Paul Jones on why most people underestimate themselves

Paul Jones has personally brokered over $2 billion in property and was named Young Entrepreneur of the Year Victoria (Property & Construction) in 2022. He's the Managing Director of Jones Real Estate.

I asked him what people get wrong. I expected something about the market. Instead he told me almost everyone underestimates themselves.

What advice do industry experts give that actually hurts businesses?

(Misguided) risk minimisation.

What's the biggest lie people tell themselves about success in your field?

99.99% of people underestimate themselves.

What's the one metric you track that no one talks about publicly?

Honouring your word.

What's one thing you do differently that gives you an unfair advantage?

Show up to the starting line.

Where will your industry be in 10 years that would shock people today?

10 years is too long to predict.

What should people stop doing immediately?

Not believing in themselves.

What problem are you solving that others aren't even seeing yet?

Doing, over thinking!

What stuck with me

Everyone's told to play it safe. More due diligence, more analysis, more waiting for the perfect deal. Paul thinks that's what's holding people back. While you're on your third round of risk assessment, someone else has closed the deal you were thinking about.

The one metric he tracks isn't revenue or deals closed. It's whether you did what you said you'd do. In property, your word is your currency.

The gap between successful people and everyone else isn't talent or knowledge. It's action. The people who keep analysing and waiting for certainty lose to the ones who decide and move.

Do you think Paul's right? Are we all playing it too safe?