Hit the Ball
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I’ve taught golf for a long time now.
As you might imagine, I’m somewhat unusual, a little different than your average pro.
I do things my way, like the first lesson I give.
Let me relate a true story, although not that unusual for me.
A lady came to take a series of lessons. She wanted to join her husband in their retirement and golf around the country.
The first thing I did was toss a ball on the ground and hand her a club, a five iron.
Then I told her:
“hit the ball”
She looked at me. Puzzled.
She smiled and replied, “I don’t know how, that is what I’m paying you to teach me.”
If you read the rest of the story, you’ll find out why having the attitude of a three year old is the most valuable tool you can have in your business. The lesson rang true for me.
My wife and I went to a friend’s house to pick his brain about real estate investing, something that he’s done really well at.
“If you’re making it more difficult than walking down the sidewalk, you’re probably not going to do well.” He said.
I believe him, us humans have an innate ability to accomplish things, we’ve just messed ourselves up so much that we think we need to take a $3000 course to learn how to swim…even though we were born as a fish.
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Comments ( 15 )
Jscott added these pithy words on Mar 24 07 at 6:21 pmI am not doubting. I am asking as it will exercise the brain of all participating in this thread (both lurkers and non).
Why would the RE guy say what he said? Is it accurate or a piece of BS?
Can things be as simple at the start as they are at they finish line?
Good post.
Tyler added these pithy words on Mar 24 07 at 7:13 pmJon and JScott,
This is a very interesting concept and I think, more than anything, we have made things in our lives too complex.
However, even bigger than the phantom complexity issue is that our society frowns so much on making mistakes.
So many people are doomed before they even start because they are too afraid of losing or failing in the eyes of their peers and faimly.
However, what they don’t realize is that they are failing themselves if they don’t try.
I’ve been the victim of “analysis paralysis” so many times, I’ve stopped counting. Growing up poor, living in a trailer park, it’s hard for me to “risk” what I’ve earned to possibly end up back “there”.
What’s sad is that without risking what I’ve earned, I’ll never get to where I want to be. I know this and yet “flipping the switch” is still something I just can’t bring myself to do.
Am I failing myself? Maybe I’m making my business ideas too complex?
Jon added these pithy words on Mar 24 07 at 7:23 pm@Jscott, the RE guy read one book and then over the course of the next year bought 13 (all Cashflow positive) properties starting with a small line of credit on his townhouse. I was asking him how he did it…he told me that if you just get started and pay attention, the right thing to do next will always be apparent; even if you mess up.
@Tyler, I hear ya. My wife and I have watched the houses in our city double or triple in value over the last few years because we were afraid we couldn’t afford to buy one. A very costly belief in misguided perceptions.
Tyler added these pithy words on Mar 25 07 at 7:13 amJon,
So what is next? Are you going to buy or are you afraid tha tthe housing market has topped and you will be upside down on your mortgage? Has the next step become apparent?I must say that sometimes mistakes are the best thing that can happen. I have made a few mistakes and learned from every one of them. I do believe that those mistakes are preparing me for a successful future.
Tyler added these pithy words on Mar 25 07 at 7:13 amJon,
So what is next? Are you going to buy or are you afraid that the housing market has topped and you will be upside down on your mortgage? Has the next step become apparent?I must say that sometimes mistakes are the best thing that can happen. I have made a few mistakes and learned from every one of them. I do believe that those mistakes are preparing me for a successful future.
Mike added these pithy words on Mar 26 07 at 7:25 amGreat post Jon. What book did your RE friend read?
Jon added these pithy words on Mar 26 07 at 8:52 am@Mike = Real Estate Riches
@Tyler, I don’t see any evidence that we’re near a top in Edmonton…although for sure a slow down in price increase rate is certain.
That said, with a primary residence it doesn’t really matter. Really this purchase is about the intangibles that come with owning as opposed to renting, if I was wanting an investment a whole different list of considerations would be brought onto the table, including market timing.
Now all we have to do is see if I can pull off buying a house with:
1.) Good Credit
2.) No Household Income
3.) No Down Payment
Which is my current situation. Should be fun
Tyler added these pithy words on Mar 26 07 at 10:00 am“Now all we have to do is see if I can pull off buying a house with…”
I think you need to rephrase this scentence so it reads something like this:
“Now all we have to do is see HOW I pull off buying MY house with…”
Just a little “law of attraction” mixed with some Rich Dad Poor Dad for good measure.
C’mon Jon, I thought you were a self-proclaimed “Rich Dad Geek”?
Kimber added these pithy words on Mar 26 07 at 10:18 amI’m definitely a hit the ball type of gal.
Sure I’ve made more than my share of mistakes (the rest of you reading this, I’ve already made some of yours) but more things go right than wrong.
Plus its a myth that it’s easier to get it right the first time than go back and correct mistakes. Its easier to do something and THEN go back and correct mistakes. ‘Cause you have a shot at getting it right the first time.
Jon added these pithy words on Mar 26 07 at 5:02 pm@Tyler…you caught me! Thanks for the attitude adjustment.
Fortunately, for me I’m married to a master of the “How can I…” statement.
For example, my wife has a VERY restricted diet. She can only eat 3 types of grains and none of them in the form of flour.
She asked herself, “How can I make something that is just as good, if not better than regular bread, without any flour (or yeast).”
She pulled it off. I actually prefer her version to anything else you would give me. Now she has a whole line of “products” including: pita breads, crackers and even waffles. All made from one ingredient and no flour or yeast.
I think that the question “How can I {something that looks impossible}?” is the most powerful tool in a human being’s toolbox.
Thanks again for the reminder!
Tyler added these pithy words on Mar 26 07 at 7:04 pmThis may be out of scope, but does your wife market her “products” as a niche business?
markinjapan added these pithy words on Mar 27 07 at 2:04 amHi Jon,
That story reminds me of Tim Gallwey’s bestseller “The Inner Game of Tennis” and his idea of “self 1″ getting out of the way of “self 2″. (or, as it happens, setting self 1 up so it has little other choice but to be an observer..)
http://theinnergame.com/html/about_tim.html
Decide for yourself if the metaphor extends beyond teaching tennis.
Off-topic - perhaps cooking blogs would blend in somehow with your City Blogs empire?
regards
Jon added these pithy words on Mar 27 07 at 8:44 am@Mark, I like the Inner Game concept, though my take is a bit different. In my opinion we have, in full knowledge, developed “self 1″ to prevent ourselves from reaching our potential, as opposed to being a victim of some rouge self.
Also, the city blog empire just opened it’s first food blog: Chow Down Atlanta which is an experiment that already looks successful.
@Tyler, not yet, but you know I have it on my mind…if she wants to go that route!
Andres added these pithy words on Mar 27 07 at 5:02 pmHey Jon, I’m glad you have a REI expert in your area, is he going to mentor you or was that more like just a friendly conversation? Are you planing to get into RE later or just to buy your first house as we discussed during the Arizona trip?
Jon added these pithy words on Mar 27 07 at 8:34 pmHi Andres, thanks for dropping by. More like a friendly conversation. I was excited about doing some REI when I first returned from Phoenix, but then the reality of having a business to run set in, and I think I’ll just stick to finding a place to live for now.