Here's a classic case of why marketing is so important as a skill, even if you create the best product ever.
You could formulate the cure to cancer, but if you can't sell it and get the sales cycle rolling, your great product won't be exposed to those who need it. In Unscripted, I call this fact the Cancer Corrollary.
With a great product but poor marketing, you succeed at NEED, but FAIL at execution.
In this case, the author created a great book that languished on the market for a decade with little sales. The book needed a little marketing (and yes, luck) to turn things around.
With respect to "luck" - notice how ACTION altered probability so "luck" had a chance to appear. Without the ACTION, there is no luck.
Action is fundamental to LUCK because it is fundamental to moving probability.
https://people.com/human-interest/vermont-man-book-becomes-bestseller-10-years-after-release-thanks-to-daughters-tiktok/
Have a great weekend! 😊
- MJ
You could formulate the cure to cancer, but if you can't sell it and get the sales cycle rolling, your great product won't be exposed to those who need it. In Unscripted, I call this fact the Cancer Corrollary.
With a great product but poor marketing, you succeed at NEED, but FAIL at execution.
In this case, the author created a great book that languished on the market for a decade with little sales. The book needed a little marketing (and yes, luck) to turn things around.
With respect to "luck" - notice how ACTION altered probability so "luck" had a chance to appear. Without the ACTION, there is no luck.
Action is fundamental to LUCK because it is fundamental to moving probability.
https://people.com/human-interest/vermont-man-book-becomes-bestseller-10-years-after-release-thanks-to-daughters-tiktok/
Have a great weekend! 😊
- MJ
People.com
Vermont Man's Book Becomes a Bestseller 10 Years After Its Release — Thanks to His Daughter's TikTok
A Vermont father of three is now a best-selling author more than a decade after publishing his first novel after his daughter shared his story on Tiktok
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I recently received a reader email where the sender proudly revealed that he sold his company for a whopping $85 million. The screenshot is posted on the forum.
He read Fastlane in 2017 and immediately put it to work. Failures followed, but so did valuable domain experience. And a commitment to the process.
Some might see this success story and scream, "survivor bias!" or "hey MJ, what about the other thousands of your readers who didn't succeed?"
The fact is, most people who read my work don't have what it takes to succeed. So indeed, there are a lot of failures.
However, that's great news.
Why?
The big secret to success isn't found in success but in studying failures. But more importantly, what common factors underscore all these defeats? What patterns foretell failure, or worse, someone who doesn't even try?
I'll tell you.
I've been doing this long enough to recognize the patterns from people who don't have a chance, people who will see an $85M exit and scream "survivor bias!"
Some people read my book and yet, refuse to get a job. And in doing so, they deny themselves domain experience and specialized knowledge that ultimately would help them uncover ideas and increase execution effectiveness.
Some people read my book and yet, refuse to learn anything new, lamenting they don't have skills, and they don't have money. Just yesterday, someone whined like a baby on the forum because he wanted to start a YouTube channel but claimed he didn't know how to edit videos, as if, all successful YouTubers were born with instant editing skills.
Some people read my book and don't comprehend what Fastlane means, as if it means dropshipping, affiliate marketing, blogging, and trading stocks in a decade long bull market. Yes, these things can be learning experiences, but wasting seven years of your life learning how to dropship cheap commodities from China isn't smart; it's dumb.
Some people read my book and conclude entrepreneurship is like buying a lottery ticket, not every week, but once. They "try" at one thing, fail, and give up. This lottery mentality is as foolish as thinking you can be a good baseball player simply because you took three precious swings and struck out.
Some people read my book and can't divest themselves from their selfish inclinations and instead strike out as either money-chasers or passion-chasers. No one cares about your passion for milking pregnant rats or your drive to make money. What value are you to me? And how much will it cost?
Other patterns...
Readers who are consumed by fear to the point of inaction...
Fear of failure, fear of ridicule, fear of having to give up their television...
Readers who are paralyzed by the "whens" - "when I get promoted", when the debts are paid," "when the kids leave the house." Sorry, "when" means never.
Readers who don't know how to market and sell. Worse, they consider this an unchangeable "fixed state," reflecting on their inability to learn new skills and talents. A great product without great marketing sits unsold.
I can go on with a dozen more patterns that failures exhibit.
Bottom line, rid yourself of these patterns, and you have better chances of surviving and getting into the spotlight. Remember: If a common road yields a common death, shouldn't you avoid the road?
He read Fastlane in 2017 and immediately put it to work. Failures followed, but so did valuable domain experience. And a commitment to the process.
Some might see this success story and scream, "survivor bias!" or "hey MJ, what about the other thousands of your readers who didn't succeed?"
The fact is, most people who read my work don't have what it takes to succeed. So indeed, there are a lot of failures.
However, that's great news.
Why?
The big secret to success isn't found in success but in studying failures. But more importantly, what common factors underscore all these defeats? What patterns foretell failure, or worse, someone who doesn't even try?
I'll tell you.
I've been doing this long enough to recognize the patterns from people who don't have a chance, people who will see an $85M exit and scream "survivor bias!"
Some people read my book and yet, refuse to get a job. And in doing so, they deny themselves domain experience and specialized knowledge that ultimately would help them uncover ideas and increase execution effectiveness.
Some people read my book and yet, refuse to learn anything new, lamenting they don't have skills, and they don't have money. Just yesterday, someone whined like a baby on the forum because he wanted to start a YouTube channel but claimed he didn't know how to edit videos, as if, all successful YouTubers were born with instant editing skills.
Some people read my book and don't comprehend what Fastlane means, as if it means dropshipping, affiliate marketing, blogging, and trading stocks in a decade long bull market. Yes, these things can be learning experiences, but wasting seven years of your life learning how to dropship cheap commodities from China isn't smart; it's dumb.
Some people read my book and conclude entrepreneurship is like buying a lottery ticket, not every week, but once. They "try" at one thing, fail, and give up. This lottery mentality is as foolish as thinking you can be a good baseball player simply because you took three precious swings and struck out.
Some people read my book and can't divest themselves from their selfish inclinations and instead strike out as either money-chasers or passion-chasers. No one cares about your passion for milking pregnant rats or your drive to make money. What value are you to me? And how much will it cost?
Other patterns...
Readers who are consumed by fear to the point of inaction...
Fear of failure, fear of ridicule, fear of having to give up their television...
Readers who are paralyzed by the "whens" - "when I get promoted", when the debts are paid," "when the kids leave the house." Sorry, "when" means never.
Readers who don't know how to market and sell. Worse, they consider this an unchangeable "fixed state," reflecting on their inability to learn new skills and talents. A great product without great marketing sits unsold.
I can go on with a dozen more patterns that failures exhibit.
Bottom line, rid yourself of these patterns, and you have better chances of surviving and getting into the spotlight. Remember: If a common road yields a common death, shouldn't you avoid the road?
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The next time you make a decision, ask yourself: What kind of BRICK is this decision laying?
Our choices are like bricks, and those bricks can build walls trapping us, or they can build stairs, freeing us.
Some simple examples:
DECISION: Eating a poor diet daily.
WALL CREATED: Obesity, low energy, shortened lifespan
STAIRS NEEDED: Better diet, more frequence exercise.
DECISION: Playing video games daily, or daily, endless social media surfing
WALL CREATED: Distraction, laziness, other second-order consequences
STAIRS NEEDED: Abstinence and discipline.
Bricks are simple decisions and the element of construction into our life's outcomes. Habits turn our decisions into walls, or stairs.
One brick changes nothing, and it's why so few people can effectively change anything in their life. However, ONE BRICK is a big beautiful start to someting bigger.
The choice is yours.
Are you building insurmountable WALLS? Or elevating STAIRS?
Have a great week!
Our choices are like bricks, and those bricks can build walls trapping us, or they can build stairs, freeing us.
Some simple examples:
DECISION: Eating a poor diet daily.
WALL CREATED: Obesity, low energy, shortened lifespan
STAIRS NEEDED: Better diet, more frequence exercise.
DECISION: Playing video games daily, or daily, endless social media surfing
WALL CREATED: Distraction, laziness, other second-order consequences
STAIRS NEEDED: Abstinence and discipline.
Bricks are simple decisions and the element of construction into our life's outcomes. Habits turn our decisions into walls, or stairs.
One brick changes nothing, and it's why so few people can effectively change anything in their life. However, ONE BRICK is a big beautiful start to someting bigger.
The choice is yours.
Are you building insurmountable WALLS? Or elevating STAIRS?
Have a great week!
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BREAKING NEWS: The Mexican Fisherman has filed for bankruptcy.
Beware of romanticized stories that convince you to adopt a dangerous financial strategy devoid of any reality in today's world.
One such story is the Mexican Fisherman parable I scrutinized in Unscripted over 5 years ago. Today, this parable is being enthusiastically circulated around the web as some modern "lifestyle doctrine" you should adopt without question or critique.
However, for most people, this parable has become a risky and convenient excuse for sloth and poor financial planning.
If you haven't heard the Mexican Fisherman parable, it goes like this:
.
.
.
.
A businessman stood at the pier of a small coastal Mexican village when a small boat with just one fisherman docked. Inside the small boat were several large yellowfin tuna. The American complimented the Mexican on the quality of his fish.
"How long did it take to catch them?" the American asked.
"Only a bit," the Mexican replied.
"Why don't you stay out longer and catch more fish?" the businessman then asked.
"I have enough to support my family's immediate needs," the Mexican said.
"But," the businessman asked, "what do you do with the rest of your time?"
The Mexican fisherman said, "I sleep late, play with my children, take a siesta with my wife, take evening strolls to the village, where I sip wine and play guitar with my amigos. I have a full and busy life, señor."
The businessman scoffed, "I have a Harvard MBA, and I could help you. You should spend more time fishing, and with the proceeds, you buy a bigger boat, and with the proceeds from the bigger boat, you could buy several boats. Eventually, you would have a fleet of fishing boats. Instead of selling your catch to a middleman, you could sell directly to the consumers, eventually opening your own cannery. You would need to work a bit longer and harder in the big city, but you would control everything."
The Mexican fisherman asked, "But señor, how long will this all take?"
To which the businessman replied, "Five to ten years."
"But what then, señor?"
The businessman laughed and said, "Well, that's the best part. When the time is right, you would sell your company and become very rich; you would make millions."
"Millions, señor? Then what?"
The businessman said slowly, "Then you would retire, move to a small coastal fishing village, where you would sleep late, play with your kids, take a siesta with your wife, take evenings strolls to the village, where you could sip wine and play guitar with your amigos…"
.
.
.
.
Sounds pretty cool, eh? This story emphasizes noble things such as friends, family, and free time. It is no surprise why it is such a viral trope.
The problem is, this story lacks any connection to real life.
It is entirely idealistic to the point of being dangerous. Such idealism might work in when you're 23 years old, but as you get older, this type of strategy is the same as thinking your first winning hour at the casino will continue for the next 8 hours.
Here's the rest of the story you didn't hear:
Beware of romanticized stories that convince you to adopt a dangerous financial strategy devoid of any reality in today's world.
One such story is the Mexican Fisherman parable I scrutinized in Unscripted over 5 years ago. Today, this parable is being enthusiastically circulated around the web as some modern "lifestyle doctrine" you should adopt without question or critique.
However, for most people, this parable has become a risky and convenient excuse for sloth and poor financial planning.
If you haven't heard the Mexican Fisherman parable, it goes like this:
.
.
.
.
A businessman stood at the pier of a small coastal Mexican village when a small boat with just one fisherman docked. Inside the small boat were several large yellowfin tuna. The American complimented the Mexican on the quality of his fish.
"How long did it take to catch them?" the American asked.
"Only a bit," the Mexican replied.
"Why don't you stay out longer and catch more fish?" the businessman then asked.
"I have enough to support my family's immediate needs," the Mexican said.
"But," the businessman asked, "what do you do with the rest of your time?"
The Mexican fisherman said, "I sleep late, play with my children, take a siesta with my wife, take evening strolls to the village, where I sip wine and play guitar with my amigos. I have a full and busy life, señor."
The businessman scoffed, "I have a Harvard MBA, and I could help you. You should spend more time fishing, and with the proceeds, you buy a bigger boat, and with the proceeds from the bigger boat, you could buy several boats. Eventually, you would have a fleet of fishing boats. Instead of selling your catch to a middleman, you could sell directly to the consumers, eventually opening your own cannery. You would need to work a bit longer and harder in the big city, but you would control everything."
The Mexican fisherman asked, "But señor, how long will this all take?"
To which the businessman replied, "Five to ten years."
"But what then, señor?"
The businessman laughed and said, "Well, that's the best part. When the time is right, you would sell your company and become very rich; you would make millions."
"Millions, señor? Then what?"
The businessman said slowly, "Then you would retire, move to a small coastal fishing village, where you would sleep late, play with your kids, take a siesta with your wife, take evenings strolls to the village, where you could sip wine and play guitar with your amigos…"
.
.
.
.
Sounds pretty cool, eh? This story emphasizes noble things such as friends, family, and free time. It is no surprise why it is such a viral trope.
The problem is, this story lacks any connection to real life.
It is entirely idealistic to the point of being dangerous. Such idealism might work in when you're 23 years old, but as you get older, this type of strategy is the same as thinking your first winning hour at the casino will continue for the next 8 hours.
Here's the rest of the story you didn't hear:
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Soon after the businessman left, things changed. The government, desperate for tax dollars, levied a series of boating, gaming, and license fees: To continue fishing, the Mexican must pay $400 for a fishing license, a $200 environmental fee, a $350 game endorsement, and $1,800 in mooring fees. If he doesn't pay ASAP, the Mexican will be barred from fishing.
Unfortunately, after paying all the fees, the Mexican has little money left to insure and license his boat. Unable to legally operate in his favorite coastal town, the Mexican fisherman drives three hours south to another town, where the quality of the fish is poor. The long drive takes its toll on the Mexican's car, where it ultimately breaks down. To fix his car, he needs $300 for a water pump and $600 for a radiator. This is after he pays $400 to get his car towed back to his village.
But this story is about to get worse.
Instead of making the money to fix things that needed fixing, the fisherman's home is in a constant state of disrepair, from the eroding concrete pilings to the rotting roof, the Mexican is in town fiddling away at his guitar. A hurricane strikes his tiny village and demolishes his home, leaving him and his family homeless.
For the next month, his family is stuck living in squalid government tents, and as a result, the Mexican fails to pay the mooring fees for his boat. The Mexican fisherman who spent most of his days in unpreparedness and merriment—strumming around with his friends, sipping wine—now has no money or options to escape his plight. Tired of his sloth and inability to provide the basics to his family, his wife divorces him.
The fisherman now sings a much different tune with his amigos, one of anger, bitterness, and regret.
.
.
.
Which one of these stories sounds more realistic? In both stories, the fisherman has the same goal: freedom with his friends and family. That's honorable.
Unfortunately, when money is removed from a real-world existence, idealism becomes a nightmare—a repeated reality in every civilized country worldwide: bills, fees, taxes, divorces, unexpected tragedy, life overhead, and money problems.
The problem wasn't the fisherman's goal—freedom; the problem was he was lazy and disrespected money's role. He didn't save, prepare, or produce in excess of consumption.
Don't let anyone convince you that money isn't important.
Unfortunately, after paying all the fees, the Mexican has little money left to insure and license his boat. Unable to legally operate in his favorite coastal town, the Mexican fisherman drives three hours south to another town, where the quality of the fish is poor. The long drive takes its toll on the Mexican's car, where it ultimately breaks down. To fix his car, he needs $300 for a water pump and $600 for a radiator. This is after he pays $400 to get his car towed back to his village.
But this story is about to get worse.
Instead of making the money to fix things that needed fixing, the fisherman's home is in a constant state of disrepair, from the eroding concrete pilings to the rotting roof, the Mexican is in town fiddling away at his guitar. A hurricane strikes his tiny village and demolishes his home, leaving him and his family homeless.
For the next month, his family is stuck living in squalid government tents, and as a result, the Mexican fails to pay the mooring fees for his boat. The Mexican fisherman who spent most of his days in unpreparedness and merriment—strumming around with his friends, sipping wine—now has no money or options to escape his plight. Tired of his sloth and inability to provide the basics to his family, his wife divorces him.
The fisherman now sings a much different tune with his amigos, one of anger, bitterness, and regret.
.
.
.
Which one of these stories sounds more realistic? In both stories, the fisherman has the same goal: freedom with his friends and family. That's honorable.
Unfortunately, when money is removed from a real-world existence, idealism becomes a nightmare—a repeated reality in every civilized country worldwide: bills, fees, taxes, divorces, unexpected tragedy, life overhead, and money problems.
The problem wasn't the fisherman's goal—freedom; the problem was he was lazy and disrespected money's role. He didn't save, prepare, or produce in excess of consumption.
Don't let anyone convince you that money isn't important.
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Money can buy security, options, and freedom—all of which will likely make you happy.
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If you gave 10 people a roadmap to buried treasure, 9 of them would expect you to drive them to the location. And then after you nicely drove them, they then would ask you to grab a shovel and dig.
Entrepreneurship is about problem-solving. If your idea of "problem solving" is "help me" "show me" "mentor me" "is there list?" then you don't have a chance.
Every problem you solve in life, no matter how small or inconsequential, makes you a better entrepreneur.
Sadly, no one will guide you. No one will encourage you. Support you. Show you the exact steps. This is not a journey for the faint of heart. And those who can't solve problems don't have a chance.
Good news is, if you're the 1 person of 10 who isn't expecting someone else to do the heavy lifting of problem solving, you're ahead of 90% of the rest of the world.
Entrepreneurship is about problem-solving. If your idea of "problem solving" is "help me" "show me" "mentor me" "is there list?" then you don't have a chance.
Every problem you solve in life, no matter how small or inconsequential, makes you a better entrepreneur.
Sadly, no one will guide you. No one will encourage you. Support you. Show you the exact steps. This is not a journey for the faint of heart. And those who can't solve problems don't have a chance.
Good news is, if you're the 1 person of 10 who isn't expecting someone else to do the heavy lifting of problem solving, you're ahead of 90% of the rest of the world.
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IMO, one of the greatest influences on success is your environment.
Leaving Chicago for Arizona changed everything for me.
20 years later I moved to Utah. Both moves were great for my life.
Environment can also mean your workspace. Is it clean? Optimized? Can you do meaningful work in chaos?
Can you succeed living at home with overbearing, unsupportive family influences?
Can you expect to get sober working in bar?
Can you expect to lose weight working at Krispy Kreme doughnuts?
Can you expect to stop playing video games when 4 of your roommates insist on your participation?
Can you expect to hone a Fastlane mindset hanging out at Reddit all day where you’re told you’re a helpless victim who needs to be angry?
I created the Fastlane Forum over 10 years ago to help you in this process of having a supportive, or like-minded environment.
If you want to be SERIOUS about changing your life, change your environment first. And put accelerative winds at your back.
Win more battles in the war for your life and happiness.
Leaving Chicago for Arizona changed everything for me.
20 years later I moved to Utah. Both moves were great for my life.
Environment can also mean your workspace. Is it clean? Optimized? Can you do meaningful work in chaos?
Can you succeed living at home with overbearing, unsupportive family influences?
Can you expect to get sober working in bar?
Can you expect to lose weight working at Krispy Kreme doughnuts?
Can you expect to stop playing video games when 4 of your roommates insist on your participation?
Can you expect to hone a Fastlane mindset hanging out at Reddit all day where you’re told you’re a helpless victim who needs to be angry?
I created the Fastlane Forum over 10 years ago to help you in this process of having a supportive, or like-minded environment.
If you want to be SERIOUS about changing your life, change your environment first. And put accelerative winds at your back.
Win more battles in the war for your life and happiness.
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THE SECRET TO YOUR BEST LIFE...
GEORGE COSTANZA?
The other night I watched a basketball game on a major network, and I couldn't help but notice something during the commercial breaks: One after another, every advertisement was for a product or service that I would never buy.
Each commercial targeted the cultural majority, a Scripted populous seeking an escape, an easy button, or a temporary pleasure push.
Here are the commercials I had to suffer through:
A Coors Light beer commercial.
Sorry, I don't drink alcohol or participate in the Scripted theater that romanticizes its consumption.
An Indeed (job marketplace) commercial.
Sorry, I haven't had a job in decades much less prepared a resume.
A Meta commercial (formerly Facebook)
Sorry, I haven't logged into Facebook in months and I can't tell you what the commercial was about: I immediately tuned it out.
An Arby's commercial, aka, "We have the meats!"
Sorry, I've been eating plant-based for 5+ years and I don't eat greasy factory-farmed meat or processed fast food.
A Coke commercial, a feel-good propaganda piece featuring the sugar-ladened soft drink enjoyed by an energetic lady on roller skates.
Sorry, I don't assault my pancreas on a daily basis.
And finally, in the ultimate irony...
A pharmaceutical commercial for diabetes medications.
Now we know the rollerskating Coke-drinking lady was gliding to the pharmacy to fix all the garbage she consumed that was just advertised.
Altogether, this series of commercials highlighted the power of The Costanza Principle, inspired initially by the memorable Seinfeld character, George Costanza. In that episode, George gets tired of complying with cultural expectations and does the opposite, with meaningful results.
Here are the 4 simple ideas which frame the Constanza Principle and how you can leverage it in your life:
https://www.thefastlaneforum.com/community/threads/the-costanza-principle-the-secret-to-your-best-life.107836/
GEORGE COSTANZA?
The other night I watched a basketball game on a major network, and I couldn't help but notice something during the commercial breaks: One after another, every advertisement was for a product or service that I would never buy.
Each commercial targeted the cultural majority, a Scripted populous seeking an escape, an easy button, or a temporary pleasure push.
Here are the commercials I had to suffer through:
A Coors Light beer commercial.
Sorry, I don't drink alcohol or participate in the Scripted theater that romanticizes its consumption.
An Indeed (job marketplace) commercial.
Sorry, I haven't had a job in decades much less prepared a resume.
A Meta commercial (formerly Facebook)
Sorry, I haven't logged into Facebook in months and I can't tell you what the commercial was about: I immediately tuned it out.
An Arby's commercial, aka, "We have the meats!"
Sorry, I've been eating plant-based for 5+ years and I don't eat greasy factory-farmed meat or processed fast food.
A Coke commercial, a feel-good propaganda piece featuring the sugar-ladened soft drink enjoyed by an energetic lady on roller skates.
Sorry, I don't assault my pancreas on a daily basis.
And finally, in the ultimate irony...
A pharmaceutical commercial for diabetes medications.
Now we know the rollerskating Coke-drinking lady was gliding to the pharmacy to fix all the garbage she consumed that was just advertised.
Altogether, this series of commercials highlighted the power of The Costanza Principle, inspired initially by the memorable Seinfeld character, George Costanza. In that episode, George gets tired of complying with cultural expectations and does the opposite, with meaningful results.
Here are the 4 simple ideas which frame the Constanza Principle and how you can leverage it in your life:
https://www.thefastlaneforum.com/community/threads/the-costanza-principle-the-secret-to-your-best-life.107836/
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The Parable of Value, Context, and Self-Worth
Storytelling is one of the best ways to change minds and force comprehension.
I’ve taken the liberty to rewrite a short parable that highlights the power of context, environment, and knowledge.
Hope you enjoy, lots of great takeaways in this one.
.
.
.
A grandmother congratulated her granddaughter on graduating college. She told her, “I want to give you a graduation present. It is an old painting we’ve had in the family for years. It is yours, but before you decide what to do with it, I want you to understand what it is worth.”
The granddaughter examined the picture, which was slightly larger than a paper notepad and featured a portrait of a Victorian woman. Its frame was golden and gaudy, certainly not something she’d hang in her apartment.
Her grandmother continued, handing her daughter a list, “Here are four locations that will help you find its value. The first option is the estate sale I’m holding next week. You’ll be on your own for the last three places. Don’t make a decision on what to do with the picture until you’ve visited all four places.”
Continue reading at the forum...
https://www.thefastlaneforum.com/community/threads/the-parable-of-value-context-and-self-worth.108063/
Storytelling is one of the best ways to change minds and force comprehension.
I’ve taken the liberty to rewrite a short parable that highlights the power of context, environment, and knowledge.
Hope you enjoy, lots of great takeaways in this one.
.
.
.
A grandmother congratulated her granddaughter on graduating college. She told her, “I want to give you a graduation present. It is an old painting we’ve had in the family for years. It is yours, but before you decide what to do with it, I want you to understand what it is worth.”
The granddaughter examined the picture, which was slightly larger than a paper notepad and featured a portrait of a Victorian woman. Its frame was golden and gaudy, certainly not something she’d hang in her apartment.
Her grandmother continued, handing her daughter a list, “Here are four locations that will help you find its value. The first option is the estate sale I’m holding next week. You’ll be on your own for the last three places. Don’t make a decision on what to do with the picture until you’ve visited all four places.”
Continue reading at the forum...
https://www.thefastlaneforum.com/community/threads/the-parable-of-value-context-and-self-worth.108063/
The Fastlane Entrepreneur Discussion Forum
GOLD! - NEWSLETTER - The Parable of Value, Context, and Self-Worth...
If you've read the latest Fastlane Newsletter (all registered forum users get the newsletter when you opt to receive forum email) you noticed that I took the liberty to rewrite a famous parable...
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Everything significant started insignificantly.
Hard to believe, but Amazon started with one line of code.
The Harry Potter franchise, with one word among a million+ words.
The Mr. Beast YoutTube channel, with one video and its first subscriber.
The Morning Brew newsletter, with its first subscriber and its first issue.
Bottomline: Get started, do things that don’t scale, and don’t sweat the seemingly insignificant.
Only regular actions compound into significance.
Have a great week! ~MJ
Hard to believe, but Amazon started with one line of code.
The Harry Potter franchise, with one word among a million+ words.
The Mr. Beast YoutTube channel, with one video and its first subscriber.
The Morning Brew newsletter, with its first subscriber and its first issue.
Bottomline: Get started, do things that don’t scale, and don’t sweat the seemingly insignificant.
Only regular actions compound into significance.
Have a great week! ~MJ
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ONE LIFE METAPHOR EVERYONE NEEDS TO HEAR.
Interesting story from my own life. You aren’t alone in your struggle and I mentioned it in the latest issue of the Fastlane Newsletter (if you’re a member of the Fastlane Forum you get this automatically).
----- STORY -----
My stepson never cared about financial freedom or wealth until he started getting up at 6AM and working Monday through Friday. Now all of a sudden, he's interested in his step-dad's advice.
After several conversations and strategy pow-wows, he's devised a Fastlane plan. This is a great start.
However, there's one big problem, a problem that will likely prevent him from succeeding: He's addicted to social media. He wastes countless hours scrolling content on YouTube and Instagram.
He fails to see this as an issue, making the problem worse. He fails to recognize his addiction. He fails to recognize what this is doing to his brain, his motivation, and his goals. And when you add up his full-time job, his commitment to the gym, and his social media addiction, there's no time left for his Fastlane plans.
If nothing changes, he will remain hog-tied to a job he hates, clutching on the ubiquitous excuse of "I don't have time!"
Actually, as I remind him, he does have time. But social media is more important. Whenever I see him lost in a social media binge, I tell him, "That's not going to make you rich," and he realizes just how much time he's wasted.
As I've been saying for years, your actions express your priorities.
Continue reading; visit below.
https://preview.mailerlite.io/preview/364132/emails/87087096398874552
To discuss or comment:
https://www.thefastlaneforum.com/community/threads/one-metaphor-everyone-needs-to-hear.108335
Interesting story from my own life. You aren’t alone in your struggle and I mentioned it in the latest issue of the Fastlane Newsletter (if you’re a member of the Fastlane Forum you get this automatically).
----- STORY -----
My stepson never cared about financial freedom or wealth until he started getting up at 6AM and working Monday through Friday. Now all of a sudden, he's interested in his step-dad's advice.
After several conversations and strategy pow-wows, he's devised a Fastlane plan. This is a great start.
However, there's one big problem, a problem that will likely prevent him from succeeding: He's addicted to social media. He wastes countless hours scrolling content on YouTube and Instagram.
He fails to see this as an issue, making the problem worse. He fails to recognize his addiction. He fails to recognize what this is doing to his brain, his motivation, and his goals. And when you add up his full-time job, his commitment to the gym, and his social media addiction, there's no time left for his Fastlane plans.
If nothing changes, he will remain hog-tied to a job he hates, clutching on the ubiquitous excuse of "I don't have time!"
Actually, as I remind him, he does have time. But social media is more important. Whenever I see him lost in a social media binge, I tell him, "That's not going to make you rich," and he realizes just how much time he's wasted.
As I've been saying for years, your actions express your priorities.
Continue reading; visit below.
https://preview.mailerlite.io/preview/364132/emails/87087096398874552
To discuss or comment:
https://www.thefastlaneforum.com/community/threads/one-metaphor-everyone-needs-to-hear.108335
Themillionairefastlane
Turbo-charge your entrepreneurial journey with next level, wealth-creating intelligence.
Join over 55,000 entrepreneurs who have rejected mediocrity and have replaced it with excellence in business, finance, and life.
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Quick hits:
1) At some point you have to stop reading about swimming, and just jump in the pool.
2) Action, and the challenges yet to arrive, is the only thing that can help you determine the next best book to read.
A reader emailed me last week and asked the following question:
I've read all three of your books and I can't thank you enough, you've changed my life. [Redacted] What other books do you recommend to help me get started on my Fastlane?
While I appreciate the compliment, there are two mental roadblocks to unpack here, roadblocks that will prevent this user from actually experiencing the "life change" he claimed.
The first roadblock is a fundamental truth: I didn't change this reader's life; I only changed his thinking.
And until that thinking manifests itself into repeated action over the weeks, months, and years, "you've changed my life" will wither into an empty platitude of unfilled aspirations.
A book is only as good as your ability to implement it into action. While changing your headspace is a great start, ultimately, those thoughts must materialize in the REAL WORLD. A great quote from the Lao Tze comes to mind:
-- Watch your thoughts; they become words.
-- Watch your words; they become actions.
-- Watch your actions; they become habits.
-- Watch your habits; they become character.
-- Watch your character; it becomes your destiny.
In other words, changing your thoughts ignites the process and is step #1. That life change that this reader expressed? That's steps 2, 3, 4, and 5— arguably, the hardest part of the process. And because this reader viewed my books as something much more, his expectations will be malformed. The result likely will be a failure, not success.
The second roadblock is multi-faceted. Continue reading below.
Hope everyone has as great weekend! MJ
https://www.thefastlaneforum.com/community/threads/the-absolute-best-book-you-must-read.76834/
1) At some point you have to stop reading about swimming, and just jump in the pool.
2) Action, and the challenges yet to arrive, is the only thing that can help you determine the next best book to read.
A reader emailed me last week and asked the following question:
I've read all three of your books and I can't thank you enough, you've changed my life. [Redacted] What other books do you recommend to help me get started on my Fastlane?
While I appreciate the compliment, there are two mental roadblocks to unpack here, roadblocks that will prevent this user from actually experiencing the "life change" he claimed.
The first roadblock is a fundamental truth: I didn't change this reader's life; I only changed his thinking.
And until that thinking manifests itself into repeated action over the weeks, months, and years, "you've changed my life" will wither into an empty platitude of unfilled aspirations.
A book is only as good as your ability to implement it into action. While changing your headspace is a great start, ultimately, those thoughts must materialize in the REAL WORLD. A great quote from the Lao Tze comes to mind:
-- Watch your thoughts; they become words.
-- Watch your words; they become actions.
-- Watch your actions; they become habits.
-- Watch your habits; they become character.
-- Watch your character; it becomes your destiny.
In other words, changing your thoughts ignites the process and is step #1. That life change that this reader expressed? That's steps 2, 3, 4, and 5— arguably, the hardest part of the process. And because this reader viewed my books as something much more, his expectations will be malformed. The result likely will be a failure, not success.
The second roadblock is multi-faceted. Continue reading below.
Hope everyone has as great weekend! MJ
https://www.thefastlaneforum.com/community/threads/the-absolute-best-book-you-must-read.76834/
The Fastlane Entrepreneur Discussion Forum
GOLD! - The absolute BEST book you MUST read!
A reader emailed me last week and asked the following question:
I've read all three of your books and I can't thank you enough, you've changed my life. [Redacted] What other books do you...
I've read all three of your books and I can't thank you enough, you've changed my life. [Redacted] What other books do you...
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I started writing The Millionaire Fastlane when I was 35, and I considered myself young and in the prime of my life. Released it by 37. Today, more than a decade later, I am no longer young.
Yet, I've never been wealthier, happier, and healthier, the latter two being the most important. In fact, I feel better today at 53 years young than I did at 33 years old.
What's my secret?
I leveraged my superpower, and that superpower is decision-making.
I’m living a dream and when I reflect on my choices, it boils down to this:
Hard decisions = Easy life.
Easy decisions = Hard life.
Choose wisely.
Yet, I've never been wealthier, happier, and healthier, the latter two being the most important. In fact, I feel better today at 53 years young than I did at 33 years old.
What's my secret?
I leveraged my superpower, and that superpower is decision-making.
I’m living a dream and when I reflect on my choices, it boils down to this:
Hard decisions = Easy life.
Easy decisions = Hard life.
Choose wisely.
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Hard decisions = Easy life.
Easy decisions = Hard life.
YOU HAVE A HIDDEN SUPERPOWER. ARE YOU USING IT?
What were some of the hard decisions in my life, that led to an easier life? Here are just a few:
-- The hard decision to take the road less traveled and be an entrepreneur where peer pressure, academia, and media promoted a job culture. The easy decision would have been to get a job and pave the way to an unfulfilled life with a seemingly secure paycheck.
-- The hard decision not to get wrapped up in my emotions and get married young to the wrong woman at a time when I was still "finding myself." The easy decision would be to succumb to my emotional impatience and get married fast, only to get divorced years later while enduring the financial turmoil that comes from it.
-- The hard decision to leave cold Chicago for sunny Arizona with no job and no money. The easy decision would be to stay and argue that my friends and family are here! The easy decision would have eroded my happiness, motivation, and zest for life.
-- The hard decision to save and invest a lot of my outsized earnings when I was in my thirties. Instead of buying a fleet of Lambos, I bought one every few years. As such, I can still live the same luxurious life with zero financial stress for the rest of my life. The easy decision would have been to spend everything, avoiding tax burdens and the long game.
-- The hard decision to change my diet. After suffering many chronic health issues in my 30s and early 40s, I made the hard decision to change what I shove into my mouth, which requires daily, if not hourly, discipline. The easy decision would be to continue eating whatever I wanted (the standard American diet), while neglecting the consequences.
-- The hard decision to make fitness a priority in my life. The easy decision to sit on the couch and play video games.
-- The hard decision to continually educate myself. The easy decision is to binge Netflix and constantly entertain myself like the average person.
Every day, you face numerous choices, from the trivial to the complex. However, the hard decisions are the ones that require courage and sacrifice. Ultimately these are the ones that pave the way for a more comfortable life.
EVERYTHING YOU WANT IS ON THE OTHER SIDE OF HARD.
Continue reading...
https://www.thefastlaneforum.com/community/threads/one-superpower-everyone-has-but-rarely-uses.108553/
Hope everyone has a great day! -MJ
Easy decisions = Hard life.
YOU HAVE A HIDDEN SUPERPOWER. ARE YOU USING IT?
What were some of the hard decisions in my life, that led to an easier life? Here are just a few:
-- The hard decision to take the road less traveled and be an entrepreneur where peer pressure, academia, and media promoted a job culture. The easy decision would have been to get a job and pave the way to an unfulfilled life with a seemingly secure paycheck.
-- The hard decision not to get wrapped up in my emotions and get married young to the wrong woman at a time when I was still "finding myself." The easy decision would be to succumb to my emotional impatience and get married fast, only to get divorced years later while enduring the financial turmoil that comes from it.
-- The hard decision to leave cold Chicago for sunny Arizona with no job and no money. The easy decision would be to stay and argue that my friends and family are here! The easy decision would have eroded my happiness, motivation, and zest for life.
-- The hard decision to save and invest a lot of my outsized earnings when I was in my thirties. Instead of buying a fleet of Lambos, I bought one every few years. As such, I can still live the same luxurious life with zero financial stress for the rest of my life. The easy decision would have been to spend everything, avoiding tax burdens and the long game.
-- The hard decision to change my diet. After suffering many chronic health issues in my 30s and early 40s, I made the hard decision to change what I shove into my mouth, which requires daily, if not hourly, discipline. The easy decision would be to continue eating whatever I wanted (the standard American diet), while neglecting the consequences.
-- The hard decision to make fitness a priority in my life. The easy decision to sit on the couch and play video games.
-- The hard decision to continually educate myself. The easy decision is to binge Netflix and constantly entertain myself like the average person.
Every day, you face numerous choices, from the trivial to the complex. However, the hard decisions are the ones that require courage and sacrifice. Ultimately these are the ones that pave the way for a more comfortable life.
EVERYTHING YOU WANT IS ON THE OTHER SIDE OF HARD.
Continue reading...
https://www.thefastlaneforum.com/community/threads/one-superpower-everyone-has-but-rarely-uses.108553/
Hope everyone has a great day! -MJ
The Fastlane Entrepreneur Discussion Forum
GOLD! - NEWSLETTER - One Superpower everyone has, but rarely uses.
I started writing The Millionaire Fastlane when I was 35 when I was young and in the prime of my life. Released it by 37. Today, more than a decade later, I am no longer young.
Yet, I've never...
Yet, I've never...
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Welcome to everyone who has come over from my other text network! Much appreciated. If you're curious, I left the other platform due to limited space. As you can see here, there's plenty of space for info dissemination, and I like the emojis/reactions 10X better.
Also, TELEGRAM does NOT quarantine my posts to check for political correctness.
That "other" platform?
They review texts for political correctness.
They once held one of my texts because it had the word "BREW" in it -- screw that. Negative skew abound! No thanks, I'll keep my money!
Have a great day, and thanks again!
Also, TELEGRAM does NOT quarantine my posts to check for political correctness.
That "other" platform?
They review texts for political correctness.
They once held one of my texts because it had the word "BREW" in it -- screw that. Negative skew abound! No thanks, I'll keep my money!
Have a great day, and thanks again!
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This media is not supported in your browser
VIEW IN TELEGRAM
Started writing my next book, no details to disclose at this time because my track record of writing can take years. The topic of this book is not about wealth, or “Fastlane” and is pretty narrow. Stay tuned!! Hope to have it not take forever, have a new writing environment! Hope everyone has a great weekend, give a loved one a hug 🫂 ❤️!!
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Many folks asked me how to make better decisions...
HERES HOW. 📈👍
In 2021, I made the biggest purchase of my life, a 13,000-square-foot, $5.3M estate in the suburbs of Salt Lake City. At the time, housing prices were at all-time highs while the cost of money, or interest rates, were at all-time lows.
In the last newsletter, I stated that your life's superpower is your choices. Decisions shape your destiny and engineer your life. Like your decision superpower, there is another superpower you can leverage to make good decisions. It's the superpower I used to make the hard choice to make the biggest purchase of my life.
No, this fantastic decision-making tool is not a website, a matrix, or complicated life hack. What is it?
Read on...
https://preview.mailerlite.io/preview/364132/emails/89081760727435147
HERES HOW. 📈👍
In 2021, I made the biggest purchase of my life, a 13,000-square-foot, $5.3M estate in the suburbs of Salt Lake City. At the time, housing prices were at all-time highs while the cost of money, or interest rates, were at all-time lows.
In the last newsletter, I stated that your life's superpower is your choices. Decisions shape your destiny and engineer your life. Like your decision superpower, there is another superpower you can leverage to make good decisions. It's the superpower I used to make the hard choice to make the biggest purchase of my life.
No, this fantastic decision-making tool is not a website, a matrix, or complicated life hack. What is it?
Read on...
https://preview.mailerlite.io/preview/364132/emails/89081760727435147
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Want to spare yourself from an expensive divorce in terms of TIME, MONEY, and EMOTIONAL toll?
I posted this on the forum and it's a SMALL piece of advice that can have a BIG outcome.
This concept was mentioned in The Great Rat Race Escape and it applies to both men and women. This is my own personal guideline that has served me spectacularly.
This also is a great example on how you can manipulate probability to change the odds into your favor.
They say all marriages end in divorce at about a 50% clip. Follow these rules, and you likely reduce those odds from 50% to 25, 20, or better, 10%.
It’s called the 1-2-3 Rule of Relationships…
1 HOUR
2 DAYS
3 YEARS
Before you even think about getting married, DO THE FOLLOWING, or any variation of…
SPEND 1 HOUR to discuss core values like religion, politics, kids, hobbies, financial priorities, fitness and health priorities, and other things that cause huge relationship divergences. Most relationships fail under the burden of mismatched values.
• She wants to save and go Fastlane, you want to spend and be a Sidewalker.
• She wants to be Christian, you want to be an atheist.
• She wants to be a fiscal conservative, you want to be a pink-haired milquetoast socialist.
• She wants to hit the gym 4X a week and eats plant based, you want to sit on the couch and eat cheese all day.
• She wants 3 kids, you want 3 rolls on your chin.
• She has "can do" growth mindset, you blame everyone with a fixed mindset.
• She loves camping, you love gaming.
Can that relationship survive with these divergences? No -- and this relationship will DIE under its own weight.
SPEND 2 DAYS in the most hellish conditions to see each other at your worst. Basically, you’re looking to share a highly stressful situation.
Some examples:
- You’re trapped at the airport due to bad weather.
- You and your partner do a home renovation that goes bad.
- Moving from one house to another house involving moving a lot of boxes, furniture, etc.
- Putting together a backyard shed (think IKEA furniture stuff)
SPEND 3 YEARS to date each other to understand how you grow together, if at all.
Relationships diverge. Or they grow into each other getting stronger. The 3 years is a great standard to learn each other fully, to go beyond the "honeymoon stage," and to go beyond the fake role-playing, and to truly see each other as raw individuals.
Follow these 3 guidelines, and you likely will save yourself from a marriage that ends badly. And instead, live happily ever after.
I posted this on the forum and it's a SMALL piece of advice that can have a BIG outcome.
This concept was mentioned in The Great Rat Race Escape and it applies to both men and women. This is my own personal guideline that has served me spectacularly.
This also is a great example on how you can manipulate probability to change the odds into your favor.
They say all marriages end in divorce at about a 50% clip. Follow these rules, and you likely reduce those odds from 50% to 25, 20, or better, 10%.
It’s called the 1-2-3 Rule of Relationships…
1 HOUR
2 DAYS
3 YEARS
Before you even think about getting married, DO THE FOLLOWING, or any variation of…
SPEND 1 HOUR to discuss core values like religion, politics, kids, hobbies, financial priorities, fitness and health priorities, and other things that cause huge relationship divergences. Most relationships fail under the burden of mismatched values.
• She wants to save and go Fastlane, you want to spend and be a Sidewalker.
• She wants to be Christian, you want to be an atheist.
• She wants to be a fiscal conservative, you want to be a pink-haired milquetoast socialist.
• She wants to hit the gym 4X a week and eats plant based, you want to sit on the couch and eat cheese all day.
• She wants 3 kids, you want 3 rolls on your chin.
• She has "can do" growth mindset, you blame everyone with a fixed mindset.
• She loves camping, you love gaming.
Can that relationship survive with these divergences? No -- and this relationship will DIE under its own weight.
SPEND 2 DAYS in the most hellish conditions to see each other at your worst. Basically, you’re looking to share a highly stressful situation.
Some examples:
- You’re trapped at the airport due to bad weather.
- You and your partner do a home renovation that goes bad.
- Moving from one house to another house involving moving a lot of boxes, furniture, etc.
- Putting together a backyard shed (think IKEA furniture stuff)
SPEND 3 YEARS to date each other to understand how you grow together, if at all.
Relationships diverge. Or they grow into each other getting stronger. The 3 years is a great standard to learn each other fully, to go beyond the "honeymoon stage," and to go beyond the fake role-playing, and to truly see each other as raw individuals.
Follow these 3 guidelines, and you likely will save yourself from a marriage that ends badly. And instead, live happily ever after.
The Fastlane Entrepreneur Discussion Forum
NOTABLE! - HEALTH - QUESTION - What was MJ DeMarco's...
I was reading the great rat race escape a few days ago, and MJ was talking about some rule like 3/5/10 or something like spend 3 minutes thinking about them etc.. I was just wondering for future...
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The $2 "life-hack" that can change everything.
From the Fastlane Newsletter...
I had this nagging itch on the instep of my foot a couple of months ago. It got so bad that it started affecting my sleep and work. I scratched the hell out of it to the point it got calloused. Still, the itch remained and continued for months. After trying the usual modalities to rid me of this itch, like antifungals or hydrocortisone, I started testing other treatments.
Was it food related?
Was it nerve related?
Was it poor posture?
I tried various things, like a food-elimination diet, acupressure, lymphatic massage, and a bevy of strategies that might impact this nagging issue.
About 3 weeks later, the itch was gone. While I didn't discover the cause, I did find a strategy that lessened the itch and ultimately eliminated it. And it was all made possible by a lifestyle strategy you can deploy with just a few bucks: a health journal.
CONTINUE...
https://preview.mailerlite.io/preview/364132/emails/90426822565562191
From the Fastlane Newsletter...
I had this nagging itch on the instep of my foot a couple of months ago. It got so bad that it started affecting my sleep and work. I scratched the hell out of it to the point it got calloused. Still, the itch remained and continued for months. After trying the usual modalities to rid me of this itch, like antifungals or hydrocortisone, I started testing other treatments.
Was it food related?
Was it nerve related?
Was it poor posture?
I tried various things, like a food-elimination diet, acupressure, lymphatic massage, and a bevy of strategies that might impact this nagging issue.
About 3 weeks later, the itch was gone. While I didn't discover the cause, I did find a strategy that lessened the itch and ultimately eliminated it. And it was all made possible by a lifestyle strategy you can deploy with just a few bucks: a health journal.
CONTINUE...
https://preview.mailerlite.io/preview/364132/emails/90426822565562191
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The price of your comfort and security is mediocrity.
The reward for your discomfort and insecurity is wealth.
Choose wisely.
The reward for your discomfort and insecurity is wealth.
Choose wisely.
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