Resistance, Persistence, & Success. The Beautiful Struggle!

[Ken R.]

After almost a year of analyzing, reading books, ebooks, attending seminars, listening to tons of REI podcasts, going to a few REI meetings, and lets not mention the countless youtube videos of the gurus, I finally understand what analysis paralysis really means. This was the moment when it finally dawned on me that experience is the best teacher. I made a commitment to jump into REI head first. I've also learned that its ok to look stupid in the beginning because everyone had to start from somewhere.

When you're the smallest guy in the gym for the first time, everyone around you looks like professional athletes. The keyword was "LOOKS like professional athletes. That doesn't mean they are professional athletes. What it means is that you all have something in common. What is it? I believe it is Motivation. That motivation is your "Why" your "why" is what led you the gym in the first place. Wether it's the gym, REI, or any other place your heart desires to be, everyone has a story that changed their life and from that day forward they were MOTIVATED to make a change in their life for the better. I definitely have a story but I'll won't bore you with it today. But my biggest question was where do you start? Well, newbie, you start from the bottom. There is no way around it. I said all that to say this, I've learned more from my first property being under contract then I could've ever learned from just analyzing REI from the bench. It has also forced me to answer the questions I wouldn't have known how to ask. I believe that learning REI is like learning how to drive. Although necessary, all the education in the world won't teach you what it's really like behind the wheel. It's a big difference. At some point, you have to get behind the wheel for it to really all make sense.

Experience is the best teacher. As I struggle in my first year of REI, I'm forced to remember what it felt like when I ran my first mile and was out of breath. People twice my age were sprinting right past me. I thought to myself...."Wow, I wonder who they had to become to get there?" 3 months later I completed my first 10k jog. It was very ruff. Ok, I'll be real with you. IT WAS HELL! But, it was a also humbling experience. Although is was ruff, I learned to appreciate resistance. Resistance is a big part of this journey of life. It is the moment that you learn to push through the resistance that builds strength, muscle, and heart. I will push past this resistance I'm experiencing in REI as well. Oklahoma City is a great market full of opportunity. I'm proud to be here. Thanks to everyone on BP who has taken a moment to share some REI wisdom with me, some positive words, or their own inspirational stories that I will remember on my journey to success. Much success & blessings to you all!

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Ken

[JD Martin]

Excellent! And yes, that is the key - eventually you have to get off the bench and make the shot. If you've done the right preparation, even if you miss, the consequences usually aren't dire.