Building Relationships 101
Hey everybody,
This is my first post. I wanted to take the time to introduce myself and also give a first-person account of how to build relationships.
I'm a young man who has taken the road less traveled by his peers. I'm sure most of us have a similar story. What's interesting about it is how it came to be. We have all had a defining moment that has pushed us or pulled us into the real estate world. Some of us have wanted it from the very beginning (such as myself). Some of us have stumbled upon it as an alternative or supplemental income source. But all of us realize the potential. And this is my story.
I grew up in a middle class home in Freeport, New York. For those that are unfamiliar with the town, it's on Long Island in Nassau County. I was a great student in school, graduated number 19 of 460 people and had great relationships with some of my more vocal teachers. Meaning, the teachers that my friends hated, I loved because they expected more from me than to just regurgitate info. They wanted me to think. And I showed them that I could.
I went to college for 3 semesters in two different schools (Nassau Community College & DeVry Institute). I hated it. It wasn't what I wanted to do. I knew I could do better even at the tender age of 19. So what did I do? I joined an MLM company, that's what I did. It was called Primerica (God, I hope I don't get sued for mentioning the name. Not that they'd get much at this point in time :) I learned about loans and securities and finance. But mostly, I learned about myself. I learned that I had the mental capacity to do just about anything but I was lacking the courage to try (sound familiar?) I stayed in that company for 3 years and even made a few insurance and loan sales but the time had come for me to move out and live on my own. Here's where it gets interesting...
My first move was an attic apartment within the same home as my immediate family. My mother, sister, brother, and stepfather lived on the first floor. My aunt, cousins, nieces, and nephew all lived on the second floor. And I was in the attic. I lived there for years until my landlord decided that he wanted me to move out. I was rowdy and had small parties all the time. My family didn't mind because they were my family but I guess someone heard something and told on me.
So I had to move in with a friend. But he lived in Brooklyn. I learned a lot about him and myself during that time. It was only 8 or 9 months. Then I moved into my own apartment in Brooklyn for about a year. Then, a few months before my lease was up I got laid off from my job as a marketing analyst for a small internet firm called Partsearch Technologies (hope they don't sue either). It was five months before my lease was up and I was running out of money fast. I was on unemployment but it wasn't enough. I needed more.
I started picking up books and buying courses and trying to learn what I needed to learn so that this crap would never happen again. I read the book "Rich Dad, Poor Dad" and it changed me forever. I spent ALL my money on books and courses and read them all but I was stuck. I didn't know how to do anything although I had read all about it (I know that just hit somebody on the head...probably really hard too). I was scared out of my mind to do anything. So what did I do? I bought MORE books and courses (ok, your head hurts now, I'll stop, I promise, I think ;)
I was flat broke and had to move in with the same friend I moved in with in Brooklyn but by this time he had moved to Atlanta. That was December of 2008 and I've been here ever since. I don't live with him anymore. I got my own apartment but then I lost that because the Census job I worked was only temporary and I was out of money again. So I moved with another friend (not the same one).
During the last 60 days I have taken action. I read a bunch of stuff online and I educate and motivate and inspire myself regularly. Hell, I'm the only one who can anyway (that should be a revelation but I promised I wouldn't hit you on the head anymore). I've met the most wonderful people and I've met some duds but this is where I'm going to outline my formula and give you some real-life examples. Here goes...
I jumped on LinkedIN and started poking around. People posting about buying, selling, lending. I injected myself into conversations and started talking to people digitally. When I didn't have an answer or I needed help, I would go post on REI Club and Bigger Pockets. Man, did I learn a lot. I took that same information back into those conversations and people started noticing me. People sending me colleague requests and emailing me out of the blue. Apparently my style (which you are just now getting to witness) is very authentic and real. People are drawn to that. Especially with so many 'fakers' out here trying to get something for nothing. Has anyone ever heard of a deal with 15 intermediaries? No? You know why? Because it never closed and never would. Who is gonna pay 15 different people for finding the same deal? Answer? Nobody.
I joined this network about a week or two ago. I've got a few friends and have one in particular that I would like to take a minute to rave about. Anthony Silva. The man is a wealth of knowledge. And apparently I am too. We were on the phone today for almost 90 minutes, 83 to be exact. This was our first phone call. We have never spoken to each other before. I learned quite a bit about him and he about me on that phone call. It's like we knew each other. Our stories are similar. As I'm sure yours is too. He lives in Utah and I live in Atlanta. That's a rather large geographic gap. However, the internet and this network in particular is responsible for us connecting. Well, I'm sure the good Lord and the law of attraction had something to do with it too.
I say all that to say this: It's ALL about RELATIONSHIPS. If you're the kind of person who just wants to do a few deals and get on with your life, you're going to have a tough time. But if you're in this thing for the long haul you are going to need to develop certain skills. And the one skill that will pay every bill that you have is People Skills. We've all heard it. We all know it. But very few of us DO IT. And that's the difference between a champion and a chump.
Which one are you going to decide to be?
P.S. Don't just sit here and say "I'm gonna be a champion, I'm gonna learn (or begin to show) people skills. That's not enough. A decision is not real until its acted upon. Ask Tony Robbins and anyone else who understands this profound fact.
If you want more of me you're gonna have to fork over big bucks. I may never post another blog again. Get it while it's hot...
Until next time (if there is one),
Allen T. Gregory
P.P.S (P.S's a are so lame but they're useful). Anyway, I might be kidding and I might not. But you're going to have to use your people skills to find out.
Carpe Diem
This is my first post. I wanted to take the time to introduce myself and also give a first-person account of how to build relationships.
I'm a young man who has taken the road less traveled by his peers. I'm sure most of us have a similar story. What's interesting about it is how it came to be. We have all had a defining moment that has pushed us or pulled us into the real estate world. Some of us have wanted it from the very beginning (such as myself). Some of us have stumbled upon it as an alternative or supplemental income source. But all of us realize the potential. And this is my story.
I grew up in a middle class home in Freeport, New York. For those that are unfamiliar with the town, it's on Long Island in Nassau County. I was a great student in school, graduated number 19 of 460 people and had great relationships with some of my more vocal teachers. Meaning, the teachers that my friends hated, I loved because they expected more from me than to just regurgitate info. They wanted me to think. And I showed them that I could.
I went to college for 3 semesters in two different schools (Nassau Community College & DeVry Institute). I hated it. It wasn't what I wanted to do. I knew I could do better even at the tender age of 19. So what did I do? I joined an MLM company, that's what I did. It was called Primerica (God, I hope I don't get sued for mentioning the name. Not that they'd get much at this point in time :) I learned about loans and securities and finance. But mostly, I learned about myself. I learned that I had the mental capacity to do just about anything but I was lacking the courage to try (sound familiar?) I stayed in that company for 3 years and even made a few insurance and loan sales but the time had come for me to move out and live on my own. Here's where it gets interesting...
My first move was an attic apartment within the same home as my immediate family. My mother, sister, brother, and stepfather lived on the first floor. My aunt, cousins, nieces, and nephew all lived on the second floor. And I was in the attic. I lived there for years until my landlord decided that he wanted me to move out. I was rowdy and had small parties all the time. My family didn't mind because they were my family but I guess someone heard something and told on me.
So I had to move in with a friend. But he lived in Brooklyn. I learned a lot about him and myself during that time. It was only 8 or 9 months. Then I moved into my own apartment in Brooklyn for about a year. Then, a few months before my lease was up I got laid off from my job as a marketing analyst for a small internet firm called Partsearch Technologies (hope they don't sue either). It was five months before my lease was up and I was running out of money fast. I was on unemployment but it wasn't enough. I needed more.
I started picking up books and buying courses and trying to learn what I needed to learn so that this crap would never happen again. I read the book "Rich Dad, Poor Dad" and it changed me forever. I spent ALL my money on books and courses and read them all but I was stuck. I didn't know how to do anything although I had read all about it (I know that just hit somebody on the head...probably really hard too). I was scared out of my mind to do anything. So what did I do? I bought MORE books and courses (ok, your head hurts now, I'll stop, I promise, I think ;)
I was flat broke and had to move in with the same friend I moved in with in Brooklyn but by this time he had moved to Atlanta. That was December of 2008 and I've been here ever since. I don't live with him anymore. I got my own apartment but then I lost that because the Census job I worked was only temporary and I was out of money again. So I moved with another friend (not the same one).
During the last 60 days I have taken action. I read a bunch of stuff online and I educate and motivate and inspire myself regularly. Hell, I'm the only one who can anyway (that should be a revelation but I promised I wouldn't hit you on the head anymore). I've met the most wonderful people and I've met some duds but this is where I'm going to outline my formula and give you some real-life examples. Here goes...
I jumped on LinkedIN and started poking around. People posting about buying, selling, lending. I injected myself into conversations and started talking to people digitally. When I didn't have an answer or I needed help, I would go post on REI Club and Bigger Pockets. Man, did I learn a lot. I took that same information back into those conversations and people started noticing me. People sending me colleague requests and emailing me out of the blue. Apparently my style (which you are just now getting to witness) is very authentic and real. People are drawn to that. Especially with so many 'fakers' out here trying to get something for nothing. Has anyone ever heard of a deal with 15 intermediaries? No? You know why? Because it never closed and never would. Who is gonna pay 15 different people for finding the same deal? Answer? Nobody.
I joined this network about a week or two ago. I've got a few friends and have one in particular that I would like to take a minute to rave about. Anthony Silva. The man is a wealth of knowledge. And apparently I am too. We were on the phone today for almost 90 minutes, 83 to be exact. This was our first phone call. We have never spoken to each other before. I learned quite a bit about him and he about me on that phone call. It's like we knew each other. Our stories are similar. As I'm sure yours is too. He lives in Utah and I live in Atlanta. That's a rather large geographic gap. However, the internet and this network in particular is responsible for us connecting. Well, I'm sure the good Lord and the law of attraction had something to do with it too.
I say all that to say this: It's ALL about RELATIONSHIPS. If you're the kind of person who just wants to do a few deals and get on with your life, you're going to have a tough time. But if you're in this thing for the long haul you are going to need to develop certain skills. And the one skill that will pay every bill that you have is People Skills. We've all heard it. We all know it. But very few of us DO IT. And that's the difference between a champion and a chump.
Which one are you going to decide to be?
P.S. Don't just sit here and say "I'm gonna be a champion, I'm gonna learn (or begin to show) people skills. That's not enough. A decision is not real until its acted upon. Ask Tony Robbins and anyone else who understands this profound fact.
If you want more of me you're gonna have to fork over big bucks. I may never post another blog again. Get it while it's hot...
Until next time (if there is one),
Allen T. Gregory
P.P.S (P.S's a are so lame but they're useful). Anyway, I might be kidding and I might not. But you're going to have to use your people skills to find out.
Carpe Diem
Comments
Subscribe
5 Comments
Click here to sign up now.