 

[Mike.B]

Mike B., what you need first and foremost is positive energy.

Take a break. Take a long - hours long - walk into a forest or over a mountain.

As long as there's no people around.

Shout out your anger and frustrations. Admit that it all went wrong. Cry if you like until you're exhausted.

What you need to do will reveal itself there and then.

You will find peace of mind and come back a new man.

My long runs definitely help with this. It allows me to clear my head and regain a positive outlook. Some days I wish I could run longer!

 

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[Mike Kavanagh]

Not to be a dick dude but why has this thread lasted 7 pages? If you had taken solid and dedicated action you wouldn't get shit every other post.

You're more than qualified to get a temporary job. You have valuable skills to any company that uses computers. Even if no one is hiring you can still get a F*cking job at Wal-Mart or something along those lines.

I mean Jesus, I know its not hard to piss off kak but he has a point. You're not taking solid action. Why?

Please tell me it's because you really have no arms or something actually valid, aside from "no one is hiring".

I got a job with no job history with a very large company for something I've never done before, fresh out of high school, in 2010 when sales were so low they had to bring in a team from another store to boost our sales.

You can do whatever you need to as long as you put forth massive effort.

 

[SBS.95]

Not to be a dick dude but why has this thread lasted 7 pages? If you had taken solid and dedicated action you wouldn't get shit every other post.

I mean Jesus, I know its not hard to piss off kak but he has a point. You're not taking solid action. Why?

This 100%.

What you have to understand is that when Kak (or anyone) gives you shit, they're not doing it just for the sake of being a dick. If they really thought you were that useless, they wouldn't waste their time responding to you. This is their way of making you get on your horse.

Everyone has different ways of getting inspired. Personally, I love the "piss you off" mentality- I bookmarked this thread to come read and get some kick-a$$ motivation out of.

Clearly you're different than me. Negative criticism isn't your thing. That's cool. So just don't read/respond to those posts. Instead though you are trying to come with a witty quote/comeback. You're smarter than that.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h8YKEwt3wO0

 

[Determined2012]

I read some of this and I just wanted to add that going to career fairs might help your chances of getting a 9 to 5, if you are looking for that. Opposed to applying online- get in front of many actual recruits!

Also- is it an option to move by yourself, until you get situated, and then send for your girlfriend and her son later? A lot of families do this, and it works out.

Some other things you may be able to do is donate plasma. There is always a need for plasma, because plasma can not be man made and it is much needed in the medical industry- I believe you can donate twice a week. This is faster than fiverr- I didn't read whether or not you were going to go the fiverr route.

As for me, I am still holding out on the 9 to 5---- still maintaining, being as proactive as I can, and making a plan a following up, updating, tweaking everyday.

Were in the trenches now! On the grind, in th hustle. It's not going to be easy! Don't get discouraged. Just make lists of things to do obsessively- these lists turn in to plans and goals.

If you belong to any groups or organizations network as much as you can. Finesse and charm yourself in to everything you need.

I'm tapping into my VA network everyday.

This path is hard as F*ck!!!!! To me it's soooo hard!

But if you keep pushing and planning painful inch by painful inch you can and will get it done.

Try temp jobs- I think they pay cash daily.

If all else fails enroll at a university- take 9 hours, get a student loan- use that lump sum to try to start something that will bring you money.

In these times you have to get creative.

Post or respond to ads on CraigsList to be a driver, or caretaker- some of those adds pay good money.

I would recommend networking- the power of networks can NOT be ignored. I swear- my network is STRONG. I have people I can tap in to for just about anything.

Volunteer- that may turn in to a paid job- and if nothing else you will be there networking!!

This is the perspective of a 30 year old female---

Some if not all of this should still be applicable to your situation.

Fail your way to success. You've been failing, that means hopefully you've been learning too...so just come back stronger and determined!

(pls excuse errors, typed all of this on iPad)

 

[biophase]

I have actually been reading this thread from the start. I just refrained from posting, but now that it's 7 pages long I wanted to drop my opinion. So the first day I read this thread, the OP said that he has tried a ton of different things. He even listed them all.

My first thought was, why did all of these things fail? It absolutely cannot be the industry. Even in a small town there are people who make a living doing the following below:

• Furniture delivery
• Power washing driveways
• Mowing lawns/landscaping
• Window screen repair
• Window washing
• Wholesaling real estate
• Computer repair
• IT consulting

My first conclusion was that this guy is bad at business, gives up too early, makes excuses or is just a talker. Remember that this is before thread went 3 pages. I wanted him to list the reasons why each of the businesses failed. The only reason I keep reading about is that competition is tough and the town was too small.

If a new business has a 25% chance of making it, then 2/8 should have been successful. However, assume that each time you fail you learn so each successive business should have an increasingly higher chance of making it. So if you start 8 businesses and none make it. The problem is you, not the business.

How does a furniture delivery business fail? Was this even a real business or just an ad on craigslist saying that you provide 2 guys and a truck? How long did you try this? Why did you stop? What were your expenses? What did you charge?

I'd like to see the answers for each of the businesses listed above.

I hate to jump on the bandwagon MikeB, but when the majority is opposed of your view, maybe it's time to get a new perspective. People have already pointed out the number of excuses that you've posted. The problem is that you don't see them as excuses. In business, there are no excuses because shit happens every day.

Let's take a neutral look at say a general ecommerce store widgets.com. You don't know the owner, but somehow you end up having coffee with him. He say's, "I was doing alright until Google changed their formula and then my business went to shit. A month later I had to close up shop. If it wasn't for Google, I'd still be raking in the dough."

Do you see that as an excuse or was it a business problem? If you see that as an excuse and sympathize with that owner, then business is not for you. If you see it as another business hurdle to overcome, then you are a true entrepreneur.

 

[Guest3722A]

Mike, get a cdl and go see the country OR work local. Grab your laptop and girlfriend and go have an adventure. You're guaranteed work, the pay should be adequate for your current purposes and you will be smiling often with lots of adrenalin jolts. Save up some cash while figuring things out.

A word of caution though, if this is something you'd actually consider, avoid hauling things that explode

 

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[Mike.B]

My first thought was, why did all of these things fail? It absolutely cannot be the industry. Even in a small town there are people who make a living doing the following below:

• Furniture delivery
• Power washing driveways
• Mowing lawns/landscaping
• Window screen repair
• Window washing
• Wholesaling real estate
• Computer repair
• IT consulting

My first conclusion was that this guy is bad at business, gives up too early, makes excuses or is just a talker. Remember that this is before thread went 3 pages. I wanted him to list the reasons why each of the businesses failed. The only reason I keep reading about is that competition is tough and the town was too small.

If a new business has a 25% chance of making it, then 2/8 should have been successful. However, assume that each time you fail you learn so each successive business should have an increasingly higher chance of making it. So if you start 8 businesses and none make it. The problem is you, not the business.

How does a furniture delivery business fail? Was this even a real business or just an ad on craigslist saying that you provide 2 guys and a truck? How long did you try this? Why did you stop? What were your expenses? What did you charge?

I'd like to see the answers for each of the businesses listed above.

I will attempt to explain each of these in more detail. I think this thread got off to a bad start because I didn't explain any of this very well. So let me break down each one individually:

Furniture delivery

I started this business after hearing about someone else doing it in another city. I actually started this while I was still working my last job.
The idea was to deliver IKEA furniture and make our money off of the delivery charges. Quite a few problems arose once we jumped in.

1) The amount of customers and the order sizes each trip (every two weeks) didn’t allow me to make a profit on most trips. I was losing money just about every run. Depending on the order size and item price, my profit was anywhere from 8-20%. Most runs, this didn’t even pay for the gas and trailer rental.

2) My marketing budget was small, and I didn’t know where to spend what money I did have. I did develop a website that handled ordering and payments, but driving traffic proved to be difficult. I tried advertising through Facebook and targeting specific demographics, but most of them never converted. If I had thought about bandit signs at that time, I would have definitely used them!

3) The city I was delivering too wasn’t where I lived. It was approximately 40 miles away. So, if I didn’t deliver all the orders on the same day. I was forced to make another 80 mile round trip, cutting into the profits even more. Scheduling got to be a real pain.

4) I didn’t own the trailer and never knew if I needed it for one, two, or three days. This coupled with the fact that I was trying to do this all around my work schedule made it almost impossible. After a lot of consideration, I decided to pull the plug.

Power washing driveways

This idea came about as an afterthought. It was mainly word of mouth advertising. I was renting the power washer after I received a few interested customers. I didn’t ever plan on this being a business, just a way to make a few extra dollars.

Mowing lawns/landscaping/Window screen repair/Window washing

Again, these were word of mouth and in the local area. I did advertise on craigslist and created some flyers, but I never received many calls. There is a lot of competition in the local area, so I’m sure that played a part. I changed my ads many times to see if any would convert better, but I didn’t have much luck.

I never planned on any of these being a full-time business; I was trying to generate extra cash so I could continue with wholesaling real estate.

Wholesaling real estate

This hasn’t failed, yet. The market is severely depressed and the profits are minimal, but I keep trying. I will keep doing this even after I start working again as this will generate some extra capital to support other ideas.

Computer repair/IT consulting

I’ve done both of these off and on for the last 7-8 years. There is a ton of competition and really nothing that sets me apart from the other 20 places doing the same thing. I haven’t put a lot of thought in to a USP for either one of these. I’m not sure if it’s possible to create one. I don’t believe either one would be fastlane anyway.


I guess most people thought that I was trying to make each one of these a successful business, that wasn't the case at all. Yes most of them failed because I gave up on them for one reason or another, and I probably should have stuck with just one. In all honesty, I was looking to generate some cash fairly quickly.

My original post was emotionally driven and not well thought out, and I was looking for an outlet and really didn't care at that point. I do realize now why peoples perception of my attitude are the way they are.

I will say while I did expect some of the reaction I received, I didn't like it and I felt the need to defend myself. I sincerely apologize.

 

[MJ DeMarco]

Mike,

I've also been sitting on the sidelines observing. The only way I can approach this thread is to be blunt, and to speak my mind. I don't want to bring you down, but I want you to try to observe your internal thought process. In doing so, you might be able to change the results in the external.

Here's my take: You are trying to fight a war on the outside when the battle you need to fight is on the inside. In 3 pages+, I've seen nothing but superficial excuses and toxic, self-defeating narratives.

Just to give you an example...

It has been pouring rain for the last 2 days, so I'll have to wait to put out more signs.

Really? Is rain REALLY stopping you? Has it really been raining 48 hours straight in torrential downpours? (I haven't heard about torrential rains in Ohio on the news.) Or is this just a convenient excuse to stop working? And to give up so you can say "Oh, I tried... on to the next thing."

I've seen this type of rationalization in most of your responses. It's ALWAYS something. My girlfriend. My location. My city. My advertising. It's raining. It's 40 miles away. The advertising didn't work. This. That.

IMO, your expectations on how a successful business is built is totally warped. You're chasing money and not committed to doing anything better than your competition. You are clearly event driven vs process driven. Your expecting events from disjointed and incohesive actions, when events come from committed process. Yes, "take action" is worthless when the actions are not beating down the right door.

Here is something I wrote that can best sum up your situation and lack of success.

IMO, this is the only way to succeed .... Work one idea 100%. 1) Does it work? 2) Does it need adjusting? or 3) Does it suck? If 3 is the answer, move on. Yea, kill it quick but make sure you've turned the dial hard enough. I don't recommend the Altucher approach of working multiple ideas and having "one of them pick you" -- how can one "pick you" if you haven't raised your hand high enough??

Think of each idea as a pinata. In order to break open the goodness inside the pinata, you need to HIT HARD and HIT MULTIPLE TIMES. When you take one swing at the pinata and then move on to the next, you end up with a lot of unbroken pinatas swinging in the air, their success still trapped inside... The result for the money chaser/multiple idea guy is 20 pinatas laughing at you after you've taken cursory swipes at them. (from: https://www.thefastlaneforum.com/showthread.php/47784-Concentrate-on-one-idea)

So lemme ask you...

How many unbroken pinatas do you have swaying in the air?

 

[LamboMP]

I've seen this type of rationalization in most of your responses. It's ALWAYS something.

Amen.

 

[Mike.B]

Really? Is rain REALLY stopping you? Has it really been raining 48 hours straight in torrential downpours? (I haven't heard about torrential rains in Ohio on the news.) Or is this just a convenient excuse to stop working? And to give up so you can say "Oh, I tried... on to the next thing."

Really? I think you're reaching a bit here. Unless there are "torrential downpours" I should just keep going? I think this is a little extreme. We had 4 inches of rain in about 2 hrs time that night, and the right-of-ways I needed to get across were flooded. I was able to hang the rest of the signs two days later. No biggie ...

Also, I have never stopped working. I have hung over 200 signs and I have inspected over 100 properties!

I've seen this type of rationalization in most of your responses. It's ALWAYS something. My girlfriend. My location. My city. My advertising. It's raining. It's 40 miles away. The advertising didn't work. This. That.

1) I stated that my girlfriend didn't want me to leave, nothing more. Everyone jumped to the conclusion that she was holding me back.

2) In reference to the furniture delivery business: I couldn't bring in customers fast enough through advertising to keep the business going. This is fact, not an excuse. I needed a minimum amount of customers for every run I made in order to be profitable. When I had to make multiple 80 mile round trips to do deliveries, I lost money. This is also fact.

3) I admit I make excuses, but you are saying that every obstacle is an excuse. There were some things beyond my control. I couldn't make ten people place an order every trip. I couldn't make everyone place a $200 dollar order. I couldn't make everyone work around my schedule and receive their delivery the same day. These are all facts, not excuses! You cannot tell me that there are things in any business that are beyond the control of that business. You can attempt to influence people, but you cannot force them to do anything.

Were you able to overcome every obstacle in every business you ever started?

IMO, your expectations on how a successful business is built is totally warped. You're chasing money and not committed to doing anything better than your competition. You are clearly event driven vs process driven. Your expecting events from disjointed and incohesive actions, when events come from committed process. Yes, "take action" is worthless when the actions are not beating down the right door.

I think this is a bit unfair. I have put in a ton of work in the furniture delivery and real estate wholesaling businesses. I put in 8 months work before I called it quits on the delivery business; it just wasn't profitable, plain and simple.

I have been working the wholesaling business for 10 moths now, and I'm still dedicated to it.

So how are these event driven?

The other mircro-businesses that I attempted were just to raise a little cash. I didn't put a lot of work in to any of them. I didn't care. That's it.

 

[biophase]

I think this is a bit unfair. I have put in a ton of work in the furniture delivery and real estate wholesaling businesses. I put in 8 months work before I called it quits on the delivery business; it just wasn't profitable, plain and simple.

I have been working the wholesaling business for 10 moths now, and I'm still dedicated to it.

On the furniture business, If you were to do it again what would you do differently? If you were at it for 8 months, why did you keep a structure in which you lost money some of the time?

You could have instilled a minimum order charge. Or charged customers by the size of the piece. Bundled deliveries so that you only delivered on 3 day a week.

I don't understand what you mean by 8-20% profit on delivery and it did not include gas? Did you charge 8% above the price of the item for delivery? Who paid for the item at IKEA, did you?

If you had to rent a trailer, there must have been some good orders. IKEA stuff is fairly compact.

 

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[Darius]

Sometimes our biggest obstacle is ourselves. Good luck Mike.

 

[DeletedUser2]

Mike,

bottom line,

your still giving us excuses.

what if:

the area you live in is not a good fit for what you are trying to do?

what if the trinket sellers online might have some reason for doing it online?
(we have done over 14M in the last 18 months of our business, all online, starting out knowing nothing)

what if you knew there was a pot of gold in a larger market where you could make it? if you knew for SURE that there was, would you still not move? you could take the girl friend. or god forbid, spend some time apart, while you built a biz, and then invited her along....


what if the whole forum here had been through various parts of what you have been, and still found ways to get shit done?
(but you were to busy arguing with them, about how wrong they were to notice any value)

what if YOU were the common denominator in every excuse you have (even the rain, really? )

what if you were to stop posting here, and make some hard core decisions about where you want to be in your life, instead of the complainepreneur you have become. (if you could get paid on complaining, you would already have it made)


im 43, done 15 different business, not all of the successful. some of them leaving huge smoking craters in the ground when done. I know from experience, that sometimes I was the biggest obstacle of the business. so I get it. I understand.

but let me try to offer some help in this way. move. leave where you are at, go to a larger market. go to meetups. find other people, who are trying to do the same thing. find others who ARE doing the same thing. learn from them. stop complaining, (it just really makes you look like an a**hole, and IM sure that's not your intent.)

your environment is causing part of this. (well in your mind it is.) pick 1 thing and DO IT. do it until you cant help but be successful.
GO NOW. make a big boy decision, and move. be successful, bring the girl, or leave her for 6 months. but don't let the Dammed if you do, dammed if you don't model hinder you.


good luck, and stop posting here until you solve this. because right now. your just a troll.

Z

 

[Mike.B]

On the furniture business, If you were to do it again what would you do differently? If you were at it for 8 months, why did you keep a structure in which you lost money some of the time?

I changed the structure repeatedly. I changed everything from price, delivery dates, minimum order amount, and overall customer process.

You could have instilled a minimum order charge. Or charged customers by the size of the piece. Bundled deliveries so that you only delivered on 3 day a week.

I initiated a minimum order amount and just about every customer complained about it. I charged based on the cost of the item. It ranged from 8% for the most expensive items to 20% for the cheapest items. I tried raising and lowering prices without much change in orders. I setup deliveries for Saturday and/or Sunday, but I had numerous problems scheduling times with people. It was very hard working around peoples schedules.

I don't understand what you mean by 8-20% profit on delivery and it did not include gas? Did you charge 8% above the price of the item for delivery? Who paid for the item at IKEA, did you?

Yes 8-20% above the item cost and no it didn't include gas. I paid for the items at IKEA, but the customers paid a 20% nonrefundable deposit. I collected the remaining amount due upon delivery.

If you had to rent a trailer, there must have been some good orders. IKEA stuff is fairly compact.

I have a truck with a short bed and no topper so I couldn't transport the items with the truck alone. Also, the runs were 322 miles round trip.

 

[exige]

Let's see, you are into real estate wholesaling. Have you started a blog about real estate wholesaling? Can you build some software like RehabValuator but that is web based and $20/month instead of desktop software for $97?