Pamela Miller, GRI, CSP, ABR

I've heard for years that 20% of the people are the ones who make it to the top and shine, leaving 80% far behind in the dust whining and blaming. This is not just real estate, but in any busienss.

In my class The Positive Spin at Keller Williams Franklin, we're studying Donald Trump's and Robert Kiyosaki's book Why We Want You to be Rich. These two highly successful real estate moguls say that 80/20 rule now is really 90/10. They see more and more a society that is becoming "the classes and the masses" ...the rich and the poor. They question why, as children, most people are never given a great financial education. Instead, they claim we are taught at an early age to be employees who depend on someone else to handle our money.

Trump and Kiyosaki go against what conservative money managers advise. They said you need to learn to expand your means instead of live below your means. You need to focus on goals, skills and read, read, read...educate, educate, educate yourself on money matters and your business. They show many examples of people who do not have a college education, but became wealthy and successful in their field when they studied and studied what worked and gained vision for what could work in the future...i.e. Bill Gates, a Harvard dropout, Richard Branson, a poor student because he was dyslexic.

Trump says he never stops learning. He says that he is fortunate to only need four hours sleep a night. What does he do with the extra four hours? He reads anything he can put his hands on about history and his business.

Trump and Kiyosaki still think real estate is by far the best investment. It always has cycles. it always comes back in value. Sharpen your skills during slow periods. Go where the money is. As realtors, we're in a great situation to be part of the 10% if we just work daily to get better.

For a fun way to learn about wise real estate investing and money management, get Kiyosaki's game called Cashflow. The game's theme is to get out of the rat race and into the fast track of success!

Come to Pamela Miller GRI, CSP's class anytime on Mondays 12:30-1:30 at Keller Williams Cool Springs.

Keller Williams Realty believes in equiping its agents with the tools to build a better business and to live a higher quality life. "The Positive Spin Zone" led by Pamela Miller GRI, CSP is a book discussion group that meets Mondays from 12:30-1:30PM at Keller Williams Franklin. Books discussed are those that teach, motivate, and inspire one to think differently, more creatively and with focus. Past books discussed include Secrets of the Millionaire Mind: Mastering the Inner Game of Wealth by T. Harv Eker and The Aladdin Factor by Jack Canfield and Mark Hansen. This month, we have been discussing Why We Want You to Be Rich by Donald Trump and Robert Kiyosaki.

A common theme in all these books is that you have to have a clear vision for your goals and dreams. Further, by putting your vision in writing or on a vision board, you are more likely to achieve it. Here is Pamela Miller's vision board as an example.

Make your own vision board, keep it in a place where you actively see it, and enjoy how things start to happen as you consciously and subconsciouly work towards your dreams.

Meet an Inspiring Neighbor Who Has Served the 12South Community for Over 45 Years

Juanita A. Rucks is a fountain of optimism and wonderful 12South stories. She and her family moved to South Douglas in the spring of 1963. She has reared three successful children and one amazing nephew here. Married to her long time sweetheart, Charles, since 1948, you can feel the warmth and love in their charming 1920’s home.

“My house was (and is) the gathering place for kids in the afternoons. You could play board games of Scrabble, Keeno, Pictionary, Monopoly and, also, a good game of basketball, “ explains Juanita. “I have seen the neighborhood go through several transitions. When we first moved in years ago, we helped with the needs of an elderly couple who lived next door. When they passed on, I was the one knocking on the door when a few young kids were up to no good and called them down on their activities. They didn’t want to mess with Mrs. Rucks.”

“I love this area and take pride in the homes and people here.” Juanita and Charles now have three houses on South Douglas and want to keep them in the family by passing them on to their children.

After her babies were born, Juanita went back to school and studied for a teaching degree. She taught 7th and 8th grade in metro schools for thirty years. She retired in 1992. Her wonderful teaching influence still abounds in the area. (District 17 Council Woman Sandra Moore prides Juanita as being one of her favorite, inspirational teachers.)

Juanita may have retired from teaching with metro, but she could not contain her teaching spirit and nurturing nature. She now works with the sheriff’s department and its GED program. She still works on changing people’s lives! She teaches basic math skills and works with others in the department to help 8 to 10 people graduate every 8 to 10 weeks. She has now seen some of these students go on to graduate from college. She said it is such a rewarding experience to see people who have made some bad choices turn their lives around with a
little help and encouragement.

A smart, spirited and giving woman, Juanita is truly a neighborhood hero. She says her momma always told her, “If you make your bed hard, you have to lie in it.” She works effortlessly to help others have “a little softer bed” every day.