Hey there, my name is Marc (obviously from my username) and I am in the UK. I first bought and read MJ's book around 3 years when I first starting out in business, and it genuinely gave me some solid inspiration.
But, sometimes you need to refresh on these things, and I think I've probably read it every year since. Just finished up with the latest book too so decided it was time to jump into the forum.
To give a little background on me, I've recently turned 40, and since jacking my corporate job in 4 years ago to start up in business have done relatively well compared to how things were for me when I was doing the 9-5. I wouldn't change that decision I made at all.
But... I feel a little bit like a fraud. Let me tell you why.
I make my money via SEO, affiliate marketing, online lead generation. That kind of thing.
Don't get me wrong, the money is good, and my family doesn't really want for anything and we have a comfortable life compared to most people I know, and certainly compared to 99% of the global population.
But all I am doing really is gaming the search engines, offering no real value to an end consumer because ultimately the products and services I refer them to they would have found anyway, I am just an unnecessary link in the chain earning my percent.
The whole concept is like a house built on sand, and let's be honest, could collapse at any time. I don't control the product, the service, or have any form of ownership from the customer's perspective. The companies I do business with could pull the rug out at any point, as could Google, and so it just doesn't feel sustainable.
So back to the fraud statement. I feel like a fraud to my family really... they think I am successful businessman, and I guess in some part it's true (comparatively speaking), but I don't honestly feel like I am running a bonafide business.
I worry that the whole thing could collapse at any point.
Whilst aspects of my life are very Fastlane - in so far that I work when I want, and don't have to answer to anybody - it's not true Fastlane.
I want to build up a genuine business, with a brand that I can be proud of, and that offers value (thinking of some of the points read in UNSCRIPTED ).
So what do I hope to get from the forum and what can I give to the forum?
That's an interesting one I suppose. I am not sure I can 100% answer that at the moment.
All I know is each time I read the Fastlane book it gives me a temporary boost which tends to last around 2 weeks. Perhaps being part of the forum I can get that adrenaline boost on a more regular basis.
Essentially though I am in the process of giving serious consideration to starting a completely new business and am in the formative stages of research relating to that. I am in the process of selling part of my business and a large portfolio of websites I built, so it's time now to change direction potentially.
On a daily basis I tend to work in isolation, so with the forum I am going to be honest and share progress for feedback (I hope that's not a hollow promise) and also see how I can contribute to other's own journeys.
Hopefully I will be building some relationships on the forum, whilst building a better business, and changing my current mindset of being that fraud.
Chat soon!
@MJ DeMarco
But, sometimes you need to refresh on these things, and I think I've probably read it every year since. Just finished up with the latest book too so decided it was time to jump into the forum.
To give a little background on me, I've recently turned 40, and since jacking my corporate job in 4 years ago to start up in business have done relatively well compared to how things were for me when I was doing the 9-5. I wouldn't change that decision I made at all.
But... I feel a little bit like a fraud. Let me tell you why.
I make my money via SEO, affiliate marketing, online lead generation. That kind of thing.
Don't get me wrong, the money is good, and my family doesn't really want for anything and we have a comfortable life compared to most people I know, and certainly compared to 99% of the global population.
But all I am doing really is gaming the search engines, offering no real value to an end consumer because ultimately the products and services I refer them to they would have found anyway, I am just an unnecessary link in the chain earning my percent.
The whole concept is like a house built on sand, and let's be honest, could collapse at any time. I don't control the product, the service, or have any form of ownership from the customer's perspective. The companies I do business with could pull the rug out at any point, as could Google, and so it just doesn't feel sustainable.
So back to the fraud statement. I feel like a fraud to my family really... they think I am successful businessman, and I guess in some part it's true (comparatively speaking), but I don't honestly feel like I am running a bonafide business.
I worry that the whole thing could collapse at any point.
Whilst aspects of my life are very Fastlane - in so far that I work when I want, and don't have to answer to anybody - it's not true Fastlane.
I want to build up a genuine business, with a brand that I can be proud of, and that offers value (thinking of some of the points read in UNSCRIPTED ).
So what do I hope to get from the forum and what can I give to the forum?
That's an interesting one I suppose. I am not sure I can 100% answer that at the moment.
All I know is each time I read the Fastlane book it gives me a temporary boost which tends to last around 2 weeks. Perhaps being part of the forum I can get that adrenaline boost on a more regular basis.
Essentially though I am in the process of giving serious consideration to starting a completely new business and am in the formative stages of research relating to that. I am in the process of selling part of my business and a large portfolio of websites I built, so it's time now to change direction potentially.
On a daily basis I tend to work in isolation, so with the forum I am going to be honest and share progress for feedback (I hope that's not a hollow promise) and also see how I can contribute to other's own journeys.
Hopefully I will be building some relationships on the forum, whilst building a better business, and changing my current mindset of being that fraud.
Chat soon!
@MJ DeMarco
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