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Issue 30 - December 2013
In this issue
Personal Notes
Educational Corner - Building a Better 2014
Industry Related News - 10 States With the Highest Rates of Foreclosure - Fed Move Lift DOW
Projects and Opportunities
Laughs and Interesting Stuff
Dear Family and Friends, (by Kevin)  

 

We hope everyone has had an enjoyable Christmas holiday.  We were blessed to have a mini Christmas celebration with Don and his family before they headed to Pensacola for the holidays to be with Jen's family.  Then we also had a full blown Christmas with Kevin and Claudia's family, along with our friend Mary, and my sister Justina and her husband Mike on Christmas day.  We really love watching the children open their gifts.  Everyone loves Mary Jane's pies - she makes the very best pies.

 

We are sad to report that Mom was not with us this Christmas.  She succumbed to her illness on November 26th and returned to her Heavenly Father.  We are very grateful her suffering is over and she is again with her family.  The last four or five weeks have been a real challenge for all of us, not just emotionally, but physically.  Getting everything taken care of has been, and is, more of a challenge than I ever thought possible. 

 

The world is a very different place from what it was the year mom was born, 1921.  Here are some examples:  Tommy Wilson won the Indy 500 that year with an average speed of 89.6 mph.  A gallon of milk cost $.52, a loaf of bread $.10, a new car $500, a gallon of gas $.10, and a new home ~$7,109.  There was no TV, no internet, no microwaves, more people had an ice box than a refrigerator, a large number of country folk still understood the joys of an outhouse, telephones where not common outside of larger communities, and no one knew what a computer or a remote control was.  In mom's later years some of these modern marvels became a challenge for her to work with, yet she maintained a pleasant disposition even when frustrated.

 

We were fortunate enough to have mom close by where we could see her on a regular basis.  There are so many people in her retirement community that don't have children visiting them.  This is sad.  If you have parents far away or near we encourage you to contact them.  We know it can be emotional.  There is often baggage between parents and children; however, if you take the time to get to know them as people, rather than parents, you may be surprised who you discover. 

 

The things mom taught me in these last few years were: old people can be very lonely, patience when trying to teach old people is definitely a virtue, and tenacity doesn't go away just because you are older.  Probably the most important things I ever learned from my mother were to do the right thing and that everyone has value.  Mom, we miss you and we are looking forward to seeing you again; but not too soon.

 

2013 comes to a close with everyone else happy and healthy.  We have sold our house and will shortly be moving, so there are plenty of challenges ahead.

 

Quote of the Week:  "This one step, choosing a goal and sticking to it, changes everything."  - Scott Reed   

 

I felt this was a great quote for this time of year since so many of are setting goals. The challenge we all seem to face is the sticking to it part.  Perhaps this month's educational corner can help.

 

May you all have a safe News Year's Eve and a enjoyable New Year's Day.


Kevin and Mary Jane

Building a Better 2014

(By Kevin)

 

This is a rewrite of an article I wrote a couple of years ago.  It has been updated and still retains a lot of importance as we all plan for a better 2014.  We hope you enjoy it.

 

Are you guilty of doing the same activities day after day hoping your situation will somehow be different tomorrow?  I've heard this type of behavior is one of the primary definitions of insanity.

 

Why is it that most peoples' New Year's resolutions will not be achieved?

 

The answer is simple, though often overlooked:  Hope is not a plan.  A resolution is not a plan.  If you want a better tomorrow you need to spend some time planning for it today.  It has been said, "Those who fail to plan are planning to fail."

 

Do you know that most people spend more time planning their yearly vacation than they do planning their career each year? 

 

If you're reading these emails I know you most likely want to achieve more in your future.  For that to happen it will require change on your part.  Change is not easy, it takes conscious effort, planning, and taking action.

 

My goal with this write up is to help you achieve your dreams.

 

One of the tough things about being an entrepreneur, or just taking control of your life, is that you have a boss that is just too easy on his/her primary worker.  Yes, the boss of your life is that person looking back at you from the mirror.

 

Successful organizations set goals, they lay out plans to achieve those goals, and they measure their progress against those plans to ensure the goals will be achieved.  If they are off their target they make adjustments in their routines to make sure they get back on target.  If they achieve their goals early they set new goals.

 

People should do the same things.

 

Set only SMART goals.  SMART in this case is an acronym that when used properly will help you construct your goals for success. 

 

Make the goal SMART.  

  • S = Specific:  I am going to become healthier is not specific enough.  Try I am going to lose weight.
  • M = Measurable: I am going to lose weight is not measurable.  Try I am going to lose 30 pounds.
  • A = Attainable: Attainable doesn't mean easy, it means reasonable, you should make it a stretch however you must believe that you can accomplish it.  For instance, for a person who weighs 125 to set a goal to lose 30 pounds is probably not very reasonable or attainable, however for person weighing 180 pounds to lose 30 pounds may be reasonable and if so attainable.  
  • R = Relevant: Is it important to you that you accomplish this goal?  If you really want to become healthier, then losing weight is probably very relevant to that goal.
  • T = Time Based: When is this going to be achieved?  I am going to lose 30 pounds by June 1, 2014 is a good time based goal.

Remember a goal is the "what" you want to achieve.  The how is the activity or activities implemented to achieve the goal.  I suppose they could be referred to as "mini or sub goals."  For instance, "I am going to lose 30 pounds and to do this I will only intake XXX calories per day and will walk at least 1 mile per day."

 

Here are eight goal setting lesson's I've found to be effective during my life journey.

  1. First of all, do not overwhelm yourself with too many goals.  Too many goals set you up for failure.  Change requires effort, sometimes a lot of effort, so pick your top goals and work on them.  Some people suggest no more than five major goals per year; I like to keep mine at three.  You want to establish a pattern of success in your life, so set a number that makes sense for your situation.  
  2. Consider a goal a promise to yourself.  People with integrity rarely even consider breaking a promise to someone else, so why is it so easy for most of us to break a promise to ourselves?  Stop doing that!  It is a promise, keep your promises. 
  3. Write the goal down!  If it isn't written down, it isn't real enough: MAKE IT REAL.  Don't type it until after you've handwritten it.  There is something visceral about handwriting goals.  Handwriting them helps us internalize them. 
  4. Remind yourself constantly that these are YOUR goals and it is YOUR life you want to change.  Put them where you can see them every day: bathroom mirror, refrigerator, car dash board, inside the briefcase, on the computer monitor and look at them daily.
  5. Put a plan in place: Begin with the end in mind and develop the plans to get there.    You must establish milestones along your pathway to success to determine if you are on track to achieve your goal/dream or if adjustments are necessary.  Begin with your yearly goal, then break that down into quarterly, monthly, weekly, and if appropriate daily milestones to ensure you are getting closure to your goal/dream.  Then develop an action plan to achieve each of the milestones along the way.
  6. Measure your progress:  As the year progresses, measure your progress against your milestones.  If you achieve each milestone your goal will be achieved.  If  you find your activities are not getting you to a milestone, change your activities so you can get back on track.  Adjustments happen in almost all plans.  When you miss a milestone don't let the perceived failure stop you, embrace the learning experience, make adjustments, and get back on track.
  7. Celebrate successes:  Each time you achieve a major milestone find some way to reward yourself, take in a movie, set aside time to read a good book, spend time with family and friends, etc.  The reward should be something meaningful to you.
  8. Be accountable to someone else: Get an Accountability Coach who will help keep you on track with truth and encouragement.  This is someone you respect and/or trust who knows you and your goals.  This is the kind of friend who will tell you what you need to hear not just what you want to hear.

Believe it has already happened because you have decided what your future will be and after all is said and done, you are the captain of your future.

  • Change the phrasing of your goals into the present tense like it has already happened and you are in the future you created for yourself.  For instance, "Today is June 1 and I love my new, healthier body.  I am down 40 pounds, in much better physical condition, and am okay being at the pool or beach in my new swimming suit.  I feel great!"
  • Make time each day to visualize your new world now that you have achieved your goal.  This will put your subconscious to work for you.  Your subconscious is a powerful ally.   In present tense, write down and visualize, how will you feel, what can you wear, what will you be able to do etc.
  • Believe it: Now that you have your SMART goals written and a solid plan in place and can visualize your future, work on your belief in YOU and YOUR future.  Check this video out.  Tony Robbins, shares his thoughts on goal setting, change, and progress - see it here.  

Hear what John Maxwell says about the word resolution, click here.  http://johnmaxwellteam.com/resolution/

 

Industry News  

(by Kevin)

 

10 Highest Foreclosure Rate States   

 

According to RealtyTrac the following 10 states had the highest foreclosure rates in November:

  • Florida: 1 in every 392 housing units received a foreclosure filing in November (down 23% from a year ago)
  • Delaware: 1 in every 480 housing units (up 141% from a year ago)
  • Maryland: 1 in every 618 housing units (up 42% from a year ago)
  • South Carolina: 1 in every 660 housing units
  • Illinois: 1 in every 700 housing units
  • Ohio: 1 in every 757 housing units 
  • Connecticut: 1 in every 768 housing units 
  • Nevada: 1 in every 859 housing units 
  • Iowa: 1 in every 869 housing units
  • Utah: 1 in every 889 housing units

 

Fed Move Lifts DOW
  

On December 18 my friend Andrew Mogol, from Morgan Stanley, reported that the Dow Jones Industrial Average jumped 293 points, or 1.85%.  It is believed that this jump was in response to the Federal Reserve's announced a reduction in the pace of its bond purchases while strengthening its forward guidance by indicating that near-zero short-term interest rates are likely remain in place for a longer period. 

Projects and Opportunities 
  • Manufactured Housing Park for Sale: Our 11 unit mobile home park in Virginia up for sale for $190k.  It has been very easy to manage and generates between an 8-10% cap rate.  If you are interested please let us know and we will provide you the details.                                                                                          
  • 16% ROI:  We have a 3 bedroom 2 bath manufactured home in one of our parks that needs rehabbing.  Total investment to purchase and rehab will be between $10 and $15k.  Once sold or rented, this home should generate $200-$300 cash flow per month after paying the lot rent.  We will:

    • provide free lot rent for 3 months while the home is being rehabbed
    • help spec the rehab
    • locate contractors to perform the rehab
    • verify completion of the work and 
    • help you get the home occupied

Taking the lowest estimated cash flow of $200 per month or $2,400 per year and dividing that by the highest estimated fix up cost of $15,000 will generate approximately 16% return on the $15,000 invested.   

    

  • 10% ROI: We are continuing to locate used mobile homes, set them up in another one of our communities, and sell/rent them.  If you want to get a 10% return on your investment and have at least $15,000 to invest then this could be the right opportunity for you.  If you prefer a potentially higher rate of return we will help you purchase, fix up, and then sell a home in this same park.  We will do all the work outlined above.  

 

Did you know that you can invest in real estate from your IRA or other retirement account?  You can also use your stock portfolio to invest without ever selling your stock? (Think leverage, leverage, leverage!).  These investment secrets aren't well known but they are perfectly legal.  Contact us and/or click on this Investment Secret link to learn more. 

Laughs and Interesting Stuff 

(Kevin and Mary Jane)  

 

Preschool Art Lessons

 

A little girl that didn't usually participate in class at her preschool was very interested in the art lesson.  The teacher noticed her drawing and went to talk to her. 

 

"What are you drawing?"  she asked.

"I'm drawing a picture of God,"  was the answer.

"Well sweetie, no one really knows what God looks like," the teacher said.

The little girl replied, "They will in a minute!" 

 

 

Navtivity

 

The four year old preschool class was putting on a play of the Nativity.

The three boys playing the wise men came up to the manger and the first one said, "Here is some Gold." 

The second one said, "Here is some Myrrh."

The third one said, "Frank sent this."

 

 

It's cold in DC

 

My daughter Amy told me that it was so cold in Washington DC a couple of weeks ago that people reported that they saw politicians with their hands in their own pockets.  (....it's a wonder they can find their own pockets after having their hands in our pockets for so long.)

 

 

Five Surgeons

 

Five surgeons were discussing who makes the best patients to operate on.

 

The first surgeon says, "I like to see accountants on my operating table, because when you open them up, everything inside is numbered."

 

The second surgeon responds, "Yeah, but you should try electricians, everything is color coded."

 

The third surgeon says, "No, I really think librarians are the best; everything inside them is in alphabetical order."

 

The fourth surgeon chimes in: "You know, I like construction workers...those guys always understand there may be a few parts left over at the end of a job and that most jobs take longer than you said it would."

 

The fifth surgeon, shut them all down when he said, "You guys are all wrong!  Politicians are the easiest.  Heck there's no guts, no heart, and no spine.  In fact, the part where they wear their hat and the part they sit on are often interchangeable."

 
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------  
Keep On Smiling!

(so people will wonder what your up to AND its contagious) 

 

We are always willing to share information with you so please feel free to contact us

 

Driscoll Enterprises Inc. 332 West Lee Hwy., Suite 200, Warrenton, VA 20186

703-398-1188 or 800-887-0001

[email protected]

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