Peter Giardini

I believe it was Zig Ziglar who coined the phrase... "see you at the top!"

I have attended many seminars where that phrase was a keystone of the discussion... and almost everyone who I have spoken to about the subject of success, especially real estate investors, completely endorse the notion of getting to the top!

Regrettably, while getting to the top takes a tremendous amount of effort, some skills, and much self-made luck... once at the top, it is a very lonely place.

As entrepreneurs, by definition, we start at the top. We leave whatever JOB we had, jump into real estate with a clear vision of wealth, and freedom and control over our lives; march off smartly to take down deals and secure our profits... and soon find ourselves out in the lonely world sometimes wondering.... what the HECK did I get myself into?

As real estate entreperneurs we have the good fortune of having to learn to do just about everything, and learn it while we are doing it. Think about it... if we aren't out negotiating a deal, we are back in the office dealing with insurance issues, or out in the field managing unmanagable contractors or dealing with overly demanding buyers. And often times we find ourselves ill equipped, over worked, under appreciated, and sometimes just darned scared.

It is lonely at the top!

Face it, neither you nor I have all of the answers to every situation we could be confronted with every day. We don't have time to learn from scratch everything that must be learned in this business to succeed and secure our profits. And it is unrealistic and perhaps you are delusional to think otherwise.

From my own experiences I have learned that trying to successfully operate my businesses in a vacuum... a vacuum absent of others valuable knowledge, guidance, and the benefit of their experiences just makes being an entrepreneur an insurmountable challenge.

And sadly... too many really good, well-intentioned real estate investors drop out because they just don't realize that they are at the top, running their own business without the needed input and guidance from others.

I will continue this discussion next week as I explore a few proven techniques that have worked for me in ensuring that while I am at the TOP... it is not a lonely place... in fact it is enjoyable, enlightening, and of course profitable.

In the mean time I welcome your thoughts on what it is like to the chief cook and bottle washer... its rewards and challenges.

To Your Success...

Pete

If you found this post to be of value, I would be honored if you passed it on to others who may benefit.

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Peter R, Giardini is the founder of The Club, Real Estate Mastermind a National Real Estate Investor Coaching program whose philosophy is that real estate investing coaching/ mentoring can only be provided by experenced coaches in a one-on-one environment. To find out more about The Club visit http://www.theclubmastermind.com</font>or send an email to info@theclubmastermind.com</font>.

You can listen in and participate in Pete's Real Estate Investors' Mastermind radio show every Thursday night at 11:00PM on BlogTalkRadio... www.blogtalkradio.com/peter-giardini</font>. Copyright 2010, All rights reserved

I thought I would shake things up a bit with this post and see what kind of dialog we can get started...

Based on recent events in our economy and what appears to be an administration bent on destroying our capitalistic system, it seems that Ayn Rand was way ahead of her times when she wrote her fiction novel "Atlas Shrugged".

If you have not read this book... you should.

While written in 1957, it seems to have captured the essence of some of the very things our nation is being confronted with today... primarily that there has been an ever-increasing group of people (looters or non-producers) who are willing with a straight face to live off of the efforts of an ever-decreasing number of (producers or creators). And the differences in these two groups are being exploited by a very vocal group lead by our current administration.

If you are confused about what I am talking about, consider that, just this past weekend, the House of Representatives passed a $1,200,000,000,0000.00 (that's a lot of zeros) healthcare plan. While the objective is noble so far the approach (this plan) is both heavy handed and it stinks!

In addition, everything coming from Washington today only reinforces the notion that you and I will have ample opportunity as real estate investors to fork over our hard-earned income and profits, via increased taxes and reduced deductions, to those who choose not to take the risks and reap the rewards of their efforts. While this group of "looters" quite frankly expects that they deserve the fruits of our labors without so much as raising a hand to help.

So... where am I going with this?

Well, I have been thinking seriously about going "John Galt!" If you don't know what that means, read the book... or Google it. I will share with you that, essentially, it means cutting back, doing nothing to support the economy, going off-grid and reducing my income and TAXES to the lowest level possible.

Sounds great doesn't it? But I am not willing to that!

Instead, I am proposing something totally contrary to a rapidly-growing movement. What I am proposing is that if we, you and I, want our economy to survive and recover in spite of all of the challenges thrown in front of us... then we must ensure that our small real estate businesses thrive and prosper. As that is the only way to get us out of this hole we find ourselves in and possibly beat back this assualt on our economy.

I recently did a podcast regarding the impact each of us as real estate agents and real estate investors has on our local economy every time you buy, or rehab or rent a property. It is staggering when you think about it! You can listen to that podcast at... http://www.theclubmastermind.com/includes/podcasts/030209.mp3

So... instead of going "GALT" I encourage each of you to step up to the plate, do what you can to support your local economy, and unabashedly claim your well deserved profits.

To Your Success...

Pete

If you found this post to be of value, I would be honored if you passed it on to others who may benefit.

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Peter R, Giardini is the founder of The Club, Real Estate Mastermind a National Real Estate Investor Coaching program whose philosophy is that real estate investing coaching/ mentoring can only be provided by experenced "local" coaches in a one-on-one environment. To find out more about The Club visit http://www.theclubmastermind.com</font>or send an email to info@theclubmastermind.com</font>.

You can listen in and participate in Pete's Real Estate Investors' Mastermind radio show every Thursday night at 11:00PM on BlogTalkRadio... www.blogtalkradio.com/peter-giardini</font>. Copyright 2009, All rights reserved

"The idiocy that I come across everyday in this business"

Yes... that is correct... the IDIOT real estate investors who somehow have seemed to survive as real estate investors in this market and are still out there making really stupid mistakes.

I am only going to relate one example... though I could write chapter and verse on the things I see and hear daily.

So... here goes... I will try to keep the story and the RANT short!

I routinely cruise a variety of real estate investor message boards to see what is happening, what's selling at what price, what questions are being asked, and who may be asking them.

Recently I have noticed a lot of questions being asked about landlord/tenant issues. Having learned the "land lording" business from the ground up I am amazed at some of the questions I am seeing.

Take for example a recent question and I paraphrase... "the lease is up within 4 days, tenants have not signed new lease and have avoided me, do I have the right to throw their stuff out... what about the security deposit? They have now left me with at least a month of having to pay the mortgage."

I read stuff like this and I want to scream... I want to scream to this person that they do not deserve to own this or any property because they have no idea what they are doing... and quite possibly could end up in jail (perhaps only there will they learn the lesson of you need to know what you are doing if you are to succeed) as a result of their ignorance. In case you were wondering there is at least one and possibly two items in this investors comments above that in most localities could get them put in jail!

Now for those of you who want to give this person a break by pointing out... But, Pete they were trying to learn the process by asking the right questions... I would say to you...

"The time to educate yourself occurs long before you need that education"

To think that you can learn on the fly in this business, in this market... is just plain STUPID!

So why am I taking such a hard stand in this blog post? It's simple... no real estate investor needs to struggle like I have seen and heard in this market. No investor needs to put their family or financial situation as risk in this market.

There are plenty of lessons already learned by successful real estate investors that can ease the way for your success... But first you need to seek out those who have learned these lessons.

Oh... and for that investor with the pressing questions... I wish them the best of luck... and hope that at the very least they hire a qualified property manager before they get themselves into real trouble.

To Your Success...

Pete

If you found this post to be of value, I would be honored if you passed it on to others who may benefit.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------

Peter R, Giardini is the founder of The Club, Real Estate Mastermind a National Real Estate Investor Coaching program whose philosophy is that real estate investing coaching/ mentoring can only be provided by experenced "local" coaches in a one-on-one environment. To find out more about The Club visit http://www.theclubmastermind.com</font>or send an email to info@theclubmastermind.com</font>.

You can listen in and participate in Pete's Real Estate Investors' Mastermind radio show every Thursday night at 11:00PM on BlogTalkRadio... www.blogtalkradio.com/peter-giardini</font>. Copyright 2009, All rights reserved.

I was reading a FAX the other day that I receive each week as part of a coaching group that I belong to and it had a very interesting point of view regarding ACHIEVERS.

Many of you have heard of the 20-80 rule regarding revenue and customers. you know the one where 80% of your results comes from 20% of your efforts.

Well this FAX suggested that there is a 5-15-80 rule when it comes to achievers.

Let me explain... and many of you reading this will most likely have witnessed if not experienced this phenomena!

It you were to take 100 achievers... let's say that these individuals each had a net worth of $1 Million dollars, over time this group would start to "stratify" their overall net worth as follows:

5 of those individuals, or 5% of the group of 100 would in time out distance the other 95% and become multi, multi-millionaires.

15 of those individuals, or 15% of the group of 100 would in time increase their net worth beyond the $1 Million but their gains would not be truly substantial.

The remaining 80 individuals, or 80% of the group would stay were they are or even lose ground.

Think about this for a minute. How many times have you seen this phenomenon in action?

Well we see it everyday in sports. Where the best of the best are recruited onto teams and some excel and become legends while others struggle and soon disappear.

So Pete... what does this have to do with me as a real estate agent or my real estate investor clients?

EXCELLENCE OR MEDIOCRITY...

It is very simple... Which group do you belong to?

Are you an "achiever" a 5 Percenter? Or are you an "80 percenter"?

You know who the achievers are around you. They are the agents that always seem to have listings, clients, sales literally fall into their laps. While you have watched others, possibly even yourself struggle just to succeed.

What makes the difference?

I believe that it is just a few things that make the difference between your excelling and moving to the ranks of the 5 Percenters or being mired in mediocrity.

1. Those who excell know exactly what they want and they make all of their decisions accordingly. Their desires are their bigger YES to everything else. If it does not support their desires they don't do it!

2. Achievers put the success of their clients ahead of their success. Whoa... you might be asking, why would anyone do that? Simple... when you work hard to help others to succeed you can't help but succeed yourself. I guarantee you that you have seen this principle in action and the tremendous dividends it pays.

3. Every 5 Percenter I have ever know has demonstrated tremendous courage. I am not talking about taking a bullet for someone... though some of the 5 Percenters I know would do just that... see item 2 about. But more importantly is that these 5 Percenters are not fearful of the everyday problems that confront them. They just accept that they either have to face the situation or be stopped. Through their courage, they refuse to be stopped by anything.

4. They value the importance of a strong team. To be sure... this does not mean that they make decisions by committee, on the contrary, given their level of focus on their goals and desires they are very quick to make decisions on their own... but even with those decisions made, they know that they cannot get done what needs to be done without the help and support of a strong team. No person can become a 5 Percenter on their own!

And lastly...

5. From a 5 Percenter's point of view they have experienced a failure! Instead they view what most people would see failure as nothing more then an opportunity to learn. To learn that, that particular approach, idea, person, etc., didn't work and that they would have to try something different achieve their desires.

So there you have... just a few thoughts on ddistinguishing yourself as a 5 Percenter... and mediocrity be damned!

I accept that there are many characteristics which separate the highest levels of acheivement from everyone else... and as such I invite your comments continuing this discussion on what separates the super-successful from the masses.

To Your Success...

Pete

If you found this post to be of value, I would be honored if you passed it on to others who may benefit.

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Peter R, Giardini is the founder of The Club, Real Estate Mastermind a National Real Estate Investor Coaching program whose philosophy is that real estate investing coaching/ mentoring can only be provided by experenced "local" coaches in a one-on-one environment. To find out more about The Club visit http://www.theclubmastermind.com</font>or send an email to info@theclubmastermind.com</font>.

You can listen in and participate in Pete's Real Estate Investors' Mastermind radio show every Thursday night at 11:00PM on BlogTalkRadio... www.blogtalkradio.com/peter-giardini</font>. Copyright 2009, All rights reserved.

I had the good fortune of having a friend recommend that I read a very compelling book recently. The book is titled The Last Lecture, by Randy Pausch. If you haven't read this book, I highly recommend it.

Randy's book is extremely touching and demonstrates a courage and vision that few can only hope to emulate... and it is filled with great common sense insight.

In today's world, it is both refreshing and touching.

In one chapter of his book, "Romancing the Brick Wall", Randy talks about his trials and travails wooing his wife Jai. As a life-long bachelor and Jai having been married once already, Randy was ill-equipped for the resistance Jai was presenting. And Jai did not want to move quickly or at all into a relationship she was unsure of. Hence the brick wall. A wall that Randy was determined to go over, around or through to win Jai's affections. Which of course he did.

From some of the most routine events in our lives, as in the life of Jai and Randy, come some of the most profound lessons. How many times have you been confronted by a "brick wall?" In Randy's case, this wall was real. Jai put up the brick wall and Randy had to go through it. In your case, are the "walls" that you confront real, or imagined? Or even self-created? And regardless, are you stopped by them...letting these walls kill your dreams and aspirations...or do you find a way to go over, around or through them, as Randy did?

And once again...I am sure you are scratching your head wondering...Pete...what has this got to do with real estate investing?

And, again I will respond...EVERYTHING! Let me give you a few recent real-life examples - that I have witnessed:

Real Estate investors who quit the game, because they believe they cannot get their deals financed. This may be a real brick wall for some. But, more than likely, it is a perceived, self-created brick wall for most. Created as an excuse...so that they can rationalize that they "could" have found the deal, IF they had financing. This brick wall is one of the easiest to overcome...assuming you know how to approach lenders.

Another is a real estate investor being afraid to make low ball offers. Because, many investors say to themselves, "what if I insulted the seller?" Or their worst nightmare, "What if my offer(s) got accepted?" Many of my clients love this kind of problem. But then, I also have a few who are afraid to make offers, because they just might be accepted...

I think you get my drift. I have always maintained that the mechanics of real estate investing are easy. It's the brick walls, mostly perceived, not real, that, in my opinion, keep you from achieving the success you are seeking as an investor.

I will leave you with two thoughts...

Identify your brick walls and then make a conscience decision to ovecome them... And,

Take a few moments from your day and read Randy Pausch's book. You will be glad you did!

To Your Success...

Pete

If you found this post to be of value, I would be honored if you passed it on to others who may benefit.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------

Peter R, Giardini is the founder of The Club, Real Estate Mastermind a National Real Estate Investor Coaching program whose philosophy is that real estate investing coaching/ mentoring can only be provided by experenced "local" coaches in a one-on-one environment. To find out more about The Club visit http://www.theclubmastermind.com or send an email to info@theclubmastermind.com.

You can listen in and participate in Pete's Real Estate Investors' Mastermind radio show every Thursday night at 11:00PM on BlogTalkRadio... www.blogtalkradio.com/peter-giardini. All rights reserved 2009.