The Pursuit of Clarity
Posted on Friday 1st February 2008 by Brenda Cote. Hits: 48
All of us want more. Chances are you are reading this hoping to learn something new, a piece of information that will help bring more satisfaction to your life. You may be thinking that becoming a thriving real estate investor is a good way to get there. You are right.
Over the years, I have met countless people who said they wanted a career in real estate. Many of them had a Hollywood-like impression of what being a successful real estate investor involves. They saw the money, the homes and the luxury cars. They hardly ever saw the real work and commitment entailed. They were usually more interested in the rewards of the business than they were about learning the strategies to obtain those rewards.
When I first opened my retail real estate business, I spent the majority of my time training my sales staff on ways to acquire and close deals. We brainstormed, strategized and role-played. They were excited about their future. Everybody was ready to begin making fortunes, and I was thrilled for them.
Afterwards, it became evident that although my sales staff wanted more clients and more deals, very few of them were doing the work necessary to align their actions with their desired results. There was a considerable disconnect between where they stood at the time and where they eventually wanted to be. They were discouraged. They started believing what they wanted was no longer within their grasp.
One day, I called four of them into my office to talk about their dwindling sales. I asked each of them to paint me a picture of their ideal life. Every detail offered related to the relief of their immediate hardships. When I asked what they would do after resolving their pressing financial matters, all they could muster were generic, detached descriptions of a future that was so far in the distance it didn't even exist. I realized at that moment that I had invested my time, energy and emotions to support these hopeful sales people in their quest to get ahead without first inviting them to define what "getting ahead" meant for them. How would this [success] materialize, what would it bring them and when would they arrive? These were important questions no one asked. Their visions were clouded by the circumstances of their present existence. They could not see a way of living beyond their immediate moment. They had no clarity.
7 Ways to Seeing Straight
So, how can you make an emotional connection that will inspire you to move in the direction of the life you truly want?
Well, the central principle of success, abundance and happiness in life is your ability to create a well-defined vision of what you want to accomplish. In other words, you need to find clarity. But before you find clarity you need to get in touch with your own voice. A great way to get in touch with your own voice is by defining your values; by asking yourself what's important, determining why and then designing a blueprint that complements your outlook and takes you closer to your ideal way of life with every step you take.
Once you figure out "the why", "the how" will always present itself. For me, getting into real estate was only a means to an end. Initially, I had no appreciation for the business. I was completely unfocused. My passion exploded when I understood that, for someone like me- no formal education, dissatisfied and frustrated- a fruitful career in real estate could mean absolute and total freedom. As you embark on the next phase of your life, determining your personal "why" is likely to be your most valuable asset.
The following are seven action steps to help you find clarity:
1. Prioritize your values
Everybody prioritizes their values intuitively, but many of us do not take the time to write them down in order of importance. Take a few minutes to think about what is important to you. Then, take pen to paper and write down your values beginning with the most important one. Be aware of where you fit in on your list. Are you number one, number three, number five or last on your list? Are you on the list at all?
2. Describe your ideal life
Give yourself permission to visualize the best life you could possibly imagine and then write it down. Where would you live? Would you be married? Have children? How would you be spending your time? How would you earn a living? What would be your net worth?
3. Determine where there is room for improvement
Take a few minutes to examine your life. Compare what you see to your ideal life. What small changes can you easily make? There is no need to do serious soul searching. Just take notice and jot down two or three things that you can begin to incorporate into daily living that can shift your direction slightly towards that of your ideal life.
4. Set SMART goals
Consider the two or three areas of your life you are determined to improve. Now set goals around them. SMART goals have each of the following elements:
* Specific * Measurable * Achievable * Realistic * Time Limit
When writing down your goals, answer the questions "what", "why", "how", "when" and "where". It is important to include as many details as possible. Be certain that achieving each of your goals promises to improve the quality of your life.
Don't get stuck in overwhelm. Divide your goals into smaller, easily digestible pieces so that you can support yourself in accomplishing them. Although the opportunities are limitless, set goals that feel within your reach so that the task isn't so strenuous and can be accomplished within a specific time frame.
5. Commit to your goals in writing
Make a promise to yourself in writing that you will achieve these two or three goals within a specific amount of time. Post your pledge in plain view so that you can be reminded of the work you have to do at various times throughout your day.
6. Intend your results-
The point of power is in the present moment. Take at least fifteen or twenty minutes each day (longer if you can) to visualize: soak in the feeling of accomplishing your goals. The key here is to walk, talk and act as if what you are working towards is already here. The subconscious mind cannot differentiate between what is real or imagined. It simply does as it is told. Ultimately, you create your own reality.
7. Revisit your goals daily
Keep yourself accountable by going back to your list of goals once or twice each day. The minute or two you spend re-examining what you've set out do will be well worth the effort. You will have the opportunity to reinforce, reevaluate and celebrate your accomplishments.
Keep the following in mind:
* Simply decide what you want and begin to move in its direction.
* Success is a choice. It comes to those who seek it.
* You are worthy of your goals. Make your goals worthy of you.
* You are capable. Everything you need to succeed is already within you.
* You are capable. Everything you need to succeed is already within you.
* Trust your intuition. It will guide you in the right direction.
* Be persistent. Success usually comes after a series of disappointments.
* Make it happen NOW! 100% commitment is easier than 99% commitment.
Brenda Coté is a Real Estate Investor, Real Estate and Mortgage Broker, Mentor, and Wealth Coach. At Transforming Lives, Creating Wealth, Brenda employs a "whole person" approach to support female Real Estate Investors succeed in business and life. To receive a FREE copy of Brenda's Report, "The Seven Biggest Mistakes Women Make When Creating Wealth Thru Real Estate" please go to: http://www.TransformingLivesCreatingWealth.com
Over the years, I have met countless people who said they wanted a career in real estate. Many of them had a Hollywood-like impression of what being a successful real estate investor involves. They saw the money, the homes and the luxury cars. They hardly ever saw the real work and commitment entailed. They were usually more interested in the rewards of the business than they were about learning the strategies to obtain those rewards.
When I first opened my retail real estate business, I spent the majority of my time training my sales staff on ways to acquire and close deals. We brainstormed, strategized and role-played. They were excited about their future. Everybody was ready to begin making fortunes, and I was thrilled for them.
Afterwards, it became evident that although my sales staff wanted more clients and more deals, very few of them were doing the work necessary to align their actions with their desired results. There was a considerable disconnect between where they stood at the time and where they eventually wanted to be. They were discouraged. They started believing what they wanted was no longer within their grasp.
One day, I called four of them into my office to talk about their dwindling sales. I asked each of them to paint me a picture of their ideal life. Every detail offered related to the relief of their immediate hardships. When I asked what they would do after resolving their pressing financial matters, all they could muster were generic, detached descriptions of a future that was so far in the distance it didn't even exist. I realized at that moment that I had invested my time, energy and emotions to support these hopeful sales people in their quest to get ahead without first inviting them to define what "getting ahead" meant for them. How would this [success] materialize, what would it bring them and when would they arrive? These were important questions no one asked. Their visions were clouded by the circumstances of their present existence. They could not see a way of living beyond their immediate moment. They had no clarity.
7 Ways to Seeing Straight
So, how can you make an emotional connection that will inspire you to move in the direction of the life you truly want?
Well, the central principle of success, abundance and happiness in life is your ability to create a well-defined vision of what you want to accomplish. In other words, you need to find clarity. But before you find clarity you need to get in touch with your own voice. A great way to get in touch with your own voice is by defining your values; by asking yourself what's important, determining why and then designing a blueprint that complements your outlook and takes you closer to your ideal way of life with every step you take.
Once you figure out "the why", "the how" will always present itself. For me, getting into real estate was only a means to an end. Initially, I had no appreciation for the business. I was completely unfocused. My passion exploded when I understood that, for someone like me- no formal education, dissatisfied and frustrated- a fruitful career in real estate could mean absolute and total freedom. As you embark on the next phase of your life, determining your personal "why" is likely to be your most valuable asset.
The following are seven action steps to help you find clarity:
1. Prioritize your values
Everybody prioritizes their values intuitively, but many of us do not take the time to write them down in order of importance. Take a few minutes to think about what is important to you. Then, take pen to paper and write down your values beginning with the most important one. Be aware of where you fit in on your list. Are you number one, number three, number five or last on your list? Are you on the list at all?
2. Describe your ideal life
Give yourself permission to visualize the best life you could possibly imagine and then write it down. Where would you live? Would you be married? Have children? How would you be spending your time? How would you earn a living? What would be your net worth?
3. Determine where there is room for improvement
Take a few minutes to examine your life. Compare what you see to your ideal life. What small changes can you easily make? There is no need to do serious soul searching. Just take notice and jot down two or three things that you can begin to incorporate into daily living that can shift your direction slightly towards that of your ideal life.
4. Set SMART goals
Consider the two or three areas of your life you are determined to improve. Now set goals around them. SMART goals have each of the following elements:
* Specific * Measurable * Achievable * Realistic * Time Limit
When writing down your goals, answer the questions "what", "why", "how", "when" and "where". It is important to include as many details as possible. Be certain that achieving each of your goals promises to improve the quality of your life.
Don't get stuck in overwhelm. Divide your goals into smaller, easily digestible pieces so that you can support yourself in accomplishing them. Although the opportunities are limitless, set goals that feel within your reach so that the task isn't so strenuous and can be accomplished within a specific time frame.
5. Commit to your goals in writing
Make a promise to yourself in writing that you will achieve these two or three goals within a specific amount of time. Post your pledge in plain view so that you can be reminded of the work you have to do at various times throughout your day.
6. Intend your results-
The point of power is in the present moment. Take at least fifteen or twenty minutes each day (longer if you can) to visualize: soak in the feeling of accomplishing your goals. The key here is to walk, talk and act as if what you are working towards is already here. The subconscious mind cannot differentiate between what is real or imagined. It simply does as it is told. Ultimately, you create your own reality.
7. Revisit your goals daily
Keep yourself accountable by going back to your list of goals once or twice each day. The minute or two you spend re-examining what you've set out do will be well worth the effort. You will have the opportunity to reinforce, reevaluate and celebrate your accomplishments.
Keep the following in mind:
* Simply decide what you want and begin to move in its direction.
* Success is a choice. It comes to those who seek it.
* You are worthy of your goals. Make your goals worthy of you.
* You are capable. Everything you need to succeed is already within you.
* You are capable. Everything you need to succeed is already within you.
* Trust your intuition. It will guide you in the right direction.
* Be persistent. Success usually comes after a series of disappointments.
* Make it happen NOW! 100% commitment is easier than 99% commitment.
Brenda Coté is a Real Estate Investor, Real Estate and Mortgage Broker, Mentor, and Wealth Coach. At Transforming Lives, Creating Wealth, Brenda employs a "whole person" approach to support female Real Estate Investors succeed in business and life. To receive a FREE copy of Brenda's Report, "The Seven Biggest Mistakes Women Make When Creating Wealth Thru Real Estate" please go to: http://www.TransformingLivesCreatingWealth.com
Bookmark with:
What are these?