Takeaways

• Reflect on Memory and Identity: Take time to reflect on your memories and how they shape your identity. Recognize that memories are not fixed, and they can be influenced by your current emotions and biases. Be mindful of how your past experiences may impact your decision-making.
  
• Conscious Decision-Making: Avoid making significant life decisions unconsciously. When faced with important choices, make an effort to gain a deep understanding of the situation and its implications. Ask questions, seek information, and be fully present in your decision-making process.
• Awaken to Your Passions: Identify areas in your life where you may have been navigating on autopilot. Consider what truly excites you and makes you feel alive. Dive into those passions with intent and a thirst for knowledge. Approach your pursuits with a conscious, learning-oriented mindset.
• Live with Purpose: Shift your perspective from merely "doing" to living with purpose. Continuously question why you are pursuing certain actions and how they align with your goals and values. Ground yourself in purposeful engagement, and watch as new opportunities and doors you may not have noticed begin to open.

Memories are the most intriguing puzzle pieces of our identity. They construct our past, dictate our present, and influence our future. Yet, the complexity of human memory is such that it is not a perfect recording device. Research in cognitive psychology suggests that our memories are not static. Each time we recall an event, our brain reconstructs it, potentially altering it with current emotions, biases, and information. It is not just blocks of memories that get deleted from our consciousness; we morph most memories to fit whatever narrative our identity or ego creates, for better or worse.

This fascinating interplay between memory and identity was pivotal in my journey toward taking real estate seriously. I recall, albeit vaguely, the days I spent looking at a condo in DC in my mid-twenties, with the yearning to be a property owner. Like many, I was disillusioned by the notion of rent; I knew that my monthly payments could be building equity in my own home instead. I have emails that date back to 2011, serving as a testament to my fledgling interest, showcasing a pre-approval mortgage letter for $250,000 at a 5% interest rate.

Over two months, I cycled through several real estate agents and properties. I even neared the final stages of signing a contract for a condo. To an outsider, my actions mirrored those of someone resolute in their quest for homeownership. Yet, the truth was, I was navigating through this significant life decision unconsciously—like a spectator in my own life. 

I was signing papers and shaking hands, but I lacked understanding and intent. It was a $250K, 30-year decision made in a state of ignorance. This is how most of us stumble through life, and this is what we must awaken from!

Fast forward to 2019, eight years later, and the contrast couldn't be starker. This time, I dove into the deep end of real estate with eyes wide open and a thirst for knowledge. I didn't just read through contracts; I scrutinized them. I engaged with every stakeholder not just as a participant but as an active learner—understanding the roles of real estate agents, mortgage brokers, inspectors, appraisers, and more. I was, at last, truly awake.

That awakening changed everything. Suddenly, momentum was on my side. The compounding effect of learning, growing, and becoming more proficient both personally and professionally in real estate was astonishing. I started asking better questions and understanding complex concepts. Gradually, I evolved into the real estate professional I am today.

Real estate became not just a job but a calling. I review properties diligently, build up my personal and business credit continuously, and seek to increase my income. Every deal, every architectural conversation, and each glance at rental markets fuels my passion. I'm learning about building science, watching the interest market, and feeling the pulse of neighborhoods. Real estate consumes me in the most exhilarating way, a testament to the power of taking life seriously.

The momentum of earnestly engaging with your dreams creates a fervor that radiates from your core. It propels you out of bed, eager to embrace the day, irrespective of the outcome. This drive, this divine momentum, is not contingent on success as defined by societal norms but on the fulfillment that comes from living a life of purpose.

This shift in perspective has been monumental. Hailing from New York City, where real estate is a treasured asset, I was initially armed with misguided notions and a doer's impulsive nature. I am thankful that my 2011 self did not make the purchase—it would have been a naive and uninformed leap.

When I finally took the plunge in 2019, life threw its curveballs. Months after purchasing my first home, I faced furlough and then layoff amidst the Covid-19 pandemic. I collected unemployment and took the bank's forbearance offer. Despite the unnerving uncertainty, I stayed the course.

Today, less than four years later, I am at the helm of a $5 million real estate portfolio. This is what comes of taking life seriously.

I urge you, as I have learned, to step back from the whirlwind of 'doing.' Reflect on the essence of your actions. Why are you doing what you're doing, and how can you do it with presence and intent? It's a challenge, especially for those who thrive on action. But grounding yourself in purposeful engagement is the key to not just living but thriving.

So take your life seriously—take a step back, get curious, stay present, and watch as the doors you never even noticed start to open. Your serious approach to life is not just a path to success; it's a journey to a more awakened, vibrant, and fulfilling existence.