Real Estate Investing in the Shadows of Giants

You are the average of the 3 people you spend the most time with. Whenever I share this concept I get wrinkled brows and rolling eyes. But think about it.

If you’re rich, I’ll bet your friends are rich, too. If you’re spiritual, so are your friends. If you play a lot of golf…you get the picture.

Our values, where we invest our time and who we strive to become are all reflected in the people with whom we choose to spend our time. This has always led me to as the question of the chicken or the egg.

Do we spend time with people who reflect our values, or do the people we spend time with change what matters to us?

This dialog seems more relevant to a conversation between a teen and their parent than in a Real Estate blog. But there is significant relevance in the heart of this issue that affects all aspects of life.

I was a teenager when I was first actively aware that my choice of influences could impact my outlook on life. My Dad gave me a poster with a list of motivational quotes. One of those quotes said, “Show me your friends and I’ll show you your future.” As I reflect on the last 20 years of my life, I can attest to the impact of my past and present associations.

Last night I was talking to an old friend, and my thoughts returned to this concept with new insight.

In some of my past articles I have mentioned of my competitive wrestling career. Through high school and college, the sport served as a driving passion that consumed every aspect of my life. This incredibly positive experience is a part of my life of which I am very proud. But my success did not occur by accident.

My father was a high school wrestling coach for as long as I can remember. I grew up in Hershey, Pennsylvania, which is the site of the Pennsylvania state wrestling championships. Every year my Dad would bring his best wrestlers back to our house between competitions. I had the opportunity to goof around with these guys and spend time with them. These athletes became important to me. I looked up to them. They were giants.

This close proximity to excellence had another impact on my young mind. My perception of competence changed. I felt like part of their group. Not part of the team in general, but a member of that inner circle that was the best-of-the best.

When I began competing, my expectations were much higher than my peers. Even in my youngest years, my expectations were not just to win a few matches. I expected to compete at the very highest level. Anything else was a disappointment.

For 20 years I have found myself walking in the shadows of those giants. As my life and goals have changed, so have my heroes.

It is unlikely that your aspirations in Real Estate have anything to do with a high school wrestling championship. But I will bet that if you are currently investing in Real Estate or are thinking about getting involved in Real Estate investing, you’d like to be more than just an also-ran.

Regardless of our ambitions or goals, it is important to remember the importance of heroes. Whether the goal is to become a better parent, a more spiritual person or to reach success in Real Estate investing, we need to seek out the greatness we strive to achieve.

We are more than just the average of the 3 people we spend the most time with. Our reality is made up of the pieces of our hopes, dreams, successes and failures. We become the heroes we’ve chosen to hold in high esteem. So walk in the shadows of your giants. It won’t be long until you’ll see the footprints of those following right behind.