Are You Getting What You're Worth?

If you don't believe you're worth your fee, why would your customer? In today's challenging market, don't you think your skills and abilities are worth more than when a monkey could sell a house?

Check out Matthew Ferrara's "ripped from the headlines" take on the concept of "getting what you're worth." Matt's post was added to his brilliant blog this week following Connecticut men's basketball coach Jim Calhoun's stern defense of his salary to a smarmy freelance reporter in a post game interview.

Thanks Matt, for this on-point message to all those who provide a valuable service and deserve to get paid for that effort.

Let Go of The Ego

You've all heard the saying "people don't care what you know until they know that you care." This holds true in any sales position, especially real estate. If you truly want to achieve levels of success that you haven't experienced before, you'll need to "let go of the ego."



Please don't get me wrong. I understand that everyone has an ego and it will manifest itself in different ways. For many of our industry's top producers, it was part ego that got them where they are today - a true desire to be recognized as one of the best. Just be sure to remind yourself every now and then that this business isn't about you - it's about the clients you serve and the other people you interact with.



I don't listen to the radio to hear the dee-jay talk and I certainly don't go to sporting events hoping the referee or umpire becomes the center of attention. Our clients are all listening to the same radio station - WII-FM - "What's In It For Me?" Yes, they want you to be skilled, yes they want you to be knowledgeable and yes, they want you to be savvy but they mostly want you to be kind, respectful and diligent in solving their problems.



We aren't brain surgeons, we aren't battling poverty and last time I checked, none of us are researching and discovering a cure for cancer or AIDS. So why is it that we sometimes act like we are better than, richer than, more popular than or superior to anyone else?

I am sure that each of you can close your eyes and think of someone in our industry who, in your opinion, has a large ego. Maybe as you've been reading this post you have pictured a co-op agent you've worked with or maybe even someone in your own company. Keep your eyes closed for a second and contemplate if someone doing this exercise...is thinking about you.

Until next time...Build Relationships...Solve Problems...and Have Fun.

I Love It When TV and Real Estate Come Together

One of my passions is real estate. Another is television. So imagine my excitement when I came upon this great blog post . It was referenced by another fantastic blogger, Jim Duncan on Twitter.

Lost, Survivor and Survivorman all referenced in one post. Sweet! All that was needed was a few Michael J. Scott (The Office) and Jack Bauer (24) references and it might have been one of the Top Ten Blog Posts of all time.

Something for God's "Good Vibrations" Folder?

It's one thing to see a gorgeous rainbow but it's another to have the opportunity to catch a double rainbow in total view from end to end.

Ingredients for a Positive Vibrations Folder

So we've talked about what a "Good Vibrations" folder is, now let's talk about what goes in it...

Here are a few more examples of some of the items found in my folder. I must say, it was quite fun and empowering to flip through all of the stuff in there today. I have cards and emails and photos that go back almost 5 years. It's probably about 3 inches thick.

Note cards from past students and agents I have managed...

Humorous cards from former students...

Emails or drawings from the kids...

...or anything else that might make you feel good...when you first receive it...and again when you look back at it weeks, months or even years later.

So tell me...what's going to go in your "Good Vibrations" folder?

I'm Picking Up Good Vibrations

We've spent some time over the last few posts discussing the importance of a positive attitude when it comes to real estate and life in general. Plenty of things can impact our attitude - people, places, events and even memories.

Author John Maxwell says "there are two kinds of people in life; those who lift us and those who lean on us." We need to consciously surround ourselves with "lifters" and be a "lifter" ourselves to those we know and love.

One of the ways I have found to improve my chances of maintaining a positive attitude is with a "Good Vibrations" folder. Maybe yours will be called a "Feelin' Groovy" file or a "Have a Nice Day" folder but whatever it is, it becomes a source of smiles, laughter and solid dosage of positivity.

So what goes in a "Good Vibrations" folder? It could be anything that brings you joy - a photo of your children or grandchildren, a thank-you note from a past client, a message from your manager or even a funny story or email you may have received.

You just need a basic manila folder or a shoebox where you can keep these items. Think of it as your office "refrigerator" and instead of hanging the kids artwork or grand kids photos on the fridge at home, you'll have them within arms reach of your desktop.

I also recommend creating a virtual "Good Vibes" folder on your computer for those positive emails, funny jokes and links to great websites. You'll be able to access these items anywhere you have your computer - Open houses, home inspections or those slow afternoons on phone duty.

I encourage you to start accumulating items for your "Good Vibrations" folder so you'll always have a dose of positivity within reach. In our next post, I'll share some of the things in my "Good Vibrations" folder so you'll have an idea of what to add to your own.

And Now, a Dose of Positivity

Every now and then you come across something that just hits you as a"good thing." I found this video as a result of a great blog that I subscribe to called Escape from Cubicle Nation. I'm not sure how I came across the blog itself but I did and I like it and I subscribe to it but most importantly, I read it when it comes to my inbox.

It always causes me to think and as Martin Luther King, Jr. once said, "Nothing pains some people more than having to think." This site always causes me to think.

In my next post, we'll talk about creating a "Good Vibrations" folder. This video is the kind of things that would go in it.