This week marks the 3-year anniversary of quitting my job with a commercial firm to pursue real estate as an entrepreneur.
Reflecting with gratitude for our clients, mentors, friends and family-- I've included a list below of my top lessons thus far-- I'm hopeful and confident that whether you be an entrepreneur (financing the business yourself) or an intrapreneur (working within a company) you will gain value.
1. Start with your core values in-mind and build from there-- clarity and knowing yourself is EVERYTHING. Be less worried with where your leads will come from (most start here).
2 In the beginning, you will fail a lot-- your relationship with failure, what you learn and how quickly you respond-- will make or break you.
3 The world doesn't owe you anything, find ways to serve people and their interests-- you will be rewarded.
4 There will be people that lift you up and help you that prior to starting, you never could've imagined-- I'm so grateful for each of you.
5 On the other side of the coin, there will be people that don't support or believe in your mission-- get used to this and learn to be okay with it.
6 Fear is okay, self-doubt is not-- find out what's internally wrong and eradicate it.
7 Worry less about how many followers you have, focus on how you treat people-- this is your brand.
8 Build trust by showing up consistently-- you will outlast the competition.
9 Learning to be authentic is a skill and art-- take the risk and show people who you truly are.
10 Right when you think things can't get worse, the sky will open up and your next opportunity will arrive-- have faith.
11 You must be able to articulate WHY you believe in yourself-- otherwise, how could anyone else believe in you?
12 Spend 5-7 hours weekly continuously learning and accumulating skills to grow yourself and the business-- trade magazines, marketing, negotiating, accounting etc.
13 Compete with yourself! Rent is due everyday!!
14 Accept that there will be people that don't understand you-- if it were their goal they'd be pursuing it.
15 Practice extreme ownership and self-accountability-- live in delusion or the real world-- your choice.
16 Plan your day the night before-- self-discipline and having a daily plan will 10x your productivity and success.
16 Prioritize your faith, family, friends and health in the process-- without them, it's all meaningless.
17 Face-down the bullies and BELIEVE you can walk into any room and win-- because you can!
18 Accept that you will not win every time-- but believe you are always CAPABLE of winning
19 Preparation + Opportunity= Success is my favorite equation
20 REFLECT on the past-- the days you prayed for what you now have-- I want to make that kid proud, because he kept going
I hope this list was worth your time-- I'd love to hear from you!
Talk soon. Eddie
