From Analysis Paralysis to Action Jackson

So if anyone has read the book "Cash Flow Quadrant" by RTK I have been an E my whole life.  Financial security, and not freedom, is where my comfort zone resides.  The sad part is I know better and have known better for quite sometime.  Real estate investing has always made sense to me but the thought of "losing" has led me to self imposed dead end after self imposed dead end.  To say that I had "analysis paralysis" was an understatement.  To compound the problem is I love to do analysis.  Spreadsheets are my jam!  I always felt like there was something I was missing, so more analysis was required.  I believe that learning how to analyze properties is an important part of real estate education, but it is only a fraction of what you need.  The other 90% of that education comes from one thing and one thing only.... taking action.

Do something.  Call someone.  Reach out and try to build relationships.  Get pre-qualified.  Find a partner or investor, MAKE OFFERS.  Until recently I have not taken any of these actions.  In addition to taking action, the second key seems to be consistency.  You have to take action consistently.  If you are consistently calling realtors, property managers, following up on properties or leads, you learn the language of real estate, you learn what questions to ask and you let people know that you are serious and hungry to go after whatever goals you have set for yourself.  You have to get our of your comfort zone.  I am extremely uncomfortable, full of doubt, and incredibly excited that I am actually doing things now.  Once I started making phone calls and following up on properties, I began to build momentum and the next day taking action wasn't as daunting, I wasn't as nervous and I felt like my education in real estate was growing.

I am by no means anything but a novice in real estate.  I am still working my first deal, but I am actually working it now and not just talking about it.  I know very little but I am reading everything I can get my hands on.  One of my favorite parts of the BP podcasts are the book recommendations the guests have.   

 I think self awareness and knowing what type of person you are and what irrational fears about real estate you have can help a novice like me take that big first step into the world of actually investing in real estate.  It really is all between your ears.  

Conclusion: Analysis, while important, doesn't build a real estate portfolio, taking action does.