My biggest Obstacle, Too young??

Question

Hey guys! I know this is just my silly excuse but this has become my biggest obstacle!

I'm 20 years old and a women. It seems like women aren't taken as serious in business as men ON TOP OF that im only 20! -_- I've made wholesale deals, and have made 1 owner finance deal. but my fear is still speaking with the homeowners because I think they will just laugh. When really i know i can do this business because I have already

Any advice to getting more confident? I attend a couple REI meetings as well I'm going to start forcing myself to talk with people and get there business cards etc etc

But how can i get over the fact of being scared/ timid to talk with homeowners?

Probably a very silly post but i just can't seem to shake it! I have a website that is getting a couple leads here and am going to force myself to hand out bird dog flyers to mailmen/ trashmen but even with that I'm scared they will think "yeah right YOU can buy houses?"

Ralph C. · Answer

You have nothing to fear but fear itself.

As long as you do what you say you are going to do, then there shouldn't be anything else to worry or be concerned about.

Ujwal Velagapudi · Answer

It'd be nice to say age and gender (among other things) don't play any roles today in business, but I've seen it make an impact. However, just in my short time here on BP I've seen a lot of very young people, men and women, killing it in real estate. My female property manager right now has one of the largest companies in my area, working in probably the roughest neighborhoods in the country (Flint, Detroit). She deals with everyone with a big smile in a very likable way, it's gotten her a lot of business to simply have a great personality and be good at what she does.

Everyone has strengths and weaknesses that we're born with and that we develop, just keep working on your weaknesses and improving your strengths. At the end of the day your work ethic, drive, tenacity, etc. will power you through almost anything.

Jennifer Petrillo · Answer

Start with correct spelling, grammar and punctuation. If you come across as a professional, people will take you for a professional. Thousands of young people only a year older than you apply to medical school every year. How do 21 year olds with no life experience convince medical school deans they will be good doctors? With poise, intelligence and confidence. You have to present yourself in a way that makes your age become a non-issue.

Patrick Philip · Answer

We don't take kindly to your type around here. Best you get some high heels and get on that pole where you belong.

Just kidding.

Who cares what anyone says?

Austin Fruechting · Answer

@Leah Bonner - it's all mental.  It is becoming your biggest obstacle because you are using it as a "silly excuse" and think it's an obstacle.

You will find that anyone that has achieved success has control of their mind. Without this control success is not possible. It is what makes some people appear to be lucky while others fail (or never start), even when they are of equal ability. The difference is their mental strength and their control of their mind. The mind is the sole means by which you can control your own destiny. If you fail to control your own mind, you can be sure you won’t control anything else.

You have to get to the point where it doesn't bother YOU mentally.

The best way to do that is and gain confidence is to learn absolutely everything you possible can.  Truly knowing that you truly know your stuff will help breed confidence.  If YOU know that you know your stuff, that will be a big step to overcoming being scared/timid when talking to homeowners.

Another way to overcome it being a mental roadblock is to mentally reframe it as an advantage.  Being a young, ambitious, female that really knows her stuff sets you apart.  It makes you memorable.

If you don't get past the mental roadblock of thinking people are looking down on you because you are young and female, you won't come across as someone who knows their stuff or someone who can get the job done. Then you won't get as many deals, and it will seem that it's because people aren't giving you credit because you are a young woman.  But the reality is it the real reason would be your lack of confidence.  That lack of confidence comes across in your conversations because you feel scared/timid when talking to homeowners.  If you aren't confident in yourself, others won't be either.  If you exude confidence you will instill confidence.

Brian Burke · Answer

@Leah Bonner I started when I was 20, like you.  Worse, I looked 16.  Now if only I still looked so much younger than I actually am...those were the good ol' days...

I tried to solve it by getting a partner that was older than I was, a friend of a friend. I think that helped with perception but it accomplished nothing because no partner would do it as well as I would, right?  To be fair, we did get a couple of deals.  Having deals under my belt was all I needed to overcome the age obstacle because now I could talk about the deals I've done and that immediately gets past the "who do you think you are, kid?" mentality from sellers.

You are past this already--you said in your post you've done a couple of deals. So just start talking about what you've done instead of what you are going to do--problem solved.

Joel Owens · Answer

Age is nothing. It's all mental.

If I go through 400 calls a year and 390 tell me to screw off ( doesn't happen)  and 10 buy something for commercial I make seven figures in commission at least.

So get used to rejection. In fact after awhile it will be like breathing or tying your shoes every day.

Don't tell yourself you are too young or too inexperienced as you become what your believe. If a negative thought creeps in pick up a book and gain some more knowledge. Start mixing book experience with street experience. Pretty soon the deals start racking up and learning and improving on a daily basis is a way of life.

Good Luck

Branson Trey Yeakley · Answer

I definitely feel that, as I am 19. People are not as quick to take you serious, and I am sure it is worse as a woman. I believe you can power through it, and I will as well!

Calene Lambert · Answer

@Leah Bonner I just want to say I completely understand your concerns and there's nothing wrong with what you feel! Feelings are feelings we can't control that but what we can control is not allowing them to limit us! There are pros and cons with everyone play on your strengths. And the fact that you are so young is amazing I wish I knew to get into this business when I was 20! Just remember FEAR is False Evidence Appearing Real! Stay consist the only way to grow is to continually push yourself and get out your comfort zone. I struggle with similar fears and the fact that I am an introvert and I'm not the must outgoing person in such a relationship based business,  but it's a weakness I'm willing to work on. So just know we all have insecurities but push through them and stay positive! It will get easier!

My biggest Obstacle, Too young??

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