Belize - Me, Me, Me - Dull, Dull, Dull

[dornay]

Reading Don Campbell`s remarkable book (2.0).

In Chapter 3 he discusses vision boards wherein one posts pictures of one`s desires. Visual images are very powerful and motivating. Working for a "thing" is also motivating.

My question. Over the years I arrived at the firm conclusion that the ownership of a big house, nice car and other things is quite pointless. I mean who really cares if I drive a Cadillac or a Corolla (and a used one at that)? (Vanity of vanities).

With that said there are strong reasons to follow to Don`s procedure. If a person wants to help others there is no "picture" of assistance. The emotional lift gazing at a Harley Davidson image is rewarding but intangibles are more rewarding but not a visual construct.

Two quick stories. Years ago I knew a salesman earning a million dollars a year. I asked "why work so hard?". "I like nice things", he said. Now he is nowhere.

Another millionaire I know kept a page in his pocket a la "It works". He said he had everything he wanted. Once he went out on a date with a Lawyer. She said he was the most shallow person she ever met. She was not not being unkind. Merely factual. Nowhere man.

So how does one visualize or create a vision board of intangibles?

 

[Thomas Beyer]

QUOTE (dornay @ Sep 7 2009, 03:27 PM) ..
So how does one visualize or create a vision board of intangibles?
one shows a picture or image of:
a) family
b) smiling grand parents
c) an orphanage
d) a formerly homeless in a home now with friends
e) a former drug addict preaching Jesus
f) sky, water, pasture, trees
g) a stack of "thank you" cards
h) a clean kale (formerly polluted)
i) a well in a desert (formerly dry)
j) a woman walking (formerly crippled)
k) a child reading (formerly illiterate)

may more images come to mind .. but you get the drift .. it is not (only) about self .. but about others (too) !

Money (through real estate, for example) doesn`t really change you. Money just elevates you .. it makes what you`d do anyway BIGGER. It allows you more options .. or allows you to do more of s.th.

i.e. if you give .. you give more .. if you drink .. you drink more .. if you like to womenize .. you find more outlets .. if you like to help others you find more ways to help others !


Then there is the concept of God .. or spirit .. or community .. or some call it "community" or "the environment" or "others" .. many "gods" depending on your belief system !

 

[dornay]

QUOTE (thomasbeyer2000 @ Sep 7 2009, 02:40 PM) one shows a picture or image of:
a) family
b) smiling grand parents
c) an orphanage
d) a formerly homeless in a home now with friends
e) a former drug addict preaching Jesus
f) sky, water, pasture, trees
g) a stack of "thank you" cards
h) a clean kale (formerly polluted)
i) a well in a desert (formerly dry)
j) a woman walking (formerly crippled)
k) a child reading (formerly illiterate)

may more images come to mind .. but you get the drift .. it is not (only) about self .. but about others (too) !

Money (through real estate, for example) doesn`t really change you. Money just elevates you .. it makes what you`d do anyway BIGGER. It allows you more options .. or allows you to do more of s.th.

i.e. if you give .. you give more .. if you drink .. you drink more .. if you like to womenize .. you find more outlets .. if you like to help others you find more ways to help others !


Then there is the concept of God .. or spirit .. or community .. or some call it "community" or "the environment" or "others" .. many "gods" depending on your belief system !

Thank you for the note.

I chose not to mention God for fear of being shredded. In my opinion God is what it is about.

I am grateful that you noticed the post and felt okay about replying in that manner.

I have more things to say - for another day.

Take Care

 

[BrianPersaud]

QUOTE (dornay @ Sep 7 2009, 05:27 PM) Reading Don Campbell`s remarkable book (2.0).

In Chapter 3 he discusses vision boards wherein one posts pictures of one`s desires. Visual images are very powerful and motivating. Working for a "thing" is also motivating.

My question. Over the years I arrived at the firm conclusion that the ownership of a big house, nice car and other things is quite pointless. I mean who really cares if I drive a Cadillac or a Corolla (and a used one at that)? (Vanity of vanities).

With that said there are strong reasons to follow to Don`s procedure. If a person wants to help others there is no "picture" of assistance. The emotional lift gazing at a Harley Davidson image is rewarding but intangibles are more rewarding but not a visual construct.

Two quick stories. Years ago I knew a salesman earning a million dollars a year. I asked "why work so hard?". "I like nice things", he said. Now he is nowhere.

Another millionaire I know kept a page in his pocket a la "It works". He said he had everything he wanted. Once he went out on a date with a Lawyer. She said he was the most shallow person she ever met. She was not not being unkind. Merely factual. Nowhere man.

So how does one visualize or create a vision board of intangibles?

Bold post, It`s great being stretched with another opinion.

In the end...when people dream of the Harley or the Caddy what they are really searching for is the feeling...the intangible...what that sweet ride would mean for them.

Visual things may not pointless or shallow...what if it was an expression to yourself and to others that you went through hell and back to buy it?

In the Harley`s case, what if you felt you deserved the feeling and rush of the open road because you dealt with crappy tenants that didn`t pay rent, fought with you and did unfair things to you; you renovated things yourself because you were so broke to hire anyone; you forced your family to helping you paint and clean when you really want to spend quality time with them, or because, it broke your heart you couldn`t go to a family/friend gathering because you had a flood in the basement.

So the harley can represent to that person an intangible....Aren`t their things out there that you can represent within yourself the feeling of contribution, security for you and your family, personal growth or connection with others?

 

[RedlineBrett]

Success in real estate requires a very high degree of self-actualization. And by definition people also read self-help books to better themselves.

The book has to cater to the masses and, rightly or wrongly, most people have materialistic goals or objectives. Perhaps it`s something shiny and tangible or perhaps it`s more time to do what they want to do. Either way people grab the book because they want to change something. They want to improve their lives somehow. Yet everyone`s `Belize` is different.

The `goal` mentality or this type of ambitious reasoning certainly wouldn`t preclude someone that has other reasons for investing in real estate. REIN gives a lot of money to Habitat for Humanity and is all about `giving back`. I wouldn`t call it selfish at all.

As long as you have your thing that motivates you to get out there and take action that`s all that matters!

 

[gwasser]

I have reached my Belize and after 2 or 3 years it is boring. Or at least not what I wanted. I am 56 and expect to reach at least the ripe age of 93 based on a fortune reading authority. Well, I can tell you that just staring out of my back window into my beautiful garden, then switching to computer forums like REIN or today`s stock market alternating with vacations in Hawaii and Mexico is becoming perfect torture for my remaining (93-56=) 47 years - that many?? Ough!

So I am finding a second career. I was thinking about becoming a realtor or better a `real estate associate`. You meet people, hopefully full of dreams. You drink a lot of coffee at coffee shops (I love dark roast) and you get the exitement of buying and selling nice properties.

So I reached my Belize, enjoyed it for a while. Now, I define a new Belize. That is what life is truly about: 1 The Joy of Being
2 The Joy of Learning and Growing

Hope this helps

Godfried

P.S. a couple of weeks ago I attended a life altering seminar: The Hoffman Process - Great but I am still somewhat dazed.

 

[Thomas Beyer]

QUOTE (gwasser @ Sep 7 2009, 08:14 PM) ... Now, I define a new Belize. That is what life is truly about: 1 The Joy of Being
2 The Joy of Learning and Growing
..
or: learning .. earning .. returning ..

 

[vandriani]

The vision board concept is not so much about material items but more about goals that you want to achieve. You may want to use words instead of images. For example "CHARITY" in an extra large font with alot of colors to allow it to stand out. Most of the descriptions of a vision board are related to material items because that is what "initially" appeals to the masses. If worked on correctly, most people find that there is an underlying message beyond the items shown.

 

[dornay]

QUOTE (gwasser @ Sep 7 2009, 08:14 PM) P.S. a couple of weeks ago I attended a life altering seminar: The Hoffman Process - Great but I am still somewhat dazed.

Can you tell us your experiences with Hoffman?

For the sake of this post let us suppose you had "Trauma A" in your life (however you define it). Becoming aware of the Trauma, I think is the first step to resolving the trauma.

Still how does Hoffman go about accomplishing this (resolving it) (if it does)? It is one case to acknowledge a matter and another to do something about the matter. I might be afraid of rabbits. The genesis of this fear was when I was eight and my Mom screamed high murder at me when she was wearing a fur coat. Nonetheless I still fear rabbits. (Incidentally this is a fabrication. I own greater "screwed-up-ness" than a fear of rabbits).

Intellectually one can have moving insight for naught.

Would sure like to hear what you say.

Take Care

 

[dornay]

QUOTE (RedlineBrett @ Sep 7 2009, 07:06 PM) The `goal` mentality or this type of ambitious reasoning certainly wouldn`t preclude someone that has other reasons for investing in real estate. REIN gives a lot of money to Habitat for Humanity and is all about `giving back`. I wouldn`t call it selfish at all.

As long as you have your thing that motivates you to get out there and take action that`s all that matters!

It is hazardous to question the motivation of beings.

When I mention the Nowhere Man, I certainly am not criticizing him as a Human Being. In actuality he is one of the finest Humans of my acquaintance. Nor am I critical of the intangible of driving a Harley. Within limits one must do what works (I reference "Belize").

Please I am not being critical or judgmental. I am trying to acquire a method of motivating myself when the results of effort are material but the purpose is not.

Just having difficulty with this.

Take Care

 

[invst4profit]

"Please I am not being critical or judgmental. I am trying to acquire a method of motivating myself when the results of effort are material but the purpose is not."
It makes no sense to "acquire a method of motivation" if the end result is not what you seek.

Normally individuals start with the motivation and then seek ways to achieve there goals.
You have human nature backwards.
Material gain is the purpose of investing. Making money is what it is about-investment income properties. What you do with it is your choice.

If material gain is not your purpose then investing is not the road for you. Look elsewhere.

 

[luckyluciano]

My parents retired in their mid 50`s able to save approx $100k per year because of their real estate income. Their motivation came from the FEAR of retiring broke and not trusting the government or their company pension plans. This was a FEAR we all should have but very few do and so most work till it`s time to retire and thus retire with a lifestyle that was much below what they were accustomed to while working. Fear of Poverty.....No vision board required!!!! My very first broker told me the first thing I must do is to replace my income with real estate investment income so I didn`t HAVE to work unless I WANTED to work...another good form of motivation....he is worth over $60 million today with many commercial properities paid for briinging several hundred thousands of net income to him and his family each year and escapes the winters totally here to several of his condos in Floida for he and his kids to enjoy.
What works for me is to write a goal list down of things I want to accomlish for the calendar year with dollar amounts required for those goals factoring in savings, income tax etc. Then posting it up where I can see it regularly. The simpler vision board did very little for me in comparison.

 

[dornay]

QUOTE (invst4profit @ Sep 8 2009, 10:39 AM) "Please I am not being critical or judgmental. I am trying to acquire a method of motivating myself when the results of effort are material but the purpose is not."
It makes no sense to "acquire a method of motivation" if the end result is not what you seek.

Normally individuals start with the motivation and then seek ways to achieve there goals.
You have human nature backwards.
Material gain is the purpose of investing. Making money is what it is about-investment income properties. What you do with it is your choice.

If material gain is not your purpose then investing is not the road for you. Look elsewhere.
I guess I am a poor explainer.

One of the things I want to do is give a hand to folks that for cosmic reasons lack what I possess be it gray matter, luck, common sense, health, knowledge or direction.

I have a kind of obsessive nature. Knowing myself if I focus on the dollars ("material gain is the purpose of investing" - your words), I will lose sight of what is more important (to me) to help someone who is suffering.

I am not a saint or monk and I get a kick out of the material world. However, for me, I need to keep focus on the non-material.

This is becoming somewhat confusing.

Take Care

 

[dornay]

QUOTE (luckyluciano @ Sep 8 2009, 11:18 AM) My parents retired in their mid 50`s able to save approx $100k per year because of their real estate income. Their motivation came from the FEAR of retiring broke and not trusting the government or their company pension plans. This was a FEAR we all should have but very few do and so most work till it`s time to retire and thus retire with a lifestyle that was much below what they were accustomed to while working. Fear of Poverty.....No vision board required!!!! My very first broker told me the first thing I must do is to replace my income with real estate investment income so I didn`t HAVE to work unless I WANTED to work...another good form of motivation....he is worth over $60 million today with many commercial properities paid for briinging several hundred thousands of net income to him and his family each year and escapes the winters totally here to several of his condos in Floida for he and his kids to enjoy.
What works for me is to write a goal list down of things I want to accomlish for the calendar year with dollar amounts required for those goals factoring in savings, income tax etc. Then posting it up where I can see it regularly. The simpler vision board did very little for me in comparison.
The method you describe is the one I noted above. My friend was an insurance agent before he went on to become wealthy as an entrepreneur. He gave me a little book called "It Works" which itemized a system like you describe. He told me it was the "secret" of his success.

There are many ways up a mountain, are there not?

 

[invst4profit]

Not confusing at all.

One can not succeed at something they are not willing to focus on.
Real estate investment is hard work so if you are not willing to focus on the material you are unlikely to succeed.
Simple reality. You can not make this business something it is not.

If helping others is what you want to do then go out and help others don`t waste your time on real estate if it is not what fulfills you.

 

[koop]

For me this isn`t so much about the money, its about what the money will do in my life. I can spend time with my family, spend time at the things I love to do (even get a job doing those things which might not pay well, but it won`t be about the money anymore). I could go to another country and help others or help others here at home. I could give to causes that I feel worthy and not have to worry about how much I will have at the end of the month. Yes there are things I want to buy, a boat so I can enjoy time at the lake with my children, a Harley to travel with my wife and friends. Yes I want nice things, I want to not have to worry about my car breaking and my basement flooding. I don`t want to worry about my family if I get sick, how they will be taken care of when I die (my dad died when he was 54, and worried for my mom like crazy)

You will be far more inclined to be selfish if you don`t have money because you will always be wanting, if you have money and don`t have to worry about where money will come from then your more inclined to give.

This is only about money if you make it about money, for me its about time. I don`t want to spend my time making and worrying about money, I want to invest my time in things that will matter.

 

[vandriani]

This might or might not provide some motivation

"Andrew Carnegie was a 19th century steel tycoon who became one of the 20th century`s most famous philanthropists. His life story is one of the most famous rags-to-riches accounts in United States history. Born in Scotland, Carnegie moved to Pennsylvania with his family in 1848 and began working in factories as a teenager. Hard work and a wise investment in a sleeping car company during the 1850s led to Carnegie`s early success in the railroad business as well as the financial world. During the Civil War he invested in oil, worked in transportation for the U.S. War Department and became interested in the iron and steel business. After the war he concentrated on steel, and by 1888 he owned control of the Homestead Steel Works and other manufacturing plants, which he eventually consolidated as the Carnegie Steel Company. With his longtime partner, Henry Clay Frick, Carnegie competed fiercely in business and tried to quash organized labor, in spite of his belief that it was the duty of the wealthy to help society (a belief he outlined in an influential 1889 essay, "The Gospel of Wealth"). In 1901 Carnegie Steel merged with the U.S. Steel Corporation and Carnegie sold out to J.P. Morgan for $480 million, making Carnegie the richest man in the world. After his retirement he became a philanthropist and donated more than $350 million to further public education, build libraries and lobby for international peace. He also created the Carnegie Corporation of New York, endowing it with $125 million to support benefactions after his death. Although he spent much of his later life on his estate in Scotland, during World War I he returned to the U.S., where he died in 1919 at Shadowbrook, his estate in the Berkshire Hills of Massachusetts."

 

[tonypeters]

This is indeed an interesting topic and a personal favorite of mine, as I have and continue to realize the awesome power of "visualizing" what it is that we want to achieve in life. Here is a famous quote that I feel is worthy of consideration; "It is wonder to see how, when a man greatly desires something and strongly attaches himself to it in his imagination, he has the impression at every moment that whatever he hears and sees argues in favor of that thing." – Bartolomé de Las Casas (1474 – 1566)

Another famous quote that has, and continues to influence our lives; Whether you think you can or whether you think you can`t, you`re right!" - Henry Ford



QUOTE (dornay @ Sep 7 2009, 03:27 PM) Reading Don Campbell`s remarkable book (2.0).

In Chapter 3 he discusses vision boards wherein one posts pictures of one`s desires. Visual images are very powerful and motivating. Working for a "thing" is also motivating.

My question. Over the years I arrived at the firm conclusion that the ownership of a big house, nice car and other things is quite pointless. I mean who really cares if I drive a Cadillac or a Corolla (and a used one at that)? (Vanity of vanities).

With that said there are strong reasons to follow to Don`s procedure. If a person wants to help others there is no "picture" of assistance. The emotional lift gazing at a Harley Davidson image is rewarding but intangibles are more rewarding but not a visual construct.

Two quick stories. Years ago I knew a salesman earning a million dollars a year. I asked "why work so hard?". "I like nice things", he said. Now he is nowhere.

Another millionaire I know kept a page in his pocket a la "It works". He said he had everything he wanted. Once he went out on a date with a Lawyer. She said he was the most shallow person she ever met. She was not not being unkind. Merely factual. Nowhere man.

So how does one visualize or create a vision board of intangibles?

 

[bizaro86]

QUOTE (BrianPersaud @ Sep 7 2009, 06:39 PM) In the Harley`s case, what if you felt you deserved the feeling and rush of the open road because you dealt with crappy tenants that didn`t pay rent, fought with you and did unfair things to you; you renovated things yourself because you were so broke to hire anyone; you forced your family to helping you paint and clean when you really want to spend quality time with them, or because, it broke your heart you couldn`t go to a family/friend gathering because you had a flood in the basement.

It seems to me that if someone is looking for material things to ease the pain of dealing with real estate, the easiest course of action might be to quit dealing with real estate and do something else. Ultimately there are many ways to acquire money, and if Real Estate isn`t working for someone to the point that it is ruining their family life, I`d strongly recommend they step back from it.

You can feel the open road on a used/borrowed/rented-for-a-day bike, but each of us only gets one family.

Regards,

Michael

 

[dornay]

QUOTE (invst4profit @ Sep 8 2009, 12:18 PM) Not confusing at all.

One can not succeed at something they are not willing to focus on.
Real estate investment is hard work so if you are not willing to focus on the material you are unlikely to succeed.
Simple reality. You can not make this business something it is not.

If helping others is what you want to do then go out and help others don`t waste your time on real estate if it is not what fulfills you.
Thanks for the encouragement.

I begin to think that it is not my poor explanation.

I understand what it takes to make it in real estate investing. Up until a decade or so ago I owned 51 properties.

As I initially stated "me, me, me is dull, dull, dull".