Life is right now, it isnt something that starts 4 years from now.But to tell you dropping out is the best decision would be foolish as it's going to depend highly on your personality, work ethic, mental aptitude.

I am pushing myself physically and mentally and 54 years old and feel fantastic!

You have a lot on your plate... real estate could be more work or mental bandwidth than you realize/are wanting to expend.Personally, I like starting with SFH's or small multi stuff like duplexes.

It's a really good read and helps you put together a "mental business plan."

I get that there is some mental benefits to paying off your mortgage but you could be investing it and have someone else pay off your mortgage.

There are thousands of different ways to invest that money, each will have their pros and cons, and also the time suck or mental brain damage that comes along with them.

It's a mentality of paying experts to do the work. 

Wealthy people have an abundance mentality.

I know without a doubt I will be doing deal, embarrassing the chaos of construction until the day I die or lose all my mental functions.

Scott Trench says it well…. carefully put together your “buy box”, be patient in waiting for that (realistic) deal to come, have your financing in order, and be mentally and emotionally ready to pull the trigger when you come across that deal.