“You will either step forward into growth or you will step back into safety.”
~Abraham Maslow
Lately I have been reminded of just how challenging it can be as investors try to get their real estate business off the ground.
Preston Ely here, and I’m facing some growing pains as well and find myself in uncharted territory in many different ways. It is SO uncomfortable, isn’t it?
Not knowing exactly what to do. Not sure how it will all turn out. A steady flow of problems that you don’t have answers to. Lots on the line if you lose the battle. Constant pressure and stress.
The life of your business will go through cycles. Pay your dues through some stormy seas at one level, and it’s smooth sailing for a period of time... life is beautiful.
But then it’s time to mature to a new even higher level. Back into the storm you go. Time to learn and grow so that you can handle the new level of business coming your way.
This goes on and on, over and over, until you feel like you’ve grown to your fullest potential, which is never. Part of your sanity in all this will come from your ability to recognize these seasons in your life and not fight against them.
“I think that our fundamental belief is that for us growth is a way of life and we have to grow at all times.”
~Mukesh Ambani
Stages of Growth
One aspect of growth is struggle and stress.
During this season of maturing, only a fool remains complacent and carefree. Don’t bang your head against the wall trying to figure out “why everything has to be so dang hard.” That’s senseless.
Accept where you are at. Embrace the truth of life as a reality that can’t be changed. There is no other way. You must walk through this. So do it.
“Do not say ‘Why were the former days better than these?’ For you do not ask wisely concerning this.
~Ecclesiastes 7:10
Another stage of growth will require you to rest from your work. You’ve done it. You’ve pushed past the point required of you. You’ve paid your dues and the money is flowing in steadily.
Now RELAX.
Don’t be a freakin’ workaholic.
Workaholics are total losers in my book. Completely one-dimensional with no depth to them whatsoever. Wholly insecure and without anything to offer others besides…well, nothing really.
They think they’re strong, when in reality they’re anything but.
Why are people so scared to look life in the face and stop hiding behind work and sports and whatever else? Why do you insist on keeping yourself so busy? What are you so scared of?
Just check out my official favorite quote of the universe for more perspective on this:
“The really efficient laborer will be found not to crowd his day with work,
but will saunter to his task surrounded by a wide halo of ease and leisure.”
~Henry David Thoreau
Don’t Be “Busy”
When people say to me, “So, you’ve been busy?” I always say “No” and just look at them like they’re crazy aliens from outer space.
What is so great about being busy?
I pity busy people. Everyone’s busy. Too busy for this and too busy for that. Why is it that I make like 19 times more money than all these people, but I have all the time in the world for absolutely anything?
I have a friend from Southern California who told me something interesting. He said: “If you tell someone in Cali that you’re busy, they’ll look down on you. You’re like a lesser person.”
It’s as if by you admitting to being busy, you’re openly confessing that you haven’t made it yet.
Stop wearing busyness as a badge. Or go ahead and wear it, but just be aware that it is a badge of LAMENESS.
My point is this… recognize your seasons and adjust accordingly. Try to get in tune with the ebbs and flows of life. Life is moving at a certain pace. Try to move with it. Not too fast. Not too slow. Like a golf swing.
Therein lies peace and energy and harmony.
I tend to move too fast. So I’m going to try to slow down a bit. You probably move too slow if I had to guess. Speed it up a tad or three.
Recognize your personal seasons and act accordingly.
Say Something
Drop me a note about this lesson in the comments section below.
Take stock of where your life is and what stage of growth you’re in, so you can chart your path better.
Be cognizant of your personal seasons and act accordingly.
Stop being busy for the sake of busyness; if you’re successful you can afford to take a break – and you should.
Preston Ely
is a real estate investor, serial entrepreneur, life coach, musician and philanthropist. CEO of Real Freedom, Inc, one of the most influential internet-based information publishers in the world, owns the largest Anytime Fitness Gym in the United States, is recording a music album with Atlantic Records, sits on the board of Advocates Of Love Orphanage, and has a non-profit charity assisting the poor and oppressed in Cuba with both their physical and spiritual needs.
With over 200,000 subscribers to his email newsletter, he is rapidly fulfilling his mission on earth, which is to glorify God by setting people physically, mentally, financially, and spiritually free through his music and his message of FREEDOM. Preston is 37 years old, lives in Tampa, FL with his wife Ashley, where he spends most of his time reading, writing, and practicing mixed martial arts.