Preparing Yourself for Real Estate Investing Success in 2009
I thought it would be an appropriate time to reflect on 2008 in order to prepare for 2009. And what better way than to do a self-analysis . . . a personal inventory of your results from this past year. I have taken an excerpt from the business classic, “Think and Grow Rich,” by Napoleon Hill, to help you out.
I recommend setting aside sufficient time to ponder the questions below and to write down your responses.
“Annual self-analysis is an essential in the effective marketing of personal services, as is annual inventory in merchandising. Moreover, the yearly analysis should disclose a decrease in faults, and an increase in virtues. One goes ahead, stands still, or goes backward in life. One’s object should be, of course, to go ahead. Annual self-analysis will disclose whether advancement has been made, and if so, how much. It will also disclose any backward steps one may have made. The effective marketing of personal services requires one to move forward even if the progress is slow.
Your annual self-analysis should be made at the end of each year, so you can include your New Year’s resolutions any improvements which the analysis indicates should be made. Take this inventory by asking the following questions, and by checking your answers with the aid of someone who will not permit you to deceive yourself as to their accuracy.
Self-Analysis Questionnaire For Personal Inventory
1. Have I attained the goal which I established as my objective for this year? (You should work with a definite yearly objective to be attained as a part of your major life objective).
2. Have I delivered service of the best possible quality of which I was capable, or could I have improved any part of this service?
3. Have I delivered service in the greatest possible quantity of which I was capable?
4. Has the spirit of my conduct been harmonious, and cooperative at all times?
5. Have I permitted the habit of procrastination to decrease my efficiency, and if so, to what extent?
6. Have I improved my personality, and if so, in what ways?
7. Have I been present in following my plans through to completion?
8. Have I reached decisions promptly and definitely on all occasions?
9. Have I permitted any one or more of the six basic fears to decrease my efficiency?
10. Have I been either ‘over-cautious,’ or ‘under-cautious?’
11. Has my relationship with my associates in work been pleasant, or unpleasant? If it has been unpleasant, has the fault been partly, or wholly mine?
12. Have I dissipated any of my energy through lack of concentration of effort?
13. Have I been open minded and tolerant in connection with all subjects?
14. In what way have I improved my ability to render service?
15. Have I been intemperate in any of my habits?
16. Have I expressed, either openly or secretly, any form of egotism?
17. Has my conduct toward my associates been such that it has induced them to respect me?
18. Have my opinions and decisions been based upon guesswork, or accuracy of analysis and thought?
19. Have I followed the habit of budgeting my time, my expenses, and my income, and have I been conservative in these budgets?
20. How much time have I devoted to unprofitable effort which I might have used to better advantage?
21. How may I re-budget my time, and change my habits so I will be more efficient during the coming year?
22. Have I been guilty of any conduct which was not approved by my conscious?
23. In what ways have I rendered more service and better service than I was paid to render?
24. Have I been unfair to anyone, and if so, in what way?
25. If I had been the purchaser of my own services for the year, would I be satisfied with my purchase?
26. Am I in the right vocation, and if not, why not?
27. Has the purchaser of my services been satisfied with the service I have rendered, and if not, why not?
28. What is my present rating on the fundamental principles of success? (Make this rating fairly and frankly, and have it checked by someone who is courageous enough to do it accurately.)”
After completing this exercise, you’ll have an accurate assessment of where you are in life. This will be your measuring stick for the next year. As you see yourself improve over the next weeks and months, you’ll become more and more motivated to continue towards your goals.
I would like to end today’s post with one of my favorite quotes from Napoleon Hill . . .
“Whatever the mind of man can conceive and believe it can achieve.”
Let’s make 2009 the best year you’ve ever had!
Category: Business Management Systems and Tools, Personal Development, Tips and Tricks
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