Everyone has a story. I was looking for my own path for a long time. The journey from corporate to property investing (with all the ups and downs) has taught me one very important lesson. Never ever give up.
Don’t get me wrong, there is nothing wrong working in corporate. I worked 9am — 5pm for many years. Actually, I worked 7am — 10pm sometimes when situation required. I also had a boss yelling at me, I was burned out twice.
I have a degree in programming so being paid a decent salary was giving me a sense of stability (at least sometimes, as you will see in a minute). Additionally, I didn’t know any other way. Nobody in my family knew any other way. So there I was, spending 2 hours in commute everyday (working), taking a hit from my boss, working late, not spending much time with my loved one. I didn’t feel like I was developing much there but everyone is soothed from time to time when work seems rewarding (i.e after finishing the project or meeting the deadline). You can also celebrate it with your colleagues. People you work with are important, right?
Sometimes you get this strange feeling. On one hand you are not entirely happy with the current state but at the same time it’s not itching enough to do something about it. I had dreams about setting up my own business, doing something meaningful, helping others. I wanted to be a raw model to my kids. But I was stuck in a mud.
Life was not a box of chocolates
When my first kid was born my job started to itch me for real for the first time. I couldn’t spend as much time with my family as I would like to. My problem was lack of time for things I value. I tried to hack my sleep and be more productive. I tried to focus on growth. That didn’t help.
Additional hit came from my employer laying off of half of the staff — including me. I still remember the meeting when he walked in to the meeting room to announce that I am fired. My boss had a voice full of confidence. He didn’t even leave us a chance for asking questions. He just did his job there and left the room staying locked in his office until end of the day. It was Friday afternoon so he didn’t have to hide long.
That situation hit me hard. I felt exploited after all the effort that I put into this company. But people are strong. So were I. I found another job, my second child was born, I was working late again and situation repeated. And then…. another layoffs, another disappointment, another job seeking.
That situation hit me hard. I felt exploited after all the effort that I put into this company. But people are strong. So were I. I found another job, my second child was born, I was working late again and situation repeated. And then…. another layoffs, another disappointment, another job seeking.
A turning point
That was a hard time for me. That was a turning point for me. I was coming back home once thinking what do to do next. Thoughts were swirling in my head. The idea came unexpectedly. I heard about free evening about investing in properties. That’s how it all started. I started to invest as a side job in the beginning. That added some extra time to my daily duties. Since I didn’t want to do sacrifice time with my family I was learning to invest when everyone went to bed. I was working on property business until midnight only to wake up at 5 and continue. That wasn’t sustainable but if you have enough WHY you are capable of more that you would ever expect. As long as you persevere and don’t give up.
The learning curve
I continued to work hard both on my next daytime job and my evening investing venture. My property business had ups and downs. The first house I purchased was a full of lessons (because you never fail — you either succeed or learn, right?). One of my key contractors disappeared pursued by the police and accused of fraud. Another time I over-invested in my projects and went with our family savings to zero. We were literally broke. But that wasn’t the end. You probably won’t believe it but my next employer was downsizing and I was fired. Again. Can you imagine being laid off three times in a row? Although this situation felt surreal and funny those were probably the hardest months of my life. I felt like I hit the wall. I remember coming back home once thinking what do to do next. Thoughts were swirling in my head.
But you know what, this is one of the best thing that could have ever happened to me. I said — “Ok, enough is enough”. I decided to focus fully on my property business. Despite my financial problems and my third kid that was just born — I decided to take a leap of faith and become an entrepreneur. I decided to do whatever it takes to get out that rat race, and finally start doing what I always dreamt of which is helping people. I felt I was ready.
Don’t give up. Ever.
Have you ever heard saying that if you decide something the universe is there to help you? Within a few months I rapidly scaled up my property business and became financially free. I started two companies. One of them is Momentum Property Education and Momentum that helps people step into property business. Through education and a podcast we try to help people get what we didn’t get and step out of the rat race since we know how painful it can be. Some of you will say that you love your job. That’s amazing, keep your job then. But I still encourage you to start investing in yourself and start building a side business — additional stream of income that will secure you, your future and your family. Build Passive Income, build independent of your job because when the hard times come nobody will have mercy about making you redundant.
The moral of the story is never get stuck in what you do. Never give up. Keep your mind open, grow, look beyond your current situation. Follow what you love and don’t be afraid to take radical decisions. Universe is there to help you.
Keep Growing!
Lukasz Brzyski
Co-Founder of Momentum Property Education
