I want everyone who reads this to disconnect for 5 minutes and let this information sink in.

Through a series of articles, I'm going to reveal my top 5 biggest business building secrets from 2008 that I hope will help you take your business to the next level in 2009.

Why me? Why am I qualified to write this piece? Well, through some very simple, yet often overlooked, principles and strategies, I managed to grow my firm 279% in 2008 and we're still going strong, breaking the $100,000.00 revenue mark in September.

I'll continue to do these same things to continue my growth into 2009 and you should, too.

So let's start with my biggest asset and the most fundamental piece:

Number 1: My mindset.

This year I've gotten lots of feedback and requests for information on building a real estate business in this down market and through these conversations, I came to realize that in nearly all cases, those who were asking for help and advice were not in the right mindset to attract success.

Without fail, these conversations would revolve around the "what's" of business.

For example, "What are you doing to keep your pipeline full?" and "What's your secret to bringing in new business?" These "what's" are the tools we use; like our marketing strategy and direct mail.

Well, let me tell you that when it comes to success, there is no shortcut and we must all pay our dues. So before discussing the "what" or the actual tools of success, we must conquer the "how" and "why."

For example, "How do you see things differently?" and "Why are you attracting new business?"

Here enters our mindset.

First, a little assessment: Do you believe that you deserve success? People all around you are packing up and getting a second job. Do you let that affect you or do you shake it off and get to work?

As funny as that sounds this is a real problem in most people and they don't even realize it, themselves.

But, as an outsider, we can often spot people like this as clearly as we can see the Vegas lights from an airplane.

As the first rung on the ladder to the top, if you're success is being stunted by a sub-conscious belief that you don't really deserve success, then you need to recognize this and release this head trash right now because, if not, you will always sabotage your own efforts.

Now you know where to start – so no more excuses.

Second, are you attractive to the people around you? Do you add value to your relationships? Do you approach your business as a problem solver? Do you anticipate a problem and intercept it before the client catches wind?

These cannot just be actions, but habits that are built around this success mindset.

Thirdly, do you believe that whatever you're doing is going to work? – and I don't mean you just have a good idea that it'll work because you enjoy what you're doing and the numbers make sense, but do you know deep within with unquestioning, unwavering, unshakeable, absolute certainty and faith that what you're doing will work and no one can change your mind?

If you don't feel this way about what you're doing, then you need to re-evaluate what you're doing because it's this rock-solid type of belief that makes real success happen and dreams come true.

Listen closely, this is the key to making your business recession proof, market proof, season proof, and bullet proof. You see, when things go wrong all around you, you truly believe that what you know and what you're doing will always work and this belief will allow you to change course whenever necessary to stay on target when a strategy doesn't work as planned. We all suffer setbacks and it's this understanding that lets us blow right through them.

Fourth, always be a student.

I'm talking about learning new skills and gaining new ideas. We have to EARN the right to achieve the success we desire – there's no shortcuts

Go after it in small chunks so you don't get overwhelmed, but always be moving in a forward direction.

We've all heard that you can tell where a person will be in 5 years by the company they keep – this doesn't just apply to your friends and family, but also to the books you read, the CD's you listen to, and the DVD's you watch – they all influence you in the same way

If you can read 10 pages of a good book, listen to 15 minutes of a good CD, or watch 15 minutes of a good DVD every day, then you'll be a totally different person in 1 year and unrecognizable in 5 years -- I guarantee it.

Also, our industry is peppered by lone wolfs, but we all need to develop a relationship with a smart entrepreneur whose future is bigger than their present.

This person is not easy to find because a lot of people who occupy professional careers are not that professional, open-minded, forward thinking, or helpful enough to care about how others are doing or understand that genuinely helping others succeed is the fastest way to their own success – be sure you can trust this person and it's someone you genuinely look forward to spending time with

Once you do, you don't just adopt their actions, but also find out what drives them and adopt those drivers or belief systems. Obviously your trust in them is key here, but if you can manage to do this, your success will happen naturally. This is too often overlooked in real estate, but modeling is probably the most powerful tactic you can adopt

In a nutshell, personal development is undoubtedly the single most important factor to your success in life – both personally and professionally. You can NEVER go wrong when you're investing in yourself.

And finally, be a beginner.

Always have an open mind toward everything and everyone – this is a tough trait for most people, especially entrepreneurs to develop, because we want to be confident in our beliefs and in the answers we have.

But, it's critical to be slow with a definite answer and quick to accept a new idea – We all live in our own little reality – and although perception is reality, everyone you meet has a different take on things and a different viewpoint – you'll be well served to be open to thoughtful answers and advice that differs from yours (ever heard of a mastermind group?).

Also, always be willing to learn something new and never assume you know the answer if you're not absolutely certain.

Again, be searching for, and then be open to, advice and constructive criticism from those you respect and those who have the type of success you're moving toward.

The moment you stop learning is the moment you stop growing – this is something none of us can afford and would eventually be the death of our business.

I hope this has reminded you that your success is not dependent on external conditions like the economy or your specific market because homes are being bought and sold everyday and there's a great agent behind most of them.

How are these agents feasting when others suffer from famine? It all begins here.

Until next time.

Published: February 3, 2009

Use of this article without permission is a violation of federal copyright laws.