I think to say that there is a metaphorical line that you would refuse to cross is a very dangerous assumption. People will respond to extraordinary situations in extraordinary ways, for good and bad. I saw a documentary called "Push" where a scenario was crafted to see if they could produce a situation that would result in an unsuspecting subject pushing someone off a roof. And while murdering another human might be one of those lines we tell ourselves we wouldn't cross, 3 out of the 4 people crossed that line.
I'm certain Bernie Madoff didn't wake up one morning and say to himself, "You know, I'm going to start a Ponzi scheme, because history has shown these to be good businesses and the math just works out." In his sentencing, he said the scheme started because he was trying to live us to his customers expectations of consistent returns, and when he had a bad month, fudged the numbers while telling himself that next month would more than make up for the difference. And then it turned from a snowball rolling down a mountain to an avalanche that buried him and wiped out billions of dollars.
I think it's also important to point out the "Bro-marketing" aspect of faking it until you make it. We've all seen the You-tube videos of the guys driving flashy cars and showing off their mansions. But how many actually own these assets, as opposed to leasing them or just renting them for the video shoot? Is that "just marketing", or something less ethical? (hint: it's not marketing).
I'm certain Bernie Madoff didn't wake up one morning and say to himself, "You know, I'm going to start a Ponzi scheme, because history has shown these to be good businesses and the math just works out." In his sentencing, he said the scheme started because he was trying to live us to his customers expectations of consistent returns, and when he had a bad month, fudged the numbers while telling himself that next month would more than make up for the difference. And then it turned from a snowball rolling down a mountain to an avalanche that buried him and wiped out billions of dollars.
I think it's also important to point out the "Bro-marketing" aspect of faking it until you make it. We've all seen the You-tube videos of the guys driving flashy cars and showing off their mansions. But how many actually own these assets, as opposed to leasing them or just renting them for the video shoot? Is that "just marketing", or something less ethical? (hint: it's not marketing).
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. :-)
Membership Required: Upgrade to Expose Nearly 1,000,000 Posts
Ready to Unleash the Millionaire Entrepreneur in You?
Become a member of the Fastlane Forum, the private community founded by best-selling author and multi-millionaire entrepreneur MJ DeMarco. Since 2007, MJ DeMarco has poured his heart and soul into the Fastlane Forum, helping entrepreneurs reclaim their time, win their financial freedom, and live their best life.
With more than 39,000 posts packed with insights, strategies, and advice, you’re not just a member—you’re stepping into MJ’s inner-circle, a place where you’ll never be left alone.
Become a member and gain immediate access to...
- Active Community: Ever join a community only to find it DEAD? Not at Fastlane! As you can see from our home page, life-changing content is posted dozens of times daily.
- Exclusive Insights: Direct access to MJ DeMarco’s daily contributions and wisdom.
- Powerful Networking Opportunities: Connect with a diverse group of successful entrepreneurs who can offer mentorship, collaboration, and opportunities.
- Proven Strategies: Learn from the best in the business, with actionable advice and strategies that can accelerate your success.
"You are the average of the five people you surround yourself with the most..."
Who are you surrounding yourself with? Surround yourself with millionaire success. Join Fastlane today!
Join Today
