Investing in the Present

Too often, I’ve found myself either lost in the nostalgia of past deals or consumed by the anticipation of future opportunities. This sentiment was highlighted to me this morning as I'm reading Chasing Daylight - the first person account of a man diagnosed with a brain tumor and how he chose to live out his remaining days.

In decided how he wanted to spend the his last several months, he says ..

No more living in the future. (Or the past, for that matter - a problem for many people, although a lesser one for me.) I needed to stop living two months, a week, even a few hours ahead. Even a few minutes ahead. Sixty seconds from now is, in its way, as elusive as sixty years from now, and always will be. It is - was - exhausting to live in a world that never exists.

I wrote in the margin

No more living in the future or the past .. it steals from the present

It isn’t just a reminder; it’s a call to action to reclaim my life—and my business—from the grip of what was and what might be.

In real estate investing, the present moment is where everything happens. When I’m caught up in the past, I’m dwelling on deals that didn’t go as planned (there are plenty of them), or properties that didn’t yield the returns I hoped for, there are some of those as well.

Those memories become an anchor, holding me back from seizing new opportunities. On the other hand, living too much in the future—planning the next big investment, dreaming about the ideal market conditions—can cause me to overlook the crucial decisions I need to make today.

I’ve learned that in business - just as it is in life - focusing on the present moment is not just about mindfulness; it’s about survival, growth, and success. When I start viewing each day as a fresh opportunity to shape my story, I realize that my past mistakes no longer define me.

Instead, they become lessons, and my future is not something to fear—it is something I will build with the choices I make now.

By embracing the now, I’m integrating my core beliefs and habits into every deal, every negotiation, every interaction.

It's only been a couple hours since putting down Chasing Daylight, however I can see how living in the present will allow me to live—and work—with purpose, making each moment count.

Whether it’s practicing gratitude daily, engaging in meaningful conversations with prospects and clients, or simply being present with my team and family, the more I focus on the now, the richer my life and business will become.

The past has its lessons to be reviewed and learned and the future has its dreams to ponder, but neither will dominate my thoughts.

The present moment is the most powerful place to be—it’s where I can take action, make deals, and live fully.

So, I’m committing to being here, now—because that’s where both my life and my business truly happen.