Networking, Meetups, and the Newbie Curse

[Ken R.]

So, I attended my first meet up group event this evening. The group was "OKC Deal Maker Sessions" in Oklahoma City. A place for wholesale deals, wholesalers, investors, and REI tycoons to network and share deals. I met quite a few seasoned investors at this event. It was a great experience but how I got there was an experience in itself. Of course at the last minute, I realized that this meeting was tonight. As I was printing out my paperwork for the property I wanted to present at this event my printer ran out of ink. No problem. Just replace the ink right? Right! Only problem was as I began printing again I ran out of printing paper. Really? Yep, only me right? By this time the clock is ticking and I'm running late. I thought to myself...Who goes to their first deal maker event late with no deals in hand to present? Then a voice in my head said..."Oh Well, Go Anyway!" Yep, I went anyway. I mean what more could it hurt to be late, no deal to present, and oh yeah, I forgot my pen. (Look, I didn't realize it until I walked thru the doors ok?) And to top it all off, I was the last person to walk in. Yep, I think I had newbie written all over my face tonight. There were no seats left. No problem, I'll stand right? Well, I stood for a few minutes absorbing the presenter and all of a sudden a humble young man from Home Vestors got out of his seat and told me I could have his. I was a little hesitant but I accepted. As I said thanks, I thought to myself, wow! What a humble person that guy was. Overall, I must say I learned quite a few things tonight from the seasoned vets in the room. When it was over I noticed how everyone was so friendly and full of life. As I attempted to introduce myself to a few people I noticed how they didn't hesitate to share a bit of their wisdom with me. Maybe they all saw a bit of themselves in my little newbie eyes. I met some awesome new people tonight. And to think I almost didn't go because of a few negative thoughts in my mind telling me it was too late for me. Plus, I really hate to be unprepared but something told me to just go anyway. I'm glad I did. I guess thats life huh? I think the lesson for me tonight was simple. Sometimes you may not have everything you need but you just have to keep pushing with everything you have. Sometimes even when you think it's too late, you're still right on time. Tonight was priceless. I'm glad I stepped out on faith into this big ocean of REI. This is only the beginning. There's so much to learn but hey, I guess you gotta start somewhere. Now if I can just close on this first property I have under contract. It would be like a dream come true. Somehow, some way, I feel I will be successful in this because failure is not an option. Success awaits! Blessings to you all!