When the Alpine Swift flies south for the winter, it spends six months in the air – nonstop. According to a recent Newser report, Swiss scientists tracking the small black and white bird found that it eats and sleeps on the wing, never touching land till it reaches its destination. And because for centuries we humans have looked to animals for inspiration and guidance, that little bird’s tenacity and endurance can teach a few lessons about smart investing.
Focus on Goals
The swift knows where it wants to go. Investors need a plan, too – one that incorporates both a long range goal and short term ones on the way. Whether the goal is to create an income stream in retirement or launch a wealth building career, it’s essential to have a framework to guide an investor’s steps, from getting the necessary knowledge to making the right decisions and accepting advice from others.
Persevere
That little swift doesn’t stop. It grabs bugs from the air for food and water, rests while gliding, and just keeps on going. In the world of investing, too, it’s important to keep working toward the goal in the face of disappointments and setbacks. Real estate investing is a strategy for the long term, a way to build income that lasts – and it takes determination and tenacity to get there.
Seize Opportunities
Markets fluctuate, economic conditions rise and fall, and new opportunities emerge. The Alpine Swift takes advantage of whatever comes its way to stay nourished and strong for its journey. Investors, too, need to be flexible and willing to adapt to changing conditions and new opportunities. Diversifying, as Jason Hartman recommends, allows investors in income property to prosper even when some markets suffer a downturn.
Be Patient
The swift won’t be taking an hour-long commuter flight to its destination. It commits to a long trip, patiently working its wings till it gets there. Get rich quick schemes come and go in the investing world, with promises of easy money from flipping properties and other schemes guaranteeing a fast return. But the key to building wealth is the building – a process that takes time and patience to work toward the desired outcome.
From Biblical proverbs and Aesop’s fables down to the discoveries of modern research, we humans have found lessons in tbe natural world on how to manage our own affairs. And for investors hoping to build wealth with income property, a little bird with a big agenda may make a pretty good role model. (Top image:Flickr/jeremylevine)
Jason Hartman is the complete solution for real estate investors. Read more from our archives:
“the Money Pit with Tom Kraeutler”
“Can the Debt Limit Standoff Hurt Housing?”
The Jason Hartman Team
