When The Going Gets Tough, The Whiners Take Off?

As you know I am an avid reader. Usually 3 to 5 business books and at least 1 non-fiction book per month. I spend a lot of time catching up on the latest periodicals as well. So this morning I am up early and re-reading Gene Simons’ Book “Sex Money Kiss.” The man is a machine. A die hard worker and entrepreneur like you would not believe.

Reading his book, I was surprised he revealed all the things that didn’t go as planned. He used the word failed, but I don’t think so. He espouses what I call my “Triple F” strategy for success. Fail Forward Faster. Do something. Do it quick. Do it big. As the Nike slogan says – Just Do It! He tried so many things some worked, some didn’t; it is no wonder that he is so successful.

That is one of the things I like about so many people I meet. They are doers. They take action. They implement. Some have achieved their goals others have not done so yet. So what? They are going forward fast. That is the point. I don’t like Whiners. They spend their lives complaining. I like winners. They just go forward. Never looking backwards.

Jon Bon Jovi was interviewed on 60 minutes last Sunday. Jon and Gene have a ton in common. They are both business men first and rockers second. Anyway, the point is, while others in the industry have been worried about the trappings, these two guys have been busy making money. Compare and contrast that with most of their peers. Where are they now? What have they experienced in their lives? Fleeting Fame and Fortune.

I use these examples to illustrate what you can do as a real estate investor. Times, they are a changing. Laws are changing. Mortgage requirements are changing. Prices are changing. Days on market are changing. Buyers are not buying. But, hey you need to adapt to make money.

What have you done in the last 30 days to adapt? How have you made money doing the business of real estate investing? Did you notice how I worded that last sentence? Re-read it. I asked how you made money “Doing the Business” of real estate investing. That is the point. Doing the business of… “insert your business here!”

Last week I told you that I am in the process of making changes to my business. Consulting with multiple lawyers to adjust my business contracts and to help clarify what I can say to sellers and still be in compliance with the law. I am raising capital so that I can buy the houses at an agreeable price, for cash. I am changing my marketing so I do not get into trouble. Even rewriting scripts. Mainly adapting my business.

Most of the investors I spoke with are all freaking out. They are being Chicken Little. Pessimistic. I listened to one guy, who has never done a deal, telling two brand new investors that the real estate investing business is dead.

What service did this person do for these two novices? If I asked this guy he would say an unequivocal yes he helped them not make the mistake he made. He saved these people from loosing money on training and never doing anything.

After all, hadn’t he spent $1,900 to go to a bootcamp that didn’t help him make a million dollars in the next 90 days? After all, hadn’t he devoted two whole weekends in driving around looking for vacant houses and he couldn’t find even one. After all hadn’t he mailed out 500 postcards to pre-foreclosure properties and had talked to 4 sellers that wanted to stay in their house. He really worked this business. Ahh Bull S#!7

This guy was a waste of a chair. He attended meeting after meeting and didn’t do anything. If I had my choice I would have excommunicated him. You know like they used to do in the old west. Put a 2x4 across his back and tie his hands to it and make him walk into the dessert never to be heard from again. What he did was suck the ambition out of these two. I could see it in their eyes. They needed the spark rekindled. They needed to know they could do it.

I am not saying that this business is easy or cheap. (Notice the “B” word again.) You need to work hard and work smart to succeed. Anyone with the drive can do it. They don’t need loads of talent or charm, just persistence.

As mentioned last week I am holding a bootcamp on June 20-22nd on how to adapt your business to the new legal environment. It will not be cheap but it will be valuable. The most valuable training you could possibly attend this year. It is important that you reserve the time and the money to attend. If you are in Washington State it just may very well save your business. I will be sending out an announcement on Friday Morning. Keep a look out for it.