When it comes to personal growth, financial success, and real estate investing, mindset is often the most critical factor. In our recent conversation with Austin Linney, a serial entrepreneur, mindset coach, and former real estate investor, we explored the transformative power of resilience, confidence, and self-awareness. Austin shared powerful insights from his personal journey—overcoming addiction, financial losses, and career pivots—to help others unlock their full potential.
The Power of Mindset: Reprogramming Your Subconscious for Success
Many people believe that confidence is something external—something you gain from achievements, money, or status. But as Austin puts it, true confidence comes from within. “You’re switching your internal confidence mechanism from external validation to internal belief,” he explained. The key is to understand that your subconscious mind plays a massive role in shaping your success.
A simple but powerful mindset shift is recognizing that you don’t need approval from others. Often, we hold ourselves back because we worry about what friends, family, or society will think. However, as Austin pointed out, “They don’t actually care as much as you think—they’re too busy worrying about themselves.”
One of the best strategies to retrain your subconscious is self-talk. Austin recommends the book What to Say When You Talk to Yourself by Shad Helmstetter, which provides a framework for shifting negative self-perception into a positive, action-driven mindset. By consistently reinforcing empowering beliefs, you can change how you approach challenges and opportunities.
Overcoming the Fear of Failure and Reframing Setbacks
A recurring theme in Austin’s journey is resilience. He’s faced addiction, financial setbacks, and even homelessness, but each of those experiences provided valuable lessons. “The failures in my life were the best things that ever happened to me,” he shared.
Too many people allow the fear of failure to paralyze them. In real estate, business, or any endeavor, mistakes are inevitable. Instead of seeing failure as a reason to quit, view it as a necessary step toward growth. Austin referenced a quote from a successful real estate investor: “Every investment, given the proper time horizon, becomes a great investment.” This long-term perspective is essential—not just for investing but for life.
Breaking Free from Identity Traps: How Military Veterans Can Reinvent Themselves
For military members transitioning into civilian life, identity is a major challenge. “A lot of veterans struggle because they’ve spent years inside a system that dictated their purpose and structure,” Austin said. “When they transition out, there’s a void. They have to redefine who they are.”
One of the best ways to reconnect with yourself is to revisit the things that brought you joy before life became about responsibilities. “Go back to the activities that excited you as a teenager—whether that’s music, sports, or art,” he advised. Rediscovering passions helps create a sense of purpose and direction outside of career or financial goals.
The Truth About Real Estate: Why It’s Not a Quick Fix for Financial Freedom
Real estate investing has become a trendy path to financial independence, but Austin warned against chasing it for the wrong reasons. “Too many people look at real estate as an escape route instead of a wealth-building tool,” he said. The key is understanding that real estate is a long-term strategy, not an overnight success.
At Active Duty Passive Income (ADPI), we emphasize using real estate as a tool to enhance your life, not as a desperate attempt to leave your job. Whether it’s house hacking, short-term rentals, or commercial real estate, the best results come from patience, education, and strategic planning.
Building Confidence and Taking Action
One of the biggest takeaways from our conversation with Austin was the importance of just getting started. “People overthink everything. They want to form an LLC before they even make a dollar,” he joked. “Just take action. The learning comes from doing.”
If you’re struggling with confidence, start small. Buy your first investment property, join a real estate mastermind, or simply set up a call with a mentor. The momentum will build as you take each step.
How to Connect with Austin Linney
If you resonated with Austin’s insights and want to learn more, he’s offering free 15- to 20-minute coaching calls to help members of the ADPI community with mindset, business strategy, and overcoming personal obstacles. You can reach him at [email protected] or visit AustinLinney.com to check out his podcast Construct Your Life or connect with him and PROACTIVE OPERATORS.
Final Thoughts: The Bigger Picture
At ADPI, we are committed to helping military members and veterans achieve financial independence through real estate and business. But beyond financial success, our mission is to help you build a fulfilling life with strong relationships, purpose, and confidence. As Austin put it best, “Your goals are only as big as your past self-image—so think bigger.”
If this conversation resonated with you, share this article with someone who needs to hear it. And if you’re ready to take your journey to the next level, join our ADPI community to connect with like-minded individuals and get the tools you need to succeed.
