Who Are You?

Who Are You?

That’s the Million-Dollar question. It’s actually a very basic question, but one not often so easily answered.

Many people search a lifetime to discover who they are, while others find themselves redefining themselves multiple times throughout their lives.

It seems such a simple thing, so why is it so difficult for many to find the answer? We hear time and time again, to just search our hearts and find our passions, then we will discover our life purpose and “find ourselves”. Yet, so many don’t.

The reason this happens, is two-fold; first, when we search our passions and what we really want to do, become, and achieve in life, we tend to let self-doubt creep in and rationalize away what it is we really want. Thoughts like “Oh, I could never do that.”, or “I’m not smart enough.” or some other relevant limiting belief comes up and crushes our hopes of every doing that. Few people take the time to allow themselves to dream big and just let their imagination run wild with the thought and figure out “how” they could do it. When’s the last time you allowed yourself to be like a kid again, where everything was possible, and you could figure out a way to accomplish whatever you wanted?

Now! .... what if you were to allow that to happen?

Second, many people look at discovering who they are - or their life purpose - as being a static thing. I see it as a fluid, ever changing, ever evolving event. Who we were when we were 10 ... 16 ... 23 ... 32 ... 48 ... ? ... is not necessarily who we are now. Things change. We change. (Colonel Harland Sanders didn’t start Kentucky Fried Chicken until the age of 65).

For some, they have a grand purpose that they discover early in life and continue through out all their days. Others, will find multiple purposes in their life, adjusting as they go along.

Where we often miss our true purpose, is that many times it is right in front of us, but we don’t see it. We think that a “life purpose” has to be some huge thing that changes the World, when often ones life purpose may be to touch someone’s life, even ever so briefly. Or it may be to bring a child into this World, who will make a difference. A teacher, nurse, janitor, priest, social worker, police officer, or parent. All have vital roles and many opportunities every day in which they touch lives.

Brief interactions, a simple statement, or a kind gesture that changed the course of someone’s life. It’s happening all around us if we just open our eyes - and our hearts - wider and notice them.

- A child’s life is turned to one of hope, instead of despair, because someone took 10 minutes to listen to them and offer a kind word.

- A man is encouraged to walk the path of righteousness rather than turn to a life of crime, by a kind strangers simple act.

- Someone eats today, because a stranger thought to drop off some food at the local Food Bank.

Simple acts - that we often dismiss - can make a profound difference. What simple act can you perform today that will make a difference in someone else’s life?

Who are you ... Today?

Make It Happen!

Todd

The Secret to Wealth

Want to know the “Secrets” to Wealth?

Listen closely, what I’m about to tell you will change your life.

Are you listening?

Here is the number one secret to becoming wealthy ....

... there is no secret.

Did I have you hooked? Were you on the edge of your seat waiting to hear what the secret was? That what most sales-oriented programs and seminars will have you believe. That they have the secret to wealth, or the secret shortcut to making money in real estate, the “easy” way to wealth.

It’s what most people are looking for ... the “easy” way. Truth is, there is no easy way. It takes a lot of hard work to become successful. But it’s definitely worth it.

I didn’t mean to tease you, but just wanted to show you much we get drawn into the “wanting to believe” that there is some secret to wealth, and if we only knew it, then things would be so easy. Sales people prey on that believe, and will use it against you to sell you some grossly over-priced program or seminar .... only to teach you what everyone else knows.

Keep your eyes open, keep your wits about you, and don’t fall for the seduction of some secret to wealth.

What is real, that you may refer to as a “secret”, are the habits, traits and actions of successful people that were responsible for them getting where they are. There is value in many programs and coaching programs, and that is in teaching you these traits and techniques. Experience is priceless. Learning from someone else’s experience and years of knowledge can be invaluable to your success and definitely shortcut the time it takes you to achieve wealth. Use it wisely.

Just don’t fall for someone telling you they have some “secret” that no one else has.

Happy Investing!

Todd

Expect the Unexpected ...

Being a real estate investor, isn’t without it’s challenges. As I was reminded of last night.

So, it’s 11:30pm, and I get a call from the Police that one of the properties has been broken into, and they need me to come to secure the property and give a statement.

Arrrggghhhh .... there goes the night. So I drive 30 minutes to the property, and find that some people kicked in the french doors and stole the stainless steel refrigerator and stove we had in there. They had also cut the ice maker water line to the refrigerator, and water was all over the floor throughout the house from the water running. What fun.

Well, fortunately, the police had a lead from a neighbor who got the license number of the truck they were using. The police caught them. Well, that was not the end of it. Because now they needed evidence and photos. But the police photographer was busy elsewhere, so we had to wait .... and wait .... and wait some more.

Finally, the police want me to go over to the residence where they think the appliances were to identify them. So I went along, and it was them. Then, they had a truck bring them back over to the property. Well, that was all they did, drop them off - in the driveway. So the officer and myself had to carry them by hand back into the property to secure them. More fun.

Then, we had to wait more for the police photographer to show up, and they had to collect evidence. Finally, about 5am, they showed up. 10 minutes, they were done. I ended up spending the entire evening there and got home about 5:30am. Good thing I don’t work a regular job.

So, did I let this upset me? No! It’s not worth my time. I discovered a long time ago, that it does no good to get upset over unimportant things. The event happened, and getting upset over it isn’t going to change the outcome. So I stayed calm, and focused on the solution. Problem solved.

One thing you can be sure of as a real estate investor, and that is to .... Expect the Unexpected!

Happy Investing!

Todd

It’s 2008! What Will Your Year be Like?

Well here we are, another New Year! It’s 2008, and I’m sure many of you are making your plans and New Year’s Resolutions.

So what kind of year do you have planned?

Did you make the typical resolutions - lose weight, stop smoking, get healthy, make money? The standard vague, open-ended resolutions. Well, let me ask you. Did you just make a statement, or do you have a specific plan behind it?

Did you decide to lose weight, but don’t know how you are going to do it? What exactly will you do to stop smoking? “How” will you get healthy? Make money? Do you have a plan on how you will do that, or just hoping and dreaming?

A wish without a plan behind it, is just a dream. But when you take a dream and put a specific plan behind it, then you have a Goal! So get specific.

What, specifically will you do to achieve your goal?

What steps will you take - daily - to move yourself closer and closer to your goal?

When, will you accomplish this goal?

Who else will be involved, who will help/assist you and support you in achieving it?

Don’t let another resolution go unaccomplished, turn it into a specific goal, and take daily action towards achieving it. When you have a plan, and can monitor your progress, it will help you keep more motivated towards achieving it, and will let you know how you are doing, and when and where you need to make adjustments to keep yourself on track.

Set your goals, and achieve them ... and let nothing stop you!

Here’s wishing you a Happy 2008!

Happy Investing!

Todd

What Are You Grateful For?

The Holidays are a time of reflection. A time to stop and be grateful for the things that have happened, the things we have now, and the things that are to come in our lives. All too often we never take the time to appreciate the things we have, big or small. We get so wrapped up in our pressures and problems, wallowing in self-pity that consumes us and blinds us to the things we have that we take for granted.

When was the last time you told someone close to you that you loved them?

When did you last tell a parent sincerely how grateful you were to them for raising you and taking care of you?

Does that close friend of yours really know how you feel for all they have done for you and for sticking by you through good and bad?

Are you grateful for the little things you overlook? Your health? A roof over your head? Food on your table? Your children?

While you may or may not have all these things, there are things - no matter how basic - that you should be grateful for. Two legs, two good eyes, your hearing, being able to take in a breath and have life.

We often spend so much time worrying and whining about what we don’t have, that we never take the time to be grateful for all the things we do have that we take for granted.

You don’t have to be rich, or have grand things happen in your life to be grateful ... look around you, and appreciate even the little things. Be grateful.

Happy Investing!

Todd

Change Is All Around You

Every day things are changing around us, you just need to open your eyes and look for it.

Change is ......

A 17th Century Palace meets Modern World.
The trees changing with the seasons.
The look on a child’s face.
The Love you feel for your significant other.
Wisdom that grows with time.
The way you see beauty in nature you didn’t notice before.
Appreciating others happiness.
Going out of your way to help someone you didn’t before.
Letting go of negativity, and trying something new.

Every day so many things are changing around us, and within us. How you embrace that change, is up to you. You have a choice whether to appreciate things and be happy about them, or be negative and constantly complain about it.

If you want to truly change things in your life, you first must change from within. Change your attitude, change your opinions, change your beliefs. You don’t have to be a victim of things that “happen” to you, but rather you can be the change that creates new opportunities.

Unsuccessful people believe they are merely victims of things that happen to them in life.

Successful people believe that they direct what happens to them in life and create their success.

What changes in your life, if you made them now, would create a new and better outcome for you?

Make it happen.

Happy Investing!

Todd

Surviving the Holiday Season!

The Holidays are upon us. With Thanksgiving (in the U.S.) just past, and Christmas/Hanukka/Kwanzaa coming up soon, it’s going to be a busy time for everyone.

The Holidays can be a distracting time for an entrepreneur, with all the family gatherings, all the preparations for the Holidays coming up, buying gifts, etc, it can certainly distract one from working on their dreams and goals. Not to mention, the fact that many people take trips during this time, and many businesses close down for long periods of time (even if they don’t close, the people who work there are so distracted with the Holidays, that not much gets done). This is especially true with business related to real estate investing ... real estate agents, title companies, attorney’s offices, Government offices like the County Recorder’s and Tax Assessors Offices.

Essentially, in December, business slows down for real estate investors. It doesn’t come to a stop, just slows down considerably.

So how do we survive the Holiday Seasons? We adjust. One thing to keep in mind, is that sellers, are still eager to sell. Especially with the Holidays, when money is needed for gifts, heating, paying bills (credit cards especially). So you want to keep up with your deal locating regimen. The deals are still out there.

This is also a great time to redo your planning and goal setting, and to spend time educating yourself more. You see, when the Holidays are over, and all the festivities die down, and January comes .... that is the time to really kick things into gear. Everyone focuses on business again, and many people want to sell properties to raise cash from the Holiday financial drain.

So you don’t want to be idle during December, you want to plan, prepare, educate, and get ready to hit the ground running once January comes. Things will really pick up the first part of January, and you want to be ready.

I love when the beginning of the new year comes in January, it’s when things get really busy, and we all start making a lot of money.

I’m ready, are you?

Happy Investing!

Todd

Who's on Your Team?

That’s me with the Construction crew owner on one of the rehab projects.

You hear it so often, “To succeed, you have to surround yourself with the right people!”. This can include many things. Friends, mentors, support team, accountants, attorneys, agents, construction people, and so on.

Finding and working with the right people can make all the difference. But it’s not always easy to find them, and often, over time your team will change. Some people are good for a while, then they lose momentum. So you have to always be on the lookout for people who will help you get where you want to go.

I’m a highly motivated individual, with ever growing goals and aspirations. So it can be a challenge to find people who are as passionate and motivated to work with. I know what is possible and what I want to achieve, but not everyone shares that passion.

As long as you know where you are going, and continue on that path with unfailing determination, you will reach your goals. Start building your team. It can be friends who support you, work people to help with improving your properties, other investors, anyone that supports you and can help you get where you want to go. Find people that will motivate you, and keep you moving in the direction of your dreams . . .

. . . and never, never, never ever give up!

Happy Investing!

Todd

So Many Opportunities . . .

That’s me, in Shibuya crossing in Tokyo, Japan, the busiest pedestrian crossing in the World. I’ve heard reports that more than a Million people per day cross at this intersection. It was featured in the movies “Lost in Translation”, and “Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift”.

Shibuya is known as one of the fashion districts for many Japanese youth, and has an active night life. Shibuya, presents many opportunities and a multitude of choices.

You have many opportunities and choices in your life as well. You make choices every day on what you wear, what you eat, where you go, what work you do ..... and what kind of income we have.

What??? We make a choice on what kind of income we have? Are you crazy? Well, perhaps, but if I’m crazy for doing what I do and making the kind of income that I make, then I don’t want to become sane. LOL!!!

We all have so many choices that we don’t realize. Opporunities exist that are available to virtually everyone that can make us more money. What stops us, is the lack of belief that it’s possible. Many people believe “it takes money to make money”, “you have to be smart to succeed”, “you have to be ‘lucky’ to succeed and make money”. All of which is totally false.

If you want something bad enough, then you will find a way to make it possible. I have seen so many people who had nothing and no money, succeed beyond their wildest dreams - because they wanted it, and didn’t let anything stop them.

So what’s stopping you?

Happy Investing!

Todd

"Multi" Dimensional Thinking

In real estate investing, as in many areas of life, to truly succeed, you need to learn to think on many different levels. This means, that as you learn and grow, you must expand your thinking, and your investing.

Anytime you start some new endeavor, you need to focus on one particular area, and excell at it. From there, you grow and expand into other areas. However, many investors forget to expand. They stay locked into what they know, and excel at it tremendously ... yet, staying with what you know, is not growth. To grow, you much go beyond that which you know, and in real estate investing, that means expanding into other areas of investing.

As you develop your investing muscles, you should stay mainly in what you do best, but expand your wings into other areas. As most people start out with single-family homes, from there, over time, you should also look into doing multi-unit properties.

Single-family homes are great for building cash, growth through appreciation, and easy liquidity. Multi-units can be great for cash flow. The secret to surviving long term as an investor, is to implement both into your investing regimen. Single family homes for building up cash, and multi-units for creating cash flow.

Happy Investing!

Todd

Fall Break

Ahhhh, fall is here. Yes, even in Arizona. Believe it or not we do have seasons .... well, sort of. Phoenix cools down at night and the days, are just .... well .... Heaven!!! Just right.

Northern Arizona has more prominent season, and I bet you didn’t know .... we actually get snow. Shocking, I know. The Grand Canyon will get several inches of snow, and in Flagstaff, they will get several feet of snow, and there is a ski resort there in the mountains. Northern Arizona looks a lot like Colorado. Not at all what you would think of Arizona being like.

That’s one of the things I love about Arizona, the diversity. You can go swimming in Phoenix, then drive 2 hours North and go snow skiing. Amazing.

Fall is a time of change, a time of the coming renewal. Many Holidays are coming up, then the New Year, then the spring when everything is fresh and new.

If you are fortunate enough to be in an area when you can see the seasonal changing of the leaves of the trees, as you enjoy this beauty, also take into account what changes and renewals you can be making in your own life. What have you been putting off that you know you need to do? What changes would dramatically improve your life? What will you be doing in the coming weeks and months to make them happen?

Make those changes now, and enjoy a different level of living. If you want your life to be outstanding, then you must become outstanding. It all starts with that first step.

Happy Investing!

Todd

Are You a Player, or a Spectator?

Yup! That’s me, hitting one off (What? You think I work all the time?, LOL!).

I do take time to stop and enjoy life a bit, what’s the point in succeeding if you don’t enjoy the fruits of your labor?

Much has been happening the past year in the real estate and lending markets. Foreclosures are at record highs ... banks and big lenders and going bankrupt ... yet, did you know that during all this many people are sitting out, while many others are making a fortune?

I often see so many people who don’t like to get into something when things are bad. They think the time to get into something, is when it’s good. This is the thinking of the poor. The Wealth think (and know), that the opposite is true. When prices are at a low, that’s the time to get into it. Of course, the reason prices are low, is because things are bad. But that’s when fortunes are made. Prices (especially in real estate), inevitably go up. It’s the market cycle.

Now is one of - if not the - best time to get into real estate investing. Incredible fortunes will be made.

The reason most people don’t get into real estate when the market is bad can be summed up in one word .... fear. They fear losing money, they fear making a mistake. Fear, however, will keep you poor. Now, I’m not saying be fearless, and many people associate that with being bold and taking risk. You can take well-planned out and calculated risk, and become wealthy.

Learn from those that have been there, read their books, join clubs, seek out those that can assist you in creating your own wealth. The most important thing is, DO SOMETHING!!!!!! Take actions towards what you want. It’s the players who enjoy the thrill and spoils of the game, not the spectators.

Start being a player, not a spectator.

Happy Investing!

Todd

Bits and Pieces ...

I tell you, this has been quite a summer. Despite all the craziness in the real estate and lending market, things have been going pretty good. Here’s an overview of some of the happenings.

- MySpace page went up, been getting a good list of friends started, and met some interesting people. Making some good business contacts as well. If you are on MySpace, drop me a note and request to be added as one of my friends.

- The Millionaire Coaching Newsletter, is underway. Although an issue has not yet gone out, it is in process. I am putting together some contributing editors to give you a variety of information. Tips and strategies to further your investing career. Go to the main page http://www.MillionaireCoaching.com and register for this free newsletter.

- FlipIt.com, asked me to come on board to do some articles and do a Q & A section (see previous blog).

- New Coaching Clients, several new clients came on-board under a new partnership program I am developing. This new program allows me to get even more involved with my clients, and help them to achieve even greater levels of success in a much shorter time period. In just the past few months, they are showing very good results. Stay tuned for more updates on this and their progress.

I’ve got many things going on, much of which I cannot discuss here ... yet! Some “secret” projects that are going to be very good for everyone.

Stay tuned for more.

Happy Investing!

Todd


P.S. The pic above is our corporate mascot, security bear, and master web designer - BabyLove!

FlipIt.com

Recently I was asked to come on board with FlipIt.com, a real estate classifieds listings site. I was approached to start a real estate articles section, as well as launch a Question & Answer section for visitors to write in with their questions. In addition to all this, they have also requested that I start up a Live Event Investor Training program.

The owner of FlipIt.com approached me because they are getting many questions from visitors and members of their site, who want to know more about investing. They also have been receiving many request for FlipIt.com to teach them how to invest in the many great properties that are on their site. So to fulfill this need, they have asked me to come in to fill the void.

I am very honored to be asked to contribute to this site. I’m picky about who I work with, and after checking out FlipIt.com and meeting with the owner, I am very pleased to become a part of what they are doing. I look forward to bringing them some great articles on real estate investing and making money, and to be able to answer visitors questions right there on the site. I am also very excited to getting back into presenting seminars and teaching others how to make money in this exciting and highly profitable business.

I hope you will join me in this new venture, and support FlipIt.com by visiting their site and contributing with your questions. Also, if you would like FlipIt.com to bring me to your city for a live training, write them and let them know.

This is going to be an exciting collaboration, and I look forward to you joining me there.

Happy Investing!

Todd

REWARD: $1,000 Wanted Dead or Alive!

Preferably Wanted Alive!

I currently have some openings available in my Gold Level Coaching Program. I know there are some of you out there who want to do my coaching, but simply can’t afford it at this time. So what I am doing, is giving you an opportunity to make some money.

If you know of someone who may be interested in my programs, simply refer them to my website, I’ll discuss all the details with them, and when they sign up and pay for the program, I will send you a check for $1,000. It’s that simple.

Want to make even more money? Promote my coaching on your website or on message boards, and get others to sign up. I will pay you $1,000 for every person who qualifies and signs up (make sure that you refer them to get credit).

But hurry, I only have a few slots open, and they will fill up fast!

Happy Investing!

Todd

What's up with all the Negativity?

Wow!

What is up with people lately? Seems everywhere I turn I am reading something negative about real estate investing, or someone slamming on some topic. Now, it’s not directed at me, but I just can’t believe the negativity of some people.

I was recently on a popular search engines message boards, and I occasionally go on there to answer questions relating to real estate, home buying, investing, etc. Well, there were some threads started that were slamming real estate seminars and how they are all rip offs, etc. Seems this person paid a lot to attend a weekend real estate investing training, and now, 30 days later, he’s not rich and is making a point of going around slamming the seminar guru. So I post telling how I had been very successful investing in real estate and that they need to give it more time, and asked what the challenges were that they were having. Well my gosh, suddenly about a dozen people started posting attacking me, saying I was wrong (imagine that, telling me that my personal experiences were not real, hummm), and then accusing me of being an employee of the guru and that I was on there just planting false stories of success on the internet, etc. Just on and on.

It was really sad, they simply would not accept that success could be real and that ordinary people could make money. They were totally convinced that any ways of making money were all scams and ripoffs and nothing anyone said was going to change their minds.

Then I was reading on another board, where someone was asking how they could get started investing in real estate and how no money down worked, etc. Well, someone jumps on, saying how they were this “professional investor” and had been doing it for 20 years, and that all the stories of buying property with no money down and creative financing was not true, and that the strategies in books and courses might have worked years ago, but not today. It was so negative, and this person was supposed to be a real estate investor.

I just couldn’t believe how they could be so negative and closed minded. How could someone who is an investor, not know how to do creative techniques or no money down? Are they from the same planet? It’s crazy, they were discouraging others based on their limited knowledge and negative limitations. I have been doing creative financing and no money down for years, I have the documents to prove it. Yet, they were there saying that people like me don’t exist, and that all I do and live is false???

Unbelieveable!

Don’t let others tell you that you can’t do something. No money down, creative financing, getting great deals, it’s all real ... it’s takes work, and every strategy or technique, doesn’t work on every deal, all the time, but you will find plenty of the right deals to match your buying strategy if you stick with it and persist.

Never give up, and always follow your dreams.

Happy Investing!

Todd

The Future's so Bright, I Gotta Wear Shades!

I’m not one to just sit around, I am always creating and coming up with new things. I have a million ideas running around in my head, and I’m amazed sometimes that I find the time to pursue most of them.

Lately, the ideas have just been flowing, and in a big way. Currently I am putting together something rather big, actually, it’s huge! One of those “set the world on fire” kind of ideas. I can’t elaborate too much on it right now, but let me just say it’s going to be phenomenal. Something that no one in this industry has done before. I’m talking about a new business I am setting up, that will be generating in the tens of millions of dollars per year in about 5 years time (and is going to make a lot of new millionaires - and “no”, it’s not anything to do with MLM or anything like that).

I told you it was phenomenal. It’s one of those “Ah ha” kind of ideas that hit me, and feels so natural and congruent. I am really looking forward to it. It’s going to take a lot of work, and bringing on new staff, but it’s going to be a blast and highly profitable.

I’m also going to be taking on some investor partners who will share a small ownership in the new company, so if you - or anyone you know - has an interest in it, let me know.

Yes, the future’s so bright - I have to wear shades (and 90 sun block, lol).

Happy Investing!

Todd

Happy Birthday to Me!!

Yup! That’s me, on my 1st birthday (I’ve always been a happy guy). Well, it’s that time of year again. I’ve got a birthday coming up next week (no, I’m not saying exactly what day, or how old - young - I am going to be).

Once you hit a certain age - uh hummm - birthday’s kind of become just another day. Oh, don’t get me wrong, I still enjoy celebrating them, seeing friends, having a great dinner, and yes, even a cake (hey, I’m not that old, I still like cake on my birthday).

To be honest, it’s seems the “older” I get chronologically, the younger I feel. I’m enjoying life more, and I think with age comes wisdom, and more memories to reflect on that make the current new moments that much more special.

They say that age is all in your head - and I believe they’re right. You are only as old as you feel, or more importantly, “think” you feel. For me, I think I’ll feel great. That’s my choice.

Happy Investing!

Todd

Are your Dreams stopping you from Achieving your Goals?

Are your dreams stopping you from achieving your goals? What? Are you crazy? Hold on, let me explain. There is a big difference between dreams and goals that most people don’t realize.

Dreams, are abstract wishes, something we want, something we “dream” of having. But they lack a plan. All they are is a thought, something in our mind that we think of, that seems off in the distant future somewhere. As time goes on, a dream just remains off in that distant future, and never seems to get any closer. We dream of something that we “hope” will happen in a few years. But a few years go by, and that dream is still a few years off in the future. As each year passes, that dream always remains off in the distant future, and it keeps at the same distance as we move along through time.

In order to bring those dreams closer and make them a reality, we need to have a plan for achieving them.

Dreams will never materialize without a definite plan of action to bring us closer to that dream happening. By making a plan, we set a course of action to take one step at a time towards making our dream a reality, set deadlines to shoot for in accomplishing each step. When we do this, we have set a goal. By setting down a course of action, and devising a definite set of steps to achieving it, and by having a means for it’s accomplishment, we have turned that simple dream, into a defined goal.

A goal, is a dream with a plan for accomplishing it.

It’s great to chase a dream ... but chasing it is all we are doing until we turn it into a goal.

“Dreams, are but a fantasy upon the winds of time; creating a goal brings it into reality.”

Happy Investing!

Todd

This IS a people business!

Often when I ask people, “Do you know what kind of business you’re ‘really’ in?” The response I get is, “Real estate investing!” To, which I reply,

“No, you are in the people business.”

Time and time again I have tried to express to people, “This business is not so much about real estate, as it is about dealing with people.” Real estate doesn’t care who owns it or how much money you make from it. The one thing standing between you, and making an absolute fortune in this business – is people. They are the ones who will agree to make deals, sell you a property in a certain way, and approve or disapprove of funding.

Oh great! Now do we sit around and gripe and complain about how unfair people are and how they are standing in the way of our pursuit of our dreams, or do we learn how to better work with these people and lower the resistance we encounter? I prefer to opt for the latter.

Those of you who know me, know that I have a passion for studying success, more specifically, why some succeed while others fall short of their goals (or don’t begin at all). One of the most important things I have learned, is that much of success in real estate investing - or any other entrepreneurial venture – has to do largely with one’s ability to be able to get along with and handle people. The better you become at being able to get along with people, make them feel comfortable with you, and listen to them and be able to provide solutions to their problem. The better you will be at getting closer to making money in this business.

When I started in this business at the ripe old age of 26 back in 1990, I didn’t know the first thing about business, sales, or even talking with people (was actually pretty shy about speaking to people in general). But I realized that if I didn’t learn some things, I wouldn’t go too far. So I started learning the basics of sales and business. I also started reading some things on motivation and personal development. I was actually resistant to it at first. Like most people I thought, “Yeah, yeah, all that personal development stuff is fine, just teach me how to make money and I’ll learn all that later when I’m rich.” But I soon found out just how wrong that type of thinking was. Whether you learn it on purpose, by accident, or already possess it … to succeed as an entrepreneur you need to know at least the basics of sales, self-motivation, goal-setting, and communication skills. Some of the diehards like to argue that they never learned any of these things and that they are not necessary to success. But upon examination, those very people do indeed possess some of these skills, they just aren’t consciously aware of it.

So, if you are not good with people and don’t know business or sales, and are scared to death to talk to people ….. are you S.O.L. at succeeding in this business? NO! Of course not. People skills, sales, and basic business are all teachable skills. Success IS NOT simply a matter of “you either have it, or you don’t.” You can learn it. Everyone is at different stages, and some need to learn more than others to bring them up to speed.

Keep in mind, that these things are in addition to your real estate knowledge. You must know and understand your particular area of real estate you are focusing on. These “other” skills you acquire will enhance what you do as an investor. Anyone can learn “about” real estate investing, the mechanics. But to excel, one must learn how to use the information. How to put it into “action”, and present it.

If you find yourself being like most people, and are nervous about talking or presenting to people, one of the best skills you can acquire is your speaking and presentation skills. Join a local ToastMasters Club, they are a national network of local clubs to learn speaking and presentation skills.

Overcome your fear of talking to people – afterall, this IS a people business.

Happy Investing!

Todd