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Unlocking Resilience: Navigating Challenges Toward Progress

In the game of real estate leadership and sales, resilience and mental toughness are key players.

When obstacles arise, our performance hinges on the quality of our preparation and training. But how do we cultivate resilience? By understanding the factors that can steal it away, we empower ourselves to navigate the journey from chasing perfection to creating progress.

Here are seven ways individuals inadvertently rob themselves of resilience:

1. Ignoring Emotional Signals: Leaders sometimes miss the mark by dismissing their emotional cues. Instead of suppressing feelings, we can embrace the “accept, reflect, and redirect” model, allowing emotions to guide us.

2. Avoiding Self-Reflection: Neglecting introspection limits our ability to manage stress and adversity effectively. Self-reflection helps us uncover triggers and develop coping strategies.

3. Seeking Quick Fixes: Resilience isn’t a one-time fix; it’s a continuous practice. Avoid distractions and invest in the necessary work of building adaptive mechanisms.

4. Isolating: During tough times, leaders may withdraw from support networks. Connecting with others provides valuable perspectives and bolsters resilience.

5. Neglecting Self-Care: Prioritizing physical, mental, and emotional well-being is essential. Neglecting self-care leads to burnout and compromises our ability to bounce back.

6. Ruminating on Failures: Dwelling on past setbacks without extracting lessons hinders resilience. Break the cycle of self-doubt and negativity.

7. Resisting Change: A fixed mindset impedes resilience. Embrace adaptability and navigate change with confidence.

So, a few questions to consider:

  1. Which one of these habits do you (your agents, your clients) fall into?
  2. What do you get from doing that (reward)?
  3. What’s this habit costing you?
  4. What would it mean to you to change that habit?
  5. What’s a better habit you could do instead?
  6. Accept, reflect, and redirect.

Resilience isn’t about perfection—it’s about progress.

Let’s play this game well.

By design or by default
By design vs. by default

Two Thoughts For Today

Two thoughts today… there is a large tree near my office window that provides some great shade.

“Because someone planted a tree many years ago, someone is sitting in the shade today.”

The other thought after speaking with a number of colleagues this week?

You can’t plow a field by turning it over in your head:

“It takes the same amount of energy to believe as it does to worry.”

The winners are the doers.

Control the controllable to win the day.

Control the Controllable
Control the Controllable

Is “I Don’t Feel Like It” Cracking Your Real Estate Business

Remember that small chip in your windshield that you kept putting off? It eventually spread into a major crack, costing you far more to repair than if you’d addressed it immediately. The same principle applies to your real estate business. Small, unattended issues can quickly escalate, especially in a challenging market.

Think of today’s market as a rough, pothole-filled road. If you’re not paying attention, small cracks in your business foundation can widen. For real estate agents, these cracks might look like:

  • Not knowing where your next lead is coming from.
  • Lacking systems to handle new business while still generating more.
  • Feeling overwhelmed by administrative tasks.
  • Struggling to maintain motivation.

These seemingly minor issues can lead to a bigger problem: the dreaded “I don’t feel like it” mentality. This feeling—this resistance to doing the work—is the universal dream killer. It stops more people from achieving their goals than any other excuse.

But you can overcome this. You can choose a different path.

Here’s a two-step strategy to overcome “I don’t feel like it” and keep your business on track:

Step 1: Acknowledge and Reframe.

It’s okay to not feel motivated sometimes. Don’t beat yourself up about it. Instead, acknowledge the feeling without letting it control you. Think of it like this: You can’t stop birds from flying over your head, but you can stop them from building a nest in your hair.

Here’s how to reframe: Instead of saying “I don’t feel like making calls today,” acknowledge the feeling (“I’m feeling a bit resistant to making calls right now”) and then add a reframe: “…but I’m going to make just five calls to get started.”

Step 2: Take One Small Action.

Momentum is built through action, not motivation. You don’t need to feel like it to start. In fact, often, the feeling of motivation comes after you’ve taken the first step.

Here are some examples of small actions you can take:

  • Lead Generation: Make just five calls, send three emails, or post one engaging social media update.
  • Client Follow-up: Send a quick text to a past client or schedule a coffee meeting with a potential referral source.
  • Skill Development: Spend 15 minutes reviewing market data or practicing a new script.
  • Organization: Clear your desk, organize your files, or update your CRM.

By focusing on one small, manageable action, you break the cycle of procrastination and build momentum. Once you start, you’ll often find it easier to keep going.

The Bottom Line:

You are in charge of your business, not your feelings. Don’t let “I don’t feel like it” derail your dreams. Acknowledge the feeling, reframe it, take one small action, and watch your business thrive. And that is how we win the day.

The winners are the doers.

Accept, reflect, and redirect.
Accept, reflect, and redirect.

Small Shifts Magnify Outcomes

I’ve been reflecting on some recent coaching conversations and how the concept of vectors and the “1 in 60 Rule” can apply to entrepreneurial journeys.

In mathematics and physics, a vector has both magnitude and direction. It’s a useful way to think about how a small change in direction can have a significant impact over distance. The “1 in 60 Rule,” often used in aviation, perfectly illustrates this: a one-degree error in heading translates to a one-mile deviation from the intended path after traveling 60 miles. That same one-degree error over a longer distance, like a flight from New York to Los Angeles, could mean the difference between landing at LAX and being 35 nautical miles south at SNA.

This principle resonates strongly with the entrepreneurs I work with. Often, they approach me feeling overwhelmed and burned out, grappling with a seemingly insurmountable challenge. However, more often than not, the solution isn’t a complete overhaul. It’s about identifying those small, one-degree course corrections that, compounded over time, can lead to dramatic improvements.

As Darren Hardy wisely said, “The secret of your success is found in your daily routine.” The compound effect is a powerful force, and it works both ways. Small, positive changes, consistently applied, can lead to remarkable results. Conversely, small, negative deviations can accumulate and derail even the most promising ventures.

So, the question I pose to entrepreneurs, and to anyone striving for success, is: What 1% course correction can you make today? What seemingly minor adjustment to your routine or strategy could, over time, steer you significantly closer to your goals?

Win The Day

1 in 60 Rule
1 in 60 Rule

 

Four Critical Dimensions: Reassurance, Transparency, Simplicity and Speed

Your prospects and clients prioritize four critical dimensions during their home-buying experience:

  1. Reassurance: Having helpful, knowledgeable, and accessible resources and staff who can confidently guide and support customer decisions. Reassuring they have made the right decision along the way, is a critical skill.
  1. Transparency: Being open and straightforward about policies, pricing, and processes.
  1. Simplicity: Streamlining the home selling or home buying journey to make it straightforward and easier to navigate.
  1. Speed: Efficiently handling the process to minimize delays and waiting times.

 

“There’s no shortage of remarkable ideas, what’s missing is the will to execute them.”

~Seth Godin

 

Let’s dig into each of these dimensions a little deeper:

  1. Reassurance:
    • Importance: Reassurance is paramount for customers. They seek confidence in their decisions, especially when making a significant investment like buying a home.
    • Your Role: Sales and support staff must be helpful, knowledgeable, and accessible. They must instill trust by providing accurate information, addressing concerns, and guiding clients through the process.
    • Customer Benefits: Reassured customers are more likely to proceed with the purchase, leading to successful transactions.
  1. Transparency:
    • Importance: Customers value honesty and transparency. They want to understand policies, pricing, and processes without hidden surprises.
    • Clear Communication: Salespeople and support staff should openly discuss all aspects, including costs, fees, and potential challenges. Transparency builds trust and reduces anxiety.
    • Avoid Jargon: Simplify complex terms and ensure clients comprehend every step. Transparent communication fosters positive relationships.
  1. Simplicity:
    • Importance: The home selling and buying process can be overwhelming. Customers appreciate simplicity and ease of navigation.
    • Streamlined Processes: Salespeople and support staff should simplify paperwork, explain steps clearly, and minimize bureaucracy. A straightforward process reduces stress for buyers.
    • User-Friendly Tools: Introduce digital tools that simplify document submission, approvals, and communication. A user-friendly experience enhances satisfaction.
  1. Speed:
    • Importance: Delays frustrate customers. Speedy processes are crucial. Some delays can’t be avoided, and this is when communication, transparency and reassurance merge.
    • Efficient Handling: Salespeople and support staff should expedite paperwork, inspections, and approvals. Timeliness demonstrates professionalism.
    • Manage Expectations: Communicate realistic timelines and proactively address delays. Clients appreciate transparency even when things take longer.

Customers weigh these dimensions almost equally, with a slight edge given to reassurance.

By prioritizing these aspects, real estate sales professionals and their support teams can create a positive and memorable home-buying experience for their clients.

Doing the right thing is always the right thing.
Doing the right thing is always the right thing.

Remember the Alamo!

The Alamo: A Story of Courage and Sacrifice

As the sun sets in one place, it rises in another. But for the defenders of the Alamo, the sun never rose again. They fought bravely against overwhelming odds, knowing they would not survive. They left behind a legacy of courage and honor that inspires us to this day.

On March 6th, 1836, the 13-day siege and battle of the Alamo came to an end. The Mexican army stormed the fort and killed almost all of the defenders. Among them were famous figures like David Crockett, James Bowie, and William B. Travis, who wrote these immortal words: “I shall never surrender or retreat.” But they were not alone. About 200 other men joined them in the fight, and only 15 lived to tell the tale.

Every year, at dawn on March 6th, a ceremony commemorates the fallen heroes of the Alamo. We remember their names, their faces, and their stories. We honor their sacrifice and their spirit. Remember the Alamo.

How do you handle defeat? My strategy? Accept. Reflect, then redirect!

Accept, reflect, and redirect.
Accept, reflect, and redirect.

Ten Excuses The Top 1% All Made

Ten excuses the top 1% all made, yet figured out a way to bust through:

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 _____
10. It’s too risky

Bust through too…

 

What if?
What if?

 

The Power of Words: Shaping Our Reality and Overcoming Obstacles

While actions are crucial, the words we use—both to ourselves and others—have immense power. They shape our thoughts, influence our emotions, and ultimately drive our actions. Even the smallest words can have a profound impact, bringing joy or inflicting pain.

Consider the resilience of Abraham Lincoln. Over his lifetime, he faced a relentless series of setbacks: business failures, electoral defeats, personal tragedies, and even a nervous breakdown. Yet, he persevered.

Forced from his home as a child, burdened by debt after a failed business venture, and heartbroken by the loss of his fiancée, Lincoln faced adversity at every turn. He lost numerous elections, suffered a debilitating nervous breakdown, and yet, he never gave up. He ultimately rose to become President of the United States.

Imagine applying this powerful mantra to each of Lincoln’s challenges: “Because of this, something good will happen.” This simple phrase reframes adversity, suggesting that even in the darkest moments, there is potential for growth and positive outcomes.

The Power of Support:

We often hear that we can achieve anything we set our minds to, but the truth is, we rarely achieve great things alone. “You cannot change yourself by yourself.” This six-word truth highlights the importance of support and accountability. Whether it’s overcoming addiction, improving fitness, mastering a skill, or building a business, seeking guidance and support is essential. This could mean joining a support group, hiring a coach or trainer, or finding a mentor. Discipline requires accountability, and having someone to hold us accountable significantly increases our chances of success.

Conquering the “I Don’t Feel Like It” Trap:

One of the greatest dream killers is the simple phrase: “I don’t feel like it.” How often has this thought derailed your plans? The key is to recognize that feelings are not prerequisites for action. Instead of succumbing to this feeling, choose to act despite it. Replace “I don’t feel like it” with “I’ll do it anyway.”

Remember: feeling like it is not a prerequisite for doing it.

Becoming an ANTeater (Automatic Negative Thought Eater):

To conquer negative thoughts, become an “ANTeater.” This means actively challenging and reframing automatic negative thoughts. When you catch yourself thinking negatively, ask yourself:

  • Is this thought truly helpful?
  • Is there another way to look at this situation?
  • What action can I take, regardless of how I feel?

By consistently challenging negative thoughts and choosing action over inaction, you take control of your mindset and pave the way for success. And that is how we win the day!

What You Say Matters
What You Say Matters