Roger's World...

Why Demonize?

It seems like there are so many opinions of how to do things, but more and more, it's being capped off with some hate.  Do people really need to use the term Nazi while describing Obama?  I understand you may have a differing opinion, and that we've got free speech and all, but I wonder how its going to affect us in the future.

I'm a big believer in the power of words - I'll use the word 'challenge' instead of 'problem'.  Or, as opposed to phrasing a question in negative light such as "I don't want to lose my keys", I phrase it as "I want to make sure I keep my keys".  (This is staying away from a 'negative goal'.) 

Some people don't understand the power of words, and it's going to be interesting to see how it will affect our culture in the next decade.  I wonder if, because people are using the terms socialist, Nazi, Communist, etc., that we're really setting ourselves up for those scenarios to reemerge. 

I can safely say that Obama's plan is nothing like Nazi Germany and the 3rd Reich. So do we need to use those words to describe policy that we may not agree with? The demonetization of both the left and right is only going to fuel the fire of hate.  And our country suffers for it.

The questions that each of should be asking are 'How To..." questions: "How can we get this health-care (or economic, or immigration, or whatever) challenged fixed for the greater good of everyone in this country?"  Maybe "How can I help to solve these challenges?" as opposed to "That guy's a scumbag!!!"

We all have an opportunity to make things better, every moment, and every word we utter.  How can we each do more to help the issue at hand, versus cutting down others?  There are millions of brilliant people in the USA.  How can we get them to help us figure these challenges out.  America is the Land of Opportunity - but we must begin to use our resources to accomplish things, not to invent clever ways of spewing hate and vitriol.

I appreciate all the feedback...

Partnerships...

We all have partners in this world.  Sometimes, as in a marriage, they work for a very long time - 30, 40, 50 years or more.  Sometimes, they last for a few weeks, or less.

I've always been fascinated with people that have been able to make relationships last so long. What is the process?  Have they aligned themselves so much with the other person and their values/beliefs/dreams/goals that it just works?  Or have they sacrificed so much of their individual sense of being in order to make it work for such a long time?  Did they get comfortable, give up on their dreams?  Or, have they really figured out some secret that I have yet to understand?  While I do have some very long and very strong friendships lasting a couple of decades, they're not certainly not like a long marriage or business relationship. 

This point was made on several occasions this past week.  One partnership that was several months in development was suddenly cut short by my partner's inability to decide and to act. Fear gripped this man, fear of losing money. So many 'what if's' occupied his thinking, that he was paralyzed from the head down. I saw it coming for a few days, and finally had to cut it off - it was a waste of time. And if I continued to nurture a person gripped by fear, I knew that I, too, would begin to fall into the same trap. So the dissolution comes with a few more lessons learned, and new opportunities unearthed.  For this I'm grateful, and re-energized!

As I continue to build my company, and grow as person, I look forward to all of the lessons that each partnership - the ones lasting a couple of minutes (like meeting people at Starbucks) or ones lasting a lifetime (people I've already known for decades) - will provide - If I'm able to keep an attitude of gratitude, and to continually ask myself the question: "What's GREAT about this??"

Please share your thoughts and insights...

Offers, Offers, Offers....

The last 2 weeks have been pretty busy in terms of the offers I'm sending out.  The big one is a 185 multi-family property near Dallas TX.  If the numbers work out, this might be a great project for me and my investors.  I'll reiterate - it MIGHT be a great project.  The reason for the skepticism is because 1) I don't know that specific area too well; 2) A trusted colleague of my cousin DOES know the area, and the industry very, very well, and was none too impressed with it.  So as I've learned long, long ago - never get emotionally invested in a property.  Ever.  This way, if it works, then great, you'll make money (hopefully!).  If it doesn't work, then the most important word to know is: Next.  Despite what some new investors believe, there is always - ALWAYS another property, and probably better than the one you were looking at.

The other property I put an offer on was another condo in the same little area of Palm Desert CA. Our 6th in this great little area. The condo does need a bit of work, but that's something I've done a bunch of.  My partner and I are very interested in these 'base hits' as my cousin calls them, to help the down time, and to build a bit of working capital for the larger projects like the multi-family units I'm interested in buying.

So in the last 6 weeks, I've put out about 6 offers on various properties - which I feel is not a lot.  But I'm amping it up.  I would ideally, like to submit 3 offers a week on either multi- or single- family properties.  This is a numbers game, and the more you offer, the more get accepted. For the other investors out there - keep it up - keep making those offers.  Something will work and you'll start making more money!

And, once again, we're always looking for partners on these projects, and willing to give up a larger portion of equity on the larger projects. If you're interested send me an email - or visit my site http://JBBHoldings.com to find out more about partnering with me. Yes - I can also help you with your deflated IRA and get it working for you, not working against you. Email me now to find out more!

And  - Keep making offers - its the ONLY way you'll get them accepted!

Lessons Remembered...

Since moving to Palm Springs in September '08, I've had the joy (and sometime frustration) of playing with the John Stanley King band.  I say sometime frustrating, because of my challenges associated with my arm, and having been away from any steady gig for over 5 years - I've been rusty!!

Having played with JSK and Rob Martinez every week since January, things have come together pretty well, all things considered:  The Arm Thing, not rehearsing or even practicing, and only playing once a week.  We sound pretty good most of the time - with some very inspired 'jams' that take us to some places none of us have been before. Its usually a fun time!

Because John is a 'local celebrity' of sorts, playing with him has afforded me a kind of 'instant acceptance' by a lot of the local musicians.  It's a nice change from having to prove and re-prove over and over... I get to play and get my name out with relative ease.

With this, I was approached by a writer for a local entertainment weekly magazine.  They spotlight various entertainers/musicians each week, and it became my time. We did an interview of about an hour over the phone a couple of weeks ago, and I gave him what I thought was the most important information in my education/career.  And I trusted him with the facts - facts I thought I spelled out clearly enough.  I was wrong.

The article came out today.  I found a copy early this morning, and began to read.   I was mildly amused at some of the things that were focused on. Some of the people I played with, some of the spelling, the chronology of events... those types of things.  But when the writer suggested that I was a 'Investment Broker" I realized that it was all MY fault:  I didn't request to proof the interview to double check the facts.  I learned this lesson a long time ago in Orlando while running my own quintet.  I forgot it, and it has come to bite me once more.

This is the last time!  I say that with humility and graciousness to the interviewer, and hope he understands that a quick proof will hep everyone in the short- and long-term.  I now remember why...

People's Favorite Topic...

People love to talk about themselves. And as someone that loves people, I like to think of myself as one who asks questions and engages people on what they want to talk about. Except tonight I was told that I talk about myself.  A lot, apparently.

Wow.  It's a tough thing to hear, given the fact that people love to talk about themselves. And I'm lucky that there's someone that knows there is a safe space to communicate what she's seeing/hearing.

So how does someone grow from this?  By being present to the situation/conversation and not feeling the need to fill gaps.  It's going to be a great lesson in humility, patience, and listening.  Gratitude abounds for my friend that has shared this viewpoint.  And the question begs: "Is there not a safe space for communication between other friends to allow them to let me know this?"  So much richness...  :)

So let's all step back and check in to see if it's all about 'us', or all about 'them'.  It might mean the world of difference to all those we relate to.

Out of my head...

Sometimes, when there's a lot going on in our lives, we get inside our heads a bit to much, and get out of the flow. This happened to me last week on a couple of gigs I was doing here in Palm Springs with the John Stanley King Band.

I wasn't focused entirely on the music, and was allowing other things to influence me while I was playing.  This is a very selfish way to act.  I forgot one of the oldest lessons that all pro musicians preach: "Leave your stuff off the bandstand".

Last night however, I was totally immersed, present, and confident. The band sounded great, adding credence to the other old saying: "A band is only as good (or great) as it's drummer".  It felt great for me, the other guys - John and Rob - and the customers at the gig. Even Bill or bartender/friend/supporter suggested that they give me a new nickname: Thor! 

So hopefully, as we go about our days and weeks, we'll remember to stop being selfish, get out of our heads, and be fully immersed, present, and confident.

Thinking... and Writing...

It was recommended that I read a couple of books - E-Myth Mastery by Michael Gerber, and Thinking For A Change, by John C. Maxwell.  They're having a great impact on what's been happening in my head lately, and the premise of each compliment the other very well.

E-Myth has been helping me to understand how to work 'on' my business - the Vision, the Plan, the Objectives.  Writing it down.  Thinking For A Change has been helpful to remember not how to think, but what to think about - the power of a focused mind. Applying that process to my E-Myth lessons has really help to clarify where I want my biz to go, what its focus is and could be, and to, very importantly, write it down!

I've been involved with several start-ups over the years.  Some have done well (for awhile), others have not.  What they all have in common is that none of them had a Business Plan that was alive, impassioned, and most importantly: believed.  The challenge was that the plan was often a static document - one that was only for people that thought a plan was needed - not because they were passionate about the biz or about the plan.  This is my distinction.  The lesson is learned...now it's being put into practice.

So if any of you are starting a biz, or own one now, I highly recommend each of these books.  They'll help you as they're helping me, and the thousands of others that have followed the steps.

Have fun!  Be a little crazy!! But write it down, let it breath and grow...  and let me know how it's going!

Thank you Sandy King, and Marco Sangiorgi for suggesting them...

My offer...

On Friday, I set over a LOI (Letter Of Intent) to the seller of a building here in Palm Springs.  It's the first offer I've put to a seller on a property in some time. But I did it, lowball as it may be.

While I understand that it's going to be a challenge to the seller to accept, it does get the ball rolling again.  It felt great, too, and after analyzing it for several months, I determined that it could be a good investment - IF purchased at the right price.  So, as time presses on, I'll be updating you of my progress.

Sometimes we get the 'Analysis of Paralysis' where we keep punching in the numbers, and never taking action.  I made certain to move beyond that limiting pattern - tough as it can be at times - and sent it over. I feel better about my  progress, and by doing this, I've sent a message to the universe telling it that I'm ready to have this be a part of my life.

One thing I made sure to do, was to include a letter of explanation describing exactly why I needed to offer them such a low price, and that it was nothing personal - Just how I need to run my biz, that's all. That way, it adds a bit of a personal touch to a biz transaction. 

Just how I need to run my life!

And yes - you CAN wish me luck!

Gratitude

I think it's important to focus on gratitude.  A lot.

Let me re-phrase that: 

It is CRITICAL to focus on gratitude.

This is what helps us through the dark times, the times when we're not really sure how we're going to get past whatever 'challenges' we may have.  (If you know me at all - you know that I ALWAYS use that word for any difficult event)

Two years ago was a very challenging time for me.  I broke my arm very, very badly, which is a tough thing to go through.  AND I've been a drummer for 24 years! When it happened, I wasn't sure what was going to happen.  "Will I ever play drums again?" was a question going through my head every 12.7 seconds!  I was scared. In pain... LOTS of pain... until the drugs kicked in. Then it was mostly the uncertainty of my future.

Fast forward two years.  I'm doing great. I can't straighten my left arm, or 'supinate' (turn it palm-up all the way - yet).  But I'm playing drums, and in some ways, better than ever.  This challenge has forced me to change some things that I used to choose to do while playing, which has been a great learning experience that I otherwise might not have gone through. My ego may have prevented me from 're-learning' some beliefs about drumming and music. Had I not gone through this 'accident', I might never had gotten some really important lessons.  I'm grateful for these new ideas!

While I might not be grateful that I broke my arm - it does still hurt sometimes, and it gets uncomfortable when I sleep - I'm very grateful for what it has taught me. I'm grateful every MOMENT I GET to play!  Are you? Do you feel immense gratitude for whatever you GET to do?  Think it through...

But this is the part we all need to remember: Situations are either something we can learn from, or they can pass us by without any thought to the value.  I actively participated in the process by asking my most famous question: "What's GREAT abut this?" Tony Robbins' teaching of this question in one of his books, was, and continues to be, one of the most empowering tools to dealing with whatever comes to me.  Big and small. It's a choice. A choice we get to ask ourselves almost moment to moment.

So do it - ask the question.  Remember to thank a situation, a person, a life-lesson... for something that is being presented to you. If you do, you'll be able to grow in ways never imagined.

Re-Boot...

Well, it's been an interesting 6 months.

Sometimes, we all just need to re-boot.  You know, things get a little too crazy.  All the systems that are 'on' are NOT working together for the common good.  It's really as if the system is so inundated with conflicted messages and incompatible programs.  The only thing you can do is a re-boot.

That's what I just did.

As you may or may not know, it's been 6 months since I left a company that I was with for several years.  I'd invested a lot of time, energy, emotion, and hope into it.  Things started to go well.  Then it stopped.  Things changed.  I was changing.  The company was changing.  We weren't aligned any longer, and it became more and more clear.

Without knowing it, I needed to re-boot.  Get some time with the power off. Disconnect.  And it helped so much that, now, I sit here typing my first blog, getting re-invigorated for anther chapter of this life. 

I'm very excited to share a multitude of thoughts and feelings about many things that are important.  I hope you find it entertaining, educational and empowering.  Please - give any and all feedback. (While this is not focused on any political or religious agenda, please keep in mind that these are topics debated on thousands of other blogs, media outlets and kitchen tables across the globe.  Not really what the goal of this forum is.  Start you own blog if you need to complain! :-) )

So let's jump in...