What am I doing? Did I miss that Left at Albuquerque?

Why did I name my blog after an old Bugs Bunny catchprase? Great question, I have no idea...Blog over. Good night. Thanks for reading [Eric exits stage left].

Ok, I did have a reason. In the Looney Tunes cartoon I watched growing up, Bugs Bunny would often pop up in some random location and realize he is not where he thought he was. Next he would consult his roadmap and realize he made a wrong turn, instead, he should have made a left at Albuquerque.

(Just in case you are 27 years old or under, Bugs Bunny used to be on TV, not just a random character at Six Flags).

How does this relate to real estate investing?  Well, on a personal level, I have been an aspiring real estate investor for about 2 years now.  I am not where I thought I would be right now.  I have one failed Wholesale deal to my name.  Yikes, that was tough to admit on paper. But let’s call it what it is, it’s part of my story. I’ll go in more depth as to where I’ve been in another post. In general, I’m sure a lot of people have had “I should have made that left at Alberquerque” moments in their real estate journey, whether they are the Grant Cardones of the world or just like me...without a deal to their name.

My purpose for me writing this blog is threefold: (1) THERAPY - my mom used to tell me everyone needs therapy (sorry mom for outing you, but I appreciate the advice). Even if no one reads this, I can talk about my failings so I can own them and learn from them, (2) if I am so lucky that a couple people do actually read this...I would like to CONNECT with other aspiring investors that maybe feeling the same way, or struggling to find their way in the vast world of REI, and (3) ACCOUNTABILITY - I plan on posting my activity that I am working on to get my elusive first deal. 

Why now?  (Man, I ask tough questions). Honestly, I was listening to Michael Blank’s podcast for apartment investing while I was cleaning the bathroom today.  It is one of the many podcasts I listen to. Anyway, his show was about Be.Do.Have...summarizing a speech Mr. Rich Dad Poor Dad himself, Robert Kiyosaki, gave on a cruise. Michael was focusing on the “Be” part. What I got out of that show was that before you can be successful, you need to know who you are and be right with God.  You need to stop trying to control everything and let go and let God take the reigns. I admit, that’s something with which I struggle mightily often.

So I asked myself...who am I exactly? It took longer than I thought to answer.  The obvious stuff about me is that I am husband of almost 10 years to a lovely and patient wife that puts up with me and my ideas, a father of three amazing kids, firm believer in God,  W2 employee trading time for money, love sports such as Soccer, baseball and football.

I could probably come up with a bunch more stuff about me, but these are not the things that answer the question - who am I.  

I am a person that has a tendency to over analyze situations. Right now, I am feeling frustrated with the constant failure to secure my first real estate deal.  Yet, I remain persistent and determined to make it happen.  I am optimistic and confident that it will happen.  (There’s a lot more to me than just buying real estate, I assure you...it would be kind of sad if it were).

As far as letting go and letting God, we’ll thats a work in progress - a constant struggle. I know He will take care of me and be there for me no matter what.

Proverbs 16:9 days “In his heart, a man may plan his course, but God determines his steps”. 

I have that pinned up on my cubicle at work as a reminder.

You know what, I just had an epiphany while writing this post. Bugs Bunny always missed that left at Alberquerque, but he always ended up where he was supposed to...making me laugh.

Perhaps, it’s not that I have missed a turn on my journey. Maybe the course I plotted may have missed a turn or two or three, but not according to a God’s plan, I am where I am because that’s where I’m meant to be.  I need to be ok with that.  I understand and believe that my first real estate deal is on my journey, but I will arrive precisely when God says I’m ready. No more frustration! Amen.

Crap, does that mean I need to change the name of my blog?

I think I’ll keep it for now. That was very therapeutic, thank you!

I will be posting more about where I have been, what I am doing and where I am going. If someone has read this, God bless you.  I actually hope that I can share this blog and bring about some positive and uplifting conversations. 

Stick with it my friends!