I’ve noticed a trend lately, and I don’t like it.
Folks everywhere, from all walks of life and all generations have been giving up. It’s mind boggling that so many people surround themselves with low-hanging fruit (homes that sit empty with owners that are willing to sell) who aren’t making offers on these homes with any regularity. If you aren’t making offers, you aren’t doing business!
Why aren’t people putting in offers? Why aren’t people sticking with jobs? Why aren’t people committing to anything long enough to see real results?
FEAR
Fear of rejection, fear of success, fear of the unknown, fear of the word “No,” fear of the work, fear of being disappointed, fear of losing money, fear of going bald, fear of a piano falling on your head. Whatever you want to label your phobia, I get it—fear isn’t a fun emotion. If it were easy to get over, more people would be fearlessly making millions.
But you know what? Your fear is never going to go away unless you choose to get over it, and fear is NOT going to make you any money.
You can control your fears, or you can let them control you.
The only way to control you fear is to get over it, and the ONLY way to get over it is by going through it. The more you face your fear, the more your brain associates the action with safety. You have to prove to yourself that your fear isn’t going to kill you, and when you do, your mind begins to figure it out.
You can only act your way out.
You can’t rationalize your way out. You can’t believe your way out. You can’t even chant your way out–although a healthy dose of “I can do it, I can do it, I can do it” sometimes helps your feet move forward.
I had an “Inner Circle” client of mine admit to me his deep fear of talking to people. He’d gotten so far in life (being a business owner previously, even!) by managing around his fear and avoiding confrontation as often as possible. But, he never felt like he was reaching his full potential by dodging opportunities to feel safe.
So, I told him to invest in his fear, fly to New York, and stand in the middle of time square talking to people. Now, I don’t believe he actually did that, but he took my advice to face his fears and committed to acting his way out of the turmoil by talking to people. He talked to everyone, even individuals who didn’t look like they wanted to carry a conversation, all the while doing it afraid. He began to feel more comfortable, and his brain eventually replaced the flashes of warning with assurances of safety. His confidence soared.
Then, my client went to see a house from someone who had answered an “I Buy Houses” bandit sign. It wasn’t long into the conversation when the homeowner made a wildly inappropriate joke that if my client didn’t buy his home, he’d get his gun. Years ago, this would’ve sent my client running far and fast! But, my client held his own, told the seller he was out of line and left. Most importantly, it didn’t prevent him from viewing houses and making offers. That client is about to close on a home with a profit of nearly $100,000!
“Fear is the brain’s way of saying there is something important to overcome.” Rachel Huber
FIX IT
The key to fixing your fear is to act on your fear. And the only way you’re going to act is if you decide that you want something more than you’re afraid of it.
Remember what I always say, “Don’t leave your success in the hands of others.” And that includes leaving your success in the hands of your fears!
Brian Tracy said it best in his international bestseller, “Eat That Frog!”
“In study after study of men and women who get paid more and promoted faster, the quality of ‘action orientation’ stands out as the most observable and consistent behavior they demonstrate in everything they do. Successful, effective people are those who launch directly into their major tasks and then discipline themselves to work steadily and single-mindedly until those tasks are complete.”
My challenge to you is this: tackle your biggest fear first. Are you afraid of being on the phones? Make an appointment with yourself first thing in the morning to make 10 cold calls. Are you single and afraid of being rejected? Walk up to the most remarkable person you can find and ask them out. Are you afraid of cats? Go to the animal shelter and ask to be left alone in a room with one (or three). Do it. Prove to yourself that it won’t kill you.
Now… Act.
Need an action to take? Sign up for the next Funding Tour. Not only am I paying for your $497 seat so you don’t have to, we’ve removed the guess work and will walk you through tangible steps that you can make to secure your success. CLICK HERE for details or call us at 800-533-1622 to secure your seat while I’m still paying for them. Where’s the fear in that?
Let me know in the comments how you did.
To Your Success;
Lee A. Arnold
CEO
The Lee Arnold System of Real Estate Investing
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