The Most Important Lesson My Mentor Taug...

status Do you have a plan for the days when the going gets really tough in your real estate business?

Maybe you’re experiencing one of those days now. How are you going to make it through and keep pursuing success?

Frederick Nietzsche, a German poet and philosopher once said:

“He who has a big enough why to live for can bear almost any how.”

That just about sums up everything we need to know about getting through hard times. We need “a big enough why.”

Hey Moguls, Cody Sperber here…

In a recent lesson, I shared how one decision changed my entire life, and how that one decision also happened to lead me to my mentor, Lyle. Now I want to tell you about one of the most important lessons Lyle ever taught me.

And it has to do with why.

First Things First

In the game of real estate, you have to make important decisions every day. It’s your job to determine when a new situation is a golden opportunity that’s going to promote your personal and business goals and when it’s just a big fat distraction.

How in the world will you know each time which is which?

The trick is that in order to evaluate opportunities (or distractions) and make the best decision possible, you must first establish a crystal-clear set of priorities to guide those decisions.

Establishing this mindset foundation was one of the first things that Lyle taught me.

The Wrong Answer

One day, Lyle asked me, “Cody, why are you playing in the game of real estate?”

Without a moment’s hesitation, I answered, “To make as much money as possible.”

As soon as I had blurted out my answer, he started laughing at me.

To get the full effect of this scenario, you have to picture this... Lyle is a 70-year-old man, wearing sweat pants, Velcro shoes, a tucked-in, rumpled polo shirt and he was laughing at me…

After he had enjoyed his hearty laugh, he went on to remind me that, yes, I will be making a lot of money in real estate, but that cannot be—and should not be—the main reason why I’m in this business.

Dig Deeper

Lyle went on to explain that the desire for money would never be strong enough to push me past the obstacles in my life that will try to stop me from reaching my goals.

why Then he went on to ask, “Why do you want to make money?” In other words, he continued making me dig deeper and deeper into my motivation. He wanted me to discover my why.

Lyle helped me to understand that this is one of the most critical questions a person can answer to reach any level of success. Sadly, it’s a question many investors never bother answering for themselves.

If you were to ask most people to explain their why, they’d flounder. We live such incredibly busy lives, we never take the TIME to really think about it.

Strong Motivation

So why did Lyle tell me that this is the key to my success?

Inevitably in my journey toward success, I will encounter obstacles and challenges. He knew I’d need strong motivation to get me through.

It will be the same in your life.

The obstacles can make you want to slow down or quit. Your ability to press on will depend greatly on whether or not you have a big enough why.

If you have a big enough why, when the going gets tough, it won’t matter because your eye is on the prize. And that prize is bigger than the present problem.

Too Important to Put Off

So now I want to ask you that same question...

Why, exactly, are you doing real estate?

Grab a notepad and a pen. Take a few minutes and write out your reasons. Don’t wait. Do this right now! It’s too important to put off.

Are there specific goals that you want to achieve, such as giving your family a better life?
Do you want be in control of your own time and your own destiny?
Do you want to travel to new places and experience different cultures?
Do you want to be in a position to help others?

No matter what it is, you need to be specific when making your list.

Okay… if you’re still reading, stop here and make your list. Now.

Your Business Is the Vehicle

So now that you have a list, are you seeing how your real estate business is about more than just making money?

Your business is a vehicle that allows you to achieve the dreams and goals on your list.

Now that you know your big fat reason(s) why, the next step is to keep your list at your fingertips. The next time you’re faced with a decision, or a potential distraction, check out your list.

Will this decision take you closer to your goals or not?

Let that be your guide.

As you review and use your list, it will begin to grow. It may grow in length, but it will also grow in your own mind and in your heart. Each day it will become more real.

This list will give you the courage and stamina to keep on keeping on, even when the going gets rough.

I can honestly say it was this thinking that made me a real estate millionaire.