5. i was SO beat down (along w/some very poor herd mentality investments in other things) that i am now committing @Will Barnard 's other mistake of spending 4yrs - currently in 2nd year - of wanting/planning to get back on the horse before really doing it (again). 6. working backwards from goal to action steps and committing each day or regular period time per week towards attainment of that goal - while consistently networking... working on that now... :) 7. and lastly... knowing the numbers, the market, the area, and the numbers - practical and on paper.

(Don't get buried with debt that could choke a horse by going to an out of state private school, If your passion is to teach elementary school, there are more economical ways to get your degree to make that happen.) 2) Explore new things to find something you are passionate about. 3) Observe & learn what drives human behavior 4) Learn how to use a Financial Calculator & understand how powerful a tool it is in your financial life. 5) Build & maintain good habits 6) Develop great relationships, surround yourself with trustworthy, hardworking, honest, & passionate people. 7) Develop a thirst for knowledge & never stop learning.

The notion that Lyft or Uber should be illegal is absurd, and yet we see police running stings for Uber drivers in some cities.So in conjunction with good realtors figuring out how to changed their business model over time, I fully expect to see the NAR pushing "consumer protection" measures that require agents/realtors.And, if you will indulge me in trotting out one of my hobby horses, this is one of the reasons why it is a really bad idea for the "REI" community to be pushing/engaging in questionable practices that will provide the justification for those bad regulations.  

First Make a Plan, what you want to invest in, why and how big do you want to grow it. second get your finances in order, know where the money is coming from, i see so many newbies put the cart before the horse and it ends in disappointment or worse.

@Reid Hanley,It seems that you might be putting cart before the horse.

You need to get your ducks in a row, don't put the cart before the horse.

We’ve all heard the saying, “It’s better to bet on the jockey than to bet on the horse” because a good jockey can make a bad horse run fast, and bad jockey can make a good horse run slow.

Many never would have invested again and been bitter for lifeHey Jon, I heard a quote from Tony Robbins once that said that most investors have a big massive loss and they can never get back on the horse again and that is what defines who they are for life.

Every state/county is going to be different, so might as well get it straight from the horse's mouth so to speak.

I would say it seems like you are putting the cart before the horse.