The Market Seen from the Street: Perspective on the First Quarter of 2024. Happy Easter.

I began the year 2024 with a "different energy."

As I had described before, the year 2023 was very important in my evolution as a person and a professional. (Suggested article: https://andrecasaca.pt/artigos/o-mercado-visto-da-rua-2023-aprendizagens-adquiridas-tempo-de-recomecar)

Why? Because I failed. When we fail, and we recognize and accept the failure(s), "nothing is lost, everything is transformed."

Today is April 1st, 2024, and the second quarter of the year begins. Today, from a professional standpoint, I can say that I am proud of the first quarter.

Are the real estate market and the economy in an encouraging growth phase? No.

Did I gather dozens of high-value clients? No.

Were the results spectacular, and did I grow by 1000%? No.

Did I make thousands of euros without investing anything? No.

Did I participate in million-euro deals with astronomical profits? No.

Did I find a "system" that allows making a lot of money with little effort? No.

You might ask: "So why are you proud if you're not rich?"

Well, I'm proud because I've come to believe again that it is possible to make a difference, "without reinventing the wheel."

It takes a lot of work, and countless hours are lost where no progress is evident. It seems we produce nothing.

Is the risk worth it? I've come to believe it is.

It is better to fail than not to try. The regret of not trying is hard to manage.

On December 25th, 2023, I wrote that one of the main professional goals for 2024 would be "to create a Team, an Ecosystem of people capable and willing to change the paradigm in terms of Real Estate Development and Consulting in Portugal."

Today I understand that "writing and monitoring" are indispensable tasks in our evolutionary process.

Without changing much, gradually, "ideas start aligning, and people start appearing." Sometimes, relentless searching does not bring positive results. It is necessary to stop, think, test, experiment, and move forward. The process is a cycle of constant iteration and continuous evolution.

A few weeks ago, I began reading Ray Dalio's book Principles. I recommend it. I got the feeling that I should have read it ten years ago.

Maybe it would have helped me make different decisions at certain times. Maybe it would have helped me evolve more quickly.

Would it have been better? Would it have been worse? One thing is certain. I will never discover whether it would have been better or worse because I did not read it at the time.

"Ignorance is a lock." "Knowledge is a lever." This has become my truth.

With that said, I share with you an image taken from the aforementioned book, Principles by Ray Dalio.

Figure 1 – Image taken from the book "Principles" by Ray Dalio.

The logic presented in the image embodies what I believe to be the "foundations" of a business organization with the potential for long-term success. To create value.

It seems easy. The hard part is implementing it.

It all starts with the ability to bring together "Independent Thinkers with Bold Goals."

I confess, 2023 was tough.

However, it was worth it not to give up and to continue believing (suggested article: https://andrecasaca.pt/articles/its-2024-renewed-hope-has-arrived).

The first three months of 2024 have been a very positive surprise.

After many questions, I am reaching answers and achieving results.

Today, I am certain that I will accelerate. It won't be easy, I know.

I'm not satisfied, I'm proud. The coming months will be challenging.

The real estate market continues its process of profound transformation.

I don't know what will happen, but I know I'm prepared.

If you are also an "Independent Thinker with Bold Goals," I invite you to talk.

Don't forget, it all starts with the interaction between "Independent Thinkers with Bold Goals."

See you soon,

André Casaca