Monday Morning Wake Up Call

Monday Wake Up Call: Your Motivation, Inspiration, & Direction for the Week Ahead

GOAL FOCUSED It’s the time of year when we start thinking about our goals. When we think about goals, we also start thinking about HOW to stick to our goals for long-term success. One of the secrets to long-term success is to start with small habits. When you know how to create tiny habits, you can change your life forever. Here are some tiny things that you can start doing today that will have a positive impact on your life and make setting and attaining goals simpler: Create a gratitude journal, and write one thing that you are grateful for each day. Spend 15 minutes each day meditating, or just being quiet. Block any thoughts, and just let your body be still. You will be amazed at how often you have a great thought or idea after your “quiet time.” Be inspirational to those around you. Think quality thoughts at all times. Don’t compare yourself to others when setting your goals. Be your best self at all times! As you start to apply these tiny habits on a daily basis, you can start to work on your long-term goals. I will give you some tips for that next week!   Something to Think About I once heard something that made it very easy to understand how to set a goal: You first start with a statement about what you know you can do, such as “I will run a 5K race two times a year.” Then you stretch that statement so far that you aren’t sure you can do it, such as “I will run a 10K race in the spring and a 28-mile race in the fall.” The stretch is what makes it a goal – and also what makes it exciting when you hit the goal!   Weekly Activity  Let’s start thinking about those goals for 2017. Not just business goals, but personal ones as well. Don’t forget: It’s the stretch that makes it a goal.   Words of Wisdom “The chains of habit are too weak to be felt until they are too strong to be broken.” – Samuel Johnson “A goal properly set is halfway reached.” – Zig Ziglar “You cannot change your destination overnight, but you can change your direction overnight.” – Jim Rohn “The greater danger for most of us isn’t that our aim is too high and we miss it, but that it is too low and we reach it.” – Michelangelo “If you set your goals ridiculously high and it’s a failure, you will fail above everyone else’s success.” – James Cameron

Market Update Report

How’s the market?  How to answer that question at holiday parties.      Picture this; you are at one of the many holiday parties that you’ll attend over the next few weeks and your occupation comes up followed by the inevitable question “how’s the local real estate market?”. This is a golden opportunity for you to shine! Here are a few talking points to help you answer the question and demonstrate your knowledge of the CNY Real Estate Market.   Homes are selling at a brisk pace, over the past 6 months nearly 3000 homes have sold and closed in Onondaga County. Compared to last year that’s an increase of 9%. Inventory is down. There are about 1500 homes on the market which is a huge drop from this time last year when there were about 2100 homes on the market. Compared to last year that is a 29% drop in available homes. So, inventory is down 29% and sales are up 9%. The answer to the question is the market is red hot. On an annualized basis, these numbers indicate the market is approaching the record setting year of 2006 which was the high point for sales in Onondaga County. What’s that mean to a potential seller or buyer? Sellers will see brisk activity on their home once listed for sale. Buyers need to act quickly once they find a home that fits their need, hesitation may cost them an opportunity to buy the home they want. Combine all of this with historically low interest rates and it’s a great time to buy or sell.

Monday Morning Wake Up Call

 

Monday Wake Up Call: Your Motivation, Inspiration, & Direction for the Week Ahead

Thankfulness Let’s take a look at the word “thankful.” When asked to describe it, the three top synonyms were grateful, appreciative and indebted.   What a nice feeling it is to feel grateful to someone for their support when needed, their prayer in times of turmoil, their constant friendship, the way they show their love or just for being there whenever they’re needed.   I sometimes forget to stop and just be grateful for all that I have and all that has come my way. It’s easy to grow accustomed to that “life is great” feeling; however, at any given moment there are millions of people throughout the world struggling to feel thankful. They look for simple pleasures… without finding them.   But EVERYONE is thankful when another person reaches out in kindness. What seems simple to you might mean the world to someone else. What we take for granted, others view as riches. Today I am truly thankful, and I will search to make another person’s life a little better by doing something small and unexpected. If you try it too, you will notice that a small smile will suddenly appear on your face, and your day will be even better!   Something to Think About It’s the small things that people remember. There’s a saying that goes something like this: People will forget what you said, but they will never forget how you made them feel. Feelings last for a very long time – good or bad. Let’s make some good memories and some good feelings this week!   Weekly Activity  Do something small that will have a HUGE impact of the life of others this week. Here are a few ideas: Donate to your local food pantry. Serve a meal to the homeless at a local shelter. Take your old coats, gloves and scarves to the homeless as it starts to get cold in so many parts of the country. Go to a senior home, and visit the very special people who reside there. Read to them, sing to them, take small gifts to them. Words of Wisdom “At times, our own light goes out and is rekindled by a spark from another person. Each of us has cause to think with deep gratitude of those who have lighted the flame within us.” – Albert Schweitzer “Make it a habit to tell people thank you. To express your appreciation, sincerely and without the expectation of anything in return. Truly appreciate those around you, and you'll soon find many others around you. Truly appreciate life, and you'll find that you have more of it.” – Ralph Marston “When you are grateful – when you can see what you have – you unlock blessings to flow in your life.” – Suze Orman “The trick is to be grateful when your mood is high and graceful when it is low.” – Richard Carlson “When it comes to life, the critical thing is whether you take things for granted or take them with gratitude.” – Gilbert K. Chesterton

Brand New Homes: Luxury or Letdown?

Many of us have thought about raising a family in a new home. Recent studies show that nearly twice as many people prefer buying a brand new home over one that has been previously owned. While being the first owner of a house can be a satisfying experience, it is important to know whether it is the right decision for your family.

The Perks of Brand New Homes

I've noticed that a big reason why people buy brand new homes is because of the option for customization. Some people want to be part of the design and building processes to make sure they get exactly what they want. Buying a home new also means you don't have to worry about putting work into it yourself. Unlike previously owned homes, new homes hardly ever come with cosmetic issues. This allows you to move right into your new home without having to repaint trim, replace gutters, or any other daunting tasks. A new home will also have low maintenance costs throughout the year since everything is brand new.

The Pitfalls of New Homes

The main reason people don't buy brand new homes is that they can cost up to 20% more than previously owned homes of the same caliber. Many times, brand new homes are built in brand new developments, which can be far from schools and other neighborhoods. Homeowners may be bothered with the feeling of being isolated from other communities. There is also the possibility of noise and the inconvenience of new construction.

Aside from the financial and locational aspects, many people buying a home simply don't believe new homes have as much character as older ones. Modern architectural styles tend to be a bit more "cookie cutter" than they used to be. Plus, buying a previously owned home allows you to work with professional realtors who understand the market and can give you multiple options.

Buying a home, whether new or previously owned, requires much careful consideration. Consider these pieces of insight before you purchase your next home!

Monday Wake Up Call

Monday Wake Up Call: Your Motivation, Inspiration, & Direction for the Week Ahead

Anything’s Possible Happy Monday! What a great topic and an easy way to turn the impossible into the possible – just cross out the IM! When I saw this, my first thought was that it was ironic that IM also stands for I AM, or I’m. Is it possible that taking IM – or I am – out of the equation makes it possible? Do we sometimes get in the way of our own progress? Do we allow our own thoughts to block our progress? If so, let’s create a new attitude! Here are some guidelines for a more positive life: Don’t allow others’ thoughts to shape who you become! Starting today, you decide whom you will become, and make it possible! Follow your butterflies! What are butterflies? They’re those things that make your stomach feel funny when you’re nervous. Don’t avoid the them; follow them, and watch how strong and fearless you become. Everyone is led by inspiration, or we are led by desperation. Knowing that it’s possible keeps you inspired. Let’s make it an amazing, inspiring life! Something to Think About I can turn the possible into the impossible, or I'M the reason that the possible seems IMpossible.  Which will you choose for your life? Weekly Activity What are your butterflies? What is that thing that you have been afraid to do? This week, choose to follow your butterflies! Words of Wisdom “Be strong, be fearless, be beautiful. And believe that anything is possible when you have the right people there to support you.” – Misty Copeland “Start by doing what's necessary; then do what's possible; and suddenly you are doing the impossible.” – Francis of Assisi “Be kind whenever possible. It is always possible.” – Dalai Lama “To all the other dreamers out there, don't ever stop or let the world's negativity disenchant you or your spirit. If you surround yourself with love and the right people, anything is possible.” – Adam Green “The difference between the impossible and the possible lies in a man’s determination.” – Tommy Lasorda  Inspiration Welcome to Monday! Today we’re going to celebrate an amazing person whom I recently heard speak at a conference. His name is Jason Fowler. At the age of 6, Jason’s parents gave him his first motorcycle! He competed throughout the country with his family until, at 17, he hit a rock while practicing and was thrown from his bike. It completely severed his spinal cord, which meant that he would never walk again. Can you imagine how he felt? How would you feel if what you loved and lived for was suddenly taken from you? I can’t imagine how he felt, but I do know what he did. As he laid in bed contemplating life, he saw the wheelchair division of the Boston Marathon on TV and knew that 26-mile race was his future. Six months later, he completed his first 5-mile race. One year later, he competed in the Boston Marathon. During the next 10 years, he completed 150 races, 34 marathons, 37 triathlons and 2 Ironman Triathlons, winning the second one to become the Ironman Triathlon Champion!   When asked how he gets his inspiration to keep going – and to inspire others – Jason says that each person is unstoppable and has the inner strength and power to do anything. Here are the questions that he would ask himself each morning to get his inspiration: What do I want for my life? What does my best self look like? He also changed the way he looked at setting goals. Now he asks, “How do I have my best day today?” I really like that way of looking at goals. Sometimes we get so caught up in trying to set our goals that we never get around to implementing them! To learn more about Jason and his mission, visit http://jasonfowlerliving.com/about/   Something to Think About The lessons that Jason learned through failing and eventually winning the Ironman World Championship have translated to other parts of his life and have him feeling a bit like Superman at times. One of the more powerful lessons he learned, which continues to guide his life, is that when you never give up and give 110% enlightened effort, the impossible becomes possible.   Weekly Activity  Ask yourself these questions each day: What do I want for my life? What does my best self look like? How do I have my best day today? Words of Wisdom “Change your thoughts and you change your world.” – Norman Vincent Peale “The best preparation for tomorrow is doing your best today.” – H. Jackson Brown, Jr. “Nothing is impossible, the word itself says ‘I'm possible!’” – Audrey Hepburn “If opportunity doesn't knock, build a door.” – Milton Berle “Keep your face always toward the sunshine, and shadows will fall behind you.” – Walt Whitman

Monday Wake Up Call

Monday Wake Up Call: Your Motivation, Inspiration, & Direction for the Week Ahead

Inspiration Welcome to Monday! Today we’re going to celebrate an amazing person whom I recently heard speak at a conference. His name is Jason Fowler. At the age of 6, Jason’s parents gave him his first motorcycle! He competed throughout the country with his family until, at 17, he hit a rock while practicing and was thrown from his bike. It completely severed his spinal cord, which meant that he would never walk again. Can you imagine how he felt? How would you feel if what you loved and lived for was suddenly taken from you? I can’t imagine how he felt, but I do know what he did. As he laid in bed contemplating life, he saw the wheelchair division of the Boston Marathon on TV and knew that 26-mile race was his future. Six months later, he completed his first 5-mile race. One year later, he competed in the Boston Marathon. During the next 10 years, he completed 150 races, 34 marathons, 37 triathlons and 2 Ironman Triathlons, winning the second one to become the Ironman Triathlon Champion!   When asked how he gets his inspiration to keep going – and to inspire others – Jason says that each person is unstoppable and has the inner strength and power to do anything. Here are the questions that he would ask himself each morning to get his inspiration: What do I want for my life? What does my best self look like? He also changed the way he looked at setting goals. Now he asks, “How do I have my best day today?” I really like that way of looking at goals. Sometimes we get so caught up in trying to set our goals that we never get around to implementing them! To learn more about Jason and his mission, visit http://jasonfowlerliving.com/about/   Something to Think About The lessons that Jason learned through failing and eventually winning the Ironman World Championship have translated to other parts of his life and have him feeling a bit like Superman at times. One of the more powerful lessons he learned, which continues to guide his life, is that when you never give up and give 110% enlightened effort, the impossible becomes possible.   Weekly Activity  Ask yourself these questions each day: What do I want for my life? What does my best self look like? How do I have my best day today? Words of Wisdom “Change your thoughts and you change your world.” – Norman Vincent Peale “The best preparation for tomorrow is doing your best today.” – H. Jackson Brown, Jr. “Nothing is impossible, the word itself says ‘I'm possible!’” – Audrey Hepburn “If opportunity doesn't knock, build a door.” – Milton Berle “Keep your face always toward the sunshine, and shadows will fall behind you.” – Walt Whitman