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Updated about 10 years ago, 11/08/2014
The experience of paralysis
I know a lot people talk about analysis paralysis in investing, but I had the opportunity to experience it last week. All I had to do was simply post my first Craigslist ad, but for whatever reason I froze and started thinking about reasons why to hold off on doing anything. I eventually started posting, but I find that it is a almost a daily battle to get over those mental blocks. What are some of the things you all do to keep yourselves action oriented?
A business plan, long and short term goals, a daily to-do-list. When something isn't working...change it. Continuously watch for changes you can make to improve. Read all the local news. Attend all the local planning and zoning meetings. Read "Think and Grow Rich" by Napoleon Hill and look into other books he's written.
Good topic Bobby. I find my self doing this in a few areas too. I need to do this but I should do that other thing first, I can't do that until.... I've never been one for structure or rigid plans.
I've had that problem for as long as I can remember. I've been working on my business for a few years now. Its both a blessing and a curse. On one hand I don't jump the gun. A lot of people in my shoes would of gotten a loan possibly too much of a loan to get some stuff they needed but I made due without. I hate debt and still don't have it. In time I've gotten everything I've needed and then some.
On the other hand rental property is my retirement plan, I'm almost 30 and don't have one yet. The clocks ticking and I need to take things farther.
All I can say is just do something. Like Tom said keep watching for changes you need to make. I've had a few things with my business where I had trouble getting started with something. I kept pushing myself and before you know it, its a habit. Trust me though I could use a lot more self pushing.
Originally posted by @Tom Reynolds:
A business plan, long and short term goals, a daily to-do-list. When something isn't working...change it. Continuously watch for changes you can make to improve. Read all the local news. Attend all the local planning and zoning meetings. Read "Think and Grow Rich" by Napoleon Hill and look into other books he's written.
Great advice right there!! Love that book too!!
@Bobby Valcin I think back when I started and I remember having a lot of paralysis. Sometimes it still creeps up on me when I am not looking or have had several deals fall through, been kicked in the dirt, or put down by a scumbag investor who thinks he owns the world and is better than me....well guess what, THEY AINT!! I have learned to let negative criticism and fear piss me off to the point I say "Nothing or nobody is going to determine my future and I will not stop until I get what I want". My point here is when you do develop a burning desire to have what you want you will not let fear (paralysis) slow you down. Just make up your mind you can do it and dont give yourself time for fear and fail forward until you get there!!
The best thing to do is to take action and get a move on!!
@Tom Reynolds I'm doing a couple of the things you mentioned, but in a very vague kind of way.. One issue I'm having is I'm not exaclty sure where I want to take this yet. I am going to attain a realtors license as part of my strategy, but other than that the first thing I want to do is pay off our (my wife and I) student loan debt. What are some ways I can start working on a business plan and becoming more focused?
What will I find at planning and zoning meetings? I won't have time to do much reading until my internship is over, but I hope to get on that in the beginning of December.
@John Whittle You sound a lot like me buddy. We can be good friends. I hope to retire as well through rental properties. There is a podcast I listen to called Just Start Real Estate that was a big help with giving me the proverbial kick in the butt. You may want to check it out. I forget his name, but the guy who does is on BP I believe. He talks about it at times.
How will your "paralysis" affect you, your business or your goals? When we visualize the outcome of our actions or the lack there of we tend to strike our own match (under our feet). Its better to do something than to do nothing. Even if we get it wrong we have have learned something and the value in that lesson itself is priceless.
Convince yourself there is nothing more important than leads. You can never have enough of them and if you are getting them, everything else will take care of itself.
To learn the most, try not to script/screen on the phone. Just make an appointment and go meet the seller. You'll learn faster how to speak to them, the right questions to ask and how to ask them. (This is even a better strategy if you are licensed and can fall back on listing the property -- less wasted trips and more money).
You will make mistakes, but who cares? Just go and talk to sellers! Get comfortable with it and if you find a good deal, there are plenty of people that would jump in and help you through it for a split. That's the best way to learn.
But without leads, you don't get any experience talking to sellers. Without talking to sellers you get no deals. Without deals, you make no money.
Nothing else matters without leads. Go. Get them. NOW.
@Bobby Valcin Thank you, you too can move past it but first thing is just getting started and its easy after that. Over time you will see the comfort zone as the most risky of all. You just have to get comfortable in the risky zone and move forward.