In one case, I calculated a RETURN of $290 just from my rental property lumped into the same pot as my current salary. 

The culprit was a bowling pot of water with "tea leaves". 

I've set my short and long-term goals, and am starting to "build my bench" of trusted RE professionals that I have worked with, banked, or know from my many years in this space.

I don't mean in the "bitter" sense; more like I'm used to having to put my money in the pot without outside help--primarily because of creditworthiness.  

Right now I need to push myself off the bench and stop analyzing.

Recessed "pot lights" are my bugaboo, hate em.

How soon can you anticipate the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow?

But instead of getting someone confirming what the seller and agent said; that I'm a genius, I get a reply from a CYNICAL, NON-TRUSTING OLD DOG named "all cash" who seems to not trust anyone's motives, but who made a pretty good pot of money doing so.What to do?

Then 2 months passed after I took their training and certification,  But still, they didn't get me started and left on the bench to idle.

Did you get the cheese slicer, crock pot, and enough glasses?