We are currently under contract on a deal that has some firsts for us.

It’s a medtail building in Pennsylvania — a hybrid medical and retail property — and we’re doing things we’ve never done before. First joint venture with two incredibly talented operators who bring leasing and construction expertise. First time inviting friends and family to invest alongside us as limited partners.

I have a lot of excitement and nervous energy. Because the stakes are always high when we buy — and this one is our biggest yet. I’m deeply motivated to rise to the occasion, make disciplined decisions, and not let the pressure get the best of me or our team.

That’s exactly why I keep coming back to emotional intelligence.

If you’re like me, you’re working hard toward big goals — but sometimes things don’t go according to plan.

Deals fall through. Projects hit delays. Plans look perfect on paper and still fall apart in real life.

I’ve learned that how you respond in those moments matters far more than what actually went wrong.

Failure isn’t final — it’s feedback to help you grow.

In her book Mindset: The New Psychology of Success, Dr. Carol Dweck writes, “When you enter a mindset, you enter a new world.” Her research shows that the beliefs we hold about our abilities — what she calls our mindset — shape how we handle challenges, mistakes, and growth.

As part of my journey to grow Champion Investment Properties, our commercial real estate investing business, I’ve realized that mindset is just as important as strategy. One practice that’s shaped how I lead and build relationships is gratitude—something I return to every morning.

Every morning, as I drink my coffee, I take a few minutes to write in my gratitude journal. It’s a simple practice, but it has been a keystone habit in my life for nearly six years.

Over time, I’ve learned that gratitude is the perfect antidote to negative emotions. Whenever I feel stress, frustration, or worry, shifting into a grateful state resets everything.

Gratitude changes my psychology - it grounds me, opens me up to possibilities, and helps me build stronger relationships.