Keep Your Options Open.

     There are many gurus who sell courses that extol the value of planning, of setting goals and then setting new ones when you exceed those goals. Many investors, maybe most, need systems like that to keep themselves accountable and focused. However, the more deals you do, the more networking you do, the more opportunities will be presented to you. I implore you not to be so focused on your plan that you don’t have time to, at least, consider some of those opportunities. Some of those unexpected projects may be quite profitable. They may lead you toward areas of investing that you connect with, that resonate with you. They may lead you to forming partnerships that result in many more collaborations.

     My latest project is a weekly podcast. It sprang from a casual conversation with the founder of one of my local REIAs. He knew I had experience in several areas of real estate and had been reading the stories I posted about my adventures. (They are posted here on BP: Confessions of a Private Lender.) He also knew I was a bit of a whisky aficionado. We discussed beginning a podcast that combined the two.

     Public speaking is something that I have avoided most of my life due, largely, to the fact that I have multiple speech impediments including a lisp, stuttering, and difficulty articulating multiple sounds. For some reason (perhaps it was temporary insanity) I agreed to recording a weekly podcast with him. I have very little knowledge of how podcasts are produced. I do not own a smart phone nor an mp3 player. My recordings are not polished in any way—it is painfully obvious that I am an amateur. However, I am now featured on a weekly podcast and I am told that people are tuning in.

     People have e-mailed me (and my recording partner) and approached me at meetings expressing their interest in the podcasts. They have encouraged me to continue them. It is gratifying and I plan to continue for a while.

     I have no idea where this will lead. I expect it will take me to areas I could not have imagined. Leave room in your plans for the unexpected. Keep your options open.