Is Your Why Part of Your Goals?

The first question I always ask new real estate investors is why are you looking to do this? Anybody who has done this for a significant amount of time knows the level of frustration in doing in real estate investing is quite high, and there are times when even the most mature' of investors will go through periods of extreme frustration. This industry is certainly full of flaws, merry-go-rounds, and moments of head scratching. Yes, it is full of happy, celebratory, why are you not jumping up and down with me moments. Bottom line is that it takes a special bred of person to want to commit to this level. 

This is why I wait with a heavy dose of anticipation the answer to the question of why you are looking to do this. If the answer is strictly financial that tells me everything that I need to know, if the answer is in some form talking about the relaxed lifestyle that real estate affords that too tells me everything I need to know. A good answer talks about a motivating force greater than you or I. 

Those in for the money will first go out and buy the clothes, the watch, the car, the house, the second house, maybe a third house, the boat to go with house two, and the fancy toys to fill those houses. It is just a perpetual circle of need and want more fueled by the need to add more digits to the bank amount. I know because I have been there done that. Money turns the volume up on your character, whether for the good or for the bad, depending on what is already existing. 

Those looking for the ease of the schedule will only care about the hours they need to put in to get by, and no more. Here is a sign that real estate is not their first passion, and not what they are most interested. It might be another business they have, the fact they want to travel, or spend time doing something else in life. These are by no means fatal flaws, just flaws to be worked around. Real estate might not be their main passion, but it is a passion and a passion that can be used to fuel whatever their next passion is. 

My why, which I openly admit is not the be all end all, is as follows:

I want to live my life with full abundance, to place a premium on charity, and to conduct my myself with the highest level of integrity always in all ways. 

What is the why in your life? Is it written out somewhere? Is it visible every single day for you to internalize? If it is not, make that a priority in 2019. 

After, you have clearly defined the why behind your actions break it down deeper into systematic steps or goals. These steps will become the mile markers, when each is reached, will give you the best shot at reaching and achieving you're why. 

For me the biggest part of living my life full of abundance centers around being the best husband and father I can possibly be, so I look to spend each evening with my family where I can be disconnected from the work world. That I am doing everything I can throughout the course of the day, and my day is scheduled out effectively enough that when I am with my family they are my alone focus. 

Notice that nowhere have I talked about the financial goals, or financial why? The reason there is simple, I do not want to have a predetermined financial amount that I want to reach. Do I want to be better than last month? Last year? Yes on both. I have never been a believer in saying that I want to make X amount because what happens when you pass that amount? Is the level of satisfaction lower because I made that goal because I have invested so much emotional capital already to hit that point. 

Your why is your driving force, but your goals are what will get you there. They need to be clear, remember life punishes the vague and just like your why they need to be visible. 

Have a great week, and as always thanks for the read!