Ask a real estate entrepreneur how to be successful in real estate investing and you’ll get a handful of opinions and strategies…
Which is totally cool…
One thing for sure is we’re ALL work toward the same thing…
And putting money aside for a moment, wouldn’t you agree that it’s FREEDOM we’re after?
Truth is…hardly any of ’em are living true freedom
or will ever GET it.
Pretty harsh right?
I say that because I see this every day with coaching clients…
I see it monthly when I host masterminds and meet people like you and me STRIVING to replace their income…
And it’s no secret that I LIVED this struggle for most of my life.
When I learned how to be successful in real estate investing…
I had to first step back and plan for a lifestyle…
NOT a real estate strategy.
This is something I never did in ALL of my businesses…
Because I had to BE THERE to constantly run them.
I don’t care how much money you’re making…
IF you have to sit at the desk operating your company…
You’re just maintaining life. (even if it’s a life with lots of money)
Think about it…
Just getting by week after week…
Catching up on all the “stuff” that needs to get done…
the constant battle with the overload of work and email jail…
just means working later nights…
more weekends…
and more holidays.
Is THAT freedom?
I don’t think so – it’s a never ending battle – the “circular chaos” I like to call it with my coaching clients.
So why do we do it?
- because most real estate investors have “money” as their #1 priority.
- they have ZERO plan in which to build their lifestyle.
- they IGNORE their current lifestyle to get #1
…circular chaos
And they end up working all the time…
Pushing the very “freedom” they want further and further away
If you’re working all the time – you may as well just go get a job.
Because you’re not building a business.
You’re building a nice J.O.B.
More hard truth.
I needed to learn this mindset if I wanted to keep the freedom I had already…
and create a business that continues to gives me, even MORE, freedom.
For some people, that “freedom” they already have may only be weekends…
So WHY THE HELL would you be willing to give that up?
Constantly!!
If you’re in that circular chaos, my suggestion is to step back and identify what TODAY’S lifestyle MEANS to you.
Not the one you’re willing to “wait and hope” for.
If I was sitting with you in private coaching session – I’ll bet I can prove to you that it’s NOT the money OR the next real estate deal…
Doesn’t matter HOW much you “love” real estate.
My question would be: “ARE you living based on the lifestyle you truly desire?”
If the answer is “no” – then what is the next step for you to move TOWARD that lifestyle?
HINT: it’s NOT adding more work to your day.
Strategic Commitment = How to be successful in real estate investing
When you commit to a goal – it means you’re willing to do whatever it takes…
Now I could totally write a novel here, but I won’t for the sake of time…
But this is where I disagree with how MOST entrepreneurs think…
Because they believe ‘whatever it takes’ means sacrifice…
And sacrifice is giving up something you love isn’t it?
So WHY would you want to sacrifice?
Because you’ve ‘read’ the quotes?
Heard some guru say that’s how they did it?
Because you believe it’s the only way?
My belief is that you don’t have to sacrifice…
It’s a crock to think you have to give up your life, family, and friends (even for a few years) to build a business.
And if you ARE doing that – then its are not as important as you say it is…
Again, straight-shootin’ from the hip.
All you have to do is STRATEGICALLY commit
which means you have a plan in place to build a business that scales (expands without you being there)…
It is sustainable (which means the model is repeatable and follows a system)
And is in a position to sell at some point if you wanted to. (realtors, are you hearing me? Don’t build “YOUR NAME HERE Real Estate Team” because who’s going to buy that in the end?)
Where is your focus – money or lifestyle?
Part of the problem with having a singular focus on money day in and day out is that it SEVERS us from the preset.
Why?
Because we’re living in the future…always looking for the next dollar.
It’s never “good” enough.
And a quick Google search can find all kinds of these ‘real estate’ gurus…
That’s not a business my friend.
Because you are missing what’s under your nose – the LIFE you want to live.
And don’t just take my word for it…
I think it was Rich Schefren (the guru to the gurus) who said “What else can I do” is a dangerous question to ask.
And isn’t it true?
Think about how many people you know who are always out at seminars and training sessions, reading books and taking home study courses to ‘find out what other stuff they can do’.
They’re missing is LIFE. The FREEDOM they say they want.
There’s not ONE simple solution…but it begins with being present.
It starts with knowing what your business is all for.
And, it has to do with setting boundaries that align with your values.
In my private masterminds, this is what we talk about.
We define HOW our businesses will FIT into our lives.
We talk about things we are SACRIFICING to build the business…
The stuff most of us either don’t see or choose to ignore because we inject busyness into our lives.
Because guess what; the real estate investing strategies and systems are EASY.
TRUST me.
But when you get in touch with what you’re willing to fight for (umm…freedom) you stop chasing every “opportunity” put in front of you.
Because most of the time it violates your freedom.
Got me?
I hope this jiggles some thoughts in your head when you’re thinking about another ‘opportunity’ that pulls you away from your life.
And I’m NO LONGER willing to sacrifice any more of my life for my business.
But that doesn’t mean I’m unwilling to work for it…
It just means I’ll design and build it with the LIFESTYLE I have now so I can continue to move ahead to the lifestyle I want tomorrow.
I hope this serves you to go create the freedom YOU deserve.
I realize this is an alternate perspective from what most ‘real estate gurus’ teach in their “how to be successful in real estate investing” courses…
But it’s probably the most important real estate investing strategy we can learn…
Let’s get a conversation going below – I’d love to know what you think.
– Joey
Fantastic Joey!
It is truly amazing what accomplishments can be had with a simple shift in thought. Of course simple is not always easy. Its assuring to know that you have created a place to reinforce life building ideas.
Thanks Rob!
Mindset is EVERYTHING. And you’re exactly right – simple is not easy.
And common sense is not common PRACTICE.
Which is the point of this whole post – so many real estate entrepreneurs will NEVER achieve personal freedom because they are unwilling to make the shift – to understand that it’s about lifestyle first and not later.
Thanks for the comment my friend!
I’m sure you’re on the right mindset track 🙂