6 Key Traits #3: Action Super Hero
6 Key Traits of the Financially Independent
#3: Action Super Hero
After many years of mixing with people who have been, apparently, seeking financial independence I have observed that many of them will study an opportunity six ways from Sunday but never take any action. Their reluctance stems from uncertainty. “What if?” they think to themselves. “Have I covered all the bases?”. “I think I’ll sleep on it”. “I’d like to get another opinion, maybe there’s something I’ve missed”.
Then an ad appears in the newspaper. An investment expert is holding a seminar in town next week. “I’ll wait until I’ve been to the seminar, then I’ll be better informed”. The free seminar is a pitch for a paid course. The procrastinator signs-up for the course, lays down his nickel and decides to do nothing until the course is over. “Better to learn from an expert, then I’ll be able to make better decisions”.
The course is one night a week for six weeks. At the end of the course the instructor reveals a sure-fire investment opportunity and invites his students to participate. Some eagerly accept; others hold back. “I want to digest what I’ve learned, then I’ll make a decision”. Browsing around on the whirled wild web one day, the procrastinator discovers an offer of a free ebook and a 30-day free course, by email, on financial independence. He signs up.
A British duo called Flanders and Swan once recorded a song called “Busy Doing Nothing”. The song’s lyrics are: “Busy doing nothing, working the whole day through; trying to find lots of things not to do. Busy going nowhere, isn’t it just a crime? I’d like to be unhappy but I never do have the time.” Those lyrics paint a very good picture of our procrastinator who is very busy studying opportunities, but never straps on his super-hero cape to leap fearlessly off a tall building and fly into action.
Many years ago, I made the decision to become a real estate investor. I took the courses and read all the books. Then one day opportunity knocked. My realtor found a townhome with a motivated seller who was open to offers. I studied the opportunity six ways from Sunday. For a couple of weeks I agonized over whether I should jump on the opportunity or let it go. I guess I made the right choice. I called the realtor. I made an offer. The offer was accepted. I was transformed from a procrastinator into a real estate investor.
I never procrastinated again. I know some of my fellow students on the real estate course graduated with a head full of knowledge and a belly full of butterflies. The were too afraid to take the next step. Those who procrastinate never become financially independent. If you have decided to follow this blog for a while before taking the plunge, you have already made the wrong decision. Oh, certainly follow this blog (please) but don’t let me hold you back. Go get your super-hero cape, now.
