When I explain to people what I do and how I’ve made a business out of what I love – developing property – they often say “I wish I could do something like that.”
My reply is always “you can do it. If I can do it, you can do it.” What I’ve worked our over time is the difference between someone who fails and some who succeeds is the courage to act, not just once, but repeatedly.
Something else I’m often asked is when is the right time to invest in property? In my books, the right time is now. I’ve seen so many people over analysis the market and end up sitting on the side lines for years because they’ve lacked the confidence to take action and invest. Then they look back and say “if only I did buy that property back then…” I’m not recommending you buy any old property, of course you must do your due diligence, but when you’ve ticked the boxes and the deal stacks up, then have the courage to act.
An important element to help us act is to overcome fear. Fear is a powerful emotion and is described in the dictionary as “an unpleasant emotion caused by the awareness of danger or expectation of pain”…which I’m sure we have all felt at some point in our lives.
Any successful investor will tell you their journey has not all been plain sailing. They have learned to overcome doubt, fear and uncertainty along with recognising the persistent drive to never give up.
To some of us, the thought of failing or making a mistake is traumatic. To others, they seem to be able to pick themselves up and keep going until they make the next mistake only to pick themselves up again. They learn from each mistake and see them as opportunities to improve. This is the type of resilience needed to enable us to bounce back each time. Is it passed on from parents who have instilled this resilience into their children or is it learned? From my experience, I believe it is learned over time. It’s like anything, if you want to be good you have to practise. Repeat the process time after time and keep refining it.
As a property development project manages this is exactly what we do. Every development is different, each piece of land brings challenges but we can overcome them easily now because of our experience and yet we are constantly looking at ways to improve our process.
Whilst reading a blog on the internet, I came across these tips; 9 Steps to Overcome Fear which I’d like to share with you. As a property developer and business woman I could really relate:
- Make the decision to succeed - Once you decide on success you rarely allow doubt to enter your mind. Your persistence, dedication and resilience are strengthened. You free yourself to do the uncommon and the impossible.
- Take risks– Chase your fear. Do what scares you. Make the dreaded phone call. Ask for what you want. When you experience rejection ask someone else.
- Be prepared– Anticipate your own needs. Don’t live in fear, create solutions in advance. Know how you will get out, get over, around and through what could go wrong.
- Let go of urgency and fear – Learn to relax and go with the flow. Our anxiety and stress are caused by living in the pain of the past or the far of the future. Life happens in the present moment.
- Focus on the benefits of your success – Become focused on what you will gain. Is your benefit financial freedom, travel, saving the lives of others or leaving a legacy you can be proud of? When the going gets tough, focus on your why?
- Calm your body – Find a quiet place and bring attention inward, notice where your fear resides in your body. Learn to calm and centre yourself.
- Create your own fan base – Your family and friends will be supporting you to succeed. When you are scared, imagine them all cheering you on.
- Participate in life – Turn off your television, electronics and the negative media. Take a guitar lesson, a skydiving or yoga lesson or swim in the ocean to basically feel good.
- ou are enough – Accept who you are and where you are today. When you compare yourself to others, you create your own suffering.
When thinking about developing property, the whole process can be daunting. Stay focussed on the end result, make sure you take action and move toward your goal by taking one step at a time.
Tips from http://www.zenhabits.net
