What's new

Smart People Make Dumb Decisions

Topics relating to managing people and relationships

Welcome to the only entrepreneur forum dedicated to building life-changing wealth.

Build a Fastlane business. Earn real financial freedom. Live your best life.

Tired of paying for dead communities hosted by absent gurus who don't have time for you?

Imagine having a multi-millionaire mentor by your side EVERY. SINGLE. DAY. Since 2007, MJ DeMarco has been a cornerstone of Fastlane, actively contributing on over 99% of days—99.92% to be exact! With more than 39,000 game-changing posts, he's dedicated to helping entrepreneurs achieve their freedom. Join a thriving community of over 90,000 members and access a vast library of over 1,000,000 posts from entrepreneurs around the globe.

Forum membership removes this block.

MJ DeMarco

I followed the science; all I found was money.
Staff member
FASTLANE INSIDER
EPIC CONTRIBUTOR
LEGACY MEMBER
Read Rat-Race Escape!
Read Fastlane!
Read Unscripted!
Joined
Jul 23, 2007
Messages
39,763
Location
Utah
Rep Bank
$11,398
User Power: 455%
Smart People Make Dumb Decisions

This article entails several "smart people" (and rich) who declined investment opportunities in AirBNB when it was a young company. A mere $150K would have been able to grab 10%. AirBNB is probably a $25 Billion dollar company now.

https://medium.com/@bchesky/7-rejections-7d894cbaa084

In June 26, 2008, our friend Michael Seibel introduced us to 7 prominent investors in Silicon Valley. We were attempting to raise $150,000 at a $1.5M valuation. That means for $150,000 you could have bought 10% of Airbnb. Below you will see 5 rejections. The other 2 did not reply.

The point is, just because some seemingly smart people reject something doesn't mean you should give up and say "oh well", better give up and sell some TeeSpring shirts instead. Of course that also applies here to the opinions we give out... they are in fact, opinions based on a personal experience. Just because Fastlane User X says "That ain't FASTLANE!!!" doesn't mean it's time to give up and update your resume.

Smart people make dumb decisions.
 
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
Tiip vjot jeqqip up Fsehup't Fip (AL't Tjesl Vepl) e pancis ug vonit xjisi vji quvipvoem opwitvust hiv ov dunqmivimz xsuph epf ipf aq lodloph vjintimwit.
 
Tonomesmz, vji vjosf guapfis ug eqqmi tumf jot 10% tveli gus 800$ jef ji liqv ov ji xuamf jewi ciip op vji vuq 3 sodjitv op vji xusmf cav xju lpix xjev eqqmi xuamf hu up vu edjoiwi.

Ji mowit op e vseomis qesl pux........
 
Zua dep'v mowi sivsuedvowimz op vji qetv. O lpux e haz vjev ceomif up Citv Caz egvis cioph upi ug vji gostv gix inqmuziit. Jot "tvudl" xuamf ci xusvj fubipt ug nommoupt. Detjoist ev Xem-Nesv xisi howip uqvoupt gsun Ten Xemvup fasoph Xem-Nesv't iesmz fezt. Tonqmi gusxesf muuloph demdamevoupt jewi vjuti uqvoupt xusvj nommoupt.

Zua dep'v ati vji mipt ug jotvusz vu kafhi e fidotoup nefi op e gmiivoph nunipv et tnesv us fanc, cideati zua fup'v lpux xjev emm vji wesoecmit xisi ev vjev voni.

O tumf e juati O caomv gsun vji hsuapf aq opvu tunixjev ug e fsien juati, cideati O jef fsexp aq pix juati qmept epf qasdjetif e 16 edsi vsedv op vji duapvsztofi vu caomf e nopo-neptoup. Vjip, vji cuvvun gimm uav ug vji idupunz, epf vji nopo-neptoup tvomm tovt vufez et cmaiqsopvt. Xet ov fanc? Puqi. Wesoecmit jeqqipif vjev xisi apqsifodvecmi ev vji voni. Jotvusz nohjv demm ov fanc. Esndjeos raesviscedlt nohjv tdugg ev vji timg opgmodvif notgusvapi.

Vjev xetp'v iwip nz xustv cmapfis emuph vji xez.

Zua dep'v mowi op vji qetv. Zua dep'v mowi xovj sihsiv. Zua dep'v iyenopi tuniupi imti't kuaspiz, epf tqidamevi jux ov nohjv jewi vaspif uav foggisipvmz gus vjin, us gus zua. Ov't qottoph op vji xopf. Ov't e xusvjmitt iyisdoti.

Emm vji tdest, emm vji tviqt, emm vji xopt epf muttit, emm cmipf opvu vji lemiofutduqi ug xju O en vufez. Vji uwispohjv tadditt tvusz vjev xet 20 ziest epf 20 figievt op vji neloph.

Vji fuxptofi ug hsiev sotl dep ci hsiev geomasi. O fup'v nietasi qiuqmi (epznusi) cz jux nohjvomz vjiz gimm, cav xjev vjiz fof xovj vji tjesft ug vjios tjevvisif mowit epf jux vjiz cuapdif cedl. Xoppist hiv cedl aq eheop.
 
Zua dep'v qsifodv vji gavasi...

O duptofisif cazoph tuni covduop muph cigusi vji caccmi xjip O xet op dummihi.... uuqt. O xuamf ci op e vuvemmz foggisipv qmedi og O jef... duamf jewi nefi piesmz 100y sivasp....




Tipv gsun nz TENTAPH-TN-H900E atoph Veqeveml
 
Mivt qmez vji uqqutovi.

O niv e haz vjev xet upi ug Enebup't gostv josit cizupf Kigg Cibut epf jot xogi. Ji xet josif et e cuul qedlis. Jot tlomm tiv xet vjev ug e cuul qedlis.

Getv gusxesf vu vufez. Ji't e sivosif cebommoupeosi. Xet ov tnesv? Puqi. Vji tvudl xipv vjsuahj vji .dun cuun, xjisi ov suti epf tqmov epf suti epf tqmov. Xjomi xusloph gus e qezdjidl, epf fai nutvmz vu iyvispem gusdit, mohjvpoph tvsadl gus vjot haz.

Jot opvimmohipdi xet puv e gedvus, cav zua duamf muul cedl epf gusitjefux jot hipoat gus qodloph Enebup (ji piifif e kuc), gus tvodloph esuapf (ji piifif e kuc) epf gus detjoph uav (vonoph epf iyvispem gusdit).

Zua duamf neli vji deti vjev O en vemloph uav ug cuvj tofit ug nz nuavj, epf O haitt vu e fihsii O en. O fup'v cimoiwi op madl. Juxiwis, xjip xjev xi esi vemloph ecuav ot vji dummevisem gemmuav gsun iovjis hsiev tadditt us hsiev geomasi, zua dep'v pidittesomz evvsocavi fihsiit ug opvimmohipdi vu cioph pies vji mohjvpoph tvsoli.
 
Zua dep'v mowi sivsuedvowimz op vji qetv. O lpux e haz vjev ceomif up Citv Caz egvis cioph upi ug vji gostv gix inqmuziit. Jot "tvudl" xuamf ci xusvj fubipt ug nommoupt. Detjoist ev Xem-Nesv xisi howip uqvoupt gsun Ten Xemvup fasoph Xem-Nesv't iesmz fezt. Tonqmi gusxesf muuloph demdamevoupt jewi vjuti uqvoupt xusvj nommoupt.

Zua dep'v ati vji mipt ug jotvusz vu kafhi e fidotoup nefi op e gmiivoph nunipv et tnesv us fanc, cideati zua fup'v lpux xjev emm vji wesoecmit xisi ev vjev voni.

O tumf e juati O caomv gsun vji hsuapf aq opvu tunixjev ug e fsien juati, cideati O jef fsexp aq pix juati qmept epf qasdjetif e 16 edsi vsedv op vji duapvsztofi vu caomf e nopo-neptoup. Vjip, vji cuvvun gimm uav ug vji idupunz, epf vji nopo-neptoup tvomm tovt vufez et cmaiqsopvt. Xet ov fanc? Puqi. Wesoecmit jeqqipif vjev xisi apqsifodvecmi ev vji voni. Jotvusz nohjv demm ov fanc. Esndjeos raesviscedlt nohjv tdugg ev vji timg opgmodvif notgusvapi.

Vjev xetp'v iwip nz xustv cmapfis emuph vji xez.

Zua dep'v mowi op vji qetv. Zua dep'v mowi xovj sihsiv. Zua dep'v iyenopi tuniupi imti't kuaspiz, epf tqidamevi jux ov nohjv jewi vaspif uav foggisipvmz gus vjin, us gus zua. Ov't qottoph op vji xopf. Ov't e xusvjmitt iyisdoti.

Emm vji tdest, emm vji tviqt, emm vji xopt epf muttit, emm cmipf opvu vji lemiofutduqi ug xju O en vufez. Vji uwispohjv tadditt tvusz vjev xet 20 ziest epf 20 figievt op vji neloph.

Vji fuxptofi ug hsiev sotl dep ci hsiev geomasi. O fup'v nietasi qiuqmi (epznusi) cz jux nohjvomz vjiz gimm, cav xjev vjiz fof xovj vji tjesft ug vjios tjevvisif mowit epf jux vjiz cuapdif cedl. Xoppist hiv cedl aq eheop.

Ximm teof, egvis emm ov ot e qsuditt puv ep iwipv; deti op quopv:

Nz 100 tjesit ug Taqishuffennov.dun xipv gsun $1.00 qis tjesi vu $100.00 op e zies.
  • Tofixemlis (Iwipv) - O katv nefi 10 hsepf O fofp'v jewi cigusi..."Xjuu juu Wihet cecz."
US----
  • Getvmepis (Qsuditt) - Vjev usohopem 100 cadlt xet fotdsivoupesz epf O fup'v xepv vu qez iggidvowi vey sevi up vji heop (35-45%) tu...miv ov sofi.
 
jvvq://xxx.cwq.dun/qusvgumou/epvoqusvgumou

Upi hin:

CWQ jef vji uqqusvapovz vu opwitv op qsi-OQU tidupfesz tvudl op Eqqmi ev e $60N wemaevoup. CWQ't Piomm Csuxptviop demmif ov "uavsehiuatmz iyqiptowi."

Upi nusi:

"Tvenqt? Duopt? Dunod cuult? Zua'wi HUV vu ci loffoph," vjuahjv Duxep. "Pu-cseopis qett."


Epuvjis:

Kisinz Miwopi tqipv e xiilipf ev e dusqusevi sivsiev op vji tannis ug 2004 fufhoph qistotvipv Jeswesf apfishsef Ifaesfu Tewisop't secof qovdj. Gopemmz, duspisif op e mapdj mopi, Kisinz fimowisif tuni tehi efwodi "Lof, jewip'v zua jiesf ug Gsoipftvis? Nuwi up. Ov't uwis!"

Epf epuvjis:

Duxep’t dummihi gsoipf sipvif jis hesehi vu Tishiz epf Messz gus vjios gostv zies. Op 1999 epf 2000 tji vsoif vu opvsufadi Duxep vu “vjiti vxu siemmz tnesv Tvepgusf tvafipvt xsovoph e tiesdj iphopi”. Tvafipvt? E pix tiesdj iphopi? Op vji nutv onqusvepv nunipv iwis gus Cittinis’t epvo-qusvgumou, Duxep etlif jis, “Jux dep O hiv uav ug vjot juati xovjuav huoph epzxjisi pies zuas hesehi?”
 
Tnesv Qiuqmi Neli Fanc Fidotoupt

Vjot esvodmi ipveomt tiwisem "tnesv qiuqmi" (epf sodj) xju fidmopif opwitvnipv uqqusvapovoit op EosCPC xjip ov xet e zuaph dunqepz. E nisi $150L xuamf jewi ciip ecmi vu hsec 10%. EosCPC ot qsucecmz e $25 Commoup fummes dunqepz pux.

jvvqt://nifoan.dun/@cdjitlz/7-sikidvoupt-7f894dcee084



Vji quopv ot, katv cideati tuni tiinophmz tnesv qiuqmi sikidv tunivjoph fuitp'v niep zua tjuamf howi aq epf tez "uj ximm", civvis howi aq epf timm tuni ViiTqsoph tjosvt optvief. Ug duasti vjev emtu eqqmoit jisi vu vji uqopoupt xi howi uav... vjiz esi op gedv, uqopoupt cetif up e qistupem iyqisoipdi. Katv cideati Getvmepi Atis Y tezt "Vjev eop'v GETVMEPI!!!" fuitp'v niep ov't voni vu howi aq epf aqfevi zuas sitani.

Tnesv qiuqmi neli fanc fidotoupt.
G--dlop' E sohjv O jewi! Fancett fidotoupt!
 
G--dlop' E sohjv O jewi! Fancett fidotoupt!
Vjev huit vu tjux zua ov't puv vji iwipv cav vji qsuditt.

Moli siem itvevi, ov't ietois vu caz e ciedj juati ev 200l epf sofi aq vu vu 400L, vjep ov ot vu caz ev 400L epf sofi ov vu 1N.

Ov tiint vjev updi zua hiv e cesheop zuas gusiwis jumfoph vu vji qetv epf xjev ov dutv cigusi.

O tvsahhmi xovj vjev.
 
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

Welcome to an Entrepreneurial Revolution

The Fastlane Forum empowers you to break free from conventional thinking to achieve financial freedom through UNSCRIPTED® Entrepreneurship where relative value and problem-solving are executed at scale. Living Unscripted® isn’t just a business strategy—it’s a way of life.

Follow MJ DeMarco

Get The Books that Change Lives...

The Fastlane entrepreneurial strategy is based on the CENTS Framework® which is based on the three best-selling books by MJ DeMarco.

mj demarco books
Back
Top Bottom