You Don't Know Jack...But You Should

Everyone has some people in their lives that hold a special place. It could be a distant family member or an old college buddy. Perhaps it's a former co-worker or a it could be a neighbor.

The thing about all of these people is that when you get together with them, regardless of how much time has passed between visits, you can pick up right where you left off. You always seem to be enamored with their stories, you heed their advice and you feel comfortable seeking their counsel.

Jack Gordon is one of those people for me. Jack is the Landscape Architect for Glacier National Park in Northwest Montana and worked closely with my father during his visits and voluntary service in the park. Jack and my father combined efforts with one goal in mind - improve the visitor experience in Glacier National Park for all who pass through it's gates.

After my father passed away in 2000, Jack and his wife Tracey have remained very close with my mother. They help her out while she spends her summers here and their three children - Kirk, Ian and Elyse - have all helped my mom out with errands and babysitting when her grandchildren would visit. They sort of serve as mom's surrogate family out here and I think both parties benefit from the relationship.

I got to spend some time with Jack and Tracy last night over a wonderful birthday dinner for my mother at Caper's in Kalispell. (A special tip of the hat to owner's Vonnie and Doug Day for a wonderful meal and experience). We caught up on the family, the park and life in general. The Gordons are what you call "good people."

Do you have a Jack Gordon in your life? 

My guess is you do. As you read this blog post, did someone come to mind? When was the last time you saw that person? Was it yesterday? Last week? Or has it been a while?

Why don't you take the initiative and reach out to him or her and schedule a time to get together. If they aren't local, perhaps you could arrange a phone call or visit via Skype. You're not looking for business from these people but you never know...it might lead to a referral or something that improves your service moving forward.

It's funny how time seems to pass by so don't let an opportunity to get together with this person slide by. My friend and fellow real estate trainer Chris Leader from Leader's Edge Training always says, "People come into your lives for a reason, a season or a lifetime." I agree with Chris so you should figure out which one of those it might be for your "Jack Gordon" and get re-connected.

I'm glad my father had a chance to meet a guy like Jack Gordon all those years ago. I know my brothers and my mother are as well.

And you know what? I'm pretty sure my father is too.

Until next time, build relationships, solve problems and have fun.

Mountain Due?

Do you feel you've been working hard this year? Does it seem that deals today are requiring more attention to detail and even still, you're keeping fingers crossed that they will make it successfully to the closing table?

If you've got a mountain of work in front of you and you're wondering if there might be any hope of the proverbial "light at the end of the tunnel," it might be time to plan a vacation.

I've been enjoying the last few days in Northwest Montana visiting my mother to celebrate her 75th birthday. She lives out here in Kalispell, Montana in the summers (mainly to escape the heat and humidity we usually get in Columbus.) We have made several visits to Glacier National Park  (just Northeast of Kalispell) so far and it has been quite awe-inspiring.

When you see the beauty of a place like Glacier National Park or (insert your favorite vacation spot here), it really does help to put into perspective what we do each day in the real estate business. 

Important, yes? Literally moving mountains and taking visitors breath away for 101 years? Not exactly.

Where Are You Going?

So tell me...when is your next vacation and where will you be going? It doesn't matter if you just returned from a vacation, where will you be going next? If you just walked out of a successful listing appointment, wouldn't it be great if you had some idea of when and where your next opportunity is going to come from? A successful closing you might have had yesterday doesn't mean anything to your concerns tomorrow. What have you done for yourself lately?


Yes, I know. It is important to focus on the here and now but if you don't keep your eyes looking ahead, you just might not be heading where you were hoping you'd end up.
I've spoken in previous blogs about the power of creating S.M.A.R.T Goals and it is such an important and basic lesson to follow. 

Of the things you're currently working on, what will be your reward when you achieve your desired results? Where will you go, what will you get, who will you be spending the reward with?

Maybe a visit to one of the many national parks that grace this country would be something worth working towards? Maybe it's a chance to update that wardrobe as you head into the fall and winter? Perhaps you've had your eye on the new model of a car you could picture yourself driving up in at your next listing presentation?

Need some inspiration? Take a look at some of the views I've had this week and ask yourself, where do you want to be a year from now? Next is to start figuring out what you need to do to make it happen. Then, you need to follow the easiest advice you can ever heed when it comes to making things happen...

"Do what's due first."

Start on your next reward today by getting out there and build relationships, solve problems and have fun.