Verna Jones-Cox - Habits of Successful Investors

Our fellow Nuwire Investor contributor Verna Jones-Cox has boiled down success in real estate to 9 Habits that are really spot on.

The other thing about them is that anybody can acquire these habits and become successful there is nothing magical or mystical about it. I strongly recommend reading the whole article as I'm sure they are habits that will bring success in all areas of life.

Successful Investors:
1. Have a plan and work it - like a road map to your final goal

2.Have a network and use it - a good team is very important and often found through meeting other investors

3. Cull their herd- consider it "mercy killing" the mercy is on your wallet leave emotion out of it and get rid of bad properties ( and they are there)

4. Protect their assets - it's basic and you will go through a lot of professionals before you find one who understands your needs.

5. Have a code of ethics - what goes around comes around and it does come around

6. Involve their family - not your uncle Bob who says "real estate is dangerous.." your significant other has to be signed on and tuned in. They are the backbone of your ability to succeed

7. Treat everyone better than they expect to be treated - see #5

8. Stay educated - easier now than before the internet and there are many associations that will be more than happy to tell you what you need to know

9. Become mentors - it almost happens naturally people will start asking you how to do what you did - just tell them! There is no limited wealth or success and everyone deserves to do well.

We ARE Ambassadors!

Todd and I applied to be Alberta Brand Ambassadors and were accepted! We're really excited because,hey, we've already been selling Alberta for 8 years to 5 countries.

Here is the passion behind the brand:
"Alberta has a great story to tell and we are going to tell it.

Now, more than ever, this is the time to promote Alberta. It is vital to ensure that our province remains competitive in the global market, and continues to be a place of opportunity, prosperity and pride for all Albertans.

The new Alberta brand is a brand for the place - our province. It captures the spirit of our people as well as the potential that exists throughout Alberta.

The perception of Alberta that the new brand helps to create at home and abroad will have a profound impact on the success of the province. It will affect Alberta's access to world markets, sway investment decisions and influence our ability to attract tourists and immigrants."

What vision! I'm proud to be Canadian, an Albertan (vicariously) and to be part of this.

It's a little preachy but he has a good point

This article from the Hamilton Spectator (my hometown) is about blame. How it's being dished out everywhere. I can see the writer's point....

It's amazing how many times I hear "somebody made me do it", or "it's Mr. X's fault" and this isn't in the schoolyard.

In my business working as the buffer between the investor and the real estate investment, the buck has to stop with us. If there is no rent the excuse doesn't matter. There either is rent or there isn't. We have to explain why we didn't manage the property manager or the tenant.

Being accountable for our actions and how we view and think about things is the first step to controlling our life and being more successful because every time it isn't your fault you miss a golden learning opportunity.

The best quote I've heard about this recently is:

"When you point the finger at somebody there are four pointing back at you."

Try it - it's true!

Radio for the soul

I was reading Dr. Demartini's Count Your Blessings. It's a really good self-help book for being appreciative of what you have even the bad things.

Once you can do this you'll notice your health getting better. For example the man with crippling arthritis never being willing to "stand" or "bend" to his employer's will. Does mental health affect physical health? You bet.



Anyway I'm getting off-track. I wanted to share the free digital radio station listed on the back of the book. HayHouseRadio.com is free for anyone. It's inspirational talk radio featuring top Hay House authors (like Dr. Demartini).

Some programs where a little much for me - I still don't believe in crystals but I found other programs very uplifting.

So give it a try!