“Rich Habits Rich Life,” a Discussion with the Author

Previous studies have shown that those who choose reading as a hobby tend to be more successful in life.  Reading opens your mind, relaxes you, expands your vocabulary, and improves your memory. Today we are joined by author, Randall Bell, whose most recent work has people buzzing.

Buzz: Thanks for joining us today Randall. Firstly, can you tell our readers about your time in the profession and how you got started?

Bell: I started appraising real estate in the 1980’s and really enjoyed it. I happen to live in Southern California where we have a lot of issues like earthquakes, floods, landslides, riots and wildfires. These events can impact real estate values and I decided to specialize in real estate damages. That all evolved into a career where I have traveled to all 50 states and seven continents researching disasters and their impacts on properties.

Buzz: Your most recent book, “Rich Habits Rich Life: The Four Cornerstones of All Great Pursuits,” came out on January 1^st. Can you give our readers a summary of the book?

Bell: “Rich Habits Rich Life” is all about the little choices we all make every day that add up to who we are in life and business. I interweave stories about disasters with classic behavioral studies, along with my own observations.

The book is organized into four sections, “Me We Do Be.” “Me” focuses on what we think, believe and feel. “We” addresses our relationships and connection with others. “Do” centers on productivity, such as fitness, money, our homes and businesses. “Be” is a game plan for the future.

I organize my life and business around the four cornerstones of “Me We Do Be.” I like it because it is a complete, balanced, and a simple way to assess and organize things. I can teach “Me We Do Be” to a five-year old, but it is the same outline I use when consulting on a major case.

We also used our firm’s research infrastructure to survey over 5,000 people and statistically correlate daily habits with various measures of success. For example, a great “Me” habit is reading. We found that avid readers dominate in all categories of education, wealth, income and an overall sense of happiness. “We” habits build relationships, and we found those who have dinner as a family are 41% more likely to be happy and 43% more likely to earn over $100,000 per year. “Do” habits build productivity, and include saving money and exercise. We found that those who make their beds in the morning are 207% more likely to become millionaires. “Be” habits build the future. Those who maintain both a calendar and a “to do” list are 289% more likely to become millionaires.

Buzz: How did you get the idea to write this book? What was your favorite part about writing it?

Bell: I have been privileged to go to many places and see the disasters that make the headlines. More importantly, I have sat and talked for hours with the “people behind the statistics.” This experience was simply too valuable not to record. When people are working through a challenge, I see what really works. Those who are successful tend to be adaptable and pragmatic. They let go of what they can’t control and focus on what they can control. What we can control are things like the time we get up, the foods we put in our mouths, what we read, spending habits and so on. These habits all add up and make things better or worse.

A problem is that we all need key skills like time management, goal setting, negotiation, and people skills, but they are generally not taught in our schools or universities. “Rich Habits” are the solution. Not only can a set of rich habits help avoid a crisis, but it can also help us elevate and even thrive after a crisis.

My favorite part of writing the book was thinking about the advice I would give my own family. I primarily wrote this book for my four children, and my 22 nieces and nephews. I wanted them to have these foundational skills along with the lessons learned from my unique career.

My youngest son is a 14-year-old surfer with thick, long blond hair. The other day he said, “Hey dad, I was reading your book and I loved the part where you wrote about ‘success circles’ and hanging out with people who had the same goals in life.” I was blown away that he was actually reading the book and getting the messages.

Buzz: How do you think this book could benefit Appraisers?

Bell: I’ve had the privilege of teaching for the Appraisal Institute coast-to-coast and have met thousands of appraisers. I really love the appraisal community because it is full of bright people with compelling lives and interests. “Rich Habits” addresses the issues that are important not only to appraisers, but our families, friends and colleagues as well.

Buzz: How does “Rich Habits Rich Life” differ from other titles you’ve written?

Bell: This book does not address real estate damages per se; however, I do use several stories involving disasters to make a point. The book is really about those things that are important to all of us, like developing mentally, building our relationships, taking care of our health, managing money and setting goals for the future.

I can’t tell you how many people have told me, “I’m not into ‘self-help’ books, but I could not put this book down because it just made sense.” As a new author in this field, I was just blown away by the reviews. I would have been happy to just get one endorsement from a New York Bestselling author, but I have had seven so far. Steven M.R. Covey told me that he loved the book and he endorsed it. I was honored to be asked to give a TED Talk next month, so this is all a new experience.

Buzz: Is there anything I might have missed that you think our readers should know?

Bell: I’ve noticed that many appraisers have interesting and productive lives outside of work, and I wanted to do something as well. I have been volunteering at a homeless shelter in Laguna Beach, California for the last three years. It was one of the best decisions I ever made. I’ve been teaching the “Rich Habits” concepts to these people. The shelter has a success rate of over 70% in terms of getting these people employed and back into productive life. I have only a minor role, but it a thrill being on the team.

Buzz: Randall Bell, thank you for joining us today. If you want to learn more or are interested in purchasing, “Rich Habits Rich Life: The Four Cornerstones of All Great Pursuits,” click here.

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