Leaders make one thing more than any other: decisions.
Every environment has constraints, and the decisions about how time and resources are allocated – about what to do next – drive all outcomes.
How do leaders decide what’s next? Is it based on urgency, proximity, or values? It’s a mix of each, yet the top 1% make more value-based decisions.
The top 1% know the first in + first out approach is not an effective strategy; it’s typically an excuse or by default. Even worse: defaulting to the squeaky wheel strategy. Leaders minimize the whirlwind. By design vs. by default.
By design vs. by default
PS: Need help with talent attraction, selection, or sourcing accountability? Just a DM away.
Jennifer Love Hewitt turns 44, and Corbin Blue 34. The job market is booming. Inflation is falling. Yet, if you asked your neighbor, the news about eggs and housing might get in the way… is it a real estate seller’s market?
Sellers are hard to find…
Active inventory for sale fell 1.5% this week
Nearly 6% fewer homes went pending this week
Mortgage rates ticked up to nearly 6.3% from 6.1%
The percentage of listings that have executed a price cut has dropped nearly 24%
Bottom line: buyers have fewer choices
Check out the latest stats in your area – click here – and if you need a local area expert, I know a few around the country.
If information was enough, we would all be top performers in our profession, exercise every day, eat more vegetables, be within the government’s height and weight standards, and have a ton of money saved for the future.
Think about it: you can use Google or YouTube for the instruction manual for almost anything. You can access a step-by-step guide, the best practices, and the quick start guide. So, I have a straightforward question – with access to all this information and proven evidence – why do we still struggle with limiting beliefs and behaviors?
The answer? Our feelings outweigh our commitments. When our commitments outweigh our feelings, that’s when a breakthrough begins.
The five words that kill more dreams, more potential, and more happiness than any other five words spoken are:
“I don’t feel like it.”
I’m not sure of your dream, yet I suspect that for many of you, it’s more financial freedom, better health, stronger relationships, and more connectedness with your community. Yet let’s face it, so many times when you are about to start something toward those dreams, the onslaught of excuses flood your mind like water gushing out of a broken pipe. The theme of these excuses always traces back to the same root:
“I don’t feel like it.”
How often have you said, “I don’t feel like it?” How often have you listened to that thought, allowing it to alter the course of your actions? What has that cost you physically, financially, and emotionally?
What if you could make a different choice?
I know that “I don’t feel like it” is the universal human condition that silently kills dreams. Yet you and I don’t have to accept this dream killer, and we can overcome the feeling and move powerfully toward our goals and objectives. It starts with intention: the intention to live on your terms, not the terms of your moods and feelings.
When our commitments outweigh our feelings, that’s when a breakthrough begins.
Sports psychologist Bob Rotella, said “I tell people: If you don’t want to get into positive thinking, that’s OK. Just eliminate all the negative thoughts from your mind, and whatever is left will be just fine!”
Maxwell provides 6 steps to expanding our possibility thinking:
As you know, Steve Jobs was an American entrepreneur and business magnate. He was the Chairman, Chief Executive Officer (CEO), and a co-founder of Apple Inc., Chairman and majority shareholder of Pixar, a member of The Walt Disney Company’s board of directors following its acquisition of Pixar, and the Founder, Chairman, and CEO of NeXT. Jobs is widely recognized as a pioneer of the microcomputer revolution.
What can we learn from Steve that applies to leading our real estate practice? Plenty, read on:
When Steve was 17, he read a quote like, “If you live each day as if it was your last, someday you’ll most certainly be right.” It made an impression on him, and since then, for the past 33 years of his life, he looked in the mirror every morning and asked himself, “If today were the last day of my life, would I want to do what I am about to do today?” And whenever the answer has been “No” for too many days in a row, he knew he needed to change something.
Remembering that you’ll be dead soon is the most important tool Steve Jobs ever encountered to help him make the big choices in life. Because almost everything — all external expectations, all pride, all fear of embarrassment or failure — these things fall away in the face of death, leaving only what is truly important. Remembering that you will die is the best way to avoid the trap of thinking you have something to lose. You are already naked, and there is no reason not to follow your heart.
No one wants to die. Even people who – like me – want to go to heaven don’t want to die to get there. And yet death is the destination we all share. Our time – your time – is limited.
Dare to follow your heart and intuition. They somehow already know what you truly want to become. Everything else is secondary.
So What’s Holding You Back?
What Action Have You Been Putting Off?
What’s The One Thing You Know, If You Took Action Today, Would Make A Positive Impact?
Do that today, do it NOW as if today was your last.
#WinTheDay
PS: Looking to increase your real estate team or office recruiting game? Book a demo to find out how we can 5X your ROI.
From music to fashion, hip-hop is a hotbed of entrepreneurial activity. The Wu-Tang Clan’s rise to fame is a particularly compelling story of how a group of young men with a clear vision and diverse talents took the world by storm. Their success offers valuable lessons applicable to any business or project.
Here are six key takeaways:
Collaboration: Strength in Numbers: The Wu-Tang Clan’s strength lay in its diverse roster of individual artists. This collaborative approach allowed them to reach a wider audience and explore different styles. They collaborated with artists across genres, like jazz musician Robert Glasper, demonstrating the power of reaching beyond traditional boundaries. This principle applies to any business. Consider strategic partnerships and collaborations to expand your reach and offer more value to your clients.
Quality over Speed: The Wu-Tang Clan prioritized quality in their music, creating timeless albums that continue to resonate with fans. In any business, focusing on delivering high-quality products or services is essential for long-term success. Don’t rush the process; invest the time and effort needed to create something truly valuable.
Simplicity: Clarity and Impact: Wu-Tang’s music, while complex in its layers, often conveyed direct and impactful messages. In business, clear and concise communication is key. Avoid jargon and focus on delivering your message in a way that resonates with your target audience.
Boldness: Taking Calculated Risks: The Wu-Tang Clan wasn’t afraid to be different and take risks. This boldness helped them stand out in a crowded industry. In business, calculated risks are often necessary for growth. Don’t be afraid to try new strategies and push the boundaries of what’s possible.
Versatility: Expanding Your Reach: The Wu-Tang Clan expanded beyond music, creating their own record label, Ruff Ryders Entertainment, and venturing into other business ventures. This versatility allowed them to diversify their income streams and build a stronger brand. Consider how you can expand your business offerings and reach new markets.
Creative Thinking: Innovation and Adaptation: The Wu-Tang Clan’s innovative approach to music and business demonstrated the power of creative thinking. They weren’t bound by traditional methods, which allowed them to forge their own path. In today’s rapidly changing business environment, creative thinking is essential for staying ahead of the curve and adapting to new challenges.
The Wu-Tang Clan’s success story is a testament to the power of these six principles. By applying them to your own business, you can increase your chances of achieving your goals and making a lasting impact. And that is how we win the day!
There’s nothing more rewarding than seeing your hard work pay off.
Resistance is like a Jedi mind trick. It’s not really there, but it feels like it is. And the more you think about it, the more powerful it becomes.
New goals are likely to fall apart before February ends. That’s according to data from Strava, a social network for athletes. The company analyzed more than 31.5 million fitness records from its users and found that our annual commitments start crumbling in the middle of January. Strava’s research only draws from its own user base, so it could be skewed, yet a frequently cited study from the Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment produced similar findings:
Only 55 percent of participants stuck to their resolutions for a full month.
Yet don’t let the data discourage you.
Resistance is normal. You’re likely to experience it at some level when trying to change, regardless of how positive your intended change is. Try not to fight resistance; instead – accept – that it will happen. By recognizing resistance and understanding why it happens, you can focus your energy on making positive changes stick for the long term.
And by spending a little time thinking about the potential obstacles, roadblocks, and impediments you may encounter during the change process, you can reduce your resistance levels and increase your chances of success — and overcome resistance.
“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
Step one is getting back in touch with the reason you started the change, resolution, goal, or process to begin with. Review these four questions:
What will happen if I do change?
What will happen if I don’t change?
What won’t happen if I change?
What won’t happen if I don’t change?
Step two, no judgments! Once you’ve identified the reason for your resistance (typically fear of something) – the root cause of your frustration – you can look for a way to meet the needs of your resistance while not allowing it to prevent achieving your goals. Like taking a 10-minute break, then returning back to the task – a pattern interrupt.
Step three is to act opposite to your feelings. Of course, if you don’t feel like making your sales calls, make them anyway!
Step four, take action. Let go of what you have no control over. Sometimes, becoming aware of your repetitive patterns – and making a new intention – is all that is required. But other times, a deeper dive is needed.
In the book A Course of Miracles, it is written there are only two emotions: love and fear. If you are in a place of resistance about something, look for the fear behind it and find a way to dissipate it. Find a way to embrace it and “love” it!
And finally, my friend and mentor Tom Ferry wrote about four “addictions” that kill more dreams than any other. In my view, they are all patterns of resistance that each of us can control and change if we choose:
The Addiction to the opinions of other people. As a society, we’re addicted to what others think about us and how others’ worldviews affect us.
The Addiction to drama. Some people are drawn to and consumed by any event or situation that occupies their thoughts and fills their minds with negativity, which often brings attention to them in unproductive ways.
The Addiction to the past. These people have an unhealthy attachment to events or situations that have occurred in the past and are stuck in how things used to be.
The Addiction to worry. This addiction is comprised of all the negative and self-defeating thoughts that make us anxious, disturbed, upset, and stressed that hold us back in life.
Resistance is not futile it’s a valuable learning tool. Use it to your advantage. Think breakdown to breakthrough!
“Obstacles are those frightful things you see when you take your eyes off your goal.”
~Henry Ford
Resistance is normal. What you do about it creates the future!
Consumers – your agents – will be loyal to brands that deliver what they need – dependability, service, exceptional service, or exceptional value.
When a brand consistently meets a need, it becomes a brand promise and the company’s identity. FedEx, for example, the brand promise is “when it absolutely positively has to be there overnight.” FedEx consistently delivers on its promise, which creates an influential association, bond of trust, and loyalty with consumers.
The financial stakes of a transaction have a proportional effect on brand loyalty. Consumers – your agents – have far less to lose by trying another brand of candy than they do another brand of a real estate. As a service-oriented business, you are the brand that you enhance and solidify each time you meet and exceed your client’s expectations. If you have locked in your clients’ trust (and their willingness to refer you) through brand loyalty, you have a massive advantage over your competition.
How do you achieve brand loyalty? Consistently deliver your brand promise and do it better than your competitors. Sporadic high performance will not cut it — every customer (your agents) must have the same great experience. Instead of chasing the next technology tool or widget, think about your service delivery.
Rate your service delivery on a scale of 1 (low) to 10 (high). What will it take to be a 10?
Knowing your agents and team leaders’ anxiety points is critical to achieving a strong brand promise. After all, consumers want brands that meet their needs, but not if the experience is painful.
Action – what action can you take?
Ask your agents and team leaders what worries them most about this market. Then let them know what you will do to address their concerns. That’s one solid way to build brand trust and loyalty.
#WinTheDay
PS: Looking to increase your real estate team or office recruiting game? Book a demo to find out how we can 5X your ROI.
Total Inventory For Sale In North Texas Dropped 5%
This blog was written for my North Texas audience, yet in the links below, you can check out the stats in your local area. The North Texas market consistently ranks as one of the top 5 real estate markets across the US.
Homebuyers are defying the real estate market in North Texas, and for real estate agents and brokers, this is a critical time to stay informed. For the week ending 2/10/2023, inventory for sale in the DFW MSA dropped nearly 5% while the median new list price remained flat. There is significantly more inventory for sale than we had just a year ago, and buyers are back in the market. The average days on the market range from 56 to 78 days, depending on the price range.
My view, along with the CEO of Altos Research, Michael Simonsen, is that buyers know if they buy now and rates drop, they can refinance in the future, or if rates tick up, they are in an excellent position.
On a national basis, we have record employment levels, and the North Texas area is expanding organically and with new businesses coming into the area. Thus, buyers can afford homes, and with the median rent in North Texas at nearly $2,300 per month, the rent vs. buy decision favors buying.
Looking at the current market as a demand-only equation could be a mistake. Before the pandemic period, a drop in inventory for sale in February was unusual, as historically, many sellers would list to get ahead of the spring market. Sellers are holding onto those 3% mortgages unless they have a compelling reason to move. Regardless, recently-listed properties with a price decrease have dropped from nearly 50% a month ago to 40% this month, indicating a strengthened market.
You can check out the DFW stats or your local city and zip; click here and if you can; participate in the Altos monthly webinar this Thursday, 2/16/2023, at noon central, register here. Topics will include:
– First signals of what Altos is seeing for 2023
– An update on home values and where this is likely headed
– What declining inventory means for the market
– The impact of interest rates and inflation
– How to talk to buyers and sellers about the data
Source: Altos Research DFW MSA for the week ending 2/10/2023
PS: Looking to increase your real estate team or office recruiting game? Book a demo to find out how we can 5X your ROI.
In a world filled with uncertainty, fear can easily hold us back. But what if we could replace fear with something more powerful—a burning curiosity? Curiosity isn’t just about asking questions; it’s a mindset that thrives on exploration, learning, and a deep fascination with the world around us.
Here are ten habits that define truly curious people:
A Lifelong Love of Learning: Curiosity is fueled by an insatiable desire to learn. It’s a continuous pursuit of knowledge that grows stronger with every new discovery.
Intrinsic Motivation: Curious individuals are driven by an inner flame. Their passion for learning is self-sustaining, not dependent on external rewards.
Dedicated Time for Wonder: Curiosity requires investment. It’s about intentionally setting aside time to ponder, explore, and delve deeper into subjects that pique our interest.
Humility to Admit “I Don’t Know”: True curiosity embraces the unknown. Admitting ignorance is a sign of strength, an invitation to learn from others, and a testament to an open mind.
Presence and Mindfulness: Curiosity anchors us in the present moment, encouraging us to fully engage with our surroundings and appreciate the richness of our experiences.
Empathy and Connection: Curiosity fosters deeper connections with others by driving us to understand their perspectives, emotions, and motivations.
Openness to Being Wrong: Curious minds understand that mistakes are valuable learning opportunities. They embrace the possibility of being wrong as a stepping stone toward greater understanding.
Awe and Wonder in Everyday Life: Curious individuals find wonder in the ordinary. They see life as a continuous adventure, filled with endless possibilities.
Active Listening Without Bias: True listening requires silencing our own judgments and biases. Curious people listen to understand, not to respond, often uncovering unexpected insights.
Relentless Questioning: Curiosity is driven by an insatiable thirst for answers. Curious minds constantly ask “Why?”, “How?”, and “What if?”, fueling their pursuit of knowledge.
The Power of “What If?” and “Why Not?”
Curious individuals don’t just dwell in the present; they actively shape the future. They play with “What if?” and “Why not?” scenarios, envisioning their goals and aligning their actions accordingly. They constantly challenge assumptions and ensure their path is both meaningful and fulfilling.
Cultivating Your Curiosity:
Curiosity is more than just a trait; it’s a skill that can be developed. By embracing these ten habits, you can unlock a world of new possibilities, fuel your personal growth, and drive innovation in your work and life. So, ask yourself: Are you nurturing your curiosity? Are you actively pursuing your vision? The answers to these questions can lead you on a path of endless wonder and discovery. And that is how we win the day!
