Open an LLC? I Need help? Which path should I take?.. Follow Tarzan.

"New to BP, been learning for 3 years and trying to determine if I should set up financing? Or find a deal?"

"Just getting started, I'm wondering how can I set up my LLC before I buy anything?"

"I found a great deal I want to invest in, but I need help running the numbers."

And dozens more like it.

I'm not knocking anyone getting started. In fact I seek them out. And it's not because I'm a real estate expert. Truthfully I'm still just getting started myself.

But I am some what of a getting started expert. Self-proclaimed of course. (Two-time, all-area, first team) 

And I happen to know what everyone getting started needs to learn.

It doesn't matter.

We hear about analysis paralysis all the time, especially on BP, and on the BP podcasts because it is one of the most debilitating afflictions we all face. Myself included. 

But pay attention to those who are succeeding around you. Not to what they say, but to their story. How they got where they are.

The only Capital you should care about

As someone obsessed with personal development, I've read a lot of books, listened to a lot of podcasts, interviews, asked a lot of questions and have been fortunate enough to be around some fascinating people from time to time. 

Want to know the most common thing I find from every successful person's story?

Their stories never start with a clear, and logical progression.

Almost never, do you hear "Yea I've been a venture capitalist since I was 3 months old, I've just always loved it." Or, "I've been passionate about multi-family investing for as long as I can remember.."

The real stories are much more like, "I was a waiter and was talking to this customer Ted who was really nice and started talking about (real estate, investing, personal finance, writing, whatever..)". Or, "I just needed to make money and tried to get really good at (being a cashier, being a research assistant, being an electrician, etc..)

As Steve Jobs explained in his famous Stanford Commencement speech from 2005, It's impossible to connect the dots looking forward, but it always makes sense looking back. Or something like that.. the point being life isn't a clear logical progression, you have to work hard, to acquire skills, and to add value in order to take advantage of the great opportunities in front of you. 

Ironically, it's that very speech that is constantly touted as a genius telling us to follow our passion... sadly, I think we're missing the point. The point is not to follow your passion (if you really look into Job's life you could see this clearly), its to accrue what Cal Newport calls *career capital. That is, if you want to pursue work that is rare and valuable, you must constantly work to acquire rare and valuable skills that you can offer.

The Tarzan Method

A better explanation is given by one of my many heroes Casey Neistat.

He explains his Tarzan Method which I continue to live by, and I recommend you do as well.

Here is where you are now.

You are currently on the left, all of your goals and aspirations are on the right..

And the dotted line represents your expected path.

There's one problem.

That path doesn't exist. It's an illusion.

"Should I open an LLC?"

"Should I focus on financing first?"

These questions, only exist because you are attempting to get answers that will push you on that straight line, which again.. Does not exist!

Reality shows itself when you work to acquire career capital.

Instead of focusing on getting answers, analyzing what-ifs, and pursing the straight line, work to gain experiences, acquire skills, learn from others, add value..learn to be great at whatever you are doing right now. It's not always fun, and it certainly isn't your passion. But consider the famous quote of Hall of Fame golfer Gary Player who was once asked by a journalist how he gets so lucky, he responded, "The harder I work, the luckier I get." Meaning, you have to work to be great, to experience "luck". Only then will opportunities present themselves, and when they do.. you can grab on, continue to acquire career capital, and swing until you can grab the next opportunity.

In doing so, the true path of life, the same path every successful person takes.. begins to present itself.

Those opportunities as you can see, aren't thrusting you directly toward your goal. They lead you more left to right, bouncing back and forth. And they will rarely feel relevant looking forward. But they are going to lead you to your next opportunity if you are working to become rare and valuable. And when you continue acquiring career capital those opportunities keep presenting themselves, as Gary Player suggested, the luckier you'll get.

I'm not saying don't think, or don't ask questions. I'm just reminding you that most of the time, it doesn't matter. Like following your passion, its a path for sure, but not the one you're looking for.

Not the one you need.

You must only focus on consistently working to acquire valuable skills, confident that this will translate into valuable opportunities. Constantly working to acquire career capital.

Keep working.

Learn more on this:

Youtube: Tarzan Method explained

**Fast forward to 6:08

Book: So Good They Can't Ignore You - Cal Newport

(Find on Amazon)

Video: Cal Newport - Talk at Google