Author: Brenda Cote
All of us want more. Chances are you are reading this
hoping to learn something new, a piece of information that
will help bring more satisfaction to your life. You may be
thinking that becoming a thriving real estate investor is a
good way to get there. You are right.
Over the years, I have met countless people who said they
wanted a career in real estate. Many of them had a
Hollywood-like impression of what being a successful real
estate investor involves. They saw the money, the homes and
the luxury cars. They hardly ever saw the real work and
commitment entailed. They were usually more interested in
the rewards of the business than they were about learning
the strategies to obtain those rewards.
When I first opened my retail real estate business, I spent
the majority of my time training my sales staff on ways to
acquire and close deals. We brainstormed, strategized and
role-played. They were excited about their future.
Everybody was ready to begin making fortunes, and I was
thrilled for them.
Afterwards, it became evident that although my sales staff
wanted more clients and more deals, very few of them were
doing the work necessary to align their actions with their
desired results. There was a considerable disconnect
between where they stood at the time and where they
eventually wanted to be. They were discouraged. They
started believing what they wanted was no longer within
their grasp.
One day, I called four of them into my office to talk about
their dwindling sales. I asked each of them to paint me a
picture of their ideal life. Every detail offered related
to the relief of their immediate hardships. When I asked
what they would do after resolving their pressing financial
matters, all they could muster were generic, detached
descriptions of a future that was so far in the distance it
didn't even exist. I realized at that moment that I had
invested my time, energy and emotions to support these
hopeful sales people in their quest to get ahead without
first inviting them to define what "getting ahead" meant
for them. How would this [success] materialize, what would
it bring them and when would they arrive? These were
important questions no one asked. Their visions were
clouded by the circumstances of their present existence.
They could not see a way of living beyond their immediate
moment. They had no clarity.
7 Ways to Seeing Straight
So, how can you make an emotional connection that will
inspire you to move in the direction of the life you truly
want?
Well, the central principle of success, abundance and
happiness in life is your ability to create a well-defined
vision of what you want to accomplish. In other words, you
need to find clarity. But before you find clarity you need
to get in touch with your own voice. A great way to get in
touch with your own voice is by defining your values; by
asking yourself what's important, determining why and then
designing a blueprint that complements your outlook and
takes you closer to your ideal way of life with every step
you take.
Once you figure out "the why", "the how" will always
present itself. For me, getting into real estate was only a
means to an end. Initially, I had no appreciation for the
business. I was completely unfocused. My passion exploded
when I understood that, for someone like me- no formal
education, dissatisfied and frustrated- a fruitful career
in real estate could mean absolute and total freedom. As
you embark on the next phase of your life, determining your
personal "why" is likely to be your most valuable asset.
The following are seven action steps to help you find
clarity:
1. Prioritize your values
Everybody prioritizes their values intuitively, but many of
us do not take the time to write them down in order of
importance. Take a few minutes to think about what is
important to you. Then, take pen to paper and write down
your values beginning with the most important one. Be aware
of where you fit in on your list. Are you number one,
number three, number five or last on your list? Are you on
the list at all?
2. Describe your ideal life
Give yourself permission to visualize the best life you
could possibly imagine and then write it down. Where would
you live? Would you be married? Have children? How would
you be spending your time? How would you earn a living?
What would be your net worth?
3. Determine where there is room for improvement
Take a few minutes to examine your life. Compare what you
see to your ideal life. What small changes can you easily
make? There is no need to do serious soul searching. Just
take notice and jot down two or three things that you can
begin to incorporate into daily living that can shift your
direction slightly towards that of your ideal life.
4. Set SMART goals
Consider the two or three areas of your life you are
determined to improve. Now set goals around them. SMART
goals have each of the following elements:
* Specific * Measurable * Achievable * Realistic * Time
Limit
When writing down your goals, answer the questions "what",
"why", "how", "when" and "where". It is important to
include as many details as possible. Be certain that
achieving each of your goals promises to improve the
quality of your life.
Don't get stuck in overwhelm. Divide your goals into
smaller, easily digestible pieces so that you can support
yourself in accomplishing them. Although the opportunities
are limitless, set goals that feel within your reach so
that the task isn't so strenuous and can be accomplished
within a specific time frame.
5. Commit to your goals in writing
Make a promise to yourself in writing that you will achieve
these two or three goals within a specific amount of time.
Post your pledge in plain view so that you can be reminded
of the work you have to do at various times throughout your
day.
6. Intend your results-
The point of power is in the present moment. Take at least
fifteen or twenty minutes each day (longer if you can) to
visualize: soak in the feeling of accomplishing your goals.
The key here is to walk, talk and act as if what you are
working towards is already here. The subconscious mind
cannot differentiate between what is real or imagined. It
simply does as it is told. Ultimately, you create your own
reality.
7. Revisit your goals daily
Keep yourself accountable by going back to your list of
goals once or twice each day. The minute or two you spend
re-examining what you've set out do will be well worth the
effort. You will have the opportunity to reinforce,
reevaluate and celebrate your accomplishments.
Keep the following in mind:
* Simply decide what you want and begin to move in its
direction.
* Success is a choice. It comes to those who seek it.
* You are worthy of your goals. Make your goals worthy of
you.
* You are capable. Everything you need to succeed is
already within you.
* You are capable. Everything you need to succeed is
already within you.
* Trust your intuition. It will guide you in the right
direction.
* Be persistent. Success usually comes after a series of
disappointments.
* Make it happen NOW! 100% commitment is easier than 99%
commitment.
About the Author:
Brenda Coté is a Real Estate Investor, Real Estate
and Mortgage Broker, Mentor, and Wealth Coach. At
Transforming Lives, Creating Wealth, Brenda employs a
"whole person" approach to support female Real Estate
Investors succeed in business and life. To receive a FREE
copy of Brenda's Report, "The Seven Biggest Mistakes Women
Make When Creating Wealth Thru Real Estate" please go to:
http://www.TransformingLivesCr
