When do you find the time?

Brandon,

This is really a very good question. I try to pack my lunch for work so I do not spend time driving to & from a local restaurant. I then try to use this time to follow up with RE Agents or quickly sift and sort the potential deals that they send to me.

I also try to put an hour or two in every evening; and 4 hours each on Saturday and Sunday. This brings the total time I (try to) invest to about 20 - 24 hours a week. I would like to spend more time, sure; but life is always pressing with many demands.

I like to wrap up the day reading RE related books just before turning in for the night. However I find that this may not be the best time to read for learning, as mentally I am beginning to shut down.

Any others? I too am curious as to how and when you find the time, especially when you are just starting out and it is not yet a full time pursuit for you.

--Walter

'If it is to be, it is up to me'. -unknown

KILL the TV,unless you're watching REI dvd

NO video games, facebook/twitter gossip, etc

You CAN make time to do anything you WANT to do

Cut out tv if you have to. Read material on your lunch break that helps you move forward. Also, read in the bathroom if you have to (I find that folks don't bother you as much when you're in there) lol.

Having limited time may slow you down a bit, but it doesn't have to stop you unless you let it.

If you have the resources pay bird dogs a minimal fee to find vacant or distressed houses for you. You could also pay the same bird dog to put out bandit signs for you. That will free up time for you to analyze deals, make phone calls, follow-up, etc.

I agree with Walter. If you work full-time lunch breaks are a great time to squeeze in some REI. If you drive to work, take a different route home in the evening to 'drive for dollars.'

Evenings after the family is down is a great time and scheduling some time early on the weekends works. Maybe your spouse can take care of the family until noon. After that you are free to commit some quality time with your family.

Best of luck!
Fish

Brandon,

you have to make sacrifices... and be pretty organized with your time. One assignment that Dean gave us that was very helpful was to write down in a notebook what you do every hour of the day for two weeks. You will see where your time is spent, and where you can make some changes; there are always 'wasted' hours in your week; get rid of them.

I work fulltime too, but I go in early so that I can get off early; during my lunch hour, and after work, I'm always doing rei, every day. I stay up late at night doing research online, I do rei on weekends too. I've put away all my hobbies for now...

Even one hour a day, every day, will make a huge difference!

It looks like you are looking for tips, but I agree with the others, you have to want it bad enough, and it will be something that you love to do, and will replace tv, fishing, even spending some family time. You have to want it and then you will find the time.

There is a commercial I have seen while watching the olymipics that has athletes telling what they have give up, like reading, eating desert, ect to make it to the olymipics. This reminds me of some of the sacrifices people give up to make real estate work. There are some great suggestions in these posts. Ask your self how important real estate is to you. Is it worth giving up TV time, reading time, some family time, even 1 hour of sleep a night. As you are getting started in real estate you will have to give up something to give yourself time to make it work. The things that have been mentioned are things that all successful students of Deans have sacrificed to be successfull. What are you willing to sacrifice?

BRANDON,, EVERYBODY'S CORRECT, BUT FIRST YOU HAVE TO WANT TO DO THIS OR OTHERWISE YOU ARE JUST FOOLING YOURSELF 24HRS IN A DAY, HOW MUCH WILL YOU COMMIT TO REI ( RUBBER MEETING THE ROAD) RIGHT THERE YOU DECIDE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

A FAMOUS QUOTE JUST FOR YOU

"KILLING TIME, MURDERS OPPORTUNITY"

WOULD'NT YOU AGREE

HS

Everyone has 24 hours in a day, it just matters what you do with your time. You have to make sacrifices, but that doesn't mean quit your job... yet! Val is right by mentioning the technique where you write down every single thing you do in the next two weeks, and be honest with yourself. You will find plenty of time if you are willing to stop doing some of the time-wasting activities.

I know many successful students around here had to sacrifice sleep because they worked 80+ hours a week while getting started. Although it's not the healthiest choice, if that's literally the ONLY thing you can sacrifice to find extra time then by all means DO IT! If you aren't willing to sacrifice everything you possibly can, then your goals aren't important enough to you.