If you can travel back in time...what will you TEACH yourself...

[Michael Ealy]

If you can travel back in time (say go back 20 years in 1999) and be able to meet your younger self - what will you TEACH yourself about real estate investing. Knowing what you know now...

Let me start...

1. I will teach myself to STOP the "No money down" guru crap I was about to embark on (so I can avoid bankruptcy)
2. I will teach myself to have FINANCIAL DISCIPLINE - not show off but live a modest, simple, and FRUGAL life
3. I will teach myself to FOCUS ON THE BIG DEALS and I will teach myself HOW to do BIG DEALS, instead of wasting time on the smaller deals
4. I will teach myself how to RAISE CAPITAL, combined with personal discipline so that I can have a HUGE CASH RESERVE so I can buy as many properties in the years 2008-2011 as possible
   - I bought a lot of properties in 2008-2011: I actually thrived during the recession but I wished I bought more :)

What about the experienced real estate investors out there? What will you teach yourself if you can go back in time 20 years?