Post #9 - Paying It Forward Without Getting Paid for It

Investors,

 It's been a good week.  Not necessarily an eventful week, jam-packed full of profitable deals, but a good week.  I've come to another realization that sounds elementary:  It is fulfilling to give back.  The saying "you receive more when you give" is oh so true; here are my thoughts.

Last week, I listened to a few BP podcasts and the theme of helping others kept coming up.  I was thinking "I'll give back when I know everything about something,...after I've made my first million".  The more I thought about it, though, the more I wanted to give back (like right now), even if I could just offer encouragement to someone.  

So, I got on the BP forums and started searching for someone that was in the same place I was in 3 months ago.  Someone who has a family, full-time job, and is excited to learn about real estate.  I found hundreds of posts!  To see other people in the same place in their lives, as myself a few months earlier, affected me in ways I didn't expect.  I was inspired because I could feel the energy and drive coming from these new-comers' posts and I remember being there (at my computer with an empty bowl of a brain just waiting for suggestions of books, podcasts, testimonials, and more with which to fill it).  I was also made aware of how much I've learned in the past several weeks.  

I saw that I could contribute to their outreaching because I've read 6-8 books on real estate investing and could recommend some good ones, I've listened to every episode of the BP Podcast (yes, every single one), I've spent Saturdays Driving-for-Dollars, I've had some tough conversations with my wife about strategies, risks, our future, etc.  These may seem like small things but I have learned some great lessons and that is what I have to offer to aspiring beginners (who are just slightly greener than me). 

I've found teaching and helping others as a sub-passion within REI and building a better financial future for my family. Interestingly, "paying it forward" gives me energy AND I'm ironically moving forward without getting paid for it.