Pencil Yourself In for Success

Monday Morning Match is a quick post - maybe a quote, inspirational story or idea - intended to spark some motivation inside each of you so your week gets off to a fantastic start on Monday morning.





"There are two patron saints to whom I have tremendous devotion: a sheet of paper and a lead pencil. Mark down at least once a day everything you do and every time you do it. It will not only make you proud to see all you do; but it will humble you by showing you all you don't do."

~ William Doyle

I hate to sound like a broken record in many of these blog posts but there are two things a successful Realtor should do every day - "business development" activities and "business support" activities.

Most agents choose to spend their time on the business support activities because those things don't involve rejection, fear or conflict. Remember though that if you spend too much time on the business support activities and no time on business development, there soon will be no business to support.

Instead of getting hung up on the insignificant things, remain focused on those things that will lead to a successful transaction.

If the things you are doing this week aren't helping you build relationships, solve any problems or have more fun, it might be a good idea to find something else to do.



Photo courtesy of Chucknado via Flickr

Maybe the Ants Have the Answer

Monday Morning Match is a short post - maybe a quote, inspirational story or idea - intended to spark some motivation inside each of you so your week gets off to a fantastic start on Monday morning.

Another week ahead of us and this week, we welcome a new month. That means a new beginning for some. A clean slate. A fresh start.

One down and eleven more to go. We can keep the momentum we built in the first 31 days and propel ourselves to great things this year. Heck, even if we lost January we can still win 7 of the next 11 and finish with a winning record, right?

I urge you to continue to do the little things it takes to achieve your desired levels of success. Spend time early each day focused on business development activities and then you can spend the rest of each day focused on business support activities

Follow up with every current client and set the proper expectations for what will occur this week to help move you closer to a successful closing. Place these tasks in a high priority position on your daily "to do" lists.

Make time every day for lead generation activities. Remember - you must focus on scheduling and attending appointments before you can expect to have any clients, sales or closings.

Continually review your goals and plans, allowing you to stay focused on those activities that will help you achieve success.

Just keep doing things, every day, one small step at a time...

"All the best work is done the way ants do things - by tiny but untiring and regular additions."

~ Lafcadio Hearn

I hope you have a wonderful week

Taking Lessons from Louis

Congratulations to Louis Oosthuizen

Champion Golfer of the Year for 2010

Photo courtesy of PGATour.com - Getty Images

While it may not go down as one of the most memorable golf tournaments in British Open history you certainly can't blame South Africa's Louis Oosthuizen for that. He just went out and did what all of the other competitors in the field were hoping to do - hoist the Claret Jug on Sunday evening.

Oosthuizen (pronounced Whoost - Hazen) may not be a household name like Tiger Woods or Tom Watson yet, but just like those two great British Open Champions, his name will be etched on golf's oldest trophy and into immortality after his performance at St. Andrews in Scotland this weekend.

There were some simple lessons we can all learn from little Louis such as:

You only need to worry about yourself - In golf, like life, it's all you can do to focus on your own efforts. You have to play the golf course, not the other players. Much like the Serenity Prayer says, " God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change; Courage to change the things I can; And wisdom to know the difference."

Focus - Each shot in golf requires you to focus on what needs to happen to advance your ball to the proper spot - fairway, green or cup. Your club selection, grip, stance, aim and swing must be perfect to result in a great shot. How much do you focus on the details of your daily life? Where do you lose focus and when you do, how quickly can you get back "in play"?

Take a practice swing - Looking at the shot before you, it helps to "see it happen" in your mind's eye. One way golfers do that is to visualize the shot they want to hit and then take a practice swing that will emulate their desired swing. In real life, do you use visualization for the things you wish to accomplish, helping you "see" things happen before they do? Are you using affirmations helping set the scene in your subconsciousness?

Trust the yardage - The course was there long before you arrived and will be there long after you leave. Don't second guess facts and figures. Find ways to blend what you know with what you have in order to maximize your chances.

Don't take chances - Work hard early in the day so you can possibly build up some room for error. Oosthuizen started the final round with a four shot lead, dropped to within three strokes of his challenger for one hole and then quickly built his lead back to four and eventually 9 strokes with just 5 holes to play. That lead allowed him to relax just a bit and not take silly chances. The final few holes he could just "trust his swing" and...

Enjoy the walk - Take time every day to look around you. If what you do for a living feels like work, you might not be doing it right. Wave to the crowds, tip your hat when you earn a compliment and celebrate the little victories.