All
Members
Companies
Blog
Forums
Podcast
Webinars
    User Log in  /  Sign up
  • Forums
    Newest Posts Trending Discussions Followed Forums Real Estate News & Current Events General Landlording & Rental Properties Buying & Selling Real Estate Deal Analysis See All
  • Education

    Read

    BiggerPockets Blog BPInsights: Expert Analysis Guides Glossary Reviews Member Blogs

    Watch

    Webinars Video Library Financial Independence Blueprint Intro to Real Estate: Rentals

    Listen

    BiggerPockets Real Estate Podcast BiggerPockets Money Podcast BiggerPockets Business Podcast Real Estate Rookie Podcast Daily Podcast (Audio Blog)

    Topics

    Business Operations Finance Finding Deals Property Management Property Types Strategy
  • Network

    Recommended Vendors

    Real Estate Agents Mortgage Lenders Companies Hard Money Lenders Contractors Investment Companies

    Search

    Members Events Jobs
  • Tools

    Calculators

    Rental Property Fix and Flip BRRRR Rehab Estimator
    Wholesaling Mortgage Payment 70% Rule Airbnb

    Services

    BPInsights: Property Insights Tenant Screening Property Management Lease Agreement Packages

    New Feature

    BPInsights (beta)

    Quickly analyze a property address or ZIP Code to compare your rent in your neighborhood.

    Analyze a property
  • Find Deals
    Real Estate Listings Find Foreclosures External Link Ads, Jobs, and Other
  • Bookstore

    Real Estate Books

    Profit Like The Pros Bidding to Buy See all books

    Featured Book

    BiggerPockets Wealth Magazine book cover
    BiggerPockets Wealth Magazine

    Written by financial journalists and data scientists, get 60+ pages of newsworthy content, expert-driven advice, and data-backed research written in a clear way to help you navigate your tough investment decisions in an ever-changing financial climate! Subscribe today and get the Oct/Nov issue delivered to your door!

    Get the Magazine
  • Pricing
Log In Sign up
User
Quick search links
Podcast Hard Money Lenders Books Washington
BlogArrowPersonal DevelopmentArrowWhy Some People Will Never Succeed (& Others Always Will)
Personal Development Jan 06, 2021

Why Some People Will Never Succeed (& Others Always Will)

Steve Rozenberg
Expertise: Landlording & Rental Properties, Real Estate Investing Basics
25 Articles Written
Happy woman raised hands up on the sky at sunset

Want more articles like this?

Create an account today to get BiggerPocket's best blog articles delivered to your inbox

Sign up for free

What is the number one reason that some people succeed and others don’t, in any economy and in any environment?

We are going to dig deep into this question. We all know many people who, in multiple different environments and different situations, always seem to find a way to come out on top and win. And yet we know other people who always seem to find a roadblock or a problem or an issue in everything that they do.

So, what causes this to happen? Why is it some people are ultra-successful and other people find nothing but fault and failure?

What Are You Focused On?

Remember that 70% of the things that go through our head are negative self-talk. When we watch the news, when we listen to other people, when we look at the economy, sometimes we can only find what’s wrong. We will find any reason why something won’t work and why something is going to fail.

But if you look at the people who succeed, they’re always searching for the solution. They’re not looking at the problem.

I always tell people that when you hit a problem, it’s like hitting a bump in the road when you’re driving your car. It is now behind you in the rearview mirror. If you try driving your car with your rearview mirror, you are going to crash, because you’re focused on the problem. The windshield in front of you is the solution. Start focusing on the solution and what you can do to fix the situation.

The problem has already happened, and you cannot change what happened in the past. You can, however, change where you’re going in the future. That’s why the windshield is so big, and the rearview mirror is so small!

Related: The Top 7 Traits of Unsuccessful People

See the Possibilities

For example, when considering a deal, there are some people who will look at it and say, “Wow, I could make so much money. I see the potential. I see the possibilities. I see all the things that will make this deal a success.”

Yet there are other people who will look at this same deal and they will tell you why you shouldn’t buy it, why the numbers don’t work, and what all the problems are going to be with it—basically talking themselves (and maybe you) out of buying the deal.

Both of you are right. It just depends on how you’re looking at it all, what your strategy is, and what you are going to make out of the situation.

Make sure that when you are making decisions, you’re making them based on facts and data—not emotions. And always be focused on the solution, not the problem.

Related: 4 Books to Help You Adopt the Entrepreneurial Mindset

The Bottom Line

It takes just as much energy, just as much thought, to think positively as it does negatively. But your brain will never identify a positive situation or solution if you’re always telling yourself what could go wrong. And if you think positively and you think toward solutions, you’ll start finding opportunities that you would never find before.

Now, don’t get me wrong, you do need to be realistic and you do need to make sure that you’re protecting yourself. However, don’t do this to the extent of always talking about the worst-case scenario and never looking at what the possible solutions are. You’ve got to really think about how you can become better by opening up your mind and thinking of what could happen, possibly, rather than all the negative things that you think might potentially happen.

How do you keep up an optimistic and forward-thinking mindset?

Share some positivity in the comments.

By Steve Rozenberg
Steve Rozenberg is the Head of Investor Education for Mynd Management, a national property management company that combines talented experts with data and technology to provide full service to rentals across the nation. As a thought leader in single-family residential investing, Steve appears on a number of real estate investing podcasts and hosts the “Rental State of Mynd” podcast show.
Read more
4 Replies
    John Murray from Portland, Oregon
    Replied about 2 months ago
    Those of us that are entrepreneurs look at life differently. We rarely think of money, we think of opportunity that others do not see. We are not greedy we are always looking to improve ourselves. When we improve ourselves we make money as a windfall. Self improvement drives our success and if we lost everything we would start over again from square 1. Failure is a way of life, while success is a doctrine based upon learning from failure. Entrepreneurs are special people about 11% of society, the 1 in 10. You can read all the self improvement books, videos and the like. If you are afraid of failure and what others think of you then entrepreneurship is not for you.
    Beatriz Arellano
    Replied about 2 months ago
    Wow! First thing I read this morning and i'm honestly glad I did! The exact motivation I needed to continue with my journey of entrepreneurship.

    Report Abuse

    Why are you reporting this?

    Additional Comments (optional)

    Cancel

    Report Abuse

    Why are you reporting this?

    Additional Comments (optional)

    Cancel
    Joe Chase
    Replied about 2 months ago
    I read somewhere that a child has hope for a better future until around the age of 12, that is the turning point. I grew up in Appalachia poor. I remember at the age of 10 making a promise to myself that I didn't want to live in a cold house when I was an adult. I even said I was going to have hot water heat ! The heat in our houses/apartments never seemed to work. My saving grace was I was smart. But the public school did not give any guidance. Despite being accepted into Cornell numerous teachers told me not to go because I was too poor. I did listen to them . But I still went to public college. I think what propelled me from just your average middle class income job to a being considered wealthy by today's standard is risk. When you come from nothing you can't get worse. I was willing to take risks. The first year I decided to buy real estate I bought 3 that year. My brother didn't understand how I could take that risk. I figured I could always sell them and break even. That same brother now borrows from me. He will always live on the line between poverty and middle class. I don't think there was so much emphasis on being poor so I didn't really think it was impossible. At that time we were taught America was the land of opportunity. Now they teach the opposite. So hope for a better life , a mentor would be nice and willing to take an educated risk .

    Report Abuse

    Why are you reporting this?

    Additional Comments (optional)

    Cancel
    Virgil Pryor Real Estate Agent from Memphis, TN
    Replied about 2 months ago
    The rear view mirror quote helps when cold calling. All that matters is your next call. Not how the last one went.

    Report Abuse

    Why are you reporting this?

    Additional Comments (optional)

    Cancel
Rotate Log in or sign up to comment

Related Blog Posts

Personal Development Jan 06, 2021

Why Some People Will Never Succeed (& Others Always Will)

By Steve Rozenberg

It’s a common error, but one that’s easy to correct. Look forward, rather than back, to set yourself up for success in business and in life.

Read more →

Personal Development Dec 18, 2020

Analysis Paralysis Is Costing You More Than You Think

By Marcus Maloney

Did you achieve everything you wanted to this year? If not, this one significant factor faced by newbies and pros alike may be to blame.

Read more →

Personal Development Dec 11, 2020

The No. 1 Thing You Can Do To Improve Everything in Your Life (Bonus: It’s Ridiculously Easy!)

By Andrew Syrios

The one thing we can all do to improve our skills is the one thing we seem to almost intentionally deprive ourselves of.

Read more →

Personal Development Dec 07, 2020

12 Gifts for Real Estate Investors (That Don’t Suck)

By G. Brian Davis

Ditch boring gift ideas, and try something a little more personalized this holiday season—something befitting the real estate investor you’re shopping for.

Read more →
Log in Sign up

Log in

Forgot password?

If you signed up for BiggerPockets via Facebook, you can log in with just one click!

Log in with Facebook

Or
btn_google_dark_normal_ios Created with Sketch. Continue with Google

Let's get started

We just need a few details to get you set up and ready to go!

Use your real name

Use at least 8 characters. Using a phrase of random words (like: paper Dog team blue) is secure and easy to remember.

By signing up, you indicate that you agree to the BiggerPockets Terms & Conditions.

Or
btn_google_dark_normal_ios Created with Sketch. Continue with Google

Why create an account?

Receive a free digital download of The Ultimate Beginner's Guide to Real Estate Investing.

Connect with 1,000,000+ real estate investors!

Find local real estate meetups and events in your area.

Start analyzing real estate properties, we do the math for you.

It's free!

Explore

  • Membership
  • Community
  • Education
  • Marketplace
  • Tools
  • FilePlace
  • REI Resources
  • Perks
  • Glossary
  • Reviews
  • iOS App
  • Android App

Company

  • About Us
  • Press
  • Advertising
  • Careers
  • Stats
  • Contact Us

Important

  • Editorial Guidelines
  • Terms of Use
  • Rules
  • Privacy
  • FAQ

Social

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
  • Instagram
© 2004-2021 BiggerPockets, LLC. All Rights Reserved.