Angela Duckworth said it well, “At various points, in big ways and small, we get knocked down. If we stay down, grit loses. If we get up, grit prevails. Grit and self-control are related but are not the same thing.”
How to get “gritty?” Duckworth identified 5 ways:
1. Pursue Your Interests: Find something that genuinely fascinates you. Passion fuels perseverance.
2. Practice Deliberately: Embrace mistakes and setbacks as part of the learning process. You’ll make errors when you practice, but that’s how improvement happens. View frustration positively—it’s a sign of growth.
3. Clarity of Goals: Be crystal-clear about your ultimate goal and align smaller goals with it. Clarity helps maintain focus and commitment.
4. Make Your Work Meaningful: Seek ways to infuse purpose into your tasks. Even minor adjustments can make your work feel more fulfilling.
5. Practice Optimistic Self-Talk: Replace negative thoughts with enabling thoughts. Encourage yourself during challenges.
Duckworth said, “Grit isn’t fixed—it’s something you can develop over time as you keep pushing forward.”
Like many proud parents, I love celebrating my sons’ achievements—even if one chose the UCSC Banana Slugs over the UCI Anteaters! But today, I’m tackling a different kind of “ant”—the Automatic Negative Thoughts (ANTs) that can infest our minds.
Coined by Dr. Daniel Amen, ANTs are negative thought patterns that can sabotage our well-being. Dr. Amen’s inspiration came from a literal ant infestation in his kitchen, a stark reminder of how these mental pests can overrun our minds, stealing our joy and clarity.
Every thought triggers a chemical reaction in our brain. Negative thoughts—like sadness, hopelessness, or anger—release chemicals that can cause physical symptoms like clammy hands, muscle tension, and rapid heart rate. They can also impair our judgment, learning, and memory. Conversely, positive thoughts release chemicals that promote relaxation and mental clarity.
So, how do we exterminate these mental ANTs? First, we need to identify the common species:
Fortune Telling: Predicting negative outcomes without evidence (“I’m going to fail this presentation”).
Mind Reading: Assuming you know what others are thinking (“They probably think I’m incompetent”).
Guilt Beatings: Using “should” or “must” to create feelings of obligation and self-criticism (“I should have done better”).
Blame: Shifting responsibility to others, preventing personal growth and problem-solving.
Labeling: Using negative labels to describe yourself or others (“I’m a failure,” “He’s a jerk”).
Here’s a simple three-step strategy to crush your ANTs:
Catch It: When you notice a negative emotion, pause and identify the thought behind it. What are you telling yourself?
Name It: Determine which type of ANT is at work (fortune telling, mind reading, etc.). Giving it a name helps you recognize its pattern.
Challenge It: Question the validity of the thought. Is there real evidence to support it? What’s a more realistic or positive way to view the situation?
Example:
Thought: “I’m going to mess up this meeting.” (Fortune Telling)
Challenge: “I’ve prepared thoroughly. While things might not go perfectly, I’m capable of handling whatever comes up. Focusing on the potential negative outcome is only making me more anxious.”
By consistently practicing this three-step method, you can weaken the power of ANTs and cultivate a more positive and productive mindset. Don’t let these mental pests control your thoughts and emotions. Take charge and reclaim your mental well-being.
“Onward and upward” is a mindset that requires optimism, empathy, curiosity, and action.
Optimism is the ability to overcome adversity despite the circumstances.
Empathy is understanding situations from another’s perspective with no judgment. The ability to choose to respond rather than to react.
Curiosity. To be effective, be curious: curious about how people are feeling, curious about why things happen, curious about the future, curious about steps to take to navigate difficult waters.
Action. The winners are the doers. Talk is cheap; action speaks.
When we make changes by design vs. default, we can craft a future that supports the growth we deserve.
In today’s fast-paced world, there are countless conference opportunities for agents, team leaders, and broker-owners. Among them, Inman Connect events in New York and Las Vegas. This year’s Las Vegas event was no exception, offering a wealth of learning and networking opportunities.
The main topic?
Co-op commission sharing is dead, and how to move forward in a new commission model.
No matter which conference you choose to attend, it’s essential to have a plan for what comes next. That’s where my 4-Step Post-Conference Guide comes in. Professional conferences are unparalleled opportunities to expand your network, gain fresh ideas, deepen connections, break out of your routine, and shake things up.
Yet, many of us struggle to take action after these events. Why is that?
Often, it’s because we return home with an overwhelming amount of information to process.
To combat this, it’s crucial to create a post-conference action plan that empowers you.
The key to a successful post-conference routine is taking ACTION.
Here are 4 steps to maximize your conference investment:
Network Post-Event: Don’t let those valuable connections fade away. Follow up, close the loop, and build relationships for referrals, accountability, and more.
Leverage Your Social Channels: Showcase your commitment to excellence and service by sharing your conference experiences on social media. Highlight how your time investment benefits your customers and potential clients.
Organize Your Notes into a Checklist: Commit to action by creating a checklist of key takeaways and sharing it with an accountability partner, mentor, or coach. Checklists are powerful tools that help you get more done and keep your brain happy. According to research summarized by best-selling author Maria Konnikova, here’s why:
Your Mind Seeks Organization: Lists tap into our preferred way of receiving and organizing information at a subconscious level.
Spatial Processing: It’s easier to remember items when they’re written down in bulleted or numbered points.
Categorization: We process information more efficiently when it’s organized into lists rather than clustered in paragraphs.
Time Awareness: Knowing how long tasks will take increases our commitment to completing them.
Self-Reinforcement: Checking off items from a list provides a dopamine hit, encouraging us to return to the list for more.
Do your brain a favor and break down what you learned into actionable checklists.
Take Action NOW!: Don’t wait! Procrastination only delays your success. Implement what you’ve learned immediately.
So, there you have it—4 steps to make the most of your conference experience!
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:
Time Management: The traditional approach involves scheduling tasks based on time blocks. However, Todd argues that this method often falls short.
Activity Management: Instead of rigid time slots, focus on the activities that truly matter. Prioritize actions that lead to revenue, goals, or progress.
Understanding the Traffic Lights:
Red Light Activities:
These are the time-wasters—the endless social media scrolling without purpose. They don’t contribute to your bottom line.
Yellow Light Activities:
Preparation, organizing your database, and getting ready fall into this category. They’re essential but don’t directly generate results
Green Light Activities:
These are the game-changers—the activities directly linked to achieving your recruiting goals.
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
Take a moment to assess your past week:
Was approximately 80% of your time spent in the green zone?
Did about 20% involve yellow and perhaps some red activities?
Action Steps
Minimize Red Zone Activities:
Identify two or more red zone activities to cut down on. Remember, multitasking often elongates tasks—focus on the ONE THING for efficiency.
Re-Focus on Green Zone Activities:
Prioritize the activities that drive results. Allocate your energy wisely, whether it’s for client meetings, prospecting, or strategic planning.
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!
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):
Products: The marketing mix includes Product, Price, Place, and Promotion.
Services: The extended marketing mix adds People, Process, and Physical Evidence (Social Proof).
Customer Involvement:
Products: Customers evaluate products based on features, price, and brand reputation.
Services: Customers actively participate in service delivery. Their experience influences satisfaction, loyalty, and future referrals.
Intangibility:
Products: Tangible goods can be seen, touched, and evaluated before purchase.
Services: Services are intangible; customers experience them during or after consumption. Marketing focuses on conveying the value of the service rather than showcasing a physical product.
Marketing Strategies for Commodity Real Estate Sales
Deliver Consistent Quality Even in a commodity market, consistency matters.
Your Affiliate Network: Ensure all of your recommended providers meet or exceed your quality of experience standard. Your brand is only as good as your extended network of providers.
Professional Presentation: Invest in professional photography and staging services. High-quality images create a positive first impression.
Transparent Communication: Reliable and consistent communication builds trust.
Diversify Your Expertise Consider these strategies:
Niche Markets: Identify specific property types (e.g., luxury homes, waterfront properties) or demographics (e.g., first-time homebuyers, retirees). Tailor your marketing efforts accordingly.
Additional Services: Offer value-added services like property management or relocation assistance. Diversification attracts a broader clientele.
Collaborate with Professionals: Partner with mortgage brokers, interior designers, or contractors. Comprehensive solutions enhance your reputation.
Customization Personalization is key. Tailor your services to individual customer needs:
Buyer Profiles: Understand buyers’ preferences. Customize property recommendations based on their lifestyle and requirements.
Personalized Follow-Up: After a transaction, send personalized messages. Small gestures build lasting relationships.
Enhance Customer Experience Exceptional customer experience turns clients into advocates:
Quick Response Times: Be accessible and attentive. Respond promptly to inquiries.
Educational Content: Share informative content on your website or social media. Position yourself as a knowledgeable resource.
Post-Transaction Support: Provide resources for moving, home improvement, or local services.
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.
