When I got into real estate, I had visions of grandeur and glory. Like most, I was young (18), ambitious and ready to take on the world. I was excited to be a part of this esteemed field called real estate and like many, I was convinced that enough hard work would get me where I wanted to be. I was reflecting this morning on that optimistic vision, almost 20 years ago. It has definitely been a journey. There have been a few ups, a few downs and more than a few enlightenment's. My plan hasn't worked out quite like I anticipated.

How about you? How's your plan working out? 

The reason I ask is that as many of us know, LIFE is not always fair. Plans change. People die, they move, change jobs, lose jobs, marry, divorce and have children. A plan is a great tool but it's not a guarantee. It's more like a road-map to help get us to our destinations. The real trick is in planning for the DETOURS, the 100 miles in the WRONG DIRECTION or the occasional FLAT TIRE or BREAK DOWN on the side of the road. 

So, how do you create a plan that will work?

• Begin with your desired end result, your "destination", and work backwards to where you are.
• A good place to start is to look at where you are today, where you were a year ago and where you'd like to be a year from now. Write down your short and long term goals. Put this list somewhere that you will see it every day.
• Expect the unexpected. Prepare for the detours and occasional flats. If things go smoothly, you are just that much closer to your goal.
• Visualize and verbalize your dreams and visions. What does your destination look like to YOU? Describe it in detail. This can also be very helpful in building your "map".
• Create reasonable/obtainable goals for 6 month, 1 year, 5 and 10 year intervals.
• Schedule activities that move you towards your goals, even when they force you outside of your comfort zone.
• Culminate the information and begin to draw out your "map". A map, afterall, is just a set of directions to get from one place to another.

This exercise not only applies to your success in real estate but for any goal you may have. For instance, my "destination" includes a successful restaurant. It is a dream at this point in my life. What I can do to change that is:

1. Write a business plan and talk to others about how I will accomplish this goal. (Visualize & Verbalize)
2. Become educated in restaurant management and other elements necessary for this endeavor. (Movement) 
3. Investigate the financial needs and means for this business and plan for what I will need. (Plan) 
4. Incorporate the "restaurant" when making my short and long term goals for 6 months, 1 year, 5 year and 10 years from now . (Create)
5. Enlist the help of others with expertise or knowledge in this area. (Plan)
6. Visualize. Speculate. Believe. (Visualize)

Someone once said "It's a lot easier to get to your destination when you have some idea of where you are going". How can you possibly get to the right place with no map? You won't. You will arrive somewhere else and wonder,"How did I wind up here?"

Outside of something illegal or harmful to someone else, it doesn't necessarily matter what the goal or dream is. It only matters that you have one. The most important four words you may ever hear are "YOU CAN DO IT".  Include these words on your "map". Believe that you can and some amazing things will happen. 

Because life can put you on or take you off track in an instant, you need to look back once in awhile. Take time to review where you were 6 months ago and adjust your map when necessary. You can learn so much from where you've been and your past mistakes. Just like a good business plan, your life plan should be addressed honestly and often.

Remember that most people make decisions based on the information they have at the time.  It is usually only in hindsight that we realize the things we should have done differently. Know ahead of time that you will make mistakes. Everyone does. Don't discount your dreams when you get sidetracked or off course. Know that your past failures are a huge and necessary part of your future success. Good Luck !