6 Things Playing Drums for 24 Years Taught Me About Real Estate Investing

Syncing Passion with Profession

Aug 10, 2023

Happy Monday, Hybrids!

This week, I will share how my experience playing drums for the last 24 years prepared me for my journey into real estate investing.

(Expect this issue to take about ~4 minutes to read)

Growing up, I was obsessed with playing the drums.

In fact, you would have been hard-pressed to pry the drumsticks out of my hand.

Ask my friends…nowhere was off limits.

Here’s 20-year-old Aaron drumming at the beach!

Or 22-year-old Aaron drumming while riding a bike! (Warning: Not recommended.)

Suffice it to say, drums were (and in many ways still are) a huge part of my identity.

While drumming and real estate investing might seem worlds apart, they share the same basic principles:

Practice
Adaptability
Consistency
Improvisation
Collaboration
Knowledge
Resilience

And by studying the art of drums for 24 years, I learned a few key lessons that set me up for success as a real estate investor.

Here are 6 key takeaways from 24 years as a drummer:

It's All About Practice:
At the height of my drumming days, I practiced 4-6 hours daily.
For most people, doing the same thing over and over again feels monotonous and boring.
The ability to push past that feeling & drill into the fundamentals separates the hobbyist from professionals.
When you become so immersed in something that it feels conversational, you are ready to progress to the next level.
As a real estate investor, you need to put in the reps and learn the language.
- Analyze at least 1 deal every day
- Find dedicated time to study real estate concepts
- Network & engage with other real estate investors online or in-person
Do this for longer than your average person, and you’ll naturally accel.
Learn To Read The Room:
A good drummer knows how to read the room and adjust the rhythm accordingly.
Playing full volume during a ballad would be tactless and probably lose you your gig.
But a drummer who can lead & play off of the dynamics of their bandmates will win over the room.
In real estate, this concept plays out in negotiations.
Every transaction has two sides. The more you work to understand your counterpart’s motivations and build an offer supporting both sides’ needs, the more likely you are to succeed.
Being able to identify and adapt is key.
Get Comfortable Improvising:
Every now and then, a drummer might miss a beat. It's not about the miss but how they recover that truly counts.
Dropping a stick in the middle of a song is only as disruptive as you let it be…Always bring backups & let the show go on!
Real estate is no different. You might have a tenant leave unexpectedly or have an unforeseen maintenance issue.
Never let your cash reserves dip too low, and make sure you have teams in place to handle whatever may come up.
Learning to handle these hiccups with grace and effectiveness is a vital skill.
Collaboration and Teamwork:
As part of a band, a drummer needs to work in harmony with other band members.
The power of a band comes from synchronization. This requires listening to your bandmates and locking into the same tempo.
While every band has a leader, they cannot do everything alone.
Real estate investing isn't a solo act, either.
You'll need to collaborate with agents, contractors, property managers, and perhaps even other investors to ensure your success.
Be The Backbone of Your Team:
The drummer sets the tempo and holds the rhythm together for the band. This requires coordination, poise & precision.
The band relies on you to keep the beat, otherwise, the song will come undone at the seems.
Running a real estate portfolio can be equally complex and dynamic. You may be running multiple projects, offers, or transactions at once.
It’s your job as an investor to stay organized, delegate effectively, and communicate with your team.
Learn to lead and never drop the beat.
Know Your Gear Inside & Out:
Each drum has to be tuned and maintained to get the best sound possible. This requires knowledge & a good ear.
The same applies to your real estate investments.
Your properties will all be different and require individual attention. Maintenance, refinishing, rehabbing, etc.
Take the time to learn your instruments.