Here's the B.S. That's Holding You Back

Introduction

Welcome to the latest series from XchangeCRE: "The BS That Holds You Back." In this series, we will debunk common myths and misconceptions that often hinder our progress and success in the commercial real estate (CRE) industry. Drawing inspiration from industry leaders and personal experiences, we'll tackle the misguided advice that holds us back and replace it with actionable insights that drive results.

1. The Myth of Passion and Inner Drive

Bad Advice: "Passion and inner drive will take you to the top."

Reality Check: While passion and inner drive are important, they are useless without action. No one earns rewards for just having passion. A boss or leader isn't going to say, "Your results suck, but you have a great amount of passion—here's a big raise." Rewards come from results, not emotions.

Key Takeaways:

• Prioritize Actions Over Emotions: Focus on what you can do rather than how you feel.
• Focus on What You Can Control: Your actions and decisions are within your control, and they determine your outcomes.
• Celebrate Achievements, Not Just Efforts: Recognize and reward results, not just the effort put in.

Action Steps:

• Set Clear Goals: Define what you want to achieve and the steps needed to get there.
• Create an Action Plan: Break down your goals into actionable tasks.
• Track Your Progress: Regularly review your progress and adjust your actions as needed.

The Big Takeaway: Passion and drive need action to be valuable. Turn your passion into results by focusing on actionable steps and measurable outcomes.

2. The Myth of Moderation

Bad Advice: "Everything in moderation."

Reality Check: Moderation often equates to settling for average. Excellence requires pushing beyond perceived limits. Consider the marathon analogy: the normal marathon winner averages 12.5 MPH for 26.2 miles, which is far from moderate.

Key Takeaways:

• Moderation Equals Average: Striving for moderation means accepting mediocrity.
• Excellence Requires Pushing Boundaries: To achieve greatness, you must go beyond what is comfortable.
• Mindset Shift: Move from a moderate approach to an all-out sprint towards your goals.

Action Steps:

• Set High Standards: Aim for excellence in everything you do.
• Push Your Limits: Continuously challenge yourself to improve and exceed expectations.
• Adopt a Growth Mindset: Embrace challenges and view them as opportunities to grow.

The Big Takeaway: To achieve excellence, you must push beyond moderation and strive for exceptional performance.

3. The Myth of Positive People

Bad Advice: "Surround yourself with positive people."

Reality Check: Surrounding yourself with only positive people can mean surrounding yourself with people who lie to make you feel good. You don't need more friends; you need allies. Allies care about results and help you grow by providing honest feedback.

Key Takeaways:

• Positive People vs. Allies: Positive people may not always push you to improve, while allies will.
• Generate Your Own Energy: Don't rely on others to influence your mindset; create your own positive energy.
• Value Results Over Feelings: Seek relationships that prioritize growth and results over comfort.

Action Steps:

• Build a Network of Allies: Cultivate relationships with people who provide constructive feedback and support your growth.
• Be Open to Criticism: Embrace honest feedback as an opportunity to improve.
• Lead by Example: Generate your own positive energy and let others follow your lead.

The Big Takeaway: Surround yourself with allies who prioritize results and help you grow through honest feedback.

4. The Myth of Practice

Bad Advice: "Practice? Man, we talking about practice? Not a game, but practice, seriously, practice?"

Reality Check: Allen Iverson famously downplayed the importance of practice, but true success requires dedication to practice. Winners take practice seriously and understand that excellence is built in the grind, not just in the spotlight.

Key Takeaways:

• Practice is Crucial: Consistent practice is essential for mastering your craft.
• Excellence Requires Dedication: True success is achieved through persistent effort and improvement.
• Prepare to Win: Treat every practice session as a step towards success.

Action Steps:

• Commit to Practice: Make practice a non-negotiable part of your routine.
• Focus on Improvement: Use practice sessions to work on weaknesses and refine your skills.
• Track Your Progress: Keep a log of your practice sessions and the improvements you make.

The Big Takeaway: Success is built on consistent, dedicated practice. Treat practice as seriously as you treat performance.

5. The Myth of You Against the World

Bad Advice: "It's you against the world."

Reality Check: It's not you against the world; it's you against you. The biggest obstacles are often within yourself, not external forces.

Key Takeaways:

• Internal vs. External Obstacles: Recognize that your biggest challenges often come from within.
• Self-Reflection: Identify the internal barriers that hold you back.
• Personal Accountability: Take responsibility for overcoming your own limitations.

Action Steps:

• List Your Obstacles: Identify the internal factors that hinder your progress.
• Develop a Plan: Create strategies to overcome these internal obstacles.
• Seek Support: Find mentors or coaches who can help you address and overcome your personal challenges.

The Big Takeaway: The greatest challenge is overcoming your own limitations. Focus on self-improvement and personal accountability.

6. Summary: Five Pieces of BS That Hold You Back

1. Passion and Inner Drive Will Take You to the Top
2. Everything in Moderation
3. Surround Yourself with Positive People
4. The Myth of Practice
5. It’s You Against the World

Conclusion

In this series, "The BS That Holds You Back," we've debunked common myths that often hinder success in the CRE industry. By replacing these misconceptions with actionable insights, we can foster a mindset of growth, resilience, and relentless pursuit of excellence.

Next Steps:

• Reflect on each myth and identify which ones have been holding you back.
• Implement the action steps provided to overcome these obstacles.
• Share your experiences and insights with the team to foster a culture of continuous improvement.

Let's break free from the BS and achieve unparalleled success together.