Why Do You Do What You Do?

I want to talk to you about the reason you chose to get into real-estate. The “why” we are willing to risk, and spend our resources in real estate as a vehicle to create income for ourselves will make or break the adventure.

I was working in a job and the boss passed me over for a promotion. I decided I would make enough money from real estate to buy the house across the street and on both sides of her house. Then I would rent to the house to social misfits. This would drive down her property value, make her life miserable, and I would have my pound of flesh. What happened was I made enough money on a few real estate deals to buy the house across the street from hers. When I had accumulated that money my goals changed and I bought something which would make more money rather than seeking revenge.

When people go the big seminars of the national speakers they get excited. The speakers stress financial independence, paying off the credit cards, creating a legacy for your children, vacations, and more time with the family. These are all good reasons to become involved in real estate. The truth of the matter is only a few of these items will keep you in the game when luck runs out. There are a few reasons that will keep you passionate about what you do, when the times get hard. I put together a goal to make enough money to have the beautiful women on the infomercials, like Tom Vu. I realized quickly that I had the best friends money could buy. This was not inspiring.

Money is a short term motivator. Once you have gotten a few checks for $5,000 you say been there done that. This is way too hard for that kid of money. More importantly if you have never gotten a pay check for $5,000 you feel that it is unrealistic. Your passion starts to wane and the level of effort drops off.

When I decided to have a dream and vision that was for the greater good, then my passion increased and I had more energy. My family is a motivator. Family, cleaner air, education, battered women, or socially conscious causes are longer term motivators. These visions will keep you going when times get tough. My family is a great support system for me. My family listens to my rants and raves. They have cheered me on. They hold me accountable. They have inspired me. On the other side of the coin, if your family team is criticizing you and saying it will never work then guess what… you will drop out.

Passion that is in your belly will drive you. Emotional/ Social causes will get you up early and give you energy to stay up late. A great personalized “WHY” is what will support anyone to be a success. Passion for supporting something that is greater than you will cause you to get out of bed. It will allow you to get up after you have hit a wall. There are many people out here in business who have a great “WHY”. They have a foundation, or non profit.  They work their business which works to support their “WHY”.

In order to figure out what is your burning “WHY”, find out what gets you excited about life. Here is an easy way to do it. Put yourself mentally or physically in a place where you have an abundance of money. So here is the action item:

1. I want you to imagine you have $500 million dollars.
2. List all of the things you would do with that money, and the rest of your life.

You will soon realize that you can only drink so much great wine, eat at so many 5 star restaurants, go to so many Cannes film festivals, dive in pristine waters and reefs, see the seven wonders of the world, travel around the world, or jump out of so many airplanes. After spending 250 million what are you going to do? When you reach that point you will know the “why”. Now take this “why” and build a plan your future. Then share this “why with others.

My “Why” is to take fragile child out of terrible environments and give them a system for success. By giving the child the proper tools they can create a better life. The chances for a child to have a great life and give back go up dramatically with the right beliefs and coping tools.

Find your “Why”. Then Share it!

Now go out and do it!