The Enemy in Me
“The greater the obstacle, the more glory in overcoming it.”
– Molière.
My youngest son Brandon graduated from business school this past Saturday. Brandon became a homebuilder the summer of his junior year of high school. So, the idea of going to college and not spending all his time on his business was always tough for him. Each semester he had to fight himself to stay the course and not give up on his college education.
The greatest obstacle we face is almost always within ourselves. Sometimes it’s self-doubt, sometimes its fear and sometimes it’s just a lack of motivation. Whether it’s getting out of bed and running in the morning, making your sales calls or beating an internal conflict…. fighting the enemy within will always lead to our greatest accomplishments.
Whatever we face we always have a choice; we can either be blocked by the obstacle or we can advance through it.
What are the obstacles you need to advance through?
Notes that Resonated:
Leaders go first- expect something from your team? Go first!
Your life is tinted by the color of your thoughts
Discipline is about remembering what you want
Are you moving big rocks or kicking over pebbles
Opportunities will come and go, but if you do nothing about them, so will you
Always shoot to make it
The greatest enemy that will cross your path is within you
No amount of anxiety changes the future
Output problems are generally input problems (Austin Kleon)
Working and investing isn’t about the money it’s about living the life that makes you happy
The parable of a Mexican fisherman is a good example of this philosophy:
Things to read
The Behavior Gap: Interesting philosophies on investing, money, and timing the market. "It's not that we're dumb. We're wired to avoid pain and pursue pleasure and security. It feels right to sell when everyone around us is scared and buy when everyone feels great. It may feel right-but it's not rational” - The Behavior Gap
Mortgage Market
Seeing some of the best rate levels in months has gotten investors and economists alike excited about rates and the bond market:
“Recent falls in Treasury yields mean further falls in mortgage rates are imminent, so the trough in mortgage demand is now behind us,” Thomas Ryan, U.S. property economist for Capital Economics, wrote in the report. “Looking ahead, we think that it’s now extremely likely we’ve seen the peak in mortgage rates and anticipate a steady decline over the next two years.”
But don’t get too comfortable with rate improvement trending. The bond market may be getting ahead of itself:
What Bloomberg Intelligence is Saying...
“Rate markets priced for deep cuts in early 2024 may get a shock next week if the Federal Reserve reiterates that it will keep interest rates at their peak well into next year.”
Even if it doesn’t its way to early in the process to feel comfortable with rates declining. Don’t play the market. Lock those buyers when they tell you to lock.
Videos to watch:
14 mindsets shifts to improve your life: Mind Shifts to Think Differently
Top Quotes:
“Every pro starts off as an amateur.” -Maria Fero
Essentialism - “Sometimes what you don’t do is just as important as what you do.”
“How you spend your days is, of course, how you spend your life.” - Annie Dillard
Things to Discover:
Cocktail grapefruit- Mandelo
These are the best tasting citrus I have ever tried. Super juicy, low in acidity, not too sweet and not too sour. Just perfect for a nice tequila or vodka cocktail. The fruit is a very delicious cross between Frua Mandarins and a Pummelo. They are available from Nov- January. Enjoy!
Food & Drink:
The Journey Jar: