Last week, my youngest daughter, Rebecca, took her driving test. Now, we’d been practicing for this day for a while.
It’s just like any big goal in life: you have to prepare and rehearse if you want to succeed. We went out on practice drives, rehearsed every scenario, and went over what could happen, the challenges she might face.
But sometimes, no matter how much you think you’ve covered everything, life throws a curveball at you, and you’re left to decide. Do you keep going or do you wait for the “perfect” setup?
Rebecca faced that curveball just a week before the test. We’d been practicing in our family sedan, which she felt comfortable driving.
But a week before her test, the car went in for a repair I didn’t see coming, and it was out of commission.
Suddenly, Rebecca had two choices: reschedule her test or start practicing with my SUV, a much different kind of vehicle.
I could tell she was weighing her options carefully, and in the end, she said, “I might as well practice in the SUV. If I fail, I’ll just retake it later. But at least I’ll be prepared.”
That’s real courage and perspective.
So, we practiced every single day that last week, going to the DMV to rehearse on the streets she’d be tested on. And I thought we’d covered everything.
But, wouldn’t you know, as soon as the test started, the DMV instructor took her in a whole different direction than we’d practiced!
All our preparation had still left room for surprises, and she had to adjust on the fly.
But that’s life for you.
At some point, you just have to stop rehearsing and start doing.
You have to be ready to adapt.
This story is like a blueprint for succeeding in probate real estate. The lessons Rebecca learned on her driving test are the same lessons that help people go from “thinking about it” to actually succeeding in this field.
The first key?
Desire.
Just like Rebecca wanted her driver’s license, you need to want success in probate real estate.
Without a genuine desire to achieve your goal, it’s easy to fizzle out when challenges arise.
I meet so many would-be investors who say they want to get started but who haven’t taken that next step to invest time or money in their future.
If you have the desire, everything else builds from there.
Next, you need courage to take action, even if you’re a bit uncertain.
When Rebecca chose to practice with a completely new vehicle, she was putting herself in an uncomfortable position.
Likewise, as a probate investor, you have to step out and do things like reaching out to sellers, calling leads, and taking those first steps even when it feels daunting.
Real courage is committing to the work and pushing yourself to act even when you don’t feel completely ready.
Then, there’s vision.
You have to see yourself reaching your goal, whether that’s passing a test or closing a deal.
Vision includes mindset, faith, and self-belief.
When Rebecca walked into that DMV, I saw kids who expected to fail before they even began.
Their focus was on fear instead of success.
It’s the same with probate investors.
If you believe you’ll succeed, you’re already miles ahead.
Yes, there are other buyers and many different paths a deal can take.
But there are also hundreds of investors succeeding in this niche every single day.
Why not you?
Then comes consistent action.
Just like Rebecca practiced every day, you need to commit to the work every single day.
That means driving around, making those calls, going on appointments, and putting yourself out there.
You can study all the books and strategies you want, but at some point, you have to put what you’ve learned into action, over and over.
The key to success in probate real estate is to go out there and actually do the work.
Consistency builds skills and confidence, just like practicing driving every day before a test.
But here’s another big lesson: you have to be willing to roll with the punches.
Rebecca got thrown a curveball and had to take the test with a completely different car than she’d practiced on.
In real estate, unexpected obstacles are part of the journey.
You might plan to pursue a certain deal only to find that something unexpected happens. Suddenly, you’re navigating a probate case you didn’t see coming, or a seller has a special requirement.
I’ve had plenty of curveballs thrown at me, especially early on, when I’d find myself looking at a property that had belonged to someone who passed away, without a single bit of knowledge about probate.
Along the way, having the right thoughts is what makes all the difference.
Rebecca told me that during her driving test, she imagined the instructor as a family friend giving her instructions to get to their house
That helped put her mind at ease, turning her focus from anxiety to calm confidence.
It’s the same for probate real estate.
When I’m about to make a call, I have a ritual that puts me in the right frame of mind: I remind myself that I’m here to help a seller who needs my help, someone who’s been waiting for someone like me to come through for them.
They’re counting on me.
I had a student once who used to put on “Eye of the Tiger” and shadowbox before making calls.
It was his ritual to get pumped up and in the right state of mind. Whatever it takes for you. find a routine that sets you up for success.
I can coach you through probate real estate the same way I’ve coached my kids through driving tests, teaching you what it takes to get out there and succeed.
Just remember that it all comes down to desire, courage, vision, consistent action, resilience, and a positive mindset.
With these tools, you can handle whatever curveballs come your way.
This is exactly what we’ll be covering in my free course, coming up in just a few weeks.
If you’re serious about getting started and want to be the first to know when the course is released, reply to this email with your name and contact info, and I’ll set you up for a priority notification.
This is your chance to stop planning and start doing.
Let’s get you out on the road to your own probate success!
To your success,
Ernie “Driven to Succeed ” Vargas
