It seems in business, there are two approaches:
Those who are prepared and those who are not.
A commonly observed trait of peak performers?
Leave nothing to chance; always be prepared.
Anticipate, and prepare, the 6 key questions:
America’s happiest cities. Researchers for decades have studied the science of happiness and concluded that some of the key ingredients include: a positive mental state (a growth mindset); strong social connections; job satisfaction; health, and financial stability. One study suggests the incremental amount of happiness stops at around $75,000 of annual income.
WalletHub examined every state and 182 US cities using 30 criteria and created a list of the happiest cities.
The Top 5 Overall Result:
For Community The Top 5 Result:
Many factors affect our happiness, so the study included a panel of experts who commented on various aspects of happiness, like:
I’ve lived in 8 states (VA, CO, TX, KY, OH, MI, CA, and MN) and 10 cities, and what I’ve found? Grow where you are planted! Every city, state, and region has a history, a story and a community. As I recall, Abraham Lincoln said it best:
“You are as happy as you choose to be.”
Ever wonder why so many of us have to hit rock bottom before we find a breakthrough?
Let me explain… from working with others, I’ve discovered a pattern. Typically after a huge disappointment, the fear of failure disappears. When fear of failure disappears, taking a positive action becomes easier, yes!?
Once a major low is hit, the realization is that any action that is taken must lead to something better. Think about that for a moment… “any positive action taken leads to something better!” Make sense?
The Problem.
Waiting for a major breakdown to get to a breakthrough.
For the vast majority of folks I’ve worked with, the answer to the question, “why don’t you do what you have to do to get what you want?” Can be summarized in 5 dream killing words:
I don’t feel like it!
And that feeling stops you from taking positive action and keeps you from being consistent. It’s the one reason you’re not getting what you want. Your feelings overpower your commitment. Your feelings overpower your ability to take positive action.
The Solution.
Act opposite your feelings.
The story of Mario Lemieux:
There are many athletes who have played through or returned from life-threatening illnesses. Others have come back from debilitating injuries that would have forced mere mortals to give the game up.
And then there is Mario Lemieux, who not only suffered from Hodgkin’s lymphoma but also endured chronic back pain throughout his career.
With his puck-handling dexterity, long reach, and accurate shot, Lemieux won three Most Valuable Player awards in the NHL and six times was its leading scorer.
Lemieux is the only player to average more than two points a game (2.01). His goal-scoring percentage of .823 (613 goals in 745 games) is the best for players with 150 games.
I know there were many times Mario “didn’t feel like it” yet his commitment to his teammates, to his fans, and to himself was greater than his feelings.
When your commitments overpower your feelings, that’s when breakthroughs begin. That is worth repeating: “when you take action despite your feelings, that’s when your breakthrough begins.”
So who’s in charge, YOU or your feelings?
#WinTheDay
“The key is not to prioritize what’s on your schedule, but to schedule your priorities.” ~ Stephen Covey
Have you ever worked backward from Friday? At the end of the week, imagine you are sitting down and looking back…what would make this week great?
We can’t control the market this week, yet we can control the daily activities that lead to our expected outcomes.
I’m sure you would agree – without a doubt – we are in uncertain times. The paradox is this: we need both uncertainty and certainty in our business. Yet, from the conversations I’ve had this week, we have more uncertainty than certainty. How can we create more certainty?
Get Clear On What You Really Want.
You know this is really clear when your purpose resonates and moves you emotionally.
Make It Part Of Everyday!
Have a strategy for when you feel stuck or lost.
If you show up for the day with no structure in your calendar and decide to do “urgent” tasks like returning calls and texts and checking Facebook, those activities will expand and eat up all the time you hoped to devote to more “important” activities. You will end the day unfulfilled and have more uncertainty. Get clear on what you want, make it part of your everyday routine, and have a plan for when you feel stuck or lost. That is a winning formula.
The key is not to prioritize what’s on your schedule but to schedule your priorities.
1. I don’t have time
2. I don’t have the money
3. I will try it next year
4. I don’t have enough data
5. I am too tired, skeptical, or biased
6. No one ever did it before
7. It’s too much work
8. I could fail
9. I will wait until I retire
10. It’s too risky
You can bust through too. One of my associates told me all of these “excuses” are rooted in some sort of fear, so really the top 1% are masters of fear.
You cannot give someone something that you don’t already possess.
We all want others to believe in us, our ideas, and our services, yet as real estate professionals, to what degree do we believe in ourselves?
Nothing can demonstrate your confidence, commitments, and beliefs more clearly than your willingness and determination to persist despite resistance. It’s not always easy, but it is always possible.
Some of our most influential real estate coaches, like Tom Ferry, Brian Buffini, and other mentors and trainers, have exemplified and articulated the importance of persistence. You’ve likely been advised by me and others to “never give up and keep going.” Heck, even the Bible contains dozens of inspired verses encouraging us to be persistent in all areas of life.
So, why is it then that so many people fail to persist and even look down upon those who do when it pertains to sales?
Perhaps it’s because real estate sales persistence is often confused with sales pressure. In actuality, they are entirely different.
Sales pressure is communicating the same thing repeatedly regardless of the other person’s fears, worries, or concerns.
On the other hand, real estate sales persistence requires that you empathize, adjust, and move forward with a new approach, better message, and more value. After all, who better to serve and take care of them than you?
When It Matters
Persistence is not something that only applies to certain people, at certain times, under certain circumstances. The merits of being persistent apply universally.
Do you spend most of your time finding real estate deals or truly working to forge real estate deals? If the goal is to find enough people who will show up ready and do business right now, you operate in a tiny world. Expand your definition, and your possibilities expand as well.
By in large, people are naturally reluctant and not quick to act. The majority of our opportunities exist in creating interest, creating engagement, creating desire, and creating urgency.
When you are persistent, you take time out of the equation and communicate in a way that allows you to bring value, add value, and become a person of immense value.
Persistence communicates that you:
6 Habits of Highly Persistent People
Why It Matters
Persistence cannot be replaced. There is absolutely no substitute. Either you will lean in, stay with each opportunity, and figure it out – or you won’t.
Don’t sell yourself short. Just because someone didn’t agree to move forward right away at the first ask doesn’t mean you should throw in the towel and prematurely give up.
Ask yourself: What do I cost others when I don’t hang in there and get past peoples’ concerns? If it was important enough for you to start, it is important enough for you to follow through. When you are persistent, you communicate in a way that allows you to build connections and compel your customers to buy.
Persistence is needed because:
Sometimes people need to hear it another way. There are six emotional motives to do business: Profit or Gain; Fear of Missing Out; Comfort and Pleasure; Avoiding Pain; Love and Affection, and Pride or Prestige.
The right message delivered in the wrong way will not produce the result you are looking for. Without a doubt, until it feels right, it will never be right. Sometimes all it takes is reframing and repositioning your message with the correct language that hits home.
Sometimes people need more reasons to move forward. Every sale requires the buyer to sacrifice. Before moving forward, they need to feel good about what they are getting in exchange.
Sometimes all it takes is to stack on another level of value and effectively connect the dots to another reason to move forward. My friend Tom Ferry and I call this “stack the cool!” If you give someone a big enough reason to move, they will be impacted every time, but it must be their reason and not yours.
Sometimes people just really don’t know how to move forward. Whether it’s making sense of the time involved, making sense of the effort, it takes, making sense of the cost, or something else, there are times when people just don’t know how to move forward.
There are times people need accurate guidance. Showing the way is just as important as delivering the why. Sometimes all it takes is holding their hand and leading them through the next step.
Sometimes people just need more time to make sense of it all. We have all been there. We have all procrastinated or even wholly ignored an opportunity only to decide later that it all-of-a-sudden makes perfect sense. Sometimes customers just need more time to make sense of it, whether five minutes, five days, or five months. If asked at a different time, you can get a completely different response.
Persistence pays! I encourage you to adopt the six habits of highly persistent people to double down on your efforts and multiply your results.
Persistence, unlike pressure, always makes sense. You surely want others to believe in you, believe in your ideas, and believe in your offerings. Nothing can demonstrate your confidence, commitments, and beliefs more clearly than your willingness and determination to persist despite resistance. It is you and your efforts that make the difference.
It’s not always easy, but everything changes when you empathize, adjust, and move forward with a new approach, better message, and more value.
#WinTheDay
Near-death by a car accident, boot camp, Kilimanjaro Summit day, Hellmecula, Snowmageddon, Spartan Beast, crazy markets, and so much more.
Some things are just hard, and you want to quit.
I’ve made it through some tough situations with this one strategy: looking only a few steps, tasks or minutes ahead.
“Doing the next right thing.”
At certain times tunnel vision is a good thing.
Consider this – the next time getting through a challenge that seems like it might be too much for you. Lower your gaze to whatever the next minute, step, or task is right in front of you. Then take it.
There are times when big-picture thinking is needed. Yet the moments when you doubt you have the strength or the desire to put one foot in front of the other isn’t among them.
Do the next right thing.
Focused Time. The top 1% know that less is more! Say what?
Who would you imagine to be more productive—someone who works 55 hours a week or someone who works 70?
If you guessed the latter, you’d be incorrect. Research done by Stanford showed that productivity diminishes after 40 hours and falls off a cliff after 55 hours. In essence, less is more.
Resource? Life on The Wire by Todd Duncan – in his book Todd challenges the status quo in search of a better, smarter way to work and live.
#100DaysOfSuccess
When you are inconsistent, nothing works at the optimal level.
Here’s what I know: recruiters, talent attraction coordinators, team leaders, managers, and real estate sales professionals who consistently set and attend appointments are producing more results, period. These leaders are consistent and disciplined in their daily prospecting and marketing routines.
Consistency… social media does not work if you are not consistent; geographic farming does not work if you are not consistent; repeat and referral does not work if you are not consistent; open houses will not work if you are inconsistent; online leads – a waste – if you are not consistent; recruiting and talent attraction is a roller coaster without consistency.
Show me something in your business that works when you are inconsistent.
Anything you are going to do, the more consistent you are with your mindset, attitude, approach, expectation, strategy, and tactics, the more predictable the result.
Bottom line: when you are consistent, everything works… when you are inconsistent, nothing works.
So my question is, what have you been inconsistent with?
What has that inconsistency cost you financially, emotionally, or physically?
I’d submit that the action we can all take is to be more consistent in creating, setting, and attending more new appointments.
We cannot control the market.
We can control ourselves, our thoughts, and our actions.
Next Steps:
#WinTheDay
“In the end, someone or something always gives up. Either you give up and quit, or the obstacle or failure gives up and makes way for your success to come through.”
~ Idowu Koyenikan
Stop and reflect for a moment. How would your business be impacted if you went on at least one or more new appointments each workday?
Here’s what I know: sales professionals who – embrace the three realities – are setting and going on new APPOINTMENTS are PRODUCING, period. Those that are consistent and disciplined in their daily routines win the day.
Consider this:
• We CANNOT control the market.
• We CANNOT control what others think.
• We CAN control our business process.
• We CAN control our thoughts, behaviors, and routines.
So, why are some sales professionals succeeding wildly today while other agents are getting out of the business?
What separates those who are still making sales from those who are not?
What is the key to succeeding in this market, or any market for that matter?
What are your beliefs about growing your business? Are you fighting ANT’s – Automatic Negative Thoughts?
This posting intends to give you specific ideas and techniques that will lead to a breakthrough in the number of appointments you set. Let’s begin by defining an appointment, and then we will look at seven ways to set an appointment a day.
What is an Appointment?
APPOINTMENTS are any meetings that will positively impact your business. Specifically:
• Sitting face-to-face with a motivated seller (listing presentation)
• Working with a buyer who wants to buy
• Previewing a motivated For Sale By Owner property
• A face-to-face meeting with a Past Client, a Center of Influence, or anyone who can refer you to business
• Meeting with potential investor clients or directors of HR involved in executive moves
Again, I’ll ask how your business would be impacted if you went on at least one appointment each workday?
How would that feel?
Check out these 7 steps that can inspire you to create an appointment-setting breakthrough:
1. Focus Daily on Setting Appointments
Some agents focus on the amount of time they engage in lead generation each day. Some focus on the number of people they contact daily, and some focus on the number of leads they generate.
Top producers focus on the following:
• Setting great appointments
• Getting contracts signed
2. Create A Definition of an Appointment that Serves You
If your definition of an appointment is something like, “I only meet with sellers who will list with me today at 2:00 P.M. for 25% under fair market value and 9% commission,” you will likely find yourself with an empty appointment book!
If you want a full appointment book, create a definition of an appointment that serves you.
3. Affirm That You Set Appointments Daily
Affirm that you will set an appointment each day. Say this simple affirmation constantly throughout the day:
“I set one or more NEW appointments each day!!”
Consider this easy exercise and watch how it can positively affect your mindset and results. What is measured and reported improves.
4. Carry Your Best leads with You At All Times
One way to do this is to put your best leads on 3×5 index cards and carry them with you all day long. Even in a mobile world, a top 1% producer – because she is in the car all day – uses a paper form! Or enter them into your Smart Phones note or reminder app. Or use a CRM with mobile capability. Have a system as we know a system will produce what a system will produce, nothing less, nothing more.
What does your current system produce?
The key is to call your leads constantly throughout the day. Consider calling your leads three separate times each day to increase the probability of reaching them and setting an appointment. Call them first thing in the morning, try it again around lunchtime do your last attempt at the end of the day. You cannot overcall your leads. Consider using a tool like REAL CONTACT or VERSE.IO to streamline your process.
5. Know Your Automatic Shot
Your “automatic shot” is the source of business you know you can count on if you really need a deal. We all have areas where we excel over others, and we all have sources that are particularly favorable for us, and you must know what it is for you.
Ask yourself this question: “If you absolutely had to set an appointment today, who would you call?” The answer to this question will define who or what your automatic shot is. Make sure to take your automatic shot every day!
6. Learn A Few Basic Closings to Improve Your Confidence
Skills and confidence are critical in this market. Be surrounded by like-minded professionals that invest the time in learning the scripts and objection handlers necessary to confidently set appointments with ease. Let’s work to enhance your closing and objection-handling skills so you can add one appointment each and day or, at minimum, every week.
7. Be Unattached to How and Where Your Next Appointment Comes From
The key here is to remain focused on the fact that you intend to set at least one appointment each day. Once your intention is set, simply go about your business, follow your schedule, and do your lead generation and conversion.
So, there are seven ways to set at least one appointment daily. I want to encourage you to shift your focus and energy now.
“If I Am Always Shaking The Tree, An Apple Will Fall Somewhere!”
Focus on:
1 – Finding your next appointment,
2 – Going to another appointment and
3 – Servicing your existing clients at the highest level.
Your ACTION STEPS:
√ Make an appointment goal for the next two weeks and share it with an accountability partner.
√ Gather all your past leads, open house registers, and people you know and start making appointments to meet – ask for tips on people they may know who need to buy or sell. Use tools like – VERSE.IO – to streamline the follow-up nurturing process.
√ Consider creating a small appointment-setting mastermind group that meets in your office weekly. Roleplay objections, practice your listing presentation, and critique each other; practice answering a buyer who asks: “Why should I use you?”
√ Once you have the appointment, consider what I learned from Jeff Bezos, CEO, and founder of Amazon:
“We don’t make money when we make a sale; we make money when we help someone make a purchase decision.”
