Most of us have been in real estate denial. At times, we confuse our situation or circumstances as problems. Bear with me a bit here, and in my simple way, try to explain.
Is it a Situation or Circumstances?
You don’t have enough money for a down payment; that’s your situation or circumstances.
Mortgage payments are too high; that’s a situation.
You can’t find a house you like in the area you like with everything you want; that’s a situation.
Your spouse, mate, children, parents, or dog don’t want you to move; that’s not a problem, that’s a situation.
Your house is too big or too many stairs, but you love your garden and neighbours, that’s a situation.
As a real estate investor, you can’t make any money; that is not a problem, that is a situation.
I am not being glib, but when most people say they have a problem, they either quit, sit on the fence, or deny themselves the right frame of mind. They get angry, blame someone else, criticize someone or everyone, and deny any responsibility for their situation. Albert Einstein said that if you use the same mindset that got you where you are now, that same mindset will not get you out!
The single parent who works two jobs, denying their comfort for their children, has a situation but is doing something about it, as is the young married couple, or the newly arrived family in Canada, saving and sweating for a better life, that is a situation because they are doing something about it and don’t see setting aside money every paycheque, busting their butts to feed their family as a ‘problem’ but an opportunity! They find a way, they don’t complain about their circumstances, they do something about it.
Stock market going down, your RSP taking a hit, that’s not a problem; it’s a situation, a circumstance that you have some control over, do something about it, and if you don’t know what to do, that’s on you!
Trying to lose ten pounds for the last ten years is not a problem; that is a situation; there are millions of articles on how to lose weight, so is it a problem or a situation? Or how most solve the situation is by buying bigger pants!
Is the weather a problem? The temperature? Our government policies, local, provincial or federal?
“You shouldn’t give circumstance the power to rouse your anger, for they don’t care at all.” Marcus Aurelius, Meditations
Note: If your situation or current circumstances elevate your commitment to improving your lifestyle for you and your family, isn’t that wonderful and better than denial of the truth?
Situations, circumstances, or so-called problems are not solved by sticking your head in the sand.