We all know someone who thinks they have all the answers. Although they may be completely wrong, they believe that any opinion contrary to their own is not worth considering. At the other end of the spectrum, you may know someone who’s afraid to ask any questions at all. They may feel insecure about not knowing and feel that if they ask a silly question, people will think they’re incompetent. As a result, they act as though they understand what’s going on in order to save face. In both instances, these individuals share one similarity. They’re both unwilling to accept help from others and admit they don’t know all the answers. In my own life, I exhibited similar behavior as I was going through the process of purchasing my first property. I was new to real estate investing and I was determined to learn as much as I could about the process. I read books, did hours of research and came to the discussions with my real estate agent confident that I had taken all the steps necessary to cover all my bases.
After a few days of searching for properties, I called my mom to catch her up on my progress. My mom, a seasoned real estate agent, took it upon herself to ask me a flurry of questions about the properties. However, after stumbling through my first few responses, I realized that I had not been diligent enough about asking my realtor these questions. Although I had similar concerns while I was touring the properties, I was too stubborn and proud to ask my realtor for confirmation. It was then that my mom, in all her glory, shared a life lesson that will serve well for the rest of my life. She said, "Don't be afraid to ask questions. I constantly play dumb in meetings with clients, contractors, brokers and appraisers to make sure I fully understand the situation at hand. You need to humble yourself enough to understand that you don't have all the answers and you're not expected to."
As it pertains to personal finance, it’s OK to not have all the answers. Your simple acknowledgment of this fact is a HUGE step in the right direction. However, the best thing you can do to achieve your financial goals is to get comfortable with seeking answers to your questions. Millionaires and billionaires became that way in part because of their ability to assemble a stellar team of advisers and consultants to help them make better decisions. In your case, you can do this by establishing relationships with knowledgeable people who have reached the heights you want to achieve. For example, if you want to become a successful real estate investor, reach out to some of the most successful investors in your area and take them out to coffee. Don’t be afraid to ask questions and be open to all the suggestions they offer. Over time, you’ll gain more knowledge about the space and feel more comfortable operating at a high level.
P.S.
If you're interested in buying, selling and/or leasing commercial real estate, I'd love to help you find a property that best fits your needs. Feel free to reach out to me via email at raphael@grisantigroup.com or my cell at (502) 536-7315.