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!
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
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!
I was just reading a research study indicating that 95% of workers want to or plan to seek a new job in 2024! For real estate brokers, this is a two-edged sword… in one way, it opens up opportunities for recruiting and talent attraction. In another way, it’s a watch out for our own staff and agents.
My good friend and colleague Steve Murray from REALTrends did a study in the last downturn – 2008 to 2012 – and found 15 companies that grew substantially during that downturn. He found ONE common trend. It was:
“They got closer to their people. No matter how close or connected they thought they were, they were intentional about getting even closer. More connected. More relevant.”
Retention: how can you get closer to your organization?
Talent Attraction: what events or activities can you do to get closer to your own organization and invite others to experience your culture?
Recruiting: who do you (or your team) need to get closer with to see what’s possible?
One way is our TCF+ methodology:
# of Weekly Intentional Touches:
# of Weekly Conversations:
# of Weekly F2F Appointments Scheduled:
# of Weekly Database Additions:
# of Weekly Referrals you earned from your Agents and Outside Influencers:
# of Weekly DRIS (Data, Recognition, Insight, and Stories) follow-ups you sent:
What is measured improves.
For those in the program, I’d love to hear your success stories and your numbers for the week.
For those not in the program, let’s chat about what’s possible.
For all of us, 2024 is the year to Build Back Stronger. January will not TEXT you back…
A trend we all need to pay attention to… have you adjusted your marketing?
A recent study from LendingTree shows that single women own 2.7 million more homes than their male counterparts, with roughly 13% of those women holding the titles to their homes, compared to 10% of men.
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Single women who live by themselves are more likely than single men who live by themselves to own a home in 47 of 50 states.
The ONE Thing is a great book by Gary Keller. It got me thinking: what is the one thing you can execute over the next 7, 14, or 28 days?
Have you heard the story of Olympic ice skaters? It goes something like this… skaters training for the Olympics were monitored during routine practice sessions. On the ice without “supervision” athletes performed about 80 routines in 1 hour. Then, the coach came on the ice with a whiteboard, asked the athletes to document their routines, and monitored the session… routines increased from 80 to 100 in the same amount of time.
I’m often asked why I prefer group fitness classes over working out on my own… well the answer is above. Who’s going to push you more, yourself or your trainer?
In business, do you resist tracking and measuring your numbers? When performance is tracked and measured, performance improves… when performance is tracked, measured, and reported to someone, it EXPONENTIALLY improves.
So what’s the ONE thing? Increase your level of accountability.
