What would you do if there was no way you could fail?

the sky's the limit

This is one of the questions in the book The 4-Hour Work week by Timothy Ferriss.  The exercise is called “dream-lining” where you create 2 time lines a 6 month and a 12 month list. You then list up to 5 things you 1) dream of having 2) dream of being and 3) dream of doing. 

The key is to not impose limitations on yourself, if something increases or improves your feeling of self worth, then write it down.

When I went into real estate, I set a goal to make a certain amount of money. My first year was the hardest time I’ve ever had. We ended up using a huge chunk of our savings to get us through the year. I even met with a “seasoned” agent who told me “you’ll never make it in real estate, it will eat you alive”.  I walked out to my car and cried my eyes out.  The next year I achieved my goal x 4.

Later, I wanted to scuba dive. I have to confess I really struggled. During my first open water dive in 53 degree water I had a panic attack and cried the whole way home. I felt so defeated. A couple of days later, I decided I was NOT going to let it beat me and I was going to try it again, but in warmer water. So, my husband booked a trip to Cozumel where we completed our open water certification. It was a major accomplishment for me.

I challenge you to join me in setting your goals! We can visualize the out come, work hard daily and never give up. What would you do if there was no way you could fail?

Swimming with the sharks

In 2000 my husband and I decided to get certified to scuba dive. I found that diving was more about mind over matter than the activity it’s self. In 2002, we had the opportunity of a lifetime. For our ten-year anniversary we took off for a month and went to Fiji. We started our adventure on a dive live aboard, the Nai’a. The diving was the best we’ve ever experienced.

One particular dive was in the Nigali Passage. It was known as the “shark dive”. I had a discussion with our dive master Russi about my hesitation to do the dive. Somehow he convinced me we were safe, and I would miss out on the experience of a life time. A wide stride later, I was dropping down to 60 feet on the ledge of a reef, tucked down holding on tight. Next, two of the dive masters drop down with a “frozen chum-cicle” for the sharks. What happened next was not what I expected.

In a moment, there were grouper everywhere. They were eating in a frenzy like fashion. In the distance, we start seeing large dark shadows swimming about. Then out of the blue abyss our featured guests arrived. As grey reef sharks and black tips started to swim closer, I remember how sleek and elegant they were as they moved through the water. Each took their turn, and as they drew closer the smaller fish would part, creating a clear path to the food. I expected and dreaded the site of a thrashing excited frenzied feeding. Much to my surprise it wasn’t anything like that. Each took strong quick bites passing by us as they circled back out to the endless sea of blue. I watched in awe.

The shark feeding was one of the most amazing experiences and taught me more than I ever imagined. I have to confess, I love to watch “shark week” every year, but still hate that these amazing creatures are portrayed as evil predators.

For years now, I’ve compared real estate with diving. I’ve called it “swimming with the sharks“. I have found that the faster you excel the more the sharks start to circle. They look for faults or weaknesses as though there is a reward for the effort, all in the name of “feeding” on the chum. I love the real estate business as much as I love diving. Each dive you jump in with hopes of seeing a rare nudibranchs, hammer-head shark, sea-horse, etc. Real estate allows me to dive into a new day giving me the ability to find unexpected opportunities in surprising places.

If you’re tired of “swimming with the sharks” in your business, put some air in your buoyancy compensators and rise above their tactics. I am.