Yep, my daughter, now 2 ½, has entered the why stage. “Why this dad? Why that dad?” The amount of why’s in a single conversation actually amaze me. To some, it would probably start to get annoying, but I’ve started to embrace it and try to answer every single one of her why’s with an actual answer, and not a “just because”. Why? Because that’s how she learns. And I definitely don’t want to be the one that poo poo’s on the idea that learning is annoying, or that curiosity isn’t allowed.
She picked out this book at the library last week (Why? by Richard Torrey), and as I read it to her before bedtime one night, it reminded me of a recent phrase that I heard on a real estate podcast. I’m paraphrasing here, but Brandon Turner, from Bigger Pockets said “the more willing you are to look stupid, the more successful you will become”. Wow, that doesn’t seem right. Or does it?
Now, as a 2-year-old, my daughter isn’t even thinking about looking stupid, as all she wants to do is learn about the world. But as we get older, the naivety diminishes and for some reason we stop asking why. It’s as if we don’t want to look stupid anymore. But why? Is it pride? Or do we just not like those awkward moments? Being uncomfortable isn’t fun. But is it necessary?
YES!
A recent article in Forbes magazine discusses this concept in more detail: Why Feeling Uncomfortable Is The Key to Success. If you think about it, getting out of your comfort zone helps you grow. Asking more questions, doing things you normally don’t do, and putting yourself in environments or situations you may not initially enjoy will all make you better…and more successful. Honestly, this is one of the reasons I started writing a blog. I used to hate writing, and didn’t think I was good at it, but as I’ve forced myself to write more, I’m actually starting to enjoy it, and hopefully I’m getting better at it (that’s for you readers to decide).
So how does this equate to business, and real estate?
Here’s your challenge: start asking more questions, start putting yourself in uncomfortable situations, do something you’ve been scared to do, take a leap of faith. If you’ve always wanted to flip a house, but scared…do it. If you’ve been wanting to buy a rental property, but are worried about the market…do it. If you don’t like public speaking, but want to start a local meetup/mastermind group…do it. If you have an idea and want to start a new business…do it.
Think more like a 2-year-old: don’t be afraid to look stupid. Take action instead. If you make mistakes or fail, you’ll learn from it. If you’re successful, you’ll be glad you did it. Either way, I bet you’ll grow from it and become better for it.
Written by Stuart Grazier