Pre-game Warm-up

Tomorrow is my first day embarking on my journey to become a real estate investor. Well, not my first day but more like the next step. I start my classes to get my real estate license and if you read the previous posts, you would see the method behind my madness. Hopefully the plan works but I guess we'll see. I'll update you soon after the first day. Wish me luck!

The Next Move

I mentioned before that I have many passions that I will pursue but until I become a mastermind at multitasking, serial entrepreneurship will have to wait until the first venture gets off the ground. My first goal is to be a successful real estate investor. Particularly in apartment buildings by college campuses. I just graduated, so I know how hard it is for college students to find affordable, safe and convenient housing for the their lifestyle. Now coming up with idea was the easy part. Getting started is definitely the hardest part. I have been battling with this starting point for the past 8 months. One thing that I continued to do was educate myself. I have read and studied almost any and everything that I could get my hands on to gain a better understanding about what real estate was and how the game of money worked.

On Wednesday, I'm starting a class so that I can get my real estate license. For those who wanted to know, you DON'T need your license to invest in real estate. This is just the path that I am taking. However, I'm doing this to become a great real estate agent, but more so for the experience, learning opportunities, and networking. Call it what you want but I'm going to call it strategy. They said life is like a chess game. This is my next move.

Anybody who is interested in real estate investing or just want to get some more knowledge on how money works can check out some of these links. I also want you all to leave comments and tell me what you think and please share any information that you have for the greater good. Thanks!

www.richdad.com -Robert Kiyosaki and his team can explain how money works in the most laymen terms.

www.biggerpockets.com -Real estate investing news

www.michaelmoore.com -Great film director and enthusiast for exposing the truth!

Any other suggestions that you have drop them in the comments section and keep educating yourself!

Fear: Part 2

Everyday we go out into the world to face our fears and each day we overcome some and gain new ones. This process is just a part of life. I have faced a few in my hiatus from writing but I have also conquered a few. For instance, I did not want to admit to myself that I already knew what I needed to do to take the first step in becoming a real estate investor. My fear was that I would get sucked into the facade of making money and forget what my focus was. My REAL fear was that I was scared of becoming a salesman because that's not something that comes natural to me.

I have begun to be honest with myself about why I won't take chances to do things that can help me become successful. The more I assess these issues, the more I'm starting to purposely put myself in these situations to learn new things. Realizing that learning from failure and mistakes makes successful people opened my eyes to all sorts of opportunities. It's like losing weight. You can research and plan the perfect workout plan and diet but until you eat right and exercise it just looks good on paper. Here are some simple steps that might help you take that leap:

1. Be Honest. Honesty is the best policy and the more you are honest with yourself, the better you can plan and execute ideas that better suit your path to success. 

2. Don't Follow the Leader. When it comes to your journey, it is YOUR journey! There's nothing wrong with studying those who have come before your or taking great advice but at the end of the day YOU have to sleep with your decision. Create your own path.

3. Take a Chance. You will never know if you can do something until you do it (notice that I didn't say try because you either do something or you don't). Do something new everyday, even if it's something small. Those small victories will help build your confidence and build your skills as an entrepreneur.

4. Be Consistent. The easiest way you learn how to do something is by doing it. Over and over again. Practice makes permanent so the more you do something, the more it becomes a habit.

5. Live. It's okay to take a break and give yourself time to rest. Your body can only take but so much and it needs to recharge so don't overwork yourself.

A great article about personal branding was written my friend and entrepreneur Sakita Holley called, The 10 Rules for Building a Successful Personal Brand

Make something happen today and continue to dream.

Over-Thinking

My apologies family. It has been another long hiatus between posts that I have taken again to reassess my journey. I am realizing that sometimes I can be over-analytical about a lot of things. It's a bad habit where I try to think of every single possible outcome of a decision or situation before assessing it again to psych myself into doubt. This happens over and over again until I reach the initial decision that I made in the first place. I'm really working on this because it allows other people's opinions and fear to take me away from what my goals are. Don't get me wrong, I love constructive criticism and positive suggestions but at the end of the day, the final decision is MINE!

Black Friday was birthday, an although everyone called me to see if I was going out to party, I really didn't do much. I still had a great time with my family and friends but it wasn't an extravagant celebration. It was more of a time for reflection to see where I came from, where I am, and where I want to go. I think that everyone needs to do this at least once a month just to make sure you are on track with your destiny. It is  great way to gauge your progress, track goals and reevaluate methods. Try it!