Cashflow Diary | Influenced By Robert Kiyosaki Of Rich Dad About Real Estate Investing, Cash Flow And Passive Income.

As today’s Cash Flow Diary podcast guest Stephen Gregg always says, “If you build the people, the people will help build the business.” I figure that’s a great way to start this write up, because that’s the focus of this episode. (Well, that and becoming the best sales person you can be.)Given that Stephen was the man who took time to coach me when I was a newbie investor, his being my guest on the show means a lot to me. You’ll hear a few stories about how I was when I first started out that you might find entertaining, too. No doubt you’ll realize that back then I really was just like any other new investor listening to this podcast today. How I got to the level I am at today is by applying what I learned from people like Stephen and then DOING what they taught me to do over and over again till I got great at it. Stephen says he started selling at the early age of just 16… selling sewing machines. He was dreadfully shy and didn’t know how to talk to groups of people. The good news is that eventually he tack

Recently I read an interesting article about how being a people-pleaser is actually a selfish act. Then I found a quote by motivational speaker and life manifestation coach Christine Hassler that lays it down straight. She says, “People pleasing is a terrible investment, because it depletes your most valuable resources: your time and energy. Just think about how much energy you waste by obsessing about what other people think of you or trying to strategize your actions to appease others”I couldn’t have put it better myself!People pleasing isn’t something that works well for real estate investors. That’s because you’re going to have to say NO sometimes. For instance, you’re going to have to say no to some investors. Just because someone has money doesn’t make him/her the right person to invest in your deal. You’re also going to have to learn to say no to deals, to potential partners, to buyers and to sellers. Everything has to be in alignment with your Investor Identity. That’s the secret sauce!  As you move f

You might think it sounds funny, but some people are just as afraid of achieving success as they are of failing. It’s true. That’s what I share with you today in my 7th installment of the 8 Things to Give Up series of my Cash Flow Diary podcast. Hey, success can be scary. It’s sort of like “senioritis.” You know… where you’ve been going to college for four years and you’re in your final months before graduation. It dawns on you that life outside the campus awaits… Some people seize up while others seize the new adventures ahead.Maybe you’ve known someone struck down by their fear of success? They work really, really hard. They get to a pinnacle of success that causes onlookers to drool. They have the cool house, the nice cars, and the fat bank account… and then suddenly “something” happens and they lose it all. Why? The answer can be shocking. Truth is that they subconsciously made that “something” happen. They didn’t feel like they deserved the success. It’s more comfortable for them to live within their fai

There’s an old adage that tells us, “Don’t put off till tomorrow what you can do today.” I couldn’t agree more. Procrastinating only serves to hurt you. That’s what I share with you in this episode of my Cash Flow Diary podcast. There are lots of reasons to move tasks from your to-do list to your to-done list. (And, yes, I believe in to-do lists.) One reason is simple; it makes you feel great knowing you took care of business. You didn’t put the to-do’s off; now they’re done and scratched off your list. (I talk about this in this episode, but because it is really important, I also talk about it in my book.)The bigger reason to stop procrastinating is that it’s a bad habit that holds you back from success. Literally. I’m not the only one who thinks so. I found an interesting article in Psychology Today in which you’ll learn that procrastinators sabotage themselves. Here’s the link: https://www.psychologytoday.com/articles/200308/procrastination-ten-things-knowThis article breaks down the types of procrastinato

A lot of times we make promises to ourselves that we are going to do things that are going to change our lives, make more money, spend more time with our family or whatever. But then something happens. We start letting the negative voice in our heads stop us from making changes. The voice tells us all the reasons that we can’t do what we want to do. That voice is fear and anxiety that gives us an out. So we stop. (But we shouldn’t let that happen.)That’s what this episode of my Cash Flow Diary podcast is about. I’m going to tell you how to stop listening to the negative self-talk. You want to know the secret to getting the inner voice to shut up? It’s pretty simple. Understand that you CAN learn new skills. You may not look great doing the new skill at first, but that’s okay. You’re going to make mistake, which is okay, too. Or maybe you think I haven’t made mistakes… Heh.You also have to make the decision to do the work it takes to get to your goal. You keep your word to yourself that you will do whatever it

We are into another new year now and I hope you’re off to a great start. That’s why I’m doing this 8 THINGS TO GIVE UP series in my Cash Flow Diary podcast. So far I’ve covered three of the things you need to toss out the window. Go back and listen to those episodes if you haven’t already. Today I share with you why you don’t want to put your time into criticizing others. Criticism just leaves you looking (and feeling) harsh, vindictive and cruel. Criticizing others may make you feel superior to others, but in reality that’s not the truth. How in the heck does that serve you, especially as a real estate investor? It doesn’t. Real estate investing (and most other businesses) require you to build relationships. How are you going to do that if you are hyper-critical? Let’s take the example of a property. You’re walking the property and you are there to assess it so you can make an offer and figure out how you can help the seller. If you walk around with a superior attitude, tearing the property apart with your w

As I continue with my “8 Things to Give Up” series today, I take you where you may not want to go. In this episode of my Cash Flow Diary podcast, I ask you to do something for me… for yourself… for your loved ones. Give up your fear of failure!In fact, I’m asking you to look at failure in a whole new way. I want you to embrace it! Any successful entrepreneur has had plenty of failure events, and that’s how you have to look at things when they don’t go as planned. They are not “failures” in the truest sense of the word. They’re just events in your life and your business that didn’t pan out as you expected. So what? Now what? Next…You have to learn to move past hold-ups, challenges, issues, problems and unexpected twists and turns. That’s part of life. None of us magically know how to do things the right way the first time. Everything takes practice… or do you think I suddenly and without hard work and PRACTICE became a successful real estate investor, coach, educator, author and speaker? When I first started i

As a real estate investor, success comes to you once you understand whom you serve. So, let me ask you something… Are you serving anyone well (or at all) by allowing negative thoughts to intrude the corners of your mind and walk all over your goals? You’re certainly not doing yourself any good, and unless your intent is to attract negativity to your life, you need to stop negative thinking now. I MEAN RIGHT NOW.That’s what this episode of my Cash Flow Diary podcast is all about. It’s the second in an eight-part series dedicated to the things you must stop doing immediately if not sooner to allow success to enter your life. (If you didn’t listen to part one, go back and do that now.)The funny (or not-so-funny) thing is that we can all be big negative thinkers from time to time. (That means being our own worst enemy, too, by the way.) Truth is negative thinking kills. It kills opportunities… it kills relationships… it kills deals… it kills goals. So why participate in something that isn’t going to help you get

Recently on Facebook I shared an image of what you need to give up if you want to be truly successful. In short, there are 8 things:Doubting YourselfNegative thinkingFear of FailureCriticizing OthersNegative Self-TalkProcrastinationFear of SuccessPeople PleasingThis is such an important list that I thought it would be neat to do a special Cash Flow Diary podcast series on these topics. So that’s what I’m doing over the next 8 episodes. I hope it helps you move your needle forward.Today I tackle the #1 thing you have to stop doing immediately… that’s Doubting Yourself. (It’s a soul-killer.)It is critical for you to have a belief that you CAN do what you set out to do. Whether that is real estate investing or any other path. When you set out on any new journey, don’t let doubt stop you from trying new things.When you get into a place of doubt, stop and ask yourself… has anyone before you ever done what you are attempting to do? The answer is yes, of course. That tells you what you’re attempting is absolutely po

As I continue to document my entrepreneurial journey, it’s time once again to take inventory of my business, practices and goals. That way I can identify how to make faster forward motion toward my goals. That’s something every entrepreneur needs to do.In the business world, we call this an analysis of your our company’s Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats. In order to determine these analytics means asking five questions:Why, What, When, Who and How?This is converse to how we’ve been taught to ask our questions. For example, we’re taught to look at HOW to get things done, but I say until you determine your WHY there is no getting something done. That’s what I talk about in this me-to-you episode of the Cash Flow Diary podcast. I also break down how to conduct your S.W.O.T. analysis. In brief, grab a piece of paper and pen. Start jotting down your personal strengths that will help you reach your goals (whether it’s in real estate investing or any other business). Jot down your strengths in your b

As we move into the end of the year, it’s natural to look back over the previous 12 months and assess what worked, what didn’t and what remains to be achieved in the new year. If you’re taking action steps, that’s great. You may not believe it, but people are watching you. Some are looking to you for motivation. Some want to do what you are doing.Recently, I realized a very important person has been watching me. It’s my eldest daughter. She wrote one of the nicest letters I’ve ever read… and it was about me. Rather, her feelings about me as her dad. I was blown away and really, really proud. My daughter shocked me because she chose to share her letter with the world on Facebook. What an amazing gift!In this episode of my Cash Flow diary podcast I share her note with you because I want to show you exactly how your efforts might be affecting those around you. Even if the world isn’t watching, I guarantee that your loved ones are… your kids are. If you’re not moving forward, well, that’s a problem. What are you

You cannot confuse activity with accomplishment. That’s something I talk about in this me-to-you episode of the Cash Flow Diary podcast.What you should consider is “pay time.” As an entrepreneur, it is a concept that you must embrace. Pay time for a real estate investor is different from that of an hourly worker or even a freelance contractor. You are no longer going to be paid for the amount of time you are at a job, sitting at a desk at someone else’s business… if you are used to having a 9-to-5 J.O.B.As an entrepreneur, your pay time is any time you are on the phone or in front of a prospect or customer, like an investor who is going to let you use his/her money to get your deals done. While you have to do your due diligence, do some paperwork and do other tasks, these are not included in your "pay time."So how do you know your pay time is paying off? By measuring your growth. In fact, you also have to measure your progress in three categories. These are: personal development, promotion and commu

One of the things that makes me nuts is when people stop before they strike gold in their career. That’s like working really hard for a while in a mine, having the goal in your mind, not getting to the goal fast enough and then throwing the pick to the side. Why would you do that?In my real estate investing journey I have experienced so many up’s and down’s that it might surprise you. I’ve had terrible things happen with tenants and buildings… but I haven’t let it stop me from acquiring more and more units of property. I have a goal in my mind. It’s to have 1,000 units of property, and I’m working on it. How will I get there? By realizing I will work UNTIL I reach my goal. I’m not an employee, I’m not a worker bee, I’m not an hourly consultant. I am an entrepreneur, so my sense of completion may not happen as quickly as I’d like it to, and that’s okay. In this introspective episode of my Cash Flow Diary podcast, I talk about how to keep going even when things aren’t going smoothly and especially when you’re n

Focusing on your goals is something you have to train yourself to do. When you first get into real estate investing you start seeing opportunity everywhere. For example, real estate is literally everywhere you look. When you stop at an intersection and you see buildings. That is real estate that is owned by someone who rents space out to others for a profit. You think maybe you’d like to own a building like that. Maybe you spot a movie theatre. That’s real estate. Restaurants are real estate. Daycare centers are real estate. If you have a J.O.B. and work for someone else, guess what? That building is a piece of real estate. Literally everything has something to do with real estate. Someone is paying and someone is profiting. Seeing opportunity everywhere is also a problem at first. When you see opportunity everywhere your brain can jump from shiny thing to shiny thing. You want houses; you want apartment buildings; you want commercial properties; you want a cell phone tower; you want a wind farm. See what I m

One of the top questions I get from people who are new into the raising private capital space is how to overcome objections.So… I decided to do this special episode. I want to help you if you are running into objections.The long and short of it boils down to a single question: Do you believe more in them and their beliefs or in you and what you know to be true?The funny thing is that this question just came up AGAIN in the Private Facebook Group page. It was posed by a member who has been doing a heck of a lot of wholesaling for a long time. The responses are still coming in. And that’s the cool thing about our private group. There are so many great conversations going on at all times between members that it blows my mind. Members work out challenges, helping and supporting each other. It’s truly amazing!There are three questions you need to ask buyers, sellers and investors talking to them about becoming involved in your deals:Have you ever considered getting involved in real estate investing?Really? Why?Bas

I get interviewed a lot. Some interviews are more exciting than others. I thought it might be fun to let you hear one of my favorites. A while back John Lee Dumas interviewed me on his Entrepreneur On Fire podcast. It is episode #1034 on his podcast. During that fast-paced back and forth, I got to answer some cool questions and share things that you need to hear. (Especially if you ever get discouraged in your entrepreneurial endeavors.)John’s podcast is a really good one that you need to add to your listen-always list. He is a busy guy and good interviewer. See if you agree as he talks to me about my best and absolute worst times as an entrepreneur.You’ll learn how I got through an $800K embezzlement event and rebounded to come out the other side much stronger. This negative event turned me into a much better real estate investor, too. I learned what it really means to have a single point of failure and why it is critical to avoid them. I talk about this in my book, too.John also asks me about my biggest AH-

Today’s episode of my Cash Flow Diary podcast is the start of something a little different. I’m responding to requests by Cashflow Core Members and listeners to do more non-interview episodes where I cover different topics they want me to cover.Today’s episode focuses on overcoming your limiting beliefs, which is something that is critical when you are moving to doing real estate investing and owning a business. There are real steps – physical steps – that you will have to move through, but they are just steps. Letting it be as simple as that is the secret to your success. That means you have to quiet the negative, fear-based, limiting voices in your head.So how do you do that?First, understand that you absolutely CAN do what you intend. Second, you take the steps involved in getting a property under contract, opening escrow and closing the deal. Third, never listen to people around you who are Negative Nellies. You certainly do not need to listen to their psyche-bashing words.If you can’t believe in yourself

In today’s episode of my Cash Flow Diary podcast is the second of a two-part series taken from a recent live FIBI event in Pasadena. If you haven't listened to Part I yet, you might want to go back and do that before listening to this episode. Either way, there's a lot of great stuff in here.My challenge to you is to listen, take notes and go write an offer on a piece of property! Even if you don’t have cash, credit or a good credit score, I promise it doesn’t matter. It shouldn’t stop you. You can make the offer and then raise the private capital. (That’s exactly how I started in real estate investing… and have continued to raise capital since.)You’ll hear me say that I’m pretty darned great at raising private capital and use it to buy assets. It’s not brain surgery; it takes commitment and taking the right steps. If you follow my seven-step plan as I have laid it out in this live event you will do just fine. You won’t need any bank funding. You can do this without a bank.Listen to how I share with

From time to time I like to share with you some of my live events. Today’s episode of my Cash Flow Diary podcast is one of those occasions. It’s the first of a two-part series. If you couldn’t be with me for the actual live FIBI event in Pasadena this will be the next best thing.My challenge to you is to listen, take notes and go write an offer on a piece of property! Even if you don’t have cash, credit or a good credit score, I promise it doesn’t matter. It shouldn’t stop you. You can make the offer and then raise the private capital. (That’s exactly how I started in real estate investing… and have continued to raise capital since.)You’ll hear me say that I’m pretty darned great at raising private capital and use it to buy assets. It’s not brain surgery; it takes commitment and taking the right steps. If you follow my seven-step plan as I have laid it out in this live event you will do just fine. You won’t need any bank funding. You can do this without a bank.Listen to how I share with the audience that we c

When it comes to getting real estate transactions done, our members rock!! One of the reasons for their successes (plural) is that they stay involved in our private Cashflow Creators PRIVATE Facebook group. In fact, some members have partnered up and others are doing deals with each other. It’s amazing what can happen when you put a bunch of likeminded people together.I thought you might get a kick out of listening in on one of my Q & A with J. Massey web shows. If you’re not a member you can’t get in to participate in this weekly live online show. If you are a member, you get to log in every Tuesday at 4 p.m., PST, watch me answer questions that were either submitted ahead of time or roll in through the chat box. It’s fun for me, because as the members do more deals their questions get a little more involved. I love that!Of course, there are real estate investors at all levels in our membership, so I get lots of basic questions, too. I love educating the new person as much as I do the seasoned investor.