I took a leap of faith and confidence when I quit my job to pursue a career in real estate. I knew I could succeed because I knew I could do anything I set my mind to.

But I wasnt making as much money as I knew I was capable of making. And I was working too hard to not see the kind of results I wanted.

With my confidence dwindling and my doubt rising, I knew something needed to change. I didnt have as many deals and houses as I wanted because I was afraid to talk to sellers.

Where did this fear come from? And how could I get rid of it?

By attending a personal development seminar.

One of the activities we did at the seminar that weekend involved eating fire. The idea of eating fire scared me and most of the 150 attendees. We had lots of excuses why we shouldnt try to eat fire. We could miss our mouths. Or burn our hair. Or incinerate our own tongues.

But it was the idea that scared us. Once we learned what to do and what not to do, we all accomplished the goal.

Then we were instructed to break boards with our bare hands. More excuses. More doubts. More fears. Until we learned what to do and what not to do. Until we had a plan and followed through with that plan.

I still have the broken boards to remind myself that anything is possible if I have a plan and follow through with it.

As if fire-eating and board-breaking werent enough of a personal power boost, I also walked barefoot on broken glass. And I did it without cutting my feet. Because I learned what to do and what not to do. I had a plan and implemented it.

So the seminar taught me I needed a plan, faith in that plan and the ability to follow through with the plan. I didnt know how to eat fire until I had a plan.

I didnt know how to break boards with my hands until I had a plan.

I didnt know how to walk on glass without cutting my feet until I had a plan.

Thats when it hit me: I wasnt successful in my real estate business because I didnt have a plan.

I realized I needed to take the time to write a Business Plan. To figure out what I want to accomplish in business. To determine how much money I want to make. To set a deadline for my accomplishments.

And the plan has made all the difference.