My mom, an attorney who specializes in real estate, is unstoppable at the closing table. In her time in the law office, she's seen it all -- estate sales, country club deals, corporate transactions, rentals, property flips, good economic times, bad economic times, you name it. No matter what the case or price point, each deal has many nuances and layers that sets it apart.
When juggling many deals, there's always one that's bound to become fractured or risk falling apart. But my mother, the indomitable lawyer that she is, always pulls out a magical phrase that, to me, is like the abracadabra of everyday life. In her words, "If one side -- the seller -- wants to sell, and the other side -- the buyer -- wants to buy, it'll all sort itself out and somehow we'll find a way to make it happen." Simple, clear, and concise. Essentially, the point here is that, if there's a will, there's a way.
Sometimes that's much easier said than done, however. Homes have second mortgages, liens, and even conditions like mold or termites that can throw a deal that was previously smooth-sailing into the currents of tumult that threaten to torpedo it right off the table. Difficult or unethical players can demand a million unrealistic ultimatums at the last moment. But, nevertheless, if ultimately the desire is there, there has to be a solution, even if it is surreptitiously lurking under the surface and requires an extra dose of creativity, ingenuity, and burnt midnight oil to find it.
So, how does this parable apply to the outside world? At the end of the day, I find that, in my business (entertainment) and in so many others, there will always be those who rise, and there will always be those who fall. Of course, some of this can be accredited to unforeseen or insurmountable external factors, but much of it comes down to something very simple and easy to grasp: Who can execute and get the job done, versus who can't? There are those whose mentality allows them to power through any obstacle and bulldoze down any brick wall, and there are those who sit in a corner, resigned, and unable to pull it together. So what separates the two?
Many different things, to be sure. Some if it is embedded in our unique personalities, while other factors trace their roots back to our upbringing and how we were raised. But, the secret is challenging yourself to find the solution to any problem, and motivating yourself to step up to the plate and rise to the occasion. This can be an arduous task to digest, but somehow, someway, those who want to can make it happen.
If you're struggling to achieve your goals, to cross over the finish line and get it done, whether it's handling an exhaustive move, tackling a daunting deadline, or getting an A on your final exam, take stock of what's holding you back and be honest with yourself about the expectations and the pressures. Ask yourself what more can be done, what you haven't previously tried, or what others have done in the past that's worked for them. Maybe there's a precedent hidden away therein that you can call upon for inspiration.
One of the most helpful tricks for making it happen, whatever it may be, is being (and staying) organized. It's impossible to think clearly when your desk, your workspace, your bedroom, or your life is a mess. Sort it out, one step at a time, and, who knows? Perhaps while you're rectifying a troubling relationship that's been on your mind, settling a disagreement, tidying up the kitchen table, or folding the laundry, you might just stumble on the key that unlocks the answer to it all.
But here's the most important thing to remember: If you want it, then it's yours for the taking. Earlier this month, I attended the brilliant concert of superstar and musical sensation Katy Perry. She uplifted and moved the audience with her stellar voice, empowering lyrics, and charismatic personality. Plus, from a clearly visual standpoint, she knows how to put on a show! One of the biggest takeaways for me, though, was listening to her speak for a few moments about the evolution of her career, that led her to that moment -- standing on a New York City stage having sold out all of Madison Square Garden. Essentially, her message was this: If you want to be on the Madison Square Garden stage just like she was, you can do it. If you believe in your dreams and are committed to your objectives, you can achieve them. If you really want to, if you're willing to put your thinking cap on and press the pedal to the medal, there's nothing that can distract you, nothing that can slow you down, nothing than can stop you, from making it happen.