Discover 3 life-changing books that transformed my mindset, business, and path to financial freedom. Real stories, real principles—ready to change your life too.
- Book #1: Discipline Equals Freedom – Discover how discipline isn’t about restriction; it’s your gateway to true freedom—financial, personal, and professional.
- Book #2: If You Want to Walk on Water, You Have to Get Out of the Boat – Learn how stepping outside your comfort zone can lead you to the life you’ve always dreamed of.
- Book #3: Life of Your Dreams – Explore the mindset and action steps needed to create goals so bold they feel impossible—until they become your reality.
These lessons aren’t just theory. They’re principles I’ve lived, and they’ve helped countless aspiring investors just like you.
3 Books That Changed My Financial Life (And Could Change Yours Too)
Over the past two decades, I’ve had the privilege of guiding aspiring investors toward building wealth through multifamily and commercial real estate, grounded in key principles that consistently deliver results. These are battle-tested truths drawn directly from three of the most transformative books I’ve ever read. These books aren’t just great reads, they’re packed with powerful, life-shaping principles that helped me go from playing it safe to living with purpose. And while the vehicle is real estate, the journey is far deeper. This is about real transformation—from where you are today to true financial freedom.
Book #1: Discipline Equals Freedom
We just touched on financial freedom, and I can’t think of a better way to begin than by sharing one of the most important concepts I live by—discipline. The book Discipline Equals Freedom by a former military leader has played a pivotal role in my life. I train with his workout videos nearly every morning. I deeply respect his leadership philosophy, his no-excuses mindset, and his clear sense of mission.
When most people hear the word “discipline,” they think of restriction—something that limits your freedom. But this book turns that idea on its head. Discipline, the author argues (and I wholeheartedly agree), is not confinement, it is your path to freedom. If you want to be healthy, you need to be disciplined in what you eat and how you exercise. If you want strong finances, discipline is key, spending wisely, saving consistently, and investing smartly.
From Discipline to Financial Freedom
From a real estate perspective, discipline can be your greatest asset. When you develop the habits to save and invest regularly, financial freedom becomes a tangible reality. When you commit to learning how to analyze deals and manage your time effectively, you gain the power to buy the most profitable properties and to use your time with purpose and joy. Here are three key takeaways—my biggest “aha” moments—from this powerful book:
1. Know What You’re Fighting For
The author asks a piercing question: What are you fighting for? Are you fighting for financial freedom? To leave a 9–5 job that’s draining you? To build a legacy for your family or secure your retirement? Discipline comes from within. It’s fueled by knowing your “why.” And once you’ve discovered your why, the how becomes much easier. Purpose gives discipline its direction.
2. Aggression Should Be Your Default Mode
This one might surprise you. The book suggests that aggression—not in a confrontational way, but in a proactive way—should be your default mode. If you’re staring down a financial shortfall, if your company’s future looks uncertain, or if your retirement plans feel shaky, then now is the time to act, not later. Be aggressive in building your portfolio. Be aggressive in learning, planning, and executing. This kind of forward motion is the antidote to stagnation.
3. Focus on the Right Things
This might be the most powerful takeaway of all. If you spend your time focused on the noise, media headlines, negativity, and limitations, you’ll find yourself paralyzed. The book quotes Golden: “Distraction is the destruction of the majority of people whose lives aren’t working.” Ouch—but it’s true. For me, I stay focused on six things: my faith, my marriage, my family, my health, my work, and fun. Everything else is noise. Everything else is a distraction I cannot afford—because I refuse to let distraction be my destruction.
Bottom line? Discipline Equals Freedom isn’t just a clever phrase. It’s a philosophy that has guided my decisions for years—and I believe it’s a game-changer for anyone seeking financial freedom.
Book #2: If You Want to Walk on Water, You Have to Get Out of the Boat
The second book that completely transformed my life is an old gem that I first encountered over 20 years ago, right at the beginning of my journey. It’s called If You Want to Walk on Water, You Have to Get Out of the Boat. This book didn’t just inspire me—it shook me awake. It pushed me to reimagine what was possible and gave me the courage to pursue it.
At the time, I was working as an engineer. I was conservative, cautious, and if I’m being honest, wasting my potential. I had energy, ideas, and resources, but I was frozen by fear. Scared to step outside my comfort zone, I was stuck in a loop of safety and routine. This book was the nudge I needed to break free.
Stepping Out of the Boat: Get Out of Your Comfort Zone
Let’s talk about the metaphor of the “boat.” In the book, the boat represents your comfort zone—your safety net. It’s the place where things feel familiar, predictable, and risk-free. But as the author so brilliantly states, everything you truly want in life is on the other side of that comfort zone. And he’s right. Once you leave the boat, once you embrace discomfort and walk into the unknown, you step into the space where growth happens. And without growth, there’s no path to financial freedom, personal fulfillment, or transformation.
The Power of Choosing Risk Over Comfort
One of the most powerful lessons from the book is this: your choice between risk and comfort will shape your life—past, present, and future. For me, that choice looked like staying in the security of my corner office, surrounded by my team, doing the “easy” thing, designing products, collecting a paycheck, and playing it safe. But I could feel there was something more. Even as a single parent raising my son, I knew I was called to something bigger. This book gave me the courage to take the leap. And once I did, I found the life I had always wanted waiting for me on the other side.
Learning to Master Fear and Redefine Failure
Another pivotal insight from this book is the need to confront fear and then master failure. We all face failure. It’s part of the journey. But this book flips the script: failure isn’t really failure, it’s not trying that’s the real failure. When I finally confronted the fear that had held me back for so long—the fear of losing my paycheck, the fear of instability—I began to see that every failure was a step toward learning. Every misstep brought new clarity. And without those steps, I never would have found the freedom I now live.
Bottom line? This book taught me that the life we dream about won’t ever come to us while we’re hiding in the boat. If you want to walk on water, you have to get out of the boat.
Book #3: Life of Your Dreams
The final book I want to share with you is a newer one, but it’s already left a huge impact on my life. It’s called Life of Your Dreams by Mark Pentecost. If you haven’t read his story yet, you need to—it’s incredible. Mark started out as a high school teacher and went on to become a billionaire entrepreneur. More than that, he’s one of the most generous people I’ve ever met. He wrote this book for us—to share his journey, his mindset, and the principles that made his remarkable success possible.
Dream Big, but Act Bigger
At its core, the book teaches that the life of your dreams is built not by chance, but through your mindset and the actions you take. It doesn’t matter how much money you currently have, which school you attended, or what industry you’re in—it’s your belief system and consistent effort that determine your future. Mark outlines about seven transformative principles in the book, but I’ve condensed them into three key takeaways that I believe are especially powerful.
1. Shift from Defense to Offense
One of the most striking messages in the book is this: stop playing life not to lose and start playing to win. That mindset shift is everything. Too many people tiptoe through life, trying to avoid mistakes rather than pursuing bold, meaningful success. But if you want financial freedom, you can’t play it safe forever. You’ve got to act.
In practical terms? Learn everything you can about multifamily investing. Watch our videos. Study the process. Start making offers. Close deals. Little by little, those actions and the mindset behind them, will move you toward the life you’ve been dreaming of.
2. Choose Your Circle Wisely
This point hit home for me, and it’s one I’m passionate about. Your environment shapes your future, so surround yourself with the right people.
Let me share a quick personal story. Before I got married, I met someone at church. She was attractive and in tech, and when I told her I had left my job to pursue real estate, she looked me straight in the eye and said, “You can’t do that.” Now I don’t mind honest feedback, but I won’t stand for someone stomping on my dreams. So, I politely got up and moved to another seat. Why? Because you can’t build a dream in a room full of “dream-stealers.”
Mark emphasizes the importance of uplifting relationships and mentors. Mentorship has changed his life and mine. If you want to achieve something extraordinary, you need people who have been there, done that, and are willing to walk the journey with you. We do that at Commercial Property Advisors because we believe in paying it forward.
3. Create a Plan for Unimaginable Goals
The third principle is about taking bold vision and turning it into reality. Let me tell you about a moment that shaped my purpose.
Years ago, I stood in a vacant multifamily property with one of my mentors, looking out over a parking lot. He put his arm around me and said, “Peter, one day, all those parking spaces will be filled with people you’ve taught and mentored.” At the time, mentoring wasn’t even on my radar. But just a month later, that same mentor invited me to speak at one of his seminars. That moment sparked my passion for teaching. I signed my first coaching client there and the rest is history.
Bottom line? The Life of Your Dreams reminds us that extraordinary lives aren’t reserved for a select few—they’re built through mindset shifts, intentional action, and the courage to surround ourselves with people who elevate us. When you play to win, choose your circle wisely, and pursue bold goals with a plan, the life of your dreams becomes more than a vision. It becomes your reality.
My Challenge to You
I’ve shared multiple principles from three life-changing books. Now it’s your turn. Pick one principle. Just one. And take action on it today. Not tomorrow. Not next week. Today. Let’s not just be inspired, let’s be transformed.
Every Successful Commercial Real Estate Investor Has a Mentor
One of the fastest ways to excel in commercial real estate is to learn from those who’ve already achieved success. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to scale, surrounding yourself with expert advice can be the difference between struggling through trial and error or strategically growing your wealth. Get your mentor here: Commercial Property Advisors Protege Program
If you have any comments or questions, text PETER to 833-942-4516.
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