QOTW: What advice would you give your younger self?

Starting Out
4yFollow

QOTW: What advice would you give your younger self?

Alicia MarksPro Member
Fort Worth, TX · Member since 2020 · 1k+ posts · 2k+ votes

If you have not seen the release of Dan Sheeks' new book, "First to a Million", grab it ASAP! He is going to be doing an Ask Me Anything Night in the forums next month that you will not want to miss!

In light of this release, I thought we could share the bit of advice we wish we had as a teen or young adult. This could be to yourself, your children or extended family, or any young person in your life. Share your knowledge for our young FIRE and RE members!

[email protected]Podcast Guest on Show #204
37Reply
535 views

Most Popular Reply

Michael E.Pro Member
New to Real Estate · Saginaw, MI · Member since 2021 · 99 posts · 115 votes
4y

Don't limit yourself or your beliefs just because you don't want to leave your friends/family behind. Be phenomenal and you will attract phenomenal.

44Reply
See this reply in the discussion

149 Replies

Jump to latestLatest
  • Shiloh LundahlPro Member
    Rental Property Investor · Gilbert, AZ · Member since 2016 · 3k+ posts · 4k+ votes
    4y

    If I could meet myself when I was 21 years old, the most important thing I think I would tell myself is find mentors - find people that are successfully living the way that I would like to live and find ways to add value to their lives and build relationships with them.  Then I would suggest to learn about real estate investing and crypto currency investing. That would be the financial advice that I would give myself in my early 20's.

    480-206-1209Podcast Guest on Show #287
    4Reply
  • Jay HinrichsBusiness Member
    Real Estate Consultant · Summerlin, NV · Member since 2014 · 45k+ posts · 66k+ votes
    4y
    Originally posted by @Jabbar Adesada:

    @Alicia Marks

    LEARN SALES, instead of working at a fast food restaurant in high school sell stuff and work on commission during the summers! SALES SALES SALES

    agreed I started with Fuller brush ( which the younger folks on this site wont know what that is)  door to door would make more in 3 hours one evening then a full week at the gas pumps !!

    Podcast Guest on Show #222
    JLH Capital Partners51 Review
    WebsiteView Page
    7Reply
  • Melissa S Vrobel
    Investor · Orlando, FL · Member since 2021 · 79 posts · 36 votes
    4y

    @Alicia Marks My advice would be to learn about investing early.  Save more than you spend.  Thank your parents and use your time wisely.  BUY a Duplex or Triplex as your first home.  Automatically BUY ETF and CEF funds monthly.  Learn to cook for your friends and have them over rather than going to the bars.  Create a financial strategy and dream bigger!

    6Reply
  • Melissa S Vrobel
    Investor · Orlando, FL · Member since 2021 · 79 posts · 36 votes
    4y
    "Originally posted by @Marcus Auerbach:

    Start reading books on topics that matter. Reading a good book is the equivalent to a power-up or skill-up in a computer game.

    A lot of books are written as a summary of someones key findings after spending decades on a subject! Everything they leaned through trial and error and expensive mistakes  summarized on 200 pages! 

    It may have taken the author 20 years to learn. You can acquire the thatknowledge in about 10 hours!

    Mind blown!"

    I felt the same way about some of the podcasts that I have listened to... SPI, Choose FI, BP

    3Reply
  • Marie Hill
    Realtor · Broomfield · Member since 2019 · 12 posts · 9 votes
    4y

    Stop listening to the advice of others who are not successful.  I would have started a lot earlier in my life investing if I listened to this.

    7Reply
  • Steven Goldman
    Lender · PA · Member since 2019 · 535 posts · 461 votes
    4y

    I myself have little wisdom here but I have learned to follow these rules:


    About featured snippets    •Feedback

    People also ask

    What are the six rules of Arnold?"Image result for schwarzenegger rulesRemember these 6 rules. Trust yourself, break some rules, don't be afraid to fail, ignore the naysayers, work like hell, and give something back.
    3Reply
  • David Lam
    Member since 2021 · 20 posts · 20 votes
    4y

    1. Stop playing video games and spending ungodly hours online. Every minute counts. Be excellent in everything you do, the little things ARE the big things.

    2. Learn how to do deep work and get into the flow state - those tedious homework assignments throughout the years were actually an opportunity to practice that 

    3. Fail more

    4. Quit alcohol and coffee way earlier

    5. Be motivated about real estate and actually invest earlier (I probably would have had at least 5 houses by now if I had started earlier :P) 

    6. Never be afraid to voice and stick to your boundaries, and walk away sooner from any person or situation that doesn't serve you

    7. Trust in God and life more. Life will tell you no at times, but it's because it has something way better in store for you. Let go of what you think it should look like. 

    8. Listen to your intuition! That nagging feeling is there for a reason. 

    But you know, no regrets, very happy with my progress throughout the years . I failed so much, and felt like a loser for so long. I'd never thought I'd reach where I am today, I thought I was destined to work in a boba shop, and with a minimum wage the rest of my life. I never believed in myself, but I was just tired of failing so much and knew something had to change. Thank God for books that changed my life forever. 

    The mind is such a powerful thing. It enslaves you or frees you. 

    8Reply
  • Pat Dansdill
    Asheville, NC · Member since 2016 · 36 posts · 23 votes
    4y

    @Alicia Marks

    Great question!

    I would tell myself to buy a house hack straight out of college, (or during) and live with friends. However - buy it turn key or close to. No major renovations on my first deal, small value add (paint, countertops, cosmetic) if any.

    8Reply
  • Shane Brennan
    East Setauket, NY · Member since 2017 · 1 post · 4 votes
    4y

    Two big things:

    1. Don’t stress about upgrading your life at such a young age. The bigger house, nicer car, better clothes can be held off just a bit and instead invest your money wisely in assets than can provide cash flow.  

    2. Patience. It takes time and energy to get to your goals in life, but as long as you stay focused and committed you’ll have a higher probability than most of getting there. 

    I still struggle with #2! 

    4Reply
  • Violet Sinclaire
    Member since 2019 · 3 posts · 10 votes
    4y

    I was indecisive and kept switching majors because I didn't know what I wanted to do or be when I grew up. It turns out, I just didn't want to work for anyone, I wanted to be my own boss. I wish I was either taught or learned about investing and financial freedom sooner. Here are some things I would say to my younger self: 


    1.) Anything is possible, if you can dream it, you can manifest it and make it happen.

    2.) Don't let fears, other people's opinions, and feeling "not good enough" hold you back.

    3.) Create friendships and network naturally. Treat others well. 

    4.) You don't need that expensive BA degree in Marketing when you're going to get your Real Estate license and become a Realtor anyway.

    5.) Start investing ASAP.

    6.) Find a life partner to build with, don't date around out of boredom. 

    7.) Use the internet to find great communities like Bigger Pockets ;-)

    7Reply
  • Steve Kontos
    Investor · Great Neck, NY · Member since 2016 · 679 posts · 467 votes
    4y

    Keep on buying!!!!!!

    5Reply
  • Bud Gaffney
    Rental Property Investor · Boston, MA · Member since 2019 · 2k+ posts · 1k+ votes
    4y

    Go for it!!!! block out the naysayers!!!

    3Reply
  • Bud Gaffney
    Rental Property Investor · Boston, MA · Member since 2019 · 2k+ posts · 1k+ votes
    4y

    Only listen to folks in the GAME!

    3Reply
  • Bud Gaffney
    Rental Property Investor · Boston, MA · Member since 2019 · 2k+ posts · 1k+ votes
    4y

    It can get lonely...PUSH THROUGH!

    2Reply
  • Aaron Jones
    Investor · Abbotsford, WI · Member since 2019 · 33 posts · 13 votes
    4y

    To realize that real estate investing is not the domain of only the rich. Read and learn about investing because, know what is important.

    4Reply
  • Justin Carmack
    Investor · Avon, IN · Member since 2019 · 30 posts · 59 votes
    4y



    Lack of confidence cost me more opportunities than lack of capital. I was brought up with limiting beliefs that RE investing was for rich people, not people from blue collar families.

    Back in the 90s I should have found another investor that knew what they were doing and listened to every word.  Once I received sound advice I should have trusted my training and went out and aggressively went after my dream.

    5Reply
  • Frano Buhovac
    Investor · Greenville South Carolina · Member since 2020 · 19 posts · 14 votes
    4y

    You are stronger than you think, put yourself out of your comfort zone and you will achieve incredible things in life.

    4Reply
  • Bernard B.
    Investor · Huntsville, AL · Member since 2012 · 50 posts · 50 votes
    4y

    I would have told my younger self to be more selfish and to focus on my goals and my purpose. I have wasted so much time and efforts, trying to help people achieve their goals, when they were not serious in the first place. Everyone, has to pay their own financial bills.  I should have stayed focused on my goals, concentrated my efforts, on my own achievements, later, if they wanted to join me great, if not, they could kick rocks, spouse included. 

    4Reply
  • Jim AdamsPro Member
    Member since 2018 · 38 posts · 35 votes
    4y

    Buy, buy, baby.

    Take more risks.

    10 years is going to go by whether you own real estate or not and in 10 years, you're going to wish you had bought more real estate. If it's a good deal now and makes sense, buy it. And don't sell. Just refi out and keep going.

    2Reply
  • Bruce WoodruffPro Member
    Contractor/Investor/Consultant · San Diego / Phoenix · Member since 2021 · 12k+ posts · 15k+ votes
    4y

    What advice would you give your younger self?

    Stop going out partying every night. You're not going to be a rock'n'roll star. Get over it. Save some Gdamn money and buy a bunch of houses.....

    5Reply
  • David FloresPro Member
    Rental Property Investor · Morgantown, WV · Member since 2016 · 236 posts · 135 votes
    4y

    @Alicia Marks

    Just do it already!! Lol i would have started earlier and probably not have gone to college

    3Reply
  • Greta Andrews
    Rental Property Investor · Saint Petersburg, FL · Member since 2020 · 29 posts · 18 votes
    4y

    1. Listen to books while driving at 2x speed.

    2. Don't buy the stereotypical single home with a spouse. Make it multifamily and each by ourselves.

    3. Save more.

    4. Don't be afraid to network.

    5. Understand I do not need to work a 9-5. REI investment is the way to achieve my goals.

    3Reply
  • Account Closed
    Investor · Fort Worth, TX · Member since 2021 · 15 posts · 23 votes
    4y

    @Eron A. This was amazing Thank you for sharing!

    4Reply
  • Verjill Villegas
    New to Real Estate · Naples, FL · Member since 2021 · 3 posts · 5 votes
    4y

    4 habits that might be holding you back:

    1. Neglecting your health

    Health is wealth. When we feel well, we perform well.

    2. Toxic relationships

    It’s time to cut out the people in your life who aren’t serving you.

    3. Inattention to detail

    Attention to detail sets you apart from everyone else.

    4. Staying in your comfort zone
    If you’re not uncomfortable, you’re not growing!

    Time to get in the zone!

    4Reply
  • Josh Starner
    Realtor · Asbury Park, NJ · Member since 2019 · 63 posts · 44 votes
    4y

    Build strong relationships with everyone in your network. These individuals will utilize you first when thinking of real estate or has questions about real estate. These people can become great business partners in the future. 

    3Reply
Join the conversationCreate a free account to reply, vote on answers and follow this thread.
Log InJoin for Free