Bouncing back
I came to my computer this evening and noticed the following tweet from our pal Nick Johnson: “And I thought I was slacking on my blog. Two weeks? Whats going on? no updates?”
LOL! I hear you, Nick. It’s been 9 days which is quite some time for me, but in fairness I did give a warning that there would be some quiet time last week. The quiet time was supposed to be for two key items (1) getting taxes completed (I really dropped the ball in terms of organization last year) and (2) working ON our business rather than IN our business.
What I didn’t forsee is personally facing the hardest week (physically and emotionally) of my life – no exaggeration.
That’s the bad news.
The good news is that I’m recovering. One of the things I’ve learned is that its how you react and bounce back from negative experiences that makes the difference in your life, so I’m doing my best. I have faith that at some point God will reveal to me how I’m supposed to process that experience and make something positive and useful of it in a way that helps others. Let’s just say that our upcoming family vacation to Jamaica is right on time!
Anyway, during the down time, my hubby and I did have a chance to talk some business and one of the things we really want to focus on is building our company’s brand via marketing efforts in some key areas of interest in South Florida. We’ve been thinking about how we can add more value to those we’re looking to do business with and really take the philosophy of “The Go-Giver” and make it real in our day to day real estate dealings. I’m going to share more about the changes we’re making as we implement them (I don’t wanna talk about it, I wanna BE about it!). Speaking of The Go-Giver message, I’ll be attending Bob Burg and Thom Scott’s “Extreme Business Makeover” event in Orlando next month and really look forward to the knowledge I’ll gain and connections I’ll make.
The second key thing we discussed is that we need to make progress on our acquisition strategy (buying more rental properties) and not solely focus on the deals for flipping. The year is going fast and we cannot wait too long before making progress with this. The sooner we can get additional rental properties, the better. As it stands currently, one major problem in a rental can kill substantial cashflow. We will work on acquiring additional properties via sub2 techniques as well as through the use of private lenders.
I must say that strategy sessions are really important. Typically we find that we’re not talking about something new….we’re celebrating what we’ve accomplished, we’re talking about getting back on track towards the original and most important goals (and how to do that), and we’re talking about things we’ve meant to do but haven’t started….and things we’ve started but need to stop (or alter). It’s already March everyone, so if you haven’t taken a step back to really look at what you’ve accomplished and what you need to do going forward, take a day or two to get organized and then get back to work! 
Glad to be back to the blogosphere. I still haven’t given an update on the short sale, have I? I’ll try to do that tomorrow! Good night everyone!
P.S. I had plenty of time to read last week and finished up two great books – Conversations with Millionaires by Mike Litman and The Tap by one of my new heros, Frank McKinney. I recommend both as well as Steph’s new Flip This Book selection, Crush It! (read it last year).
P.P.S. I managed to make considerable progress with taxes — should be submitted this week after meeting with a tax professional! Did you make progress with your taxes?
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Category: Books I Recommend, Goal setting, Marketing, Subject2 Investing
One question for ya, are you still on track to leave your 9-5 this year?
Nick@Subject2.com´s last blog ..Subject2 eBook
That’s great about your strategy sessions, Shae. One thing I’ve learned is that it’s the small successes that really count – they really help build the momentum and confidence to move forward. I’m not sure if you’ve ever seen the movie, “8 Mile,” but I thought it was great how they focused on the small successes (not the larger ones) in the film. Keep it up!
Good to see you are back! Hope to get to read and learn more from you.
@Nick, the short answer to your question is “YES”. A slightly longer answer is “YES, and its more important than ever for me to do so. It will happen.” Thanks for asking/caring.
@Rachel, yes I’ve seen that movie a few times although its been a long time! Yes, so far this year its been small successes and we’re diligently working towards larger ones as a result of many small ones! Thanks!
@James, thanks pal. I have lots to learn from you too…like I told you before, every conversation I have with you makes me like you more and more. You’re my kinda guy!
Good stuff Shae, as always. I write down my 3 major goals every single day. Then I look at them in the morning and say, what will I do today towards those goals? At night, I ask what did I do today that worked towards my long term goals? I know it sounds odd, but it does help. Daily self reflection is a very good thing.
Glad to see your on track to accomplish your goals this year.
Bilgefisher´s last blog ..Busy Week
It doesn’t sound odd to me at all, Jason. Writing down goals daily is definitely helpful. I’m still not in the habit of writing them in my journal EVERY day though. It’s the last thing in my morning routine of prayer, reading, getting the girls ready/taking them to school/daycare, breakfast, writing and reviewing goals, so sometimes it gets cut off…quite frankly meaning that I need to wake up earlier! I do create daily task lists, but I just need to get the daily goal writing going….something is better than nothing but I have room to improve!
Thanks for your ongoing encouragement – means a lot.
Shae,
I hope you work through all of that “negative” stuff. Everything will be fine and I know you know that.
As far as my taxes….ummm I’m a tax slacker. But we did complete our taxes for our ATM business. As far as my personal and my real estate business…uhhh not so much completed or even close. MY CPA generally will call me and say “Filing an extension for Real Home, right?”
Anyway, I want to have a strategy session with Kathy. Sounds like a great idea. I mean, honestly, we do talk about our business pretty much every day, when she’s home, but we don’t really have a REAL strategy session if you will. Not that I even know what the heck that is, but I like the idea of just sitting down and really hammering out what we will do going forward in each business to make them successful and to get us where we want to be.
Btw, our goal is to also make it so Kathy doesn’t have to work her JOB anymore by the end of this year. Her’s isn’t really 9 to 5 it’s really more like……well heck I don’t even know. Will just be happy when she’s not traveling for work anymore. So that’s a goal that you and your hubby have in common with us.
GOOOOOOO US! lol
Carey_PA´s last blog ..Door Knocking to Find Apartment Buildings for Sale
Hi Carey,
Thank you, I will definitely work through it (with focus and prayer)…I’m getting better every single day.
Funny about the taxes…your CPA knows you well
We have two businesses as well (the other is an enriched healthy coffee business) and getting that one done was a no-brainer because there is really no complexities and I was more organized with expense tracking, etc…while the real estate business is tricky primarily because of the rehab flip. I’m letting the professionals tell me how to deal with what’s a deduction vs. what should be part of the adjusted basis. Blah blah blah.
I’m going to be doing a blog post on Bigger Pockets this week about doing strategy sessions. Like you and Kathy, Phil & I talk DAILY about our businesses and cross things off the whiteboard, etc…. but its more focused on tasks rather than overall strategy so you can get lost in that sometimes.
I know that you can and will reach that goal of not having to DEPEND on Kathy’s job. That’s key. It’s one thing to actually stay on your job because you like it (but don’t DEPEND on it)…its a whole other thing to be there and feel like you shouldn’t be (and DEPEND on it). I used to travel a LOT for my job and it was exciting and fun at first but after 3 years of it, it grew tiring and I just wanted to be able to spend more time with the family. I can totally relate….I work for a great company, but my season there is ending and I have a lot of exciting work to get going on that will have much more direct impact in the lives of some enthusiastic young people (before they allow “life” to beat them down).
GOOOOOO US!
Glad to see you back, Shae, although you deserve to take all the time you need to take care of what is important. You are a Rockstar, and all of your readers will still be here no matter how long you stay away from the blogosphere.
I have been keeping you in my thoughts and sending lots of love your way.
Steph
P.S.
Tell Nick Johnson to SUCK IT.
Just kidding, Nick.
Stephani´s last blog ..Get Off Your But! Flip This Book Club, March Edition
Thanks for being an awesome friend, Steph. I really appreciate you!
Awesome Shae…..I’m looking forward to reading that Bigger Pockets article. As a matter of fact, I’m going to make Kathy read it too
Carey_PA´s last blog ..Door Knocking to Find Apartment Buildings for Sale
Good to see to see you back Shae!
I look forward to some new blog posts.
I got my taxes done in February… just waiting for my returns now (which will help me to almost finish paying off the stupid guru courses I purchased when I started out in the RE business).
I wish my wife was more involved in my business. It would be nice to have someone to strategize with. As someone stated before, we talk about the business alot, but we don’t sit down and alter/change/create the business plan as often as I would like. I cannot blame her for not being able to be a larger part of the business; she is an 11th grade high school English teacher (and the best one there is). When she is not lesson planning or dealing with the joke that is called an administration at her school, she is grading papers. Her job has been an extreme source of stress lately, so the last thing we need is for me to pressure her to do more.
Chris Guthrie´s last undefined ..If you register your site for free at
Hey Chris,
You finished taxes in February? You go boy! As far as strategy sessions are concerned, I have a recommendation for you (and others who are doing the biz solo)….I am finishing up my article for Bigger Pockets shortly on this topic so look out for it tomorrow!
Being a teacher is no joke…much props to your wife (and to you too for being such a supportive hubby)!
Steph is gonna make me cry………..
Nick@Subject2.com´s last blog ..Subject2 eBook
Hey Chris and Carey – here’s the link to my BP article from yesterday on strategy sessions: http://www.biggerpockets.com/renewsblog/2010/03/11/strategy-sessions-for-real-estate-investing-success/
Have a good weekend!
Girlllllllllllllllllllllllll, you musta read my mind. Kathy and I just had a “strategy session” with one of Dave Lindahl’s coaches. No, we didn’t sigh up for the coaching program (too pricey for us now) but they give you a free session to try to sign you up of course.
It was really useful because he kinda gave us a few key things we need to focus on and after the call I thought to myself “I hope Shae posted her Strategy Session article.”
I, actually, went looking for it on BP but couldn’t find it lol So Kathy and I will be having a strategy session later (she’s wants to go the stupid mall first ughhhh! lol Hey…she’s much better now than before so I can’t complain too much, plus she works super hard at her full-time job.)
Great article Shae. I’m printing it out now.
Carey_PA´s last blog ..Door Knocking to Find Apartment Buildings for Sale