From Justice to Empowerment
Instead of becoming addicted to your struggle, look at the big picture
A mentor of mine once told me: “Don’t become addicted to your struggle.”
To me, this is a reminder to keep everything in perspective. And though I didn’t understand what it meant at the time, this advice would come in handy many years later. It helped guide me to a new direction.
By now you’ve probably heard me tell the story about my defining moment — the single decision which turned my life around.
Every penny I ever made in real estate could be tracked back to a single decision of taking responsibility for my life. My success was a triumph over the people and obstacles impacting me. It was my justice.
This is why I named my company Justice Properties.
To me, though, I was never comfortable having this one moment define my legacy.
Sure, it’s a good story about overcoming adversity, but if I stopped there, what does that give me? I overcame an unfair situation and came out on top. What can I do with this? Write an article or two? Give a TED talk?
And then what?
This is what I mean by becoming addicted to your struggle. By focusing on one moment, you forego all other possibilities the future may hold. You remain stuck, unable to rise further.
Instead of ending it there, I’d rather view this as one chapter of a story. Everything that happened before got me to this point. It’s what comes next that matters.
I named my next company Empowerment Properties because I’m using what got me here to take the next step.
I just went under contract to buy a small portfolio of rental properties. The business is scaling nicely. And as I grow, I want to use my power for good. I’m working with a minority business owner to manage all my assets, and provide opportunities and resources for a community in need. As I find my power, I will help them find theirs. We will do it together.
I cannot wait to write the next chapter!