Jack Kautz

Jack Kautz

Category: Career

“Weaknesses” Can Be Your Greatest Strengths — February 8, 2021

“Weaknesses” Can Be Your Greatest Strengths

/chrisrainey/3 Comments

As we talked with Jack Kautz from his Lodi, California office a few weeks ago we dove into the topic of strengths and “weaknesses.” Jack shared the following.

We live in a world where everything is labeled.

In some cases, that’s helpful and really important. For example, food labels are pretty valuable, you want to know what you’re putting in your body right? Or, when pulling up to the gas pump you want to make sure you know what type of gas you’re fueling your car with.

Unfortunately, we live in a world where people are also labeled. And in a lot of cases, we can let those labels impact our physical, mental, and spiritual health. It’s up to us if we let them affect us in a positive or negative way.

Years ago I realized I had a good dose of ADHD. And in our society that’s, for the most part, looked at as a negative. It’s looked at as something that needs to be “treated” and/or “medicated.” And while I understand there may be some cases where that’s necessary, I’m not convinced that’s the case most of the time.

Instead of looking at ADHD as a weakness and something you have to work around, I embraced and my ADHD tendencies work for me and not against me. For me, it’s not a stigma, it’s a strength. It’s how I’m wired.

At the end of the day, people who have ADHD are usually the ones getting things done, and getting A LOT of things done. Now can it be messy along the way? Absolutely. Can it be frustrating for those who work with them? For sure. But, when you know how to make it work for you and not against you great things can happen.

We wrapped this part of our conversation with Jack encouraging us to not let labels define us.

Your so-called weakness could be your greatest strength in disguise – embrace it!

Success: Embrace The Challenge — January 31, 2021

Success: Embrace The Challenge

/chrisrainey

If you have the chance to talk with Jack Kautz of Lodi, California there’s one thing you’ll quickly come to understand – Jack LOVES a challenge. Some people are just wired to take on challenges, solve problems, and help make the world a better place and he’s one of those people.

For Jack Kautz, the challenge that stands before him is what motivates, excites, and propels him forward. There are people who enjoy chilling and binging Netflix for hours. For others, it may be reading. And for some, they live for an afternoon nap.

But Jack lives for the adventure and the thrill of life. Whether it’s family, business, or fitness he’s pushing himself and embracing whatever comes his way, and doing it (most of the time) with a smile on his face.

Jack Kautz - Lodi California

Don’t Wait For The Perfect Circumstances

If you wait for the stars to align, for all your ducks to be lined up, and for every circumstance to be in a perfect position you should stop right where you’re at. There is never a truly perfect time for anything you take on. There will always be situations and circumstances that provide you with an “out” so that you can avoid the challenge.

And, that’s where Jack found himself early in his career.

With no experience in the world of real estate and at only 22 years old Jack decided to face a huge challenge head-on. He took his savings and purchased his first apartment complex.

Nothing about the situation was ideal or perfect. And while the thought of turning the complex into a profitable venture was absolutely part of the decision, it was the challenge that held just as much satisfaction for Jack.

The decision paid off but it took embracing the challenge to make it happen.

As you consider where you’re at in life, your family, your career…are you avoiding challenges? Are you taking the easy route? Are you doing what you’ve always done because you don’t want to face the unknown?

Take it from Jack…

Embrace the challenge – you’ll be glad you did!

Success: Go Get It! — January 24, 2021
Jack Kautz Lodi California

Success: Go Get It!

/chrisrainey

As with many entrepreneurs, the love of the process and building something is just as satisfying as the wins and successes they experience. For Jack Kautz, it has been no different.

He describes himself as someone who is driven, has a touch of ADHD, and goes all-in on anything he’s involved with. And while that combination has benefitted Jack it has come with its shares of ups and downs.

One of the biggest experiences he’s ever had as a driven entrepreneur happened with the downturn of the real estate market happened in 2008.

From 2003 to 2005 Jack owned 40-60 different properties and was aggressively investing in several more. As he puts it, he got a little greedy. Long story short, he went full speed ahead on buying properties that looked like they would have an incredible return in a short amount of time. 13 years later Jack still owns the properties, has lost money, but has learned some valuable lessons as a result.

One of the biggest takeaways for Jack, from that experience, has been that it’s sometimes better to take a lower price on something, get your money back and start using that money for something else. Instead of sitting there and waiting for the extra five, seven, or ten percent or a little bit more money get your money out so you can keep projects and people moving and working.

Whether you’re an entrepreneur, investor, or work for someone, here are three things Jack recommends to help move your forward and succeed.

Wherever you find yourself, go all-in. You owe it to yourself, your family, your employer to give 100% each and every day.

Take some impulsive, but thought out risks. You’ll win some and lose some, but don’t sit around waiting for something to fall into your lap.

Challenge yourself. It’s easy to sit back, coast, and take life as it comes but there’s very little satisfaction in that. Look for something that will require you to learn something new and work hard to achieve. Life is too short, don’t let it pass you by.

Do something today that makes you uncomfortable. Chances are, you might find out you actually enjoy that very thing.

Now…GO GET SOME SUCCESS!