THROUGH PERSONAL STORMS, HOUSING & FINANCING CYCLES, SEIZE YOUR MAXIMUM DAY OF DESTINY
If you have BIG dreams but have BIG obstacles, you will be pumped and encouraged when
you hear Dave Liniger’s story. Dave is Founder and CEO of Re/Max, one of the largest real
estate companies in the world.
HIGHLIGHTS FROM OUR PODCAST:
MARKET NEWS
LOOK BACK MEMPHIS TRIVIA CONTEST
QUESTIONS ANSWERED BY DAVE LINIGER
QUESTIONS ANSWERED BY JO GARNER
INPUT FROM JOHN QUINN AND BILL STEWART OF RE/MAX IN MEMPHIS
REAL ESTATE TIP OF THE WEEK
ANNOUNCEMENTS
______________________________________________________________________________
Good morning Memphis! Good morning across the country on iHeart Radio and BOCI
Radio. You’re on the Real Estate Mortgage Shoppe program. I’m your host, Jo Garner,
Mortgage Professional with Evolve Bank and Trust. Our show is brought to you today by
Alliance Title and Escrow here in Memphis. If you’re thinking about buying a house or
two or three or one hundred houses or maybe you’re thinking about refinancing, give us
a call on the air and let’s talk. (901) 535-WREC 901 535-9732. You can also tweet your
comments to @JoGarner. We want to talk with you about WHATEVER real estate topic
you want to discuss. Our general topic today is THROUGH PERSONAL STORMS,
HOUSING & FINANCING CYCLES, SEIZE YOUR MAXIMUM DAY OF DESTINY.
We have around the coffee table this morning John Quinn, real estate agent with Re/Max. With
over 26 years of experience, John Quinn is a trailblazer in the Memphis real estate industry. He
was the first real estate agent to bring the Guaranteed Sale Program to Memphis, this guarantees
that your home will sell at a price acceptable to you or he’ll buy it for cash.* While the typical
agent struggles to sell 4-5 homes per year, John and his team consistently close over 150 homes
per year. John tell us a little bit more about yourself and what you do at Re/Max. <John Quinn
introduces himself>
Sitting next to John Quinn is Re/Max broker, Bill Stewart. Bill also has MANY years
experience in the real estate industry. A vital part of today’s real estate industry is
technology, and Bill provides his clients with state-of-the art web tools and marketing.
Bill, tell us a little about yourself and what you do at Re/Max. <Bill introduces himself>
(Jo) This morning we have a very distinguished guest, David Liniger, visionary leader
of the Denver-based global real estate franchise he co-founded with his wife, Gail, in
1973. Dave is well respected internationally for his vast knowledge of the real estate
industry and influence on housing policy. At the height of the recession, Dave pushed
for governmental housing reform policies that would help speed the housing recovery;
many of his recommendations were adopted. He is widely credited with improving
conditions for real estate agents by creating a successful business model combining the
maximum commission concept with a host of support services. Dave is a major
advocate of advanced training and education – and, as a result, RE/MAX agents are the
most productive in the industry.
Dave spent much of 2012 recovering from a life-threatening infection that surfaced in
late January. After multiple surgeries, weeks in intensive care, and months in the
hospital, he returned to RE/MAX World Headquarters in July. He talks about his ordeal
and recovery in his New York Times Best Seller, “My Next Step: An Extraordinary
Journey of Healing and Hope.” Dave, I know we’re going to get into more of your story
and your secrets to reaching some of your greatest successes after battling through
some of your greatest obstacles. Take a minute or so to introduce yourself to our
listeners and share a little bit about the philosophies you live by. <David introduces himself
and shares a little bit with our audience—>
(Jo) Hold on to your hat. Hold on to your positive convictions, good habits and keep
your vision for your destiny clearly in your mind so that you keep your ship on course
during the storms that blow through your personal life. Be ready to adjust your sails with
the ever-changing housing and financial cycles. This week the winds of the European-
Greek debt issue has been causing some waves with our bond market sending
mortgage rates upward. We are currently at the high point of 2015 so far. But the news
is still pretty good—the 30 year rates are still hovering around 4.125% to 4.25% with
15 year rates around 3.375% to 3.5% with no points in some cases. You can get lower
rates too if you want to pay a little more. But call me and let’s talk. We can get an exact
rate for your specific situation. Call me now on the air at 901 482-0354 or after the
show at 901 482-0354 901 482-0354 or connect with me at www.JoGarner.com
Remember, MAKE YOUR PLAN, WORK YOUR PLAN. IF THE DEAL WORKS FOR
YOU TODAY, DO IT TODAY.
<John Quinn made short comments about what they are seeing in the real estate
market>
(Jo) Right now the clients my assistant, Susan and I are seeing with the biggest
bragging rights are families who have been renting their home for years and now are
able to buy a much bigger home with more amenities with a payment LOWER than
what they were paying in rent for the smaller house.
Another group of market winners are our clients who are buying rental property that,
with these low rates, are providing them with quite a positive cash flow. If you buy
enough properties like that, after awhile, the positive cash flow can turn into REAL
INCOME each month. Give me a call if you want to look at possible financing options
on that can help you reach YOUR financial destiny.
Today, we are talking THROUGH PERSONAL STORMS, HOUSING & FINANCING
CYCLES, SEIZE YOUR MAXIMUM DAY OF DESTINY. David Liniger is co-founder
and CEO of Re/Max—one of the largest, well-known companies in the world. Stay
tuned to the Real Estate Mortgage Shoppe to hear Dave share his insights on our
housing market and some of his secrets to great success even through adversity.
Dave, how did you start Re/Max and what was your vision for this enterprise?
(2ndSEGMENT FOLLOWING 9:15 BREAK)
Real Estate Mortgage Shoppe is brought to you today by Alliance Title and
Escrow of Memphis. They do a great job closing my clients’ loans and they
would love to help you close YOUR real estate transaction. Call Joe Rojas at 901
333-7999. It’s time for the Look Back Memphis Trivia Contest. The Look Back
Memphis Trivia Contest is brought to you by Memphis notable historian, Jimmy
Ogle www.jimmyogle.com,. Jimmy Ogle offers free historic walking tours in
downtown Memphis. To get his spring and fall schedule, go to
www.jimmyogle.com .
Our Look Back Memphis Trivia Contest SPONSOR is Shelly Baur, consultant,
communications coach, speaker, facilitator and author of the book Integrity-Based
Communications. Shelley Baur educates and energizes “Sales Superstars” about
Integrity-Based Communications, Value, Clarification, and Living a Balanced Life to
develop the skills of self-awareness, and to assist in increased productivity; lowering
stress and health-related down time. You can reach Shelley at www.ShelleyBaur.com
Garner # 56 06/19/15
Vance Park
Question: I have seen railroads and riverboats, and watch many events happen and people come and go
throughout our City’s history. Who am I?
Hint: I overlook Riverside Drive and the Mississippi River.
Hint: I have a wonderful UrbanArt Commission sculpture known as “Whirl” as my centerpiece (seating and shade).
Hint: I am home for the Memphis City Beautiful Commission historical marker placed by the Tennessee Historical
Commission.
Final Hint: My name comes from a street and is the name of the Trustee in the town known as South Memphis
(1844-1850).
Answer: Vance Park sits atop the Memphis bluff commanding a view of Beale Street Landing, Tom Lee Park,
Riverside Drive, Mississippi River, The Pyramid and every daily sunset! Located at the western terminus of Vance
Avenue, just over the CN Railroad tracks and MATA Trolley Riverfront Line, Vance Park was the center of the
Memphis river industry for over 100 years, as the South Main area housed warehouses for transfers from railroads to
the riverboats and barges below, up until the middle of the 20th century.
Both Vance Avenue and Vance Park come from the name of William Vance, who was a trustee in the town of South
Memphis, which stretched from Union Avenue to Calhoun Avenue (now G.E. Patterson) from 1844-1850, being
annexed into Memphis in 1850. In 1982, visionary Downtown developer Henry Turley opened the River Bluff
Condominiums on the bluff at the end of Vance Avenue and south side of Vance Park. In the late 1990s, the City of
Memphis, along with the support of the Chickasaw Bluffs Conservancy, finally completed the River Bluff Walkway that
runs along the top of the bluff. Steps to Riverside Drive and Beale Street Landing begin at the top of the park.
John Medwedeff’s sculpture “Whirl” mirrors the currents of the Mississippi River. Installed in 2001 by the UrbanArt
Commission, the work provides visitors with a shaded seat and views of the river. The Tennessee Historical
Commission dedicated an historical marker commemorating the formation of the Memphis City Beautiful
Commission 1930, the nation’s first urban beautification commission! One of its first projects planting of trees in
association with the completion of Riverside Drive in 1935. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers installed a “day
board” which is still updated daily to reflect the reading of the Mississippi River gage on a daily basis. I
Jimmy Ogle gives free walking tours in Downtown Memphis during the Spring and Autumn, with the Spring, 2015
tours with the next Riverfront Parks Tour being Sunday, June 28 (Greenbelt Park, south parking lot), the next
TUESDAY TOUR being June 23 (Madison Avenue – meet at Front & Madison) and the next Bridge Walk being July
19. Go to jimmyogle.com for the 2015 Spring & Summer season schedule and locations.
Shelby County Courthouse Tour: Third Thursday each month at 12:00 noon – next is Thursday, July 16.
QUESTIONS ANSWERED BY DAVID LINIGER:
1. What makes you think that lending has been overly restrictive in recent years.
2. Why do you believe that more reasonable lending will not result in another housing crisis?
3. If homebuyers put less money down, aren’t they more likely to default on that mortgage?
4. Do lower premiums for mortgage insurance really make that much difference on FHA loans?
5. What is it that makes mortgage portfolios have a higher quality today?
6. Why is it important that the first-time buyer play a larger role in the home buying process?
7. What has kept the first-time buyer out of this market?
8. In your mind, what was it that caused the housing crisis?
9. Is it possible to repeat history, especially if borrowing standards are lax?
10. Does housing really contribute that much to the overall economy?
11. What are some examples of ways Re/Max uses cutting edge technology and best
practices to exceed expectations in the industry?
12. You have experienced TREMENDOUS success in your lifetime, but not many people
realize the TREMENDOUS adversity you have also had to overcome. Talk a little about
some of the greatest struggles—even literal “heart-stopping” hurdles you have had to fight
to overcome.
13. For anybody out there who has BIG dreams but also some BIG obstacles in the way,
David Liniger has a book you can pick up on Amazon “My Next Step-An Extraordinary
Journey of Healing and Hope.” Dave, tell us a little bit about this book and any others you
want to talk about.
14. You are co-founder of Re/Max Corporation and you have a unique vision and mission
statement for this company. What was your vision for starting Re/Max and what still sets
you apart today from other real estate companies in the industry?
15. You have experienced ABSOLUTE success in your lifetime and you have helped
generate great wealth for others too. In your thoughts and with your belief system, what
are common words or mottos that you catch yourself saying to yourself over and over?
______________________________________________________________________________
Questions answered by Jo Garner
a. What advice do you have right now for your clients entering the house-buying
market? Know what your budget can easily bear on the amount of a house payment. If
you have good credit and some liquid assets, the computerized underwriting software
may preapprove you for a house payment that is 40% or more of your gross income and a
debt ratio of over 50% of your gross income. But do you REALLY want to spend your
life making a house payment and nothing else? Why not try and keep the house payment
under 30% of your income and your total debt to income ratio under 41% of your gross
income. Plan your home purchase so that you will always have savings left for
emergencies.
b. Put very experienced real estate professionals with good reputations to work for you.
You need a good realtor, a good mortgage officer (Susan and I would like very much to
work with you), a good title company or closing attorney and more. Their experience will
help you avoid costly mistakes.
Underwriting First Priority—Liquid Funds In Reserve– The most important factors are liquid
assets like money and tradable securities first, followed by equity in the home, credit history,
income stability and condition of the house. Fannie Mae’s research proves that there is less
likelihood of loan default when the borrower has made a higher down payment, managed their
finances well and has a fair amount of money left in the bank account after closing. I have had
customers who came to me for a loan and informed me that the day before they talked to me,
they emptied their savings account to pay off credit cards. SomeTIMES, the borrower might not
get a loan approval if she uses her savings to reduce her monthly bills instead of leaving savings
in the bank. In many cases it is better for the borrower to have a higher than normal income-to-
debt ratio rather than using her savings to pay down excessive debts. Ask your loan officer what
should be paid down or paid off before you make any financial moves.
2. What common barriers do you see YOUR clients struggling to get over when they
are trying to get financing to buy a house or refinance one?
a. First, clients will tell me they don’t have any money to put down. My assistant and I are
very good treasure hunters and we can find money from people in places they never
thought to look! Particularly for clients who have not owned a home in 3 years or more,
there are a multitude of down payment assistance programs available. If the seller pays
the closing cost and prepaid taxes and insurance for the buyer, then normally the down
payment assistance pays the down payment and they get in for zero down or very little.
Even if you are not a first time homebuyer, we have the 100% VA loans and the 100%
USDA loans. We can possibly use a bank loan secured on a different asset to give you
the funds you need to close with very little money down on the house you really want. In
many cases you can borrow against a retirement fund without penalty. Gifts from family
are nice.
b. The second barrier is showing enough income to qualify for the loan you need to buy or
refinance a home. If you have only been on your job a few months, we can only count
your guaranteed base income and not the commissions that you hope to average over the
course of the next several months.
If you have a great salary but write off on your taxes $10,000 or $20,000 dollars in
unreimbursed employee expenses, the loan officer has to deduct this amount from your
pay, so when you are with your loan officer, be sure and tell them about any losses
showing on your tax returns.
If you are self-employed and you have a lot of income that you control but, after write-
offs, you only show very little, let Susan and I review ALL PAGES of your last 2 years
tax returns and business returns. We have found tens of thousands of dollars worth of
income in the BACK PAGES of the tax returns. If there is a way, we can find it to help
our clients get qualified for what they want to accomplish.
c. The third barrier that we can overcome is credit issues. My assistant and I have trained
on the Credit Simulators (like flight simulators). By using the Credit Simulation tools
we can look at your credit report and suggest ways you may be able to raise your credit
scores by 20 or 30 points over a course of a few weeks with the least amount of
investment on your part. If you keep your balance owed on credit cards UNDER 30% of
the total credit limit, it will boost your credit scores. If you owe OVER 50% of the total
credit limit, it can really hurt your credit scores. If you’re a realtor and you have a
customer like this, we may be able to help your client with a work out plan to can get
them in a house in a matter of weeks rather than months.
The fourth barrier is problems with the house needing repaired or a title issue.
This is where an experienced realtor or closing attorney.
Your answer to the repair requirements can be easily fixed by negotiating the
seller of the property to pay it or agreeing to put money back into an escrow
account in some cases to make the repairs after closing. If the repair list is
massive, then we may need to switch you to one of our Renovation and Repair
loan programs. Title issues, most of the time, are managed or cured by an
experienced closing attorney.
4TH SEGMENT OF THE SHOW FOLLOWING 9:45 BREAK:
REAL ESTATE TIP OF THE WEEK: John Quinn and Bill Stewart offer a practical,
time-saving or money-saving real estate related tip to our listeners
_______________________________________________________
Announcements: Talk Shoppe offers free education and networking to anyone
interested in real estate or in business. This Wednesday July 1st, 2015 9A-10AM
at the University of Phoenix 65 Germantown Court Cordova, TN (across from The
Butcher Shop) join us “Getting Started Right Investing In Real Estate” presented
by long-time, successful investor, Richard Scarbrough of Realty One Group-First
National. For more information about Talk Shoppe, go to www.TalkShoppe.com
Lynn McDonald, Insurance Agent with Erin McDonald Insurance Agency
announced next 3 Talk Shoppe events coming up for July 2015. (901) 849-7101
The Real Estate Mortgage Shoppe has been brought to you by Alliance Title and
Escrow. They have been doing a GREAT job closing real estate transactions for
MY clients. Call Joe Rojas at Alliance Title to help you with YOUR real estate
transaction. 901 333-7999.
To hear the podcast from today’s show or other podcasts, go to www.JoGarner.com
Make Your Plan, Work Your Plan. If The Deal Works For You Today, Do It
Today. See you next week!
________________________________________________________________
Transitional music: 9:15 AM “Broken Wings” by Mister Mister
9:30 AM Eye of the Tiger by Survivor
9:45 AM One Moment In Time by Whitney Houston
Look Back Memphis Trivia Contest “Memphis” by Johnny Rivers
ABOUT DAVID LINIGER, CO-FOUNDER & CEO OF RE/MAX CORPORATION:
http://www.remax.com/newsroom/company-info/officer-bios/dave-liniger-chairman-and-
co-founder.htm
Dave Liniger is the visionary leader of the Denver-based global real estate franchise he co-founded with
his wife, Gail, in 1973. Dave is well respected internationally for his vast knowledge of the real estate
industry and influence on housing policy. At the height of the recession, Dave pushed for governmental
housing reform policies that would help speed the housing recovery; many of his recommendations were
adopted. He is widely credited with improving conditions for real estate agents by creating a
successful business model combining the maximum commission concept with a host of support services.
Dave is a major advocate of advanced training and education – and, as a result, RE/MAX agents are the
most productive in the industry.
Dave spent much of 2012 recovering from a life-threatening infection that surfaced in late January. After
multiple surgeries, weeks in intensive care, and months in the hospital, he returned to RE/MAX World
Headquarters in July. He chronicled his ordeal and recovery in an inspirational New York Times Best
Seller, “My Next Step: An Extraordinary Journey of Healing and Hope.”
RE/MAX career:
Forty years ago, Dave revolutionized the real estate industry when he created the RE/MAX business
model, which combines a maximum commission concept with world-class support services. The name
“RE/MAX” was coined from the words “real estate” and “maximums.” The model continues to attract
experienced, top-producing agents who lead the industry in individual sales and professional education.
The RE/MAX Balloon is one of the most recognized corporate images in the world and has become a
symbol of the leading real estate network.
In 2011, Dave was named the Inman News “People’s Choice” Most Influential Real Estate Leader. In
2010, he was included in Bloomberg BusinessWeek’s profiles of the 50 Most Powerful People in Real
Estate. Dave has been featured in Entrepreneur, Forbes, Fortune, Inc., Success and other leading
publications and media outlets across the globe. He received the Warren Bennis Award for Leadership
Excellence from the Global Institute for Leadership Development and has been inducted into the
International Franchise Hall of Fame, the Council of Real Estate Brokerage Managers (CRB) Hall of
Leaders, the Real Estate Buyer’s Agent Council (ABR) Hall of Fame, and has earned the Council of
Residential Specialists (CRS) Special Achievement Award.
Community involvement:
Dave has set a tone of philanthropy since the early days of RE/MAX. The culture of giving attracts
professionals who care about making a difference in their communities. Since 1992, RE/MAX has been
the official real estate sponsor of Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals. RE/MAX has been a sponsor of
Susan G. Komen for the Cure since 2002. In that same year, Dave co-founded a Denver-area
conservation center, The Wildlife Experience, dedicated to fostering appreciation and understanding of
wildlife, its conservation, and the many forms of wildlife art. He and Gail also own the acclaimed
Sanctuary Golf Course in Sedalia, Colo. Devoted primarily to charity golf tournaments, the private course
has raised more than $60 million for hundreds of organizations since opening in 1997. In 2011, Dave and
Gail accepted the Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals Founder’s Award on behalf of the RE/MAX
network, which has raised more than $130 million for local children’s hospitals.
Roots:
Dave was born and raised in the small town of Marion, Ind. Prior to starting his real estate career, Dave
served in the Air Force and served in Vietnam. He first became interested in real estate after successfully
buying and selling properties to supplement his income while stationed in Phoenix, Ariz. After working for
both a 100-percent commission company and a traditional brokerage, he co-founded RE/MAX in 1973.
Personal:
He and Gail reside in Castle Pines, Colo., and love to visit Scottsdale, Ariz., as often as possible. They
enjoy a number of outdoor activities, including golf and hunting. They also breed Arabian horses.
______________________________________________________________________________
ABOUT BILL STEWART, RE/MAX
I work for you!
I work hard to provide my clients with the most positive real estate experience
possible. A vital part of today’s real estate industry is technology, and to that end I
provide my clients with state-of-the art web tools and marketing. It’s just one of the
many things that has made me one of the most respected real estate agents in the
neighborhoods I work! (901) 351-2355 bsremax@gmail.com
__________________________________________________________________
ABOUT JOHN QUINN, RE/MAX
With over 26 years of experience, John Quinn is a trailblazer in the Memphis real estate industry. He was the first real
estate agent to bring the Guaranteed Sale Program to Memphis, this guarantees that your home will sell at a price
acceptable to you or he’ll buy it for cash.* While the typical agent struggles to sell 4-5 homes per year, John and his team
consistently close over 150 homes per year. John’s attention to detail, knowledge of the market, and innovative marketing
plans differentiate him from the competition. He is a huge stickler on traditional, old fashion customer service. He firmly
believes in serving the customer better than anybody in the marketplace. John’s intensity to get things done and outrageous
sense of humor creates a whirlwind of activity that adds life and fun to an otherwise stressful profession.
john@johnquinnrealestate.com
ABOUT JO GARNER:
www.JoGarner.com (901) 482 0354 jo@192.232.195.219 twitter @jogarner
Jo Garner is a mortgage officer with extensive knowledge in tailoring mortgages to her
customers who are refinancing or purchasing homes all over the country. She offers
conventional, FHA, VA or other loan programs for refinancing and purchases.
Jo can help you look at rent vs buy, when it makes sense to refinance, how to get the
best deal on your home purchase financing.
Jo Garner has been in the real estate/financing business for over 20 years. She got
her start in Portland, Maine where she first began her real estate career. She received
her real estate education from the University of Southern Maine and was personally
mentored in San Diego, California by Robert G. Allen, author of Nothing Down,
Creating Wealth and The Challenge.
On moving back to West Tennessee in 1987, she went into business buying and selling
discounted owner-financed notes secured on real estate. In 1990 Jo went to work for a
residential mortgage company and has been a mortgage loan officer for over 20 years.
Her goal is to offer excellent, affordable service to her customers, tailoring the
loan programs to the specific needs of her clients.
In addition to her work in the mortgage field, Jo Garner is the primary sponsor and
founder of Talk Shoppe in Memphis. www.TalkShoppe.com She was also the editor of
Power Shoppe, a free weekly e-zine designed for real estate professionals and others
indirectly connected to the real estate industry and currently publishes on her \
NOTES FROM DAVID LINIGER’S BOOK: My Next Step-
an Extraordinary Journey of Healing and Hope
The good and the great among us are separated by how we navigate the lean years— and believe me, there were many times along the way when
I didn’t know how we’d make payroll, let alone how I’d put food on the table for my own family. Forty years later though, RE/ MAX is the
world’s most productive real estate sales force, with roughly 90,000 agents and 6,300 offices in over 85 countries.
Life brings us unexpected happenings every day. We have the choice and the power to choose how we react to those situations and
circumstances. At some point, each of us will likely face something terrible— the loss of a parent, best friend or child, a bitter divorce, or even
the bankruptcy of a business. We’re left to pick up the pieces. Our response to the occurrence dictates the outcome.”
E + R = O became a lesson I would include in many speeches going forward, especially when the housing market began to collapse. (Event +
Response = Outcome)
I was crying. That’s when everyone was certain that I didn’t want the tracheotomy. I knew it meant I would lose my voice. I could handle being
paralyzed because I could learn to move in a different way, but the thought of losing my ability to communicate— one of my greatest assets in
building my business and helping others achieve their dreams— was more than I could accept. I cherished my public speaking skills and couldn’t
fathom the idea of never being able to communicate, inspire and motivate an audience again. Now more than ever, I wanted to preserve my voice
so I could use it to share this journey of survival, this journey of learning to be the best you can be with what you have left. Of course, I had a
long road ahead of me, but somewhere not so deep inside of me that day, I inherently understood that my voice would be the platform with which
to share this experience someday. I’m so glad the family held off making that decision, because it turns out that I didn’t need the procedure after
“That makes you the worst kind of hypocrite. If you give up now, you will wash away forty years of delivering speeches to tens of thousands of
people, encouraging them to never give up, to deal with whatever obstacles have been put in their way, to find the courage to face those obstacles
head on! Screw it. I won’t quit. Not now, not ever!” The minute I had that epiphany, I made up my mind to keep on fighting. I owed it to
everyone to never give up.
Everyone has moments in his or her life that turn into weeks and sometimes months or even years. The most important thing to remember is that
moments do pass. No matter how bad it hurts, the world does come back into focus. You have to live your life one step at a time. Perhaps you
will take small steps instead of giant leaps, but as long as you keep moving forward, you will always be taking your next step. I am a fairly smart
man and though I don’t profess.
Eleanor Roosevelt once said, “You gain strength, courage, and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face.
You are able to say to yourself, ‘I have lived through this horror. I can take the next thing that comes along.’ ”
When you look at anyone in life whose actions appear heroic, you must realize that they actually got to that plateau step by step and more often
than not, by taking very small steps. Through all the life events I’ve experienced— whether it was being in combat, building my business or
suffering extraordinary financial difficulties during downward markets— I somehow perservered. I managed to live through each challenge,
overcome it and ultimately learn that what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger. In reality, those life experiences gave me the fortitude, the
toughness, to face the hardest battle of my life— which was first and foremost to survive and then to learn to walk again, one step at a time.
My philosophy has always been to approach challenges head on. What’s done is done. There’s nothing you can do about it now except deal with
the situation by accepting your circumstances.
I learned very early in my life after reading the book Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill. I was an impressionable sixteen-year-old kid who
didn’t want to spend the rest of his life milking cows on our farm in Indiana. That book, which I’ve read more than forty times, has been a
tremendous inspiration and influence in everything I have accomplished in business and in life. If you haven’t read it, I strongly encourage you
to. And if you have, go back and read it again, because its lessons have held up over time and are as relevant today as they were when the book
was first published in 1937. Fifty years after reading that book forty years of having actively exercised its principles, and thirty years of teaching
from it brought me to two very simple lessons that have ruled my world. The first lesson is simple: Whatever the mind can conceive and believe,
it can achieve. The second lesson is to write down any goal that is worth achieving, make it an obsession and convince your brain that you can
accomplish it. Be sure that the goal is realistic, then decide what your step-by-step plan will be to achieve it. The lessons are really about being
persistent, setting realistic goals and finding the right people to encourage you to attain them. As you start working toward your goal, you may
have to stop, recalibrate, make adjustments and then get back to working toward that goal. But NEVER, ever give up until you reach it.
My second goal was to tell everyone at the hospital that I would be going home by June 29th— and that I would be walking out of there on that
day. The key thing to remember here is that I set my goals high, but I didn’t set them out of reach.
left. Positive thinking won’t change the truth, but a positive attitude can help you get through the period of disbelief, grief and anger anyone
would feel in such circumstances, so you can put together a plan for how to live your best life. That’s what I tried to do every day by verbally
making declarations about my intentions and refusing to give up. I made my goals my obsession.
If you look at goals from a long distance, they can appear hard, if not impossible to achieve. But, inch-by-inch, it is a cinch.
Liniger, Dave (2013-04-23). My Next Step: An Extraordinary Journey of Healing and Hope (p. 105). Hay House. Kindle Edition
PHOTO GALLERY FROM REAL ESTATE MORTGAGE SHOPPE:
In studio 6-27-15 –Dave Liniger on hotline Bill Stewart, Re/Max broker at mic 6-27-15
John Quinn, Re/Max broker at mic 6-27-15 Jo during “Rewind-Unwind”
Session with producer