Last week I spent a few days in Phoenix, AZ. A few months ago we made the decision that we were ready to begin the process of expanding REIC into other areas of the country. As a result of that decision we began to study the question of where would we like to go. We ended up choosing 10 different cities. We developed an extensive criteria and researched all kinds of statistics to help up determine the best fit for our company. In the end we decided that Phoenix would be the best place for our initial expansion efforts. So last week was another step in the process of opening up this new area. But what I want to share with you today in this short article is not the detail of our expansion effort but rather an insight I learned about one of the principles REIC is based on.
This principle is–being fearless in a fearful market. Although I do not travel a lot, I do enjoy it. And like usual when I was preparing for my trip to Phoenix thoughts entered my mind such as, what if my plane crashes? What if I catch a fatal illness from the ventilation system on the airplane? Or what if something bad happens? I think many of us have these types of thoughts when we travel. The key becomes, how do we handle these thoughts when they come? I believe we have a choice. I simply chose to say to myself, “well, I guess it is possible that something bad will happen, but I am OK with it”. “I will deal with the situation when and if it becomes an issue”. As a result of my little conversation with myself, I chose not to entertain the fearful thought and very soon the feeling of worry left me. I went on my trip, had an enjoyable and productive time, and came home safe and sound.
All too often people allow themselves to entertain these fearful thoughts. They worry before the trip, during the flight, and throughout the entire trip. For someone watching from the outside, they could look at two people on the same trip together and they would think each had the same experience. However, the reality is that these two people had two very different experiences. And although the outcomes of the trip were very similar, one person truly enjoyed their time and probably noticed more of the sights, sounds, smells, and details of the experience where as the person preoccupied with fear missed out on many of the beauties of the trip.
Life in general is very similar. Two people will go through life with similar physical surroundings and opportunities. But their experiences may be completely different—while one person enjoys the journey of life, the other finds his journey full of anxiety and stress and much of the good things of life are missed.
As a company we here at REIC have chosen to do business fearlessly. The economy has been throwing many challenges at everyone. We have chosen to “be OK with it” and face the challenges head on. Although many of the challenges have been great we have found solutions to almost every challenge that has come our way and we are better and stronger for it! Our revenues have grown 10 fold in the last 12 months, we are out growing our office building, and we have expanded and improved the services we offer to our clients. We have big plans for 2010 and we plan to keep moving forward and continue to do business with the courage and faith necessary to continue to have fun and make the new year an incredible success! I hope you will join us!
