A Letter from Chris Suarez
FOCUS ON THE PRESENT
The Milwaukee Bucks forward - Giannis Antetokounmpo - is a two time league MVP, 6 time All-Star, one of the league's most decorated athletes, and is recognized as one of the most humble players in the NBA. Last summer he was asked about how he became the player and person he is at such a young age. I wrote down his profound statement at that time and revisit it often. He said:
“Focus on the past - that’s your ego.
Focus on the future - that’s your pride.
Focus on the present - that’s humility.”
Antetokounmpo grew up in Greece and was born to two immigrants from Nigeria. He worked from a young age to help his family survive - selling watches, sunglasses, handbags and other products on the streets to help put food on the table. He is no stranger to hard work, and no stranger to the importance of the present situation.
This time of year as we begin to look ahead and set business goals, personal goals, and financial goals it is easy to get caught up in the past and then only focus on the future.
When we focus squarely on the past, we begin to believe that what we’ve already done will naturally lead us to where we want to go. Because we have had success in the past we assume success will always show up. Our ego convinces us that we will continue winning and growing. Our ego tells us that we certainly must be brilliant to have achieved what we have. Our ego tells us that our own genius has created our success. Focusing on the past results in us saying, “Yup, I did that!”
When we focus squarely on the future, we tell ourselves what we are going to do. We are looking down the road and clearly see the goals being hit, the game being won, our name in lights. While visualization is a key to all high performance, a purely future focus is based on internal pride in our own ability. Our pride convinces us of future success. Focusing on the future results in us saying, “Yup, I am going to do that!”
In contrast, when we are present-focused, we are thinking not just about goals, strategies, and past performance, but rather the actual activity that it takes to achieve. The market we are in is different. The skills that we need are different. The activities we need to do are different. Our commitment must be different. Being present-focused allows us to forget what we have achieved up to this point, and center on who we need to be in the moment. It’s how players like Antetokounmpo stay grounded and humble and hard working. Regardless of what we’ve earned, won, or achieved in the past or think we will accomplish in the future, we wake up each day in the present ready to do what it takes. Focusing on the present results in us saying, “I am going to learn this today. I am going to do this today. I am going to master this today.”
The real estate industry will most likely see a 30% pull back in activity next year. The market will most likely see a 5-10% pull back in value next year. The “easy” deals are being vacuumed out of the market - leaving the hard ones. If we focus on the past or envision ourselves coasting into the future, well, I promise your present won't feel much like a gift.
Focusing on the past is your ego. Focusing on the future is pride. Focusing on the present is humility.
Chris