“IT’S NOT WHAT THE MARKET IS DOING –
IT’S WHAT I’M DOING”
Lately, I’ve had several conversations with other REALTORS® in my area lamenting about how slow the market is since the tax credit ended. I’ve also noticed a lull in activity, but have been very busy closing all those wonderful contracts I put together in April. As I look ahead, though, I realize that if I don’t do something, I could be one of those agents crying in her beer soon.
Yesterday, I was cleaning out my home office and came across a half piece of board with the words “It’s not what the market is doing, it’s what I’m doing” written on it in my own handwriting, along with some other motivational quotes. It’s only a half piece of board, because I broke it in half….karate style!
A motivational speaker at a conference I attended last year challenged each one of us to stand up and karate chop a board in half. I looked at my Mother and said, “There’s no way.” Then I conjured up an even funnier image of my Mother trying to break the board herself.
I watched as my Mother took her turn and stood in front of a large man holding the board, got in her Ninja warrior stance, and proceeded to try to karate chop the board several times, with no luck. (Yes, I laughed). Then the speaker told us to STOP….FOCUS….ERASE EVERYTHING FROM YOUR THOUGHTS AND VISUALIZE THE OUTCOME…and suddenly, my Mother gave a mighty “CHOP” and the board broke in half!
WELL….if she can do it….I can too!!!!! I took my turn (feeling like a complete idiot in my warrior stance), closed my eyes, focused, visualized the board flying into a million pieces….and VIOLA….it worked!
I kept the board, but it was shoved into the bottom of a box in my office. As I uncovered it yesterday, it brought back to mind the lessons I learned that day. It was a much needed reminder in today’s market, and much needed inspiration.
Anyone can sell homes in a great market, but only truly great agents will prosper in this market. It all depends on what we’re doing to make that happen.
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Lina Robertson Jones
Owner/Agent
RE/MAX Solutions
1715 James River Road
Ozark, MO, 65721 |
Mobile: (417) 844-7265
linarobertson@remax.net
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RE/MAX - Outstanding Agents, Outstanding Results!
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About the author: I am full-time REALTOR® with RE/MAX Solutions in Springfield, MO, and a member of the Greater Springfield Board of REALTORS®. I have helped hundreds of families in the Springfield, Nixa, Republic and Ozark real estate markets, whether buying a home, or selling a home. Visit my website at www.ozarks-realestate.com to search for All Springfield MO Area MLS listings. Want to know what our market is like? My website is also an excellent resource for current Springfield MO Area Real Estate Market Reports, as well as current market reports for Ozark, Nixa, Republic, and Rogersville.
Thats it Lina. Simple as that, it is all up to us individually to determine our own fates.
Great post Lina. Activity breeds activity. We all just need to get active.
Very good motivational words. When you have the current Contracts you have been focused on Closed, do you have a plan in mind to deal with keeping the business pumped up other than more of the same marketing you have been using, etc. I guess what I'm asking is if you have something new in mind to throw into the routine and mix?
Gosh, that karate board thing has always fascinated me when I've seen it on TV or read about being able to do it. I've always hesitated giving it a try as I was afraid of breaking my wrist where I had previously had surgery on.
Best wishes for your continued success.
Sue of Robin and Sue
I love your story Lina, very inspirational! Your right, when times are easy anyone can be a real estate agent, but when things take a shift for the bad, a good majority of agents leave the business because they can't handle it, but its the true agents that stick it out through the storm, and it pays off.. Simply put TRUE AGENTS ARE SURVIVALIST BY NATURE, IF REAL ESTATE IS THE CAREER THEY WANT TO PRACTICE THEY WILL PROSPER DURING GOOD TIMES AND THEY WILL SHIFT AS THE MARKET SHIFTS TO SURVIVE DURING THE ROUGH TIMES.
Lina, it's all about mindset. I believe that buyers want to live in our area and continue to blog about the local neighborhoods and towns, and my phone continues to ring.
Sue - yes, I have so many new tools and ideas, and not enough time to implement them all!!! LOL This is the kind of business and market that does not afford us the luxury of sitting back and waiting for the phone to ring. I'm amazed at the number of agents that I speak with who just sit around and whine and pout all day about the market, but don't actually DO something.
Stacey - I've said all along....I'm a REALTOR...I may end up being a broke one, but still a REALTOR nonetheless. LOL I have no intention of switching careers.
Vickie - blogging is essential today. I don't understand why other agents don't do it.
Scott & Dan - Thanks so much for stopping by!
Great post, and will keep your words of wisdom as we finish out the year -- in style!
Lina - Great post! I've flagged for a feature. In any market it's always up to us to CREATE success.
Joan - Very simple words, but a powerful message! Thanks for stopping by!
John - Thanks so much! I consider that a huge compliment considering I'm an avid follower of YOUR blog!
Lina...All so very true. Thank you for your inspiring words--just the lift I needed today.
Lina - Personally, I try and not focus and/or worrying about what others are whining about. Like you, I'm just too busy right now. I can't worry about what other people are doing, I have enough to worry about doing all the things that I want to do.
Lina, it is a very positive story you are telling here. It is always up to us how we want to work and what we want to do, true, it may seem tough at times, but it is always rewarding when we work to get the result.
Lina, you are right on! Good job on the karate chop!
How come you didn't put this in RE/MAX Active RAin Bloggers? I would comment if it was. OK! never mind! I wasn't paying attention!!!!
Geez, Mom. Do I have to point EVERYTHING out? LOL
Lina,
I love that attitude. You can only control what you do in any given situation. Homes ARE selling if they are priced right and presented well. Agents may have to work just a little bit harder but they will be the ones to reap the rewards in the end!
Marianne
This is one that I needed very bad. Thanks for sharing it with us Lina. Have a great Memorial Day Weekend. Great post.
I know this post is so last week, but I wanted to add, that all the really great agents are in our office and one in particular is my personal sell-mate. We do need to pay attention to each phase that the market is doing and know the signs - cheryl( I perfer "pending" and 'sold')willis