There are multiple routes/paths we are told we should take to be successful. There are lists of characteristics of successful people, lists of daily tasks we should be trying to accomplish, and extensive lists of things to try to be more productive. That's a lot of stuff, especially for the newer real estate investor or entrepreneur. Fortunately, the head of the world's largest real estate brokerage says there is only one thing you need to worry about to succeed in real estate.
This most crucial step is to simply focus on the one thing that is most important.
There are too many distractions out there. Often, it isn't making the wrong decisions or committing small mistakes that kills us — it is simply overload and distraction. These distractions can be paralyzing and will certainly keep you on the wrong path. Seriously, those Facebook updates can probably wait until 5:00. Or even tomorrow.
Is Your Busy Schedule Actually Progressing You?
It's cool to know what time your mentors get up in the morning, what their favorite books are, or what kind of typewriters they use. But none of that may help you get more of what you really want. We're also constantly putting ourselves under pressure to do more — to squeeze in one more thing or 15 more minutes into our 28-hour days. But does that really translate into making more progress?
One of the best things about America is that there is so much to do and so much opportunity out there. At the same time, too many of us seem to fall into the trap of racing ourselves on the hamster wheel without ever getting anywhere very fast at all.
Gary Keller is the co-founder of Keller Williams. He suggests the key is to simplify and focus by honing in on one thing. My one thing is buy and hold real estate. I own that.
I see so many newbies dipping their toes into real estate and trying to do everything. They want to fix and flip like on TV, try out note investing, grab some rentals, buy tax liens, build new developments, do big bulk deals, and invest in no money down commercial real estate deals. What happens? Few make any real money or progress. They are drawn to too many directions or simply hop from one to the next before seeing any results from the last.
It just doesn't work that way. You simply have to make a decision to pick a path, then master it. Then and only then can you move to the next thing.
It may not sound as exciting, but the results certainly can be. Plus, you'll feel great because you'll be stacking up real wins and becoming really great at what you do.
There is a lot of power in focus. In fact, it has been said that focus is more important than IQ. Bruce Lee said the difference between being average and great is all about focus. So choose where you want to go. Identify the next most important step you can make to get there. Focus on that and do it. Then take the next step. Then the next.
Let me know how you focus and what you're focusing on in the comments section below!
Great post, Sterling. One of my early mentors lived by the quote below, which encourages us to always remember to focus on the most important.
Thanks for the great reminder this morning!
So true!! Keep up the hustle, Douglas!
"There is a lot of power in focus. In fact, it has been said that focus is more important than IQ. Bruce Lee said the difference between being average and great is all about focus. So choose where you want to go. Identify the next most important step you can make to get there. Focus on that and do it. Then take the next step. Then the next." I love this entire paragraph so much I had to post it again. Great article and thank you for writing it.
Excellent post, Sterling! Focusing on a single thing is the easiest and the hardest thing at the same time. With so many distractions around, it's really difficult to focus on a single thing, and yes, social networking has made it even more challenging.
But I do remember reading somewhere that doing greater good does require great efforts. Good luck to all fellow BP investors.