Episode 28: Delegation as a Tool to Scale

I've been thinking about the limits of doing everything myself. Not because I can't handle it, but because there seems to be a ceiling to that approach.

In this episode, I talk about:

• Why delegation isn't about giving up control—it's about gaining leverage as an operational decision
• The challenge of trusting someone else with your vision when you care deeply about the work
• How holding on and doing it yourself faster in the short term creates a bottleneck in the long term
• Why trust isn't something you wait to feel—it's a skill you build by delegating
• The problem with thinking your way is the only way that works, and why that thinking doesn't scale
• How delegation tests your systems, not your quality—and why operating on instinct instead of structure limits growth
• What it means to practice trust as a deliberate action, not a feeling you wait for

Key Takeaway: You can't scale what you won't delegate. Delegation isn't weakness—it's strategy. And trust isn't a risk—it's a requirement for growth.

Ready to explore alternative paths to wealth and freedom?
Visit FlowersCapital.com

New episodes drop Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday. Deep dives drop Tuesdays.]]>

Episode 27: Why Good Enough Gets You Further Than Perfect

I've been thinking about the cost of perfection lately. Not the pursuit of excellence—that's different. I'm talking about the thinking that something has to be perfect before I can move forward.

In this episode, I talk about:

• How perfectionism can feel thorough and responsible, but actually leads to losing momentum
• The point where being careful transitions into avoiding discomfort
• Why the gap between good enough and perfect is usually smaller than I think—and the cost of closing it is almost always higher than the value it adds
• How overthinking grows the list of reasons why something's not ready yet, and drains creativity
• The difference between delayed decisions as caution vs. a need for control
• Why perfectionism feels productive but is really just rehearsing, not building
• The ironic truth: good enough is often more valuable than perfect because it's real and producing feedback

Key Takeaway: Progress doesn't wait for polish. Flawless isn't strategic when you're standing still. Most of the time, good enough ends up being more valuable than perfect ever would have been—because it's out there, it's real, and it's the only way anything actually gets better.

Ready to explore alternative paths to wealth and freedom?
Visit FlowersCapital.com

Connect with Eric:

New episodes drop Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday. Deep dives drop Tuesdays.

Episode 26: Why Doubt Means I'm Growing

I've noticed something about doubt. It doesn't always mean I'm off track. Sometimes it just means I've stepped into new territory.

In this episode, I talk about:

• Why confidence follows a pattern of repetition, competence, then confidence—and why that confidence doesn't always transfer to new contexts
• How I used to interpret doubt as proof I wasn't ready, and why I now see it as a signal I'm building something new
• The cost of staying comfortable and how it disguises itself as safety
• How treating doubt as information—not a personal problem—helps me identify where to learn more and move forward
• What it really means to be in the stretch zone, and why that's exactly where growth happens

If you've ever felt doubt creep in when stepping into something unfamiliar, this episode is for you.

Key Takeaway: Doubt isn't evidence of a mistake—it's evidence of movement. When you stop taking it personally and start seeing it as information, you can ask a better question: "What do I need to learn next?" That's something that moves you forward.

Ready to explore alternative paths to wealth and freedom?
Visit FlowersCapital.com

New episodes drop Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday. Deep dives drop Tuesdays.

It's easy to tie our worth to what we do.

We focus on titles, income, accomplishments—and as entrepreneurs, the role we play in building something. But what happens when that role changes, when the achievement fades, or when the title no longer fits?

In this episode, Eric shares a vulnerable reflection on identity and self-worth. From his years as a firefighter to his journey as an entrepreneur, he explores what it means to separate who you are from what you do—and why that shift changes everything.

Key Takeaways:

• Why tying your identity to external achievements is exhausting and defeating
• The moment Eric realized his identity was tied to his role as a firefighter
• How to define yourself by internal substance—integrity, accountability, loyalty—rather than external factors
• Why you're enough as you are, not because of what you've done
• The difference between performing for validation and living with intention

Ready to explore alternative paths to wealth and freedom?
Visit FlowersCapital.com

Connect with Eric:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/theericburns/

New episodes drop daily. Deep dives drop weekly.

Live life bullish.]]>

We can wait for the right time.

On the surface, it makes sense. We should wait for the right conditions. Or the moment when everything aligns and we finally feel ready.

But from what I can tell, perfect timing doesn't exist. And waiting for it keeps us stuck.

The longer we wait, the more reasons we find to keep waiting, and we can stagnate until eventually, we convince ourselves the opportunity has passed.

But I think the truth is, the right time is when we decide it is.

In This Episode:

• Why waiting for "readiness" rarely makes us more prepared
• The difference between preparation and delay
• How action creates clarity—and waiting creates more doubt
• Why readiness is a decision, not a feeling
• How moving forward makes us more creative and flexible

Key Insight:

"I am never going to feel fully ready anyway. There is always going to be something that I didn't know yet, something I hadn't figured out, or a variable I couldn't control."

Ready to explore alternative paths to wealth and freedom?

Visit FlowersCapital.com

Connect:
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/theericburns

New episodes drop daily.

Comparison can be expensive. It tricks us into thinking we're behind when we're really just on a different path. In this episode, Eric explores why measuring ourselves against someone else's standard steals our momentum—and how to shift from asking "Am I keeping up?" to "Am I building what I actually want?" Key insights: • Why comparison is a trap when you're uncertain • The real cost of comparison isn't jealousy—it's distraction • How to reframe success as proof of what's possible, not proof you're not enough • The question that shifts you from feeling behind to moving with clarity If you've ever caught yourself questioning your progress because someone else seems ahead, this episode is for you. --- Ready to explore alternative paths to wealth and freedom? Visit FlowersCapital.com Follow Eric Burns on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/theericburns Live life bullish.

**What is a real estate syndication—and is it right for you?** Syndications are one of the most misunderstood tools in real estate investing. The term sounds complicated, maybe even risky or nefarious. But the truth is, syndications are more straightforward than you'd think. In this Deep Dive episode, Eric breaks down: **✅ What a Syndication Is** • A way for investors to pool money and access commercial real estate they couldn't afford or manage on their own • A partnership where one group (the GP) does the work, and the other (the LP) provides the capital **✅ The Roles: GP vs. LP** • General Partners (GPs): Find the deal, manage the property, execute the business plan • Limited Partners (LPs): Invest capital, remain passive, and share in cash flow and profits **✅ How Investors Make Money** • Cash flow: Quarterly distributions from property income • Equity growth: Profit when the property is sold or refinanced (typically 3-7 years) • Preferred returns, profit splits, and deal structures explained **✅ Advantages of Syndications** • Tax benefits • Lower barrier to entry ($50K+ typical minimum) • Diversification across markets and asset classes • Forced appreciation through value-add strategies • Passive income without landlord responsibilities • Professional management and economies of scale **✅ The Trade-Offs and Risks** • Illiquidity: Capital is locked in for 5-7 years • Dependence on the sponsor: Your returns rely on the GP's expertise and integrity • Cash flow is not guaranteed: Distributions can vary or pause **✅ What to Look For in a Syndication** • Track record: Has the GP done deals before? How did they perform? • Conservative underwriting: Are the projections realistic and defensible? • Communication: Does the GP provide transparent, consistent updates? • Deal structure: Are fees reasonable? Is the GP's compensation aligned with performance? • The deal itself: Does the market, business plan, and asset class make sense? • Your own criteria: Does it fit your goals, risk tolerance, and time horizon? --- **Key Takeaway:** Syndications aren't perfect, and they're not risk-free. But once you understand how they work, you can decide for yourself whether they make sense for your portfolio and your goals. --- **Ready to explore alternative paths to wealth and freedom?** Visit **FlowersCapital.com** and join the list. --- **About the Show:** The Bullish Life is a podcast for anyone who's done everything "right"—but still feels like something's missing. Hosted by Eric Burns, former firefighter and founder of Flowers Capital, this show challenges the traditional narrative of success and explores what it means to live life on your own terms. New episodes drop Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday. Deep dives drop weekly on Tuesdays. --- **Connect with Eric:** LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/theericburns

It's not uncommon to care about what other people think.

It's normal to want to be respected and to be taken seriously. No one wants to look foolish or reckless.

But when we care too much about what others think, it distracts us and can make us lose sight of our own path. It becomes a matter of seeking external validation instead of living life bullish.

In this episode, Eric explores the real cost of caring what others think—and what happens when we stop letting their opinions dictate our choices.

Key Insights:

• The distraction of caring too much: When we worry about perception, we lose sight of what we actually want and start making decisions based on what will look right to everyone else
• Judgment is just projection: The people judging us aren't living our life—they have no frame of reference and project their own fears and insecurities onto our decisions
• Opinions are inevitable: No matter what we do, someone will have an opinion. Judgment is just that—an opinion. We can't control what people think, but we can control whether we let it stop us
• Evaluate your why: Are you making decisions based on what's right for you, or because you're afraid of what others will say? If it's the latter, you're not being bold—you're just stuck
• The opportunity cost is high: Caring too much means we risk living someone else's version of success, delaying action, second-guessing ourselves, and staying stuck in a life that looks good on paper but leads to regret

"We get to define our own success and identity. For me, that matters more than being judged by someone who doesn't understand us anyway."

Ready to explore alternative paths to wealth and freedom?
Visit FlowersCapital.com

Connect with Eric:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/theericburns/

Live life bullish.]]>