Real Estate Articles » Real Estate Psychology

Security Is Not Worth An Entire Life

By: Jason Hanson
Submitted: 08:14AM on Wednesday 26 November 2008

There are several quotes that hang on the walls in my bedroom and that are also posted on the bathroom mirror. One of those quotes is “security is not worth an entire life.” I got it from a book, but I don’t remember which one. I just remember thinking it was such a great line that I quickly wrote it down. Every night before I go to bed and every morning when I get out of bed I stare at the quote.

From the beginning of my investing career one of the driving forces behind my desire for success was that I couldn’t imagine trading my one life on this earth to sit in an office for the next 40 years. Even to this day I shudder at the thought. I shudder at the thought of anyone trading their one life for security…for mediocrity…because they didn’t have the guts to go for it.

We all know that there are ups and downs in this business just like any worthwhile endeavor. When I first started my career and made a terrible, bone headed move, I lost $20,000 (and then I wised up and got several mentors). Of course, after I lost the money I wanted to quit. I wanted to give up, but I didn’t. I learned a very expensive lesson. The lesson was that I didn’t know it all and that I needed to keep plugging along no matter what.
It’s much easier to give up than to keep going. I’ve been at the bottom. Few people besides my closest friends and family members know how low my low points have gotten.
Now though, I spend my time how I want and vacation whenever I choose.
Ask yourself this very important question. Can you look at yourself in the mirror everyday if you don’t give this business everything you’ve got? If you don’t live the life that you deserve? If you don’t live up to your potential?