Smelling the Roses and Laughing

[Jonathan R.]

Hello BP community. I’m about halfway through a book called “Life’s Greatest Lessons” by Hal Urban and am at a moment for pause and reflection. I’m reflecting on my real estate journey so far and deciding proper balance going forward. We’re all at different places in this journey. Interested in all perspectives, regardless of where you are at with this. 

I am realizing that I am very driven and passionate about financial freedom. I’m somewhere about the 1/3 to halfway point to financial freedom. For the past two years, since beginning this journey, I have consumed every podcast and been absorbed in the forums; I’ve saved nearly every dollar I can and put that towards real estate deals; I’ve pushed my contractor hard, paid him well, but pushed him hard; run my business determined; thought about real estate every day; creatively strategized my next move daily; put relationships on the backburner; and paid myself first. I’ve been so focused on financial freedom and the fear of not leaving a lasting legacy to my kids that this book’s author would say I’m out of balance. I need to celebrate small triumphs, be present for others, thank others, allow my mind to take a break, keep my mind more open, laugh more, and smell the roses. 

My question is: what percentage should real estate occupy the real estate in my head? What percentage should it occupy yours?

[Ryan D.]

@Jonathan R.

Just remember to be present for your kids you’re building that legacy for. Kids don’t care how much money you make, or how much property the family owns - what they care about it time with mom & dad. It can be difficult to switch gears sometimes, & be “unproductive” playing with the kids....I try to keep in mind the quote (which I’m paraphrasing) “don’t be so busy making a living that you forget to make a life”.