Growth Mindset - The Investor's Combat Boots

or How to Supercharge your REI Psyche

Have you found what is the greatest stumbling block to any achievement? Was it lack of --resources? opportunities? funding? skill and/or knowledge? connection?

Fixed Mindset

During my grade school days I was a flat-footed boy. I wore these ugly orthopedic corrective shoes that were high-cut, heavy and "combat boots" looking. It was not at all stylish or common among students. I was the odd one out and felt out of place as well a self conscious about it. I felt so low and "weird". I withdrew for a period of time.

Growth Mindset

Later on I realized that my flat footedness was a blessing. It challenged me to be accepted by excelling in something I loved -- running. These very same boots that weighed me down psychologically was my spring board to becoming the fastest runner in school. Unintentionally my footwear became my leg-weight training shoes that I used to trek to and from school uphill and downhill everyday. I realized this in my high school years as a member of the track team when we would sprint 50 yards with 50 lb. barbells every week. After those exercises, we would do wind sprints (with no weights) and boy it felt like we were weightless, we were flying! Then I knew that those very same "combat boots" I wore in grade school were the very same ones that developed my running abilities, my speed and strength...that got me accepted into the grade school track team, that allowed me to win a gold in grade school athletics games, that later made me a contributing member of our high school team track championships for 5 straight years!

Transformational Process

What "flat footed" characteristic do you wear in real estate investing? Do you see it as a hindrance or an impetus for growth? Do you see it as a blockade or a launching pad for greatness? Do you see it as a stumbling block or a starting block that propels?

Leading psychologist and author of my favorite book "Mindset" Dr. Carol Dweck, Ph.D advocates to grow your mindset to achieve your maximum potential. She says when you go beyond a "fixed mindset" you not only improve exponentially but you also become successful in your field.

Do I see lack of funds as a limiting factor or do I see it as an opportunity to network more with IRA providers/subscribers, private lenders, professionals pre-disposed to invest in real estate, etc. Will growing my private lenders list sustain and grow my business?

Do I see my mistakes in making offers or lack of making offers as discouraging events or learning points to make further adjustments and improvements? What can I do better? Dr. Dweck further states that a company or individual that cannot self-correct will not thrive.

Do I accept investor inexperience as a given and lay back or do I see it as an opportunity to read more, learn more and do more?

Commitment to Growth

Right now in my real estate career I am an out-of-state real estate entrepreneur. It is so easy to see it as a setback or a limitation. But when I see my mentor doing numerous deals remotely and having one of fastest growing billionaire portfolios for an out-of-state investor. ..then I know its not impossible with the right training, local-based power team (your boots on the ground) and more importantly-- a dynamic growth mindset. This is why I love the BP community- it has an abundance of mentors that exude this mindset quality. I am committed to grow my mindset and my REI business.

The Challenge

So what is setting you back? Lack of experience? Lack of funding? Lack of guts? What is bearing you down today, may be the very same "combat boots" that will toughen and strengthen you on your road to real estate success. But..it must be taken as a challenge and an opportunity to improve, expand your relations, stretch your mind's vision and experience and grow and keep growing...and growing.

Your growth mindset as a real estate entrepreneur may very well be your "combat boots" to winning your next deal. It may very well spell the difference between an ordinary investor and an extraordinary real estate entrepreneur.

I welcome you to share how you transformed your "flat-footed" attributes in real estate investing with your growth mindset... and turned it into your "combat boots" for success.