Hey guys,

I'll give a bit of background but would like to start a discussion on a commonly stated RP belief that being self employed or starting a business is superior than simply being a W2 employee; and also the psychological affects associated with each one (which I'm currently struggling with).

Since discovering the RP at a relatively ripe age of 21, I have been self employed (with sporadic W2 jobs) ever since. I enjoy the freedom; and having my own business in college was impressive and seemed the way to go. Since then, I've started a new business in a field with uncapped earning potential and seemingly high demand (financial services + taxes). I have a few esteemed certifications and a decent amount of clients relative to how long i've been in the business.

Now, it is common knowledge in this business (and many others) that in order to truly become financially successful, one needs to build a base of recurring revenue (which takes time), so as to say, work that is done today may not pay that much, but over time it becomes substantial (or at least has potential to).

The issue I'm dealing with now is that I notice my friends who are all W2 are making a lot more with benefits to boot. They get a nice paycheck, 401k, health insurance, etc...and also get to leave their work at work upon clock out.

I can't help but think (in the short term) that i've made a mistake passing up jobs like theirs in multiple accounting firms, etc and taking the traditional path and advancing up the corporate ladder.

I know there is a lot of knowledge on this forum and I believe my dilemma comes from lack of experience and millennial tendencies for immediate gratification.

Can anyone shed some light as to what I'm feeling (in regards to being left behind in terms of career) or possibly offer some guidance. In terms of women, athletics, and academics (starting college 2 years early) I've always been ahead of my peer group--- this is the first time in my life that I feel like i'm falling behind. I've been losing sleep over this (feeling rather depressed) and don't really know who to turn to. I just turned 26 and have no debt with a very low overhead, so that's a plus. Anyways, your responses are greatly appreciated.

-CC

That's a very good question and one I've asked myself at various times since becoming self-employed. It happened for me in my early 30s (just over 10 years ago), so you have a strong head start. I didn't have access to forums like RVF and the wealth of opportunities for self-publishing, tools for marketing to / connecting with customers. I'll share some my experience, tools I've found useful, and general attitudes.

I was also very blue pilled until getting laid off (during early 2000s tech bubble bursting). That was a big wake up call. I hated not being in control of having income, and answering to a boss who turned out to be a slave driving asshole sociopath (with a Master's degree).

I love being creative. I love coming up with solutions to existing problems, and seeing opportunities for advancing my field / areas of interest. I love finding information and situations that relate to each other - you can't do that when you're plugged into someone else's time frame. Obviously being self-employed you often have a lot of work or no clear ability to leave work at the office (especially if you work at home). Creating some kind of rhythm / schedule is really important so you can both stay on top of customer demands / projects and also make time for yourself and your creative process.

Very happily, I will go to the beach, take a hike, get a massage during the day when the W-2/9-5ers are working. I allow myself to work when needed and also make space for inspiration to arise. It doesn't always happen at a set time so being flexible is very important. I'm naturally an idealist, a dreamer, and also pragmatic about taking care of business needs. By managing the details that make your business operate and keep your customers happy (including not over-promising on deadlines / timelines!), I carve space in my daily rhythm for insight and inspiration. An entrepreneur - in the truest sense - is a visionary. You are not just bringing a new service, but a new outlook on what you're doing, how you're doing it.

In my case, I've had to take an industry that is loaded with engineers and engineering jargon and come at it from a physics perspective (first-principles, what works, how to optimize). It's been working very well and I'm well-respected in my contributions. I also love to share information, ideas, perspectives via Youtube videos and blog posts. They're not professionally created which may be a detriment, but I also am a procrastinator so focusing on making it look pretty would distract me from just getting it out there and I focus on quality content (and quality results) not high production value. You might find more value in the opposite - creating resources / videos / presentations that appeal to the high-end financial market. Being a lone wolf in the business world you can and (IMO) need to leverage your knowledge, perspective, and uniqueness to set yourself apart from anyone else in your field. I don't care how that looks, you just need to do it. Or not, but if I hadn't differentiated myself I would be just another vendor in an already crowded field. Because I took the time to really understand WHY I am into this - not just to make money or because I'm good at it, but WHY it drives me to study, understand, improve - I have an honest passion that people can see, hear, and feel. I KNOW why they need to work with me not any other company (including those who are multi-million dollar).

You mentioned the tendency for immediate gratification - that's not just a pejorative unfairly applied to Millenials (though I've seen many it applies to) it applies to many people in our society, including older generations. This is why I have made myself more focused on one-on-one interactions via phone or in-person rather than email / text. I make it a point to talk on the phone with all my customers, including those overseas. I want to get to know them a little bit, create a personal connection. It also helps me understand how to optimize my products and services for their needs. The personal touch as impressed upon me at an early age, something my Dad did when he rented our vacation house and met each renter at the local Denny's. He made himself very available so after about 5 years he never needed to advertise, referrals kept coming in and repeat business. Your business may be different, but asking for referrals, networking and getting qualified leads is exceptionally important. Learning to slow yourself down is essential; meditation, yoga, tools for cardiac coherence / breath work like Institute of HeartMath, light box therapy (kudos Lizard of Oz!), optimal nutrition. I also really love following the change of seasons and feel the calming and grounding rhythm of life. Most people stuck indoors don't feel the seasons change from week to week and month to month. You feel more tapped in to Life and Nature when you can have windows or doors open, or at least be outside during the day (if not in a blizzard). The mind wants to get everything done NOW, the body knows it all takes time. It's also important to not rush people either; that sucks. A fast-paced life is a recipe for a disaster so whatever you can do in grounding yourself will pay dividends.

I would watch the TED talk 'How Great Leaders Inspire Action' by Simon Sinek, read my post on finding your purpose thread-59636.html (the Richard's book is worth its weight in gold!), and watch some Gary Vaynerchuk https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zADf21b28BY. Randy Pausch (RIP) has some great videos on Time Management and his 'How to Achieve your Childhood Dreams / Last Lecture' talk is also inspiring. I've benefited from coaching with Maui Masterminds (did one year, their discussion on Time Mastery was probably my favorite part - learning how to really value your time, be clear on what activities you do create the most value, and delegate / out-source / eliminate the activities that don't create value or revenue).

I am not yet making as much as I want to, but last year was a turning point. I am an expert in what I'm doing, and I LOVE what I'm doing. I charge more for what I do, have fewer and better quality customers, and more time to invent, innovate, create, rest well, eat well, exercise hard, play hard, and enjoy my life. The clearer I get on who I am and what gifts separate me from everyone else, the more confidence I have. I also need to give back (like engaging on this forum or in real life with people who can benefit from what I've learned) because I've had so much help on this journey. I have some new connections that are going to open up incredible revenue opportunities. It's taken 10 years for this to happen but I fiddle-farted around for a couple years before getting really serious.

You may be right that in the short term the traditional route would give more benefits in the financial realm - I've had some sacrifice there as well - but thinking short terms leads to slavery. I'm sure people can be happy enough working for someone else, but that isn't me. I've got big goals and clear plans on how to execute them. No one else will ever care as much about my passions and dreams as me. You can't transfer your passion and insights to someone else - you can inspire others, but they will always be their own person.

I guess one way to look at it is - can you see some way for your field to be improved, in a way that you can help make that happen? What's the missing piece the other firms aren't getting, or aren't doing as well as you are, or as well as you can? Are they using the best tools, the best research, the best communication methods, the best feedback loops? What in the system or process could be better, and can you be the person who makes that happen? Can you imagine or inventor and patent / license better methods than currently exist? I didn't know for about 3-4 years of total dedication to my craft that I could find something no one had seen or fully articulated, but I have now. In fact, it led to connections I didn't expect in other areas. I really don't believe one subject is totally disconnected from another; everything is really connected. The more you explore, read, study, connect and talk with people to learn not just pick-up, the more you see how what you do fits into the broader world. You have to be willing to be both very alone / solitary and also very engaged. That's what I've found and I think a lot of the most successful people fit this profile - Trump certainly loves his alone time and Melania understands this about him.

You didn't mention how much fun you're having, how you play and relax. That's really REALLY important, brother! I was incredibly stressed out before leaving (well, getting fired from) my last corporate job for a trumped-up 'conflict of interest'. The difference in quality of life is HUGE! I have been getting regularly bodywork almost every week, plus working out, earthing / grounding , flirting with cute girls and setting up dates, enjoying live comedy, taking a social dance class (DO IT!), live music, jazz clubs, wine tasting, Paint Nite, solo trips domestically or overseas, learning a new language (Pimsleur), and just continually reinventing myself. I've done my best to eat clean, minimize wheat / dairy / excess sugar and only occasionally drink alcohol. I get high off life...! Giovonny has been and continues to be an inspiration for me.

Roosh asks us - what's your campaign? Work needs to support your broader campaign in life. Again, that Dick Richard's book is gold - you've got to work through it man, cause I'm not hearing anything about what your unique genius is and for a self-employed business owner asking questions you are, you NEED to know what makes you unique. If you can't answer that in a month or less (the book will take you a week to get through if you're into it) then you probably aren't cut out to be an true entrepreneur. I don't mean a wannabe 'I've got the next big app yo!' type (I know that's not you), but someone who is BURNING with passionate, purpose, intelligence, and growing wisdom.

It's gonna hurt, it's gonna suck, it's not all roses and Russian gymnasts jumping on your dick. You stick with it because you know WHY you're doing it and you would do it whether or not someone's paying you - but you'll make damn sure people pay you well for the excellent service and insights you provide. If it was easy, everyone would do it - the ones who fail don't know WHY they're doing it and lack the GUMPTION to stick with it. If you're willing to dive into a heady but powerful read, you may consider 'Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance.' Don't let his angst get to you, we can talk about it after you finish - and you really do need to finish if you start it - but read that book after starting 'Is Your Genius At Work?'.

From my perspective, I wouldn't trade being self-employed for double the income. Men naturally take longer to fully mature, and the self-employed man longer still - but the wisdom and relaxed self-assuredness you gain is priceless. Don't compare yourself to anyone else - you might end up with different friends, or fewer friends, because only another entrepreneur will understand you. That includes family, too. Anyone who doesn't burn - and honestly, no W-2'er I've seen really does - isn't going to stoke and encourage your fire. You are the 5 people you spend the most time with. Be very selective of who they are.

If you want more personalized insights, PM me - but get the Richard's book first. For the time I've spent writing this, I would charge a client over $150 for a consultation. I never did that a few years ago - even for an initial consultation - but I do now. Because I know every minute they share and engage with me is creating massive value in their life and understanding. I am more expensive than anyone else in my field and I am totally confident that the right customers will pay me because I create value for them, I care about them, and they will also send me their friends, family, colleagues, help me network, etc.

Business is really about relationships and connections. I find people fascinating. Even though I consider myself an introvert I love to engage with people. I've learned to listen at least 30-50% more than I talk. I've learned to draw people out with questions, to pick up on subtle things they say, or words / phrases they repeat that indicate their values. You have to be interested in psychology to be a good business person. If you don't know your Myers-Briggs type you might want to find out. I'm INFP / ISTP (clear more INFP when in the role of counselor/advisor).

If you're feeling at all depressed, I hope you are more encouraged now. Again, feel free to PM but please go through the Richard's workbook - this is a perfect time for you to do it!

There's no hard and fast answer. In my view, the primary motivation for starting a business should be to build a capital asset. If your primary goal is to build a capital asset then salary considerations should be put aside. This is what I've done.

Is it worth it in general? That's always a futile question, and one that you're better off not asking. If you succeed it's always worth it; if you fail, it's rare that it seems like you made the right decision. To put it another way, you ARE falling behind your peer group both financially and in terms of your long term prospects. This will be true right up until the moment when you may suddenly find yourself a long way ahead of your friends. You've made a decision, now you need to make the best of it, or if it looks to be a mistake, then knock it on the head.

Most of us who go into business for ourselves do it because we have to live a certain way. If this is why you got into business for yourself, and that motivation hasn't changed, then I would suggest that it is meaningless to make comparisons with your friends. If you couldn't live that way, dancing to someone else's tune, then it is a worthless comparison - you couldn't stick the job, so the steady salary wouldn't be an option for you anyway.

People ask me how I could have had the balls at 21 to turn down some of the highest paying firms in the world when they offered me jobs. For me, it was incredibly easy, as I knew I could not have stuck the job. I would have quit or been fired. So the high salary they had to offer was never really there for me. It was a reward for doing something I wouldn't have been able to do. In many respects I didn't 'turn them down' I simply preempted the inevitable.

If you went into business for yourself because someone on the internet told you to, then perhaps it is worth evaluating whether you should continue along the path you're on or turn back and enter the world of employment. If you got into this because this is how you have to live, then don't waste time making these comparisons, simply get on with your business and get to where you need to be, or fail if you must, but accept that the decision was made long ago and look to the next opportunity.

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I can definitely relate to what OP is feeling. I'm 31 and have been self employed for over a year now. I previously worked a pretty typical white collar job.

I think a lot of people in our generation feel like they have to be doing something "bigger" than just working at a company. Problem is, most don't know what that "bigger" thing is and tend to gravitate toward businesses that are meant to finance their "lifestyle design" rather than scratch a deep-seated itch to solve a specific problem. I can't say what OP's motivations are for starting his business, but I'll admit that I've had trouble maintaining enthusiasm for my business (Amazon FBA) due to lack of deeper purpose. Lack of purpose only exasperates the normal doubts one experiences after starting a business.

I started my business with the plan of working really hard for some period of time so that I could eventually coast a bit. I think a lot of people are this way. Thing is, if you're a business owner, you can never really coast. There's always someone coming for what's yours, and I've had a hard time letting go of the plethora of worries I have about something getting fucked up. As an employee there's stress too of course, but it's not the same.

Other downsides:

- Isolation - I really underestimated the value of comraderie at work
- Hard to stop working since there's no pre-determined finish time
- Fluctuating income

Upsides:

- No corporate/PC bullshit to deal with
- I can go to a Thai boxing class at 11am on a Tuesday if I feel like it
- I can work in different locations

I'll be honest, I'm about to start a job at a different company while I run my business on the side. I'm doing it for the structure, social aspect, learning opportunities, and stable paycheck. I won't go into full-time self employment again without a stronger purpose than just earning income so I can travel and do what I want. I'm not saying that's what OP or other people here are doing, but that's what I did, and I think it's a bad reason to start a business. You'll wash out sooner or later if there's not something else there driving you.

Lastly, like OP I've also noticed many of my peers who work at some of the better companies having more flexibility in terms of location and hours than I've had as a self-employed man, all while earning (way) more money and better benefits. So if that's what you're after, I now think it makes more sense to focus on making yourself as valuable as possible at your job and enjoying the autonomy that comes with that. But if you feel deeply compelled to start a business for some other reason, go for it.
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If you want to get into something that is dead simple, with low start up costs, allows you to put cash into your pocket today and that will bring you closer to your masculine side - begin Scrap Metal Recycling right now.

Search this very Forum or my Username for more valuable information.

Once you've conquered that basic Entrepreneurship endeavor, you can then move onto putting together a Landscape Maintenance company.

From there you should be moderately wealthy enough to either coast by just managing your mini empires (Scrap Metal Recycling and Landscape Maintenance) or go on to pursue the monetization of your real lifes passion.

OP, I think that you think short term, and fear the unknown. Like...everyone else.




First of all, 99% of people always think short term. Not only Millenials such as you or me, but everyone else. Right now, it may appear that you lag behind your peers, but what will happen in, say 10 years? There is a chance, with a little bit of luck, that you will be something like Bruce Wayne (rich, successful, good looking,etc.), while you peers will be screwed 24/7 by incompetent bosses who got there because of strategical dick sucking, HR Nazis who hate everyone else because of their own misery, and other unpleasant things.



Also, the path to successful and rich self employment is long and very hard. In the beginning, it will be very, very hard. Few customers, low capital etc. When you are in that position (and I believe you are), you indeed wonder if you made a right choice - especially when you look at your peers. But...as long as you know what your are doing, are willing to improve yourself and learn from your competition, you will get better and better. Eventually, you will be light years ahead of your peers. Again - Bruce Wayne. And when you get there...you will realize that making 2 steps backwards in order to make 10 steps forwards was really worth it.



All I have written here ain't theory. It is documented in the forum. Basically, one year ago, I have started selling on Ebay. I had low capital, and no reputation. Not to mention $500 sale limit. I remember that I was overjoyed when I got my first ''watcher'' and first sale. It was like getting a Playstation 1 for New Year. You never forget that feeling... . Eventually, due to willingness to be the best I can be, I have increased my reputation and sales. Now, almost a year later, I am probably one of the top 10 sellers from the Balkans Area (EE). I have achieved something I have never dared dream of, to be honest. If I keep it up, and if I diversify my portfolio, I will probably be making a living wage way before 30. As Trump says ''We will win, win and keep winning''.



So OP, know your business, keep your head up, and know success! Self employment lifestyle is truly the way to go!

I think there's a false narrative out there that it's impossible to get rich working a 9-5 corporate job, and the only way to riches is to start your own business. I've saved 300k in 3 years working at my corporate job and well on my way to becoming a multi millionaire if I keep going at my current rate. My boss is a multi millionaire and could retire whenever he wants, he chooses to keep working because he'd get bored if he retired now.

I don't think everyone is cut out to be an entrepreneur and that's fine. If you have the entrepreneurial personality then by all means go for it, it'll be very rewarding. But there's more than one way to slim a cat and it's possible to get rich working for corporations, assuming you're working for an in demand industry/career.

My personal rule of thumb is could I make more than what I'm making now (200k + retirement + pension) starting my own business, the answer is probably not so I continue what I'm Doing. When I was making $40-50k it made more sense to go all in starting a business then, because I could've probably made more money on my own.

I enjoy working full time at a corporate job and have other hustles on the side. If my side hustles ever exceed my current corporate income then I'd quit and focus full time on the side hustles. I don't think that will ever happen.

The key is to always be hustling whether you're working on your own or at a corporate Job! That is the key to wealth.

If people working staff jobs are getting paid more per hour than you are working for yourself then something is wrong.

Either you are not as valuable as them (doing different work, less experienced etc) or you have set your price too low.

I make double/triple what a staff person in my job does, and save half again in taxes, making me 4-6 times better off for al the hard work and risk I put in being self employed.

Thank you guys for the well thought out responses. This is why I posted here and didn't consult family/friends who may have wanted to push their own agenda. Here are some other thoughts going through my mind right now, if I'm going to be completely honest:

In regards to why my service is superior/unique: Without giving away the farm, on a personal level, I have been traveling the world for the last 3 years for almost free (I'd say 95% off retail) using travel hacking techniques (100% legal, there is a thread on the "other" forum here). Most people don't understand how this works. Well, I've integrated that into financial planning in order to help people create a budget and spend accordingly, racking up hundreds of thousands of miles and hotel points in the process. Ergo, my clients get the luxury travel--- but free up the cash that would have otherwise been spent in order to pay down debt and/or increase their investments (of which i get paid to manage)-- I also structure my pay on an AUM basis whereas I tell my clients (the more we grow their account, the more I get paid as a set %--- so our interests are aligned)... I find they really like this. I've also wrapped insurance needs and taxes into this plan as well... it's very entrepreneurial and relatively revolutionary in a sense that I haven't seen any other firm taking this approach.

I should also add that I have a mentor I am working under who makes 600k+ per year. He says that if I follow the steps I'm currently taking, i'll be in his situation in 5-10 years. All in all, I should be counting my blessings that I'm in such a great position to start my own business and have such access to a mentor; but I can't help but to feel the following:

-What if, after 5-10 years, it doesn't work out... and I'm back to square one. I'll be so far behind my peers it'll seem like lightyears. Blood, sweat, and tears for... Who knows? Whereas as a W2 I'd at least have a sizeable 401k, some real estate, health insurance, etc.

-In regards to freedom... I see this touted a lot that self employed have the freedom to do things their way at anytime, but I'm finding myself captive to client whims... What will happen to my travel/leisure when I have 500+ clients needing tax documents/distributions from funds/questions, etc. etc. I'm already beginning to feel like a prisoner with my modest client base.

-In regards to industry--- I don't regret my deep accounting/finance background as I have a lot of mobility; but I feel like as a RP young man my life is missing the danger and play that really stimulates me (perhaps I'm a socio, Idk). A life filled with tax returns and 401k rollovers sounds... although potentially profitable...rather mundane. I ask myself to think back to when I was a kid...is that what I really envisioned?

These have been questions in the back of my mind for the greater part of a year now that have come to surface. Perhaps it's because I've been sick with the flu or the winter blues got me down-- but are these common issues? am I just lazy? Young and confused?

Thanks again to those who have already commented.

Quote: (01-16-2017 07:10 PM)RatInTheWoods Wrote:  

If people working staff jobs are getting paid more per hour than you are working for yourself then something is wrong.

Either you are not as valuable as them (doing different work, less experienced etc) or you have set your price too low.

I make double/triple what a staff person in my job does, and save half again in taxes, making me 4-6 times better off for al the hard work and risk I put in being self employed.

I'm making over 6x what a staffer would make, but once you figure in the marketing, liability, overhead etc... that multiple drops down a bit.

A business owner can make more money but can never leave work behind. It follows you. A W-2 can leave work but the organization owns you.

Yes exactly. I could probably make similar or more money on my own. But I work for a fortune 100 company that provides cheap benefits, generous 401k and pension plan. All of that is probably worth an extra 50-60k a year.

OP, you've got a pretty unique skill set and a great mentor.

You
Are
Lucky!

You're also scared, which I understand. If you get big enough and have sufficient income you can hire assistants for simple work (but vett thoroughly!). Make sure you are charging enough for your time and value. That's the biggest problem I've found in my experience and other starting business owners.

Also, maybe you really aren't meant for this uncertainty and that's okay - but you have a golden opportunity to understand what makes you tick.

Read the book I mentioned in my post. 99% of your questions you ask boil down to knowing your purpose and also knowing your self. I don't know a clearer way to get to that answer of purpose and talent than the Richards book.

Hell even the eat pray love woman didn't know WHY she was worth reading! She did a ted talk on "your elusive creative genius" but didn't tell anyone how to find it. I went deeper, I found the tool, and I found my genius. You can too. Until you do, your questions will plague you.

My time is valuable so I won't waste it repeating myself more than once per thread. Good luck.

Quote: (01-16-2017 09:35 PM)Oilrig Wrote:  

Yes exactly. I could probably make similar or more money on my own. But I work for a fortune 100 company that provides cheap benefits, generous 401k and pension plan. All of that is probably worth an extra 50-60k a year.

Not trying to hate on you bro but 200k for an hr job is absurd unless you're recruiting executive level hires. You are the exception not the rule. When people talk about corporate jobs most are making 40-50k with benefits.

I left corporate Uhmerica back in 2003 and never looked back. The main thing is to stop trying to compare your efforts to others. My path was lonely and rough, but allowed me to do the following:

1. Sleep until my body wakes up (no alarms)
2. Schedule work around fitness goals and other insanely positive things
3. Make as much, or little money as I want.
4. Never answer to another 'boss' again

Time is vastly more valuable than money

Quote: (01-17-2017 05:59 AM)Leads Wrote:  

Time is vastly more valuable than money

I'm 32 years old now and finally just realized this last year.
Time beats money hands down!
The catch 22 for all you young dogs out there is, you either:
1) need to earn lots of money now to free up more time later.
or
2) start making money doing something you absolutely love and have passion for.
The reason is so you don't hit a massive rude awakening when you realize how important Time is.

It takes balls and intelligence to really think about the future like a true Machiavellian, versus just winging it like an average bum.
I have strategically planned out the next 14 years of my Business endeavors.
My plan is to be 100% free by 46, thats 168 hours a week to go all out on my passions and to develop/pursue new ones.

One important note I should add is that:
In no way shape or form do I know if my plan will succeed.
For all I know I will be busting my ass as an Entrepreneur till the day I die.
Just saying I think that having some thoughtful foundation laid down is better than hoping for a punchers chance.

If you value time, particularly productive leisure time, then the best thing you can do is make as much money as possible when you're young. The best use of your 20s, in my view, is to put in the ground work that guarantees financial comfort and leisure from 30 or so onwards.

It was pointed out to me some time ago that the late 20s is really the beginning of a man's early prime - I think this is true. I've always had 30 in mind as the age by which I wanted to be financially set. Looking back on my 20s now at 27, and being on track to be rich at 30, I am very aware that I have done the best thing with this time I possibly could - sacrifice most things in the fairly single minded pursuit of wealth. My mind and my tastes are only now starting to become adult, and in many respects I would say I am on the cusp of real manhood - the beginnings of the manhood of intellectual and aesthetic maturity. I look at the things I would watch on TV, or waste my time reading, even as recently as a year ago, and for which I can muster no enthusiasm now. They've fallen away completely, particularly some of the things I would have watched previously, but which I can't make it through 10 minutes of now.

This hasn't happened through any deliberate process of self-improvement - it's been entirely natural. I think I have set myself up for a good life, barring unforeseen disaster, and I am pleased I did it in unproductive years. The thought of having the time, health, and resources to apply these burgeoning powers in future is something that makes me smile each time I think of it, and makes me double down to milk the most out of the last unremarkable couple of years ahead.

I would advise anyone young enough to do so, who might read this, to pick a path that gives them a good chance of being financially comfortable and healthy from as early an age as possible. If, whilst you mark time on your way to mental maturity, you are able to set yourself up to enjoy your full powers from a position of health, security and reasonable leisure, then I think you give yourself a very good shot at an extremely enjoyable life.

For the OP, I suggest he follows this guy on Youtube:


https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCIHdDJ0...-FS7s_X1kQ


His videos certainly did help me.

Quote: (01-16-2017 08:30 PM)Cruisen_Chubby Wrote:  

In regards to why my service is superior/unique: Without giving away the farm, on a personal level, I have been traveling the world for the last 3 years for almost free (I'd say 95% off retail) using travel hacking techniques (100% legal, there is a thread on the "other" forum here). Most people don't understand how this works. Well, I've integrated that into financial planning in order to help people create a budget and spend accordingly, racking up hundreds of thousands of miles and hotel points in the process. Ergo, my clients get the luxury travel--- but free up the cash that would have otherwise been spent in order to pay down debt and/or increase their investments (of which i get paid to manage)-- I also structure my pay on an AUM basis whereas I tell my clients (the more we grow their account, the more I get paid as a set %--- so our interests are aligned)... I find they really like this. I've also wrapped insurance needs and taxes into this plan as well... it's very entrepreneurial and relatively revolutionary in a sense that I haven't seen any other firm taking this approach.

I should also add that I have a mentor I am working under who makes 600k+ per year. He says that if I follow the steps I'm currently taking, i'll be in his situation in 5-10 years. All in all, I should be counting my blessings that I'm in such a great position to start my own business and have such access to a mentor;

I wanted to bold-face a few points that you can remind yourself of - even print this out because these are YOUR OWN WORDS AND IDEAS AND REALIZATIONS that came out in a state of flow as you explained how you're UNIQUE and capable of offering VALUE and also getting customers excited and happy with who you are and what you're doing for them! Worth keeping this nearby and reading it in any times you're unsure of your path!!!

Quote:Quote:

...but I can't help but to feel the following:

-What if, after 5-10 years, it doesn't work out... and I'm back to square one. I'll be so far behind my peers it'll seem like lightyears. Blood, sweat, and tears for... Who knows? Whereas as a W2 I'd at least have a sizeable 401k, some real estate, health insurance, etc.

With all you are already doing, and what you're learning from your mentor, and with the unique approach you're already aware of an implementing, how (in the name of sweet baby Jesus) could you possibly be back to square one?!? Your knowledge and experience is YOURS, no way you're giving it back or losing it! That's preciously-earned wisdom with your blood, sweat, laughter, tears, time, and energy - you've earned it, it's yours and yours alone. It's okay to claim that.. in fact, it's VITAL you claim that knowledge and experience as yours, to make you WISER because this is what makes it worthwhile 'getting older' because if you pay attention to your life experiences and lessons, you know how to find the most effective routes to a goal and your customers will appreciate that. They will PAY EXTRA for your time because of your ability to see the entire path ahead of them, like you're psychic, and save them TIME, FRUSTRATION, MONEY in the long run.

Please, take a deep breath and really take this in.. I had to work through some similar challenges so I really feel you here. You would need to be courageous to step into this new 'you' of 5-10 years from now. Maybe a part of you doesn't know how that 'you' will relate to your current friends or peer group. You will undoubtedly find NEW friends, collaborators, mentors, and the women you'll be attracted to will also change. Having been where you are now about 10 years ago, I can say MAN I wouldn't change anything!!! Including losing my father to heart disease 6 years ago... it taught me how fucking precious life is, how valuable my health is, and that every day I'm doing something to express my love and passion for life is a GREAT FUCKING DAY! No one can take anything away from you that you do with passion and knowing of your purpose.

It sounds like you have the ability to be very wealthy in a very short time... and comparisons are deadly (to others or what your mind may create within itself). I can promise you, there's no way you will have the same concerns if you stay with this path in 5 years.. you are more likely to be concerned with 'how can I get my message out, my products and services out, to more people, in the most effective and empowering way?' That's where I am now.. and why I love making videos and blogging about what I know, plus writing a book. Heck, can you imagine what you might write in a few years? How cool! Okay, back to this very serious 'worrying' that our minds love to do

Quote:Quote:

-In regards to freedom... I see this touted a lot that self employed have the freedom to do things their way at anytime, but I'm finding myself captive to client whims... What will happen to my travel/leisure when I have 500+ clients needing tax documents/distributions from funds/questions, etc. etc. I'm already beginning to feel like a prisoner with my modest client base.

A GOOD point - and it's important to set EXPECTATIONS on your availability, response time, etc. I've been there too, my friend. My approach has been to give enough reading material / resources / info for them to occupy themselves. I charge for longer conversations (more than 10 minutes). Do not give over-unrealistic estimates on times to complete projects. Double your estimates, and DON'T be bullied into THEIR timelines. This is the BIGGEST issue I've had to deal with and I still have to navigate now and then. If you are an EXPERT, they need to fucking WAIT and be FINE waiting. I even ask them up during my initial conversation "are you a patient person?" and indicate approximate lead-times for completion which can also change. I HATE BEING RUSHED and that's no way for a real professional to operate. This is what you have to get a hold of right now and moving forward, or you may as well go work for a 9-5. Expectation management is crucial!

Also, do you really NEED hundreds of clients to have a successful business? Is that your model? Look, I haven't created a formal business plan and think they're sometimes overrated but there's definitely value in understanding how you intend to make money, how you'll reach your customers.

In terms of improving efficiency and reducing workload / hassles of answering tons of questions from tons of people, I've ended up out-sourcing more of my stage 1 and stage 2 products ($25-100 and $300-$600) to distributors. That may not be relevant to you, but if you have a model you can patent/license and distribute that's something to consider - building your brand, so you have other people paying you royalties / licensing fees for your innovations. Necessity (too many damned people asking me questions on cheaper though high-margin products) was the mother of invention (finding those who could market and distribute what I've already packaged and have the supply chains for). I'm quite pleased to get royalty checks every quarter and again, wouldn't have envisioned that a few years ago!

If you're feeling like a prisoner already, you need to adjust your relationship with your customers, which is all about EXPECTATIONS as I already said - but it bears repeating. Another poster mentioned this too. The more experienced you are, the more exclusive access to you will become - think high-end patent lawyer doing international deals, heart surgeon who tours the world lecturing, etc. No one expects a top professional to respond to them within an hour, or even a half day - whatever rhythm you need to create for yourself and also imagine a few years down the road. Having your clients be on an opt-in mailing list where you can broadcast announcements is VERY helpful - either email or a service like Aweber which makes it easy to create and distribute newsletters without problems of spam via mass emails.

Quote:Quote:

-In regards to industry--- I don't regret my deep accounting/finance background as I have a lot of mobility; but I feel like as a RP young man my life is missing the danger and play that really stimulates me (perhaps I'm a socio, Idk). A life filled with tax returns and 401k rollovers sounds... although potentially profitable...rather mundane. I ask myself to think back to when I was a kid...is that what I really envisioned?

That would make two of us I love crazy hot women, and adrenaline rushes. I've also I found more danger and play in my 30s than my 20s! The hottest and most feminine woman I met was in my mid-30s (almost a fricking unicorn) and she was 21. I still remember how she tastes, her laugh when I was zipping around mountain curves and throwing her around on the way to my cabin in the woods to have my way with her. I was already well into growing my business and myself. I had yet to begin learning a 2nd foreign language but that was coming. You need to invest primarily in improving yourself, which in your case really involves improving your MINDSET - get Gorilla Mindset and work through it if you haven't already! If you're really willing to push yourself, sign up for a men's workshop with Michaela Boehm and Steve James (they're in Socal but do workshops around the world). It may sound woo-woo but you really learn to get deep into your body, and that helps calm and clarify your mind. You will be pushed to your physical limit just standing on one leg ... and then be invited to go deeper into the burn ... the greatest adventures you can take are diving into the depth of your soul, past the imaginary limits of physical world. I am a big advocate of silent retreats with Adyashanti.

The combination of these meditative and physical exertions have awoken a knowing within me that nothing else could. It's made all my life better, richer, sweeter... find whatever of these activities or something you've been putting off scares the heck out of you, and DO THAT THING! Odds are you don't have to travel very far ... for me being pretty shy in the past, it was rolling solo dolo at night. Got over that fear, now it feels closer to natural. What's your biggest fear that you can challenge TODAY or TONIGHT?

Quote:Quote:

These have been questions in the back of my mind for the greater part of a year now that have come to surface. Perhaps it's because I've been sick with the flu or the winter blues got me down-- but are these common issues? am I just lazy? Young and confused?

Thanks again to those who have already commented.

Again, all good questions - but make sure you READ what you KNOW (unique method and business, great mentor) and DIGEST that you have advantages that will stay with you forever! Time management, time mastery, may be what you need to focus on. How to skillfully carve out your day, make schedule and set customer expectations so you don't feel 'prisoner to their whims.'

Many deep insights have come to me while I was sick with a winter flu! Probably a rite of passage for us self-employed folks. Follow your bliss... Check out videos from Joseph Campbell (really a beautiful human being), the heroic journey. The time in our 'caves' helps prepare us to step back into the world with greater energy and clarity. It's part of a natural process. When you see how your life has ebbs and flows, even the moments that seem negative and down are just a necessary aspect of the cycle. The trick is to recognize that happening and cultivate that aspect of you - your awareness, the witness, the observer, your soul - which is outside all experience, all thought, all feelings. Find your stability in the quiet powerful loving presence that is always within you. This is another gift working for yourself provides ... the space to just be present, to be grateful for the gift of life, of having the courage and support to life a magnificent unique life that YOU are creating! The mind can indeed be in service to the soul, but you have to recognize when you're in contact with your soul and inner guidance. This is where meditation, yoga, challenging exercise, breath work / cardiac coherence, etc. all come together to train your inner knowing.

I'm not sure if you have the funds for it, but I really found Maui Masterminds very valuable as a business coaching resource. I attended one event and also engaged in one-on-one phone coaching with them. It was inspiring to see other small to medium-sized business owners with similar and different problems, and the insights from multi-millionaire / experienced business owners on how to navigate them. I highly HIGHLY recommend anyone who is serious about next-leveling your understanding to consider working with them. I did it for a year, and it was probably better than getting an MBA in terms of ROI!

Quote: (01-16-2017 08:30 PM)Cruisen_Chubby Wrote:  

In regards to why my service is superior/unique: Without giving away the farm, on a personal level, I have been traveling the world for the last 3 years for almost free (I'd say 95% off retail) using travel hacking techniques (100% legal, there is a thread on the "other" forum here). Most people don't understand how this works. Well, I've integrated that into financial planning in order to help people create a budget and spend accordingly, racking up hundreds of thousands of miles and hotel points in the process. Ergo, my clients get the luxury travel--- but free up the cash that would have otherwise been spent in order to pay down debt and/or increase their investments (of which i get paid to manage)-- I also structure my pay on an AUM basis whereas I tell my clients (the more we grow their account, the more I get paid as a set %--- so our interests are aligned)... I find they really like this. I've also wrapped insurance needs and taxes into this plan as well... it's very entrepreneurial and relatively revolutionary in a sense that I haven't seen any other firm taking this approach.

I should also add that I have a mentor I am working under who makes 600k+ per year. He says that if I follow the steps I'm currently taking, i'll be in his situation in 5-10 years. All in all, I should be counting my blessings that I'm in such a great position to start my own business and have such access to a mentor;

I wanted to bold-face a few points that you can remind yourself of - even print this out because these are YOUR OWN WORDS AND IDEAS AND REALIZATIONS that came out in a state of flow as you explained how you're UNIQUE and capable of offering VALUE and also getting customers excited and happy with who you are and what you're doing for them! Worth keeping this nearby and reading it in any times you're unsure of your path!!!

Quote:Quote:

...but I can't help but to feel the following:

-What if, after 5-10 years, it doesn't work out... and I'm back to square one. I'll be so far behind my peers it'll seem like lightyears. Blood, sweat, and tears for... Who knows? Whereas as a W2 I'd at least have a sizeable 401k, some real estate, health insurance, etc.

With all you are already doing, and what you're learning from your mentor, and with the unique approach you're already aware of an implementing, how (in the name of sweet baby Jesus) could you possibly be back to square one?!? Your knowledge and experience is YOURS, no way you're giving it back or losing it! That's preciously-earned wisdom with your blood, sweat, laughter, tears, time, and energy - you've earned it, it's yours and yours alone. It's okay to claim that.. in fact, it's VITAL you claim that knowledge and experience as yours, to make you WISER because this is what makes it worthwhile 'getting older' because if you pay attention to your life experiences and lessons, you know how to find the most effective routes to a goal and your customers will appreciate that. They will PAY EXTRA for your time because of your ability to see the entire path ahead of them, like you're psychic, and save them TIME, FRUSTRATION, MONEY in the long run.

Please, take a deep breath and really take this in.. I had to work through some similar challenges so I really feel you here. You would need to be courageous to step into this new 'you' of 5-10 years from now. Maybe a part of you doesn't know how that 'you' will relate to your current friends or peer group. You will undoubtedly find NEW friends, collaborators, mentors, and the women you'll be attracted to will also change. Having been where you are now about 10 years ago, I can say MAN I wouldn't change anything!!! Including losing my father to heart disease 6 years ago... it taught me how fucking precious life is, how valuable my health is, and that every day I'm doing something to express my love and passion for life is a GREAT FUCKING DAY! No one can take anything away from you that you do with passion and knowing of your purpose.

It sounds like you have the ability to be very wealthy in a very short time... and comparisons are deadly (to others or what your mind may create within itself). I can promise you, there's no way you will have the same concerns if you stay with this path in 5 years.. you are more likely to be concerned with 'how can I get my message out, my products and services out, to more people, in the most effective and empowering way?' That's where I am now.. and why I love making videos and blogging about what I know, plus writing a book. Heck, can you imagine what you might write in a few years? How cool! Okay, back to this very serious 'worrying' that our minds love to do

Quote:Quote:

-In regards to freedom... I see this touted a lot that self employed have the freedom to do things their way at anytime, but I'm finding myself captive to client whims... What will happen to my travel/leisure when I have 500+ clients needing tax documents/distributions from funds/questions, etc. etc. I'm already beginning to feel like a prisoner with my modest client base.

It sounds like you need to set up some automated systems / secure web server for them to access documents, a way to notify them when someone has been uploaded, etc. That can be done without requiring your direct time or through having an assistant (even part-time) who handles that with your oversight. Maui Masterminds is excellent at helping identify what areas are deficient (once you tell them how your business is run) and how to get more time, money, clients, etc.

A great video to watch - the 80/20 rule applies to your income: 80% of your income will likely come from 20% of your clients! So IDENTIFY them and take GREAT care of them!






A GOOD point - and it's important to set EXPECTATIONS on your availability, response time, etc. I've been there too, my friend. My approach has been to give enough reading material / resources / info for them to occupy themselves. I charge for longer conversations (more than 10 minutes). Do not give over-unrealistic estimates on times to complete projects. Double your estimates, and DON'T be bullied into THEIR timelines. This is the BIGGEST issue I've had to deal with and I still have to navigate now and then. If you are an EXPERT, they need to fucking WAIT and be FINE waiting. I even ask them up during my initial conversation "are you a patient person?" and indicate approximate lead-times for completion which can also change. I HATE BEING RUSHED and that's no way for a real professional to operate. This is what you have to get a hold of right now and moving forward, or you may as well go work for a 9-5. Expectation management is crucial!

Also, do you really NEED hundreds of clients to have a successful business? Is that your model? Look, I haven't created a formal business plan and think they're sometimes overrated but there's definitely value in understanding how you intend to make money, how you'll reach your customers.

In terms of improving efficiency and reducing workload / hassles of answering tons of questions from tons of people, I've ended up out-sourcing more of my stage 1 and stage 2 products ($25-100 and $300-$600) to distributors. That may not be relevant to you, but if you have a model you can patent/license and distribute that's something to consider - building your brand, so you have other people paying you royalties / licensing fees for your innovations. Necessity (too many damned people asking me questions on cheaper though high-margin products) was the mother of invention (finding those who could market and distribute what I've already packaged and have the supply chains for). I'm quite pleased to get royalty checks every quarter and again, wouldn't have envisioned that a few years ago!

If you're feeling like a prisoner already, you need to adjust your relationship with your customers, which is all about EXPECTATIONS as I already said - but it bears repeating. Another poster mentioned this too. The more experienced you are, the more exclusive access to you will become - think high-end patent lawyer doing international deals, heart surgeon who tours the world lecturing, etc. No one expects a top professional to respond to them within an hour, or even a half day - whatever rhythm you need to create for yourself and also imagine a few years down the road. Having your clients be on an opt-in mailing list where you can broadcast announcements is VERY helpful - either email or a service like Aweber which makes it easy to create and distribute newsletters without problems of spam via mass emails.

Quote:Quote:

-In regards to industry--- I don't regret my deep accounting/finance background as I have a lot of mobility; but I feel like as a RP young man my life is missing the danger and play that really stimulates me (perhaps I'm a socio, Idk). A life filled with tax returns and 401k rollovers sounds... although potentially profitable...rather mundane. I ask myself to think back to when I was a kid...is that what I really envisioned?

That would make two of us I love crazy hot women, and adrenaline rushes. I've also I found more danger and play in my 30s than my 20s! The hottest and most feminine woman I met was in my mid-30s (almost a fricking unicorn) and she was 21. I still remember how she tastes, her laugh when I was zipping around mountain curves and throwing her around on the way to my cabin in the woods to have my way with her. I was already well into growing my business and myself. I had yet to begin learning a 2nd foreign language but that was coming. You need to invest primarily in improving yourself, which in your case really involves improving your MINDSET - get Gorilla Mindset and work through it if you haven't already! If you're really willing to push yourself, sign up for a men's workshop with Michaela Boehm and Steve James (they're in Socal but do workshops around the world). It may sound woo-woo but you really learn to get deep into your body, and that helps calm and clarify your mind. You will be pushed to your physical limit just standing on one leg ... and then be invited to go deeper into the burn ... the greatest adventures you can take are diving into the depth of your soul, past the imaginary limits of physical world. I am a big advocate of silent retreats with Adyashanti.

The combination of these meditative and physical exertions have awoken a knowing within me that nothing else could. It's made all my life better, richer, sweeter... find whatever of these activities or something you've been putting off scares the heck out of you, and DO THAT THING! Odds are you don't have to travel very far ... for me being pretty shy in the past, it was rolling solo dolo at night. Got over that fear, now it feels closer to natural. What's your biggest fear that you can challenge TODAY or TONIGHT?

(Part 2)

Quote:Quote:

These have been questions in the back of my mind for the greater part of a year now that have come to surface. Perhaps it's because I've been sick with the flu or the winter blues got me down-- but are these common issues? am I just lazy? Young and confused?

Thanks again to those who have already commented.

Again, all good questions - but make sure you READ what you KNOW (unique method and business, great mentor) and DIGEST that you have advantages that will stay with you forever! Time management, time mastery, may be what you need to focus on. How to skillfully carve out your day, make schedule and set customer expectations so you don't feel 'prisoner to their whims.'

Many deep insights have come to me while I was sick with a winter flu! Probably a rite of passage for us self-employed folks. Follow your bliss... Check out videos from Joseph Campbell (really a beautiful human being), the heroic journey. The time in our 'caves' helps prepare us to step back into the world with greater energy and clarity. It's part of a natural process. When you see how your life has ebbs and flows, even the moments that seem negative and down are just a necessary aspect of the cycle. The trick is to recognize that happening and cultivate that aspect of you - your awareness, the witness, the observer, your soul - which is outside all experience, all thought, all feelings. Find your stability in the quiet powerful loving presence that is always within you. This is another gift working for yourself provides ... the space to just be present, to be grateful for the gift of life, of having the courage and support to life a magnificent unique life that YOU are creating! The mind can indeed be in service to the soul, but you have to recognize when you're in contact with your soul and inner guidance. This is where meditation, yoga, challenging exercise, breath work / cardiac coherence, etc. all come together to train your inner knowing.

I'm not sure if you have the funds for it, but I really found Maui Masterminds very valuable as a business coaching resource. I attended one event and also engaged in one-on-one phone coaching with them. It was inspiring to see other small to medium-sized business owners with similar and different problems, and the insights from multi-millionaire / experienced business owners on how to navigate them. I highly HIGHLY recommend anyone who is serious about next-leveling your understanding to consider working with them. I did it for a year, and it was probably better than getting an MBA in terms of ROI!

This deserves its own post and I HIGHLY recommend everyone read this article! 'Time Mastery' or the Time Value Matrix (they showed it as a pyramid when I took the course) is incredibly important and empowering.

http://www.inc.com/david-finkel/the-true...-time.html

Quote:Quote:

If 20 years of coaching business owners on growing their companies has taught me anything, it’s this:

The average business owner is overworked, stressed out, and feels pulled in 20 directions.

Most of all, they’re frustrated. Frustrated that they have too many lower-value tasks that clutter up their day and make it difficult to focus on those fewer, better things that potentially create the most value for their company.

Sadly, their “solution” is simply to work harder. They increase their hours, work at night and over the weekend. But all this just helps them maintain the status quo, not get ahead.

I want to let you in on a little secret. Working harder is not the answer. It will not get you the results you crave. In fact, the harder you work, chances are, the less you’ll accomplish that really matters. I know this sounds easy for me to say, but hang in there with me as I walk through a key concept with you.

You’ve likely heard of the Pareto Principle, which states that 80 percent of your efforts produces 20 percent of your results, and that 20 percent of your efforts produces 80 percent of your results. Well, if this is true (and my experience shows me that it is), let’s apply this concept more rigorously.

If you take that 20 percent of your actions that generates 80 percent of your results and apply the same distinction, then 20 percent of that 20 percent produces 80 percent of 80 percent of your results. That means that 4 percent of your efforts (the 20 percent of 20 percent) generates 64 percent of your results.

And if you can bear with me for another math moment, apply this distinction one more time…

This means that 1 percent (20 percent of 20 percent of 20 percent) generates 50 percent of your results! Think about it–1 percent of your highest-leverage work produces 50 percent of all your results!

We used this concept to create the Time Value Matrix (see image below), which is an actual tool my team and I came up with for our business coaching clients, to help them quickly and accurately break their activities down into these four distinct categories: A Time, B Time, C Time, and D Time.

...

^ - Good stuff!

Being self-employed does not nessecitate having a high-demand skill nor does it require you work longer hours than those with "real" jobs.

All you need is some product or service that people are willing to pay for. They don't care how hard you work on it, how long it takes you to create, or anything else, as long as they get the value they seek from it.

Essentially, your question boils down to this: "Is it better to be in control of my own finances, to take control of my own destiny and future, or to be a corporate wage slave getting paid peanuts and being given occasional treats like paid vacation or health insurance, where some unknown entity that only sees me as me as a salary causing a deficiet on the budget could ax me at anytime for any reason?"

Look, the sad reality is some people are meant to be slaves and sheep. That's why, despite the multitudes of complied knowledge on women and game, there are still BILLIONS of men who do stupid shit like post "u r so beatiful" on womens Facebook photos, pay for womens dinner (without getting laid) etc etc. Society NEEDS these people to function properly.

So the question you need to ask yourself is this: Which are you? Would you rather be a sheep, and follow the herd, having a "Shepherd" (boss) guide you along and "protect" you? (However, whenever he decides you're know longer useful, the staff he uses to protect you will be swung upon your head without warning)

Or would you rather BE the Shepherd, guiding your own sheep, be they clients or employees?


Who are you?

I have been self-employed for 3 years now and exactly know what you are referring to.

I have another problem, which is that I have set up my online business in such a way that I hardly have to work.

This allows my idle mind to cook up stuff that starts to work against me.

But this is exactly what you have to understand about the mind - that it never values what it has.

With your current mentality, I can bet my bottom dollar that if you get a nice paying corporate job, you would start to think about how awesome your self-employment phase was and how much freedom you had.

No matter what you do, the mind always tries to find something about it which is negative.

This is nothing but the ego trying to assert itself.

The mind knows that when you feel satisfied, it's existence is threatened so it cooks up a problem even when it's not there.

Once I understood this phenomenon, I naturally started to drop feelings of guilt, laziness, comparison with peers, etc.

I totally believe in one principle -which is that if you REALLY want something, you would not think about it. You would actively do something about it.

When you daydream about something, it just shows that your desire for that thing is not whole. It shows that your current misery is also accompanied by some benefit which you don't want to let go of.