146
THE REAL BOOK OF REAL ESTATE
keep having children, and keep working hard to give them a good life. The trucks would keep running, and capital would continue to be exchanged in countless daily transactions that support the needs and desires of human beings. No force on earth, no government blunder, could bring the real economy to a halt. It was energy in motion and would remain in motion as long as individual human beings had any desires for a better life. So, since capital exists in abundance all around you, how do you cause it to move from wherever it is now to where you want it to be? 1.First, establish the mind-set of abundance. Ask yourself if you are operating from fear or from trust, from doubt or from confidence. Be constantly mindful that there is no shortage of capital and that it is eager to flow to you, if you do what is necessary to attract it and safeguard it. A dear friend of mine shared with me that her family loves blueberries. She had the feeling blueberries were scarce because they were quite expensive at the grocery store. One day she had the chance to take her boys to the country and pick blueberries on a farm. For the same price she paid for a small box at the store, she could buy two big flats from the farmer, and he let them eat all they wanted while they picked. She realized that blueberries were in abundant supply once she had a change of perspective. 2.Qualify yourself to attract capital flows. Make a conscious choice to adopt an energy within and around yourself that is harmonious with the energy of the capital you wish to attract. What kind of energy attracts capital? Read on! 3.Practice full accountability. Take the committed stand that Gene Kranz, Apollo 13 mission control director (played by the actor Ed Harris in the movie) took during that fated mission. If you saw the movie, you may remember that there was an explosion that damaged the command module while on its journey to the moon, threatening its ability to return to earth. The astronauts had to extend their supplies of oxygen and electricity to survive. On the ground in Houston, Kranz pulled his team together and declared, “We never lost an American in space. We’re sure as hell not going to lose one on my watch. Failure is not an option.” He demanded that his engineers find a way to bring the crew home safely, using only the resources the astronauts had on board. Capital rushes toward that kind of commitment because complete accountability inspires confidence, creativity, and can-do attitudes. To the total extent of your ability and capacity take personal responsibility to make sure that no one ever loses a nickel on your watch. 4.Work with integrity. To me, the meaning of integrity is clear. It is simply to do what you say you will do, when you say you will do it, and to tell the truth