It is a crisp fall day, and I am waiting for my good friend, mentor, and buddy, Chuck in his tree lined driveway of his Iowa home. I’m eager to see why he insisted I stop by, being that I last visited only two weeks prior. Just then, I hear the unmistakable sound of a 1970’s era V8 motor seconds before I see a beautiful cherry red Corvette turn into his driveway. The smiling man whose birth certificate will tell you he is north of 70 years, yet his attitude would place him in his 20’s eases his silver haired stout frame out of his newest toy onto the cool concrete of the driveway.

“Boy do I have a story for you!” he exclaims with a grin and a hand outstretched, ready to grab the cold beer and cigar that I have waiting for him.

I have no doubt that he does. Chuck didn’t own a Corvette the last time I saw him just two weeks ago, nor did he mention any plans to purchase one. When I asked him about his latest “toy” (the 1978 Corvette), he proceeds to explain that his wife, Charlotte, first noticed the car while visiting several garage sales a few weeks back.

“Who the hell sells a Corvette at a garage sale?” I asked.

He next explains that the woman, who was holding the garage sale, and the original owner of the Corvette, was in the Army and preparing for a deployment overseas. She had purchased the car several years prior, and never really drove it all that much. It was underneath a tree on this particular day and looked like it had been the target of a dive bombing run for every bird in the neighborhood. When Chuck fired up the motor and checked out the mechanical quality of the vehicle, he knew that he wanted it…at the right price.

The owner of the car told him a price, and Chuck told her it was simply far more than he was willing to pay. He explained that he didn’t want to insult her with a low offer, but with enough coaxing she finally pulled it out of him. I promised him that I would hold the details of the transaction in confidence, but let’s just say that the number he offered her is closer to what most teens spend on their first cars than what you would expect to pay for an American icon like a Corvette. When she explained that she couldn’t accept his offer, he simply thanked her for her time, wrote his name and number on a sheet of paper and asked her to call him if she changed her mind.

Nearly three months had passed before Chuck’s phone rang and the woman on the other end of the line informed him that the car was his, at his offered price, if he was still interested. Chuck was patient and really didn’t care if he purchased the car or not…unless it was on his terms. The Big Lesson: Be willing to be patient!

Know Your Numbers

Matt is a high school educated machine operator from a rural Illinois town. When he was 21, he invested in a real estate home study course. When the course landed in his mailbox, he devoured the information inside. He then went out and did the work outlined in the home study course. Instead of going out with his friends from work each night, he would do his “homework” for about 90 minutes each evening.

He quickly began acquiring small properties and was either renting them out or “flipping” them after doing minor cosmetic work on them. Matt invested all of his profits from his real estate transactions back into the business. A mere two years after starting his real estate business, he was able to leave his day job. Five years after that, at the age of 28, he retired a real estate multi-millionaire.

Matt may put 50 offers per month on various properties that fit his criteria. He will typically purchase a home for 40-70% below current market value. Out of the 50 offers, 45 will be shot down immediately. Out of the remaining five, he will close on one or two of them. Matt is not buying properties, rather he is sorting sellers who really want to or need to get out of the financial burden of their current financial state.

He is also very discerning about what he wants to buy. He is not interested in doing major construction repairs, or tons of mechanical work. One of his favorite sayings is, “Carpet and paint, brain surgery it ain’t.” A home can go from outdated and empty to warm and occupied with a minimal investment. The Big Lesson: Do Your Homework, Know Your Numbers, and Work Them! 

All They Can Say Is ‘No’, They Can’t Shoot You and Eat You

My amazing daughter, Molly, is fearless when it comes to asking for what she wants. In a time when many people are desperately trying to find any kind of work, Molly is usually deciding between multiple job offers and opportunities. If you meet her, you will understand the power of her magnetic personality within seconds.

She moved to Fort Collins, Colorado this past September and was excited to host a friend of hers’ from college about 10 days later. The girls planned on going horseback riding at a local ranch. When they arrived at the ranch, the owner explained that there would be a significant wait before they could get out on their horseback riding tour because one of the guides was ill.

“We can fill in for the guide. We love horses, and would enjoy showing your customers around the area.” Molly interjected.

There are two important things to consider regarding this scenario:

1. Molly has been on horseback only a handful of times in her life.
2. She has lived inFort Collins for less than two weeks.

She called us to share the story that I’m now sharing with you and exclaimed, “We got to ride horses for free, and we did such a great job that we made $60 in tips!” She continues to remind me that when you ask for what you want, no matter how seemingly improbable it may be; you have a pretty good shot at getting it. The Big Lesson: If you don’t ask for what you want, you won’t get what you want. 

No matter what your current business or life situation may be, these lessons are immutable laws that are woven into the character of anyone who is living life successfully on their terms and isn’t afraid of short-term rejection or hearing the word “no.”

Stop trying to always please others. Stop worrying about what others may think of you or your dream. The time is NOW to take action and boldly chart your own course towards the life you truly want to live and lead.