There are NO traffic jams on the EXTRA mile.
All green lights, my friends!

There are NO traffic jams on the EXTRA mile.
All green lights, my friends!
In our fast-paced lives, productivity is a precious commodity. We all strive to make the most of our time, but what if I told you that the traditional concept of time management might not be the key to success? Let’s explore the paradigm shift from time management to activity management and how it can transform your results.
Todd Duncan, a business colleague and renowned “High Trust Selling and Productivity” expert, has been advocating for a different approach. His book “Life on the Wire” delves into the nuances of achieving more by focusing on the right activities. Let’s explore his insights.
Activity Management: The New Frontier
Time Management vs. Activity Management:
Understanding the Traffic Lights:
My colleague and client Cathy pointed out to me that light is Energy! Where the focus goes, the energy flows.
Todd also draws an analogy between light and energy. Just as light powers our world, productive activities fuel our success.
Reflecting on Your Week
Action Steps
Conclusion
As Todd Duncan wisely puts it, “Activity management is about doing the right things at the right time.” So, let’s shift gears, embrace the green light, and watch our productivity soar!
Marketing Your Real Estate Practice
Let’s face it: your real estate sales and service business is a commodity. So, how do you stand out?
First, understand that selling a service is much different than selling a product. Some examples?
The Marketing Mix (4 Ps):
Customer Involvement:
Intangibility:
Marketing Strategies for Commodity Real Estate Sales
Deliver Consistent Quality
Even in a commodity market, consistency matters.
Diversify Your Expertise
Consider these strategies:
Customization
Personalization is key. Tailor your services to individual customer needs:
Enhance Customer Experience
Exceptional customer experience turns clients into advocates:
These are just a few ideas to consider. Remember, your unique approach and dedication to the client experience will set you apart in the competitive real estate market.
Collaboration and Networking
In the ever-evolving real estate sales and service world, collaboration and networking have become essential tools for success. Let’s explore how real estate professionals can harness these strategies to thrive in their careers:
The Power of Collaboration
Home Stagers and Agents
Collaboration between home stagers and real estate agents is a dynamic partnership. Here’s why it matters:
Builders and Stagers
One of the agents that aligned with us in Texas always marketed her listing like a new home builder would. And in her market, that made a lot of sense as re-sales frequently compete with the builder’s latest addition. Builders and home stagers also collaborate to showcase model homes effectively:
Networking
Real Estate Agents and Loan Officers
The Art of Networking
The Future: Collaborative Success
As the real estate landscape evolves, collaboration and networking remain pivotal. Embrace these strategies, connect with fellow professionals, and thrive in this dynamic industry.
Success isn’t a solo journey—it’s a collaborative adventure!
The Power of Collaboration
Ask A Better Question
The power of questions is the basis of all human progress. ~ Indira Gandhi
As you read this, how many days remain in the year? My business partner and I are going through this exercise next week for our business and our personal life.
Maximizing the time you have remaining this year starts with five quality questions.
Five Quality Questions:
There you have it – five quality questions – that will help you close this year or any year stronger.
What’s your answer? What’s your next step?
Building Resilience! Let’s start with a few examples:
Helen’s Unwavering Vision
Helen Keller, despite being blind and deaf, refused to be defined by her disabilities. Through sheer determination, she learned to communicate and became an influential author, educator, and activist. Her journey from isolation to empowerment inspires countless individuals facing their own challenges today. As real estate agents, we can learn from Helen’s unwavering vision—seeing beyond obstacles and focusing on possibilities.
“The only thing worse than being blind is having sight but no vision.” — Helen Keller
Nelson’s Unbreakable Spirit
Nelson Mandela, the anti-apartheid leader, endured 27 years of imprisonment for his activism. Despite attempts to silence him, Mandela’s spirit remained unbreakable. His release marked a pivotal moment in South Africa’s fight against apartheid. As agents, we can draw strength from his words:
“Do not judge me by my successes, judge me by how many times I fell down and got back up again.” — Nelson Mandela
Marie’s Fearless Pursuit
Marie Curie, the first woman to receive a Nobel Prize, revolutionized science. Born in challenging circumstances, she fearlessly pursued knowledge, shattering gender barriers. Her dedication inspires us to overcome obstacles and leave our mark on the industry:
“You cannot hope to build a better world without improving the individuals.” — Marie Curie
Abraham’s Journey from Poverty to Presidency
Abraham Lincoln, the 16th President of the United States, emerged from poverty. His resilience and determination led him to the highest office in the land. As agents, we can learn from his journey:
“I will prepare, and someday my chance will come.” — Abraham Lincoln
Modern-Day Agents: Perseverance in the Real Estate Market
Let’s shift our focus to contemporary agents like you. These stories highlight resilience in our industry:
Key Takeaways for Real Estate Agents
Resilience isn’t about avoiding challenges—it’s about thriving despite them. As real estate professionals, we can draw inspiration from these stories and build our own resilience.
In today’s dynamic real estate landscape, market trends are constantly evolving. As a real estate agent, staying ahead of these trends is crucial to maintaining a competitive edge and providing exceptional service to your clients.
Be bold, be different, stand out from the rest
Let’s explore how you can adapt to shifting market dynamics:
Embrace The Virtual
Virtual tours have become a game-changer in the real estate industry. With advancements in technology, buyers now expect immersive experiences before physically visiting a property. How can you go beyond and above and stand out?
Social Media Marketing Skills
Social media is a powerful tool for real estate agents. It allows you to reach a broader audience, build your brand, and connect with potential clients. Consider these strategies:
Personalized Client Experiences
In an era of automation, personalized interactions set you apart. Here’s how to enhance client experiences:
Stay Agile and Adaptable
Market trends can shift rapidly. Be prepared to adapt:
Adapting to changing trends isn’t just about survival—it’s about thriving in a competitive market. By embracing innovation, staying informed, and putting your clients first, you’ll position yourself as a trusted real estate advisor.
Be bold, be different, stand out from the rest.
The real estate industry can sometimes feel like a crowded room, with agents jostling for the attention of new listings and open houses. But fear not! Even in a saturated market, there are ways to rise above the noise and carve out your unique niche.
In a crowded market, differentiation is your superpower.
This blog post will explore some strategies to differentiate and thrive.
Craft Your Personal Brand: Your personal brand is your secret weapon. It’s what sets you apart from other agents.
Define Your Unique Selling Proposition (USP): What makes you different? Maybe you specialize in historic homes, eco-friendly properties, or luxury condos. Identify your USP and weave it into your brand.
Tell Your Story: Share your journey, experiences, and passion for real estate. People connect with stories, so use yours to create an emotional bond with potential clients. One of my real estate sales coaching clients personally experienced a home foreclosure in the past – he uses his story – to relate to others in similar circumstances.
Leverage Technology Creatively: Technology is about more than just posting listings online. Get creative:
Collaborate and Network: In a crowded market, collaboration is key.
Client-Centric Approach: Your clients are your best advocates.
Success Stories: Agents Who Nailed It: Let’s meet some agents who turned the saturated market into their playground:
Be yourself vs. trying to be like someone else. Let your passion and interest drive your client base.
In a crowded market, differentiation is your superpower.
Craft your brand, embrace technology, collaborate, prioritize clients, and learn from success stories. Remember, even in a room full of agents, you can shine bright, which is how you win the day!
We’re halfway through the year, and I’m curious: how are your New Year’s resolutions holding up?
Here’s a quick question for you to consider:
“Do you prefer the pain of discipline or regret?”
Research shows that we regret those things we have not done MORE than we do the things we have done. Can you relate?
What I’ve experienced personally and observed in others is that procrastination blocks us from creating the business and life we want to the fullest. You already know that we procrastinate because taking action can cause us a certain amount of “pain, a certain amount of discomfort.”
Coaching clients have shared with me the following:
“I avoid undertaking certain tasks because of the risk of shame, vulnerability, or failure.”
Taking action means we might be making a mistake, or we might fail. Let’s face it, it’s easier to not take action and avoid the pain of looking less than perfect. Thus, many instinctively retreat to their comfort zone and miss creating their ideal business. In trying to protect ourselves from failure, erecting our own barriers to success is easier. Can you relate? If you’ve ever been in this place – as I have – how do you get out?
Psychologists call this a strategy of self-sabotaging. Research shows that we protect our sense of self-competence by creating impediments that make success less likely. And believe it or not, we as humans tend to do this more when the stakes are the highest.
So how do we procrastinate less and take action more?
Practice… practice taking action faster and more often. Get an accountability partner and join a mastermind group. By taking more small steps that lead to more significant steps, you’ll build the “take action muscle.” By creating an accountability partner and mastermind group, you’ll have others who can help you discern what is an excuse and what’s not.
Consider these 5 action steps:
So, I’ll ask again: Do you prefer the pain of discipline or the pain of regret? The choice is yours.
John D. Rockefeller, the founder of Standard Oil, left an indelible mark on business history. His disciplined approach to management and leadership principles inspired Verne Harnish to outline the “Rockefeller Habits.” These habits, originally embraced by Rockefeller himself, can transform your business. Whether you lead a team of 1 or 500, implementing these habits can create a winning “operating system” for your organization.
The 10 Rockefeller Habits
Implementing the Rockefeller Habits isn’t just about business growth; it’s about creating a thriving culture. Embrace these habits, adapt them to your context, and watch your organization flourish. Remember, it’s not the size of your team that matters—it’s the commitment to excellence that defines success.
Mark, are there other management operating systems to consider? Fore sure, many of the clients I work with our 4DX or EOS shops. It’s really up to which process resonates the most with you and your team. Pick your system and get started – remember a system will produce what a system will produce, nothing less and nothing more!
Not happy with your results? Be HARDER on the system.