The best book I read in 2023 taught me a lesson I didn’t know I needed to learn…
I struggled to pick a favorite book this year because there were several really good ones. Yet this one stood out. It seems like the best ones usually make you look inward rather than teach you anything new.
The Lesson: The biggest issues in your life can present your greatest opportunities.
Book: The Obstacle is the Way by Ryan Holiday
I won’t give you a summary of the book; you should read it… But I will give you my biggest takeaways along with what I’m doing with them going into 2024.
Biggest takeaways:
- Take adversity head-on.
When you have something that hits you by surprise, find a way to make an opportunity. This goes for both personal and business life. The more you try to hide from problems, issues, or adversity, the worse they get.
For us real estate professionals… When the market shifted, did you sit back and wait for the market to “come back” or for rates to “come back down”?
or
Did you pivot to the new market, adjust your focus, and do the work? Most are still waiting. While the ones that made adjustments and did the work, made the obstacle and opportunity.
- Large obstacles have large weaknesses
The biggest obstacle for most real estate agents right now is “the market”. Well, everyone is on an even playing field, given we’re all dealing with the same “market”.
What is the biggest weakness of this market? Insecurity.
Consumers NEED the best advice now, more than ever. They’re begging for it. If you have your head in the sand, you’re missing the opportunity.
Reach out to your people, be the expert (or be the lighthouse as Cheplak would say).
- Perspective is huge
You could be your best coach… you just need to listen to yourself. Nobody knows your situation better than you. Nobody knows better what you need than you do.
Take the advice you would give to someone who is in exactly your shoes.
Change your mind about “the market” and choose to do the work. I promise you’ll thank yourself in 90 days.
This was one of my favorite books I’ve read in a very long time.
If you’re interested in this type of stuff, shoot me a message and maybe I’ll put out a list of my top picks.
