MONDAY MORNING WAKE UP CALL

One Base at a Time… Good morning! I hope you had an enjoyable weekend.   Another professional baseball season comes to an end this week. I’ve always enjoyed baseball – or perhaps it’s the hot dogs, popcorn and ice cream that I enjoy.   Building a successful real estate career is a lot like playing baseball. When you walk out to the plate, your coach isn’t telling you to hit a home run; he just wants you to “get on base.” Why? Because most players strike out.   Many agents also strike out, never making it through their first year. Getting to first base requires focus and effort but, if you can get there, you can sometimes steal second. Many agents have a strong first year, and the momentum carries them through the second; however, as in baseball, you can get picked off at second if you’re not paying attention. Once on second base, you’re halfway home… and that’s exciting! Any hit can get you to third base, which of course is almost home!   Here’s a great question for newer agents: Are you willing to give four years of hard work to build the right foundation and enjoy a lifetime of income and opportunities? To me, the answer is simple. Of course you are! Did you do the right things in your first four years to build a strong business? If not, there’s still plenty of time. What would it take to build a referral-based business that gives you a lifetime of return?   Something to Think About It’s not really that hard to make money in real estate, but you do have to be consistent with the basics: marketing, networking, prospecting, keeping up with new trends and staying in touch with those who trust you for their real estate needs.    Weekly Challenge This is a good time of year to closely examine your real estate business. If your business is up and down, perhaps you failed to follow some of the important foundation steps in those first four critical years of your career. It’s never too late to step up your game!   Words of Wisdom “Every day is a new opportunity. You can build on yesterday’s success or put its failures behind and start over again. That’s the way life is, with a new game every day, and that’s the way baseball is.” – Bob Feller “In baseball, my theory is to strive for consistency, not to worry about the numbers. If you dwell on statistics, you get shortsighted; if you aim for consistency, the numbers will be there at the end.” – Tom Seaver “There are three types of baseball players: Those who make it happen, those who watch it happen and those who wonder what happens.” – Tommy Lasorda “It took me seventeen years to get three thousand hits in baseball. I did it in one afternoon on the golf course.” – Hank Aaron   “Baseball is the only field of endeavor where a man can succeed three times out of ten and be considered a good performer.” – Ted Williams

Monday Morning Wake Up Call

Your Motivation, Inspiration, & Direction for the Week Ahead Stay in the Present Good morning! I hope you’re enjoying this beautiful fall weather. It’s my favorite time of the year. I think we savor the fall knowing that the chilly days of winter are fast approaching.   I was talking with a friend last week who’s already depressed about the thought of winter. My reply was, “We still have fall!” His retort? “Yes, but winter comes after fall, and I hate winter.” Funny how it’s so easy to miss the times in front of us because we’re looking ahead to something we dread. Worrying about what might happen before it actually happens robs us of the joy that we could be experiencing right now!   It reminds me of a story about a teacher who was coaching a student a few years ago. The student was always stressed about the next test. The teacher finally asked, “Did you study? Do you know the material?” The student said yes, but that he had always had a fear of tests and failing. Because of that fear, he was constantly worried about the next test.   The teacher asked him to stay present in each day for a week. Instead of worrying that he might fail, he was to think about what he had done each day to prepare for the next test – and feel good about his accomplishment.   He passed his next test with flying colors and was far less stressed. Each week that he followed this formula, he got better and better at not being stressed about something in the future. He went on to become an honor roll student and eventually became a doctor. He’s licensed to practice medicine in several states and loves studying!   What could staying in the present do for YOU and YOUR career?   Something to Think About It’s easy to get fixated on something in the future that you dread or are uncertain about. I’ve found that a great way to not worry is to remember (and repeat) this saying: You can’t change what you can’t control. You can’t control the actions of others, and you can’t change what has not yet happened. So just be happy in the moment!   Weekly Challenge Let’s make it simple: Take this week to step out of your normal routine or comfort zone and attempt a new random act of kindness each day.   Words of Wisdom “You’re only here for a short visit. Don’t hurry, don’t worry. And be sure to smell the flowers along the way.” – Walter Hagen   “I think my mother... made it clear that you have to live life by your own terms, and you have to not worry about what other people think, and you have to have the courage to do the unexpected.” – Caroline Kennedy   “When you begin to worry, go find something to do. Get busy being a blessing to someone; do something fruitful. Talking about your problem or sitting alone, thinking about it, does no good; it serves only to make you miserable. Above all else, remember that worrying is totally useless. Worrying will not solve your problem.” – Joyce Meyer   It is through gratitude for the present moment that the spiritual dimension of life opens up. - Eckhart Tolle   “Worry does not empty tomorrow of its sorrow. It empties today of its strength.” – Corrie Ten Boom        Update your Email Preferences or Unsubscribe