” What would happen if you never tolerated inaction in yourself?”
This thought-provoking question challenges us to examine our relationship with action, failure, and growth. In a world where procrastination often holds us back, embracing movement becomes essential. In this blog post, we’ll explore the transformative power of action, drawing lessons from both success and failure.
1. The Paralysis of Inaction The Comfort Zone
Inaction feels safe. It’s the cozy cocoon where we avoid risks, sidestep challenges, and settle for mediocrity. But within this comfort zone lies stagnation—a slow erosion of potential. When we tolerate inaction, we deny ourselves the chance to learn, adapt, and evolve.
The Illusion of Perfection
Perfectionism fuels inaction. We wait for the perfect moment, the flawless plan, or the ideal circumstances. Meanwhile, life passes us by. The truth is, there’s no perfect time. Action doesn’t require perfection; it demands courage. Imperfect steps forward lead to progress.
2. Lessons from Failure Failure as a Teacher
Failure isn’t the enemy; it’s a wise mentor. Each misstep, setback, or disappointment carries valuable lessons. When we embrace failure, we learn resilience, humility, and resourcefulness. It’s through failure that we refine our approach, recalibrate our goals, and discover hidden strengths.
The Cost of Inaction
Consider the cost of not acting. Regret, missed opportunities, and unfulfilled dreams accumulate. Inaction robs us of experiences, relationships, and growth. It’s like standing at the edge of a cliff, fearing the leap, while life beckons from below. Trust movement—even if it means stumbling.
3. Trusting Movement Small Steps, Big Impact
Action need not be grandiose. Small, consistent steps yield remarkable results. Whether it’s writing a page a day, taking a daily walk, or learning a new skill, these micro-actions accumulate over time. Momentum builds, and suddenly, you’re miles ahead of where you started.
The Ripple Effect
Your actions ripple outward. When you defy inaction, you inspire others. Your courage becomes contagious. Imagine the impact if everyone refused to tolerate their own inertia. The world would shift, evolve, and thrive.
Conclusion?
“Trust movement.”
These two words encapsulate a powerful philosophy. By rejecting inaction, we embrace growth. So, dear reader, take that step, write that email, make that call. The lessons lie not in perfection but in motion. Let failure be your guide, and trust movement—it’s the path to transformation.
Perfection is not the standard, progress is!
The journey begins with a single step.
There are some lessons that only #failure can teach.
Failure is not the problem. #Inaction is. #Procrastination is.
Trust movement.
” What would happen if you never tolerated inaction in yourself?”
I recently had a conversation with a military pilot instructor (and golf partner) that stuck with me.
His whole training philosophy came down to two words: situational awareness. And the enemy of it? Target fixation — what happens when you become so locked onto one thing that you lose everything around it. The goal becomes the threat.
He’d seen it end careers. He’d seen it end lives.
In business, it’s quieter than a crash. It looks like chasing the same leads that worked three years ago. Recruiting the same profile. Running the same playbook in a different market. You’re not failing — you’re just fixated. And fixation feels a lot like focus until it doesn’t.
Situational awareness is the antidote. It’s not complicated, but it is a discipline:
Perceive what is actually happening — not what you expect.
Understand what it means given everything else you know.
Act on what you understand before the moment passes.
Most people skip straight to step three. That’s how you fly a perfectly good plane into the ground.
Whether it’s sports, business, or the market you’re working right now — the skill isn’t focus. It’s knowing when to zoom out.
Regardless of where you are on your goals year to date, there is still time to produce more this year. If your desire is to close the first half strong; not be broke on July 1, and be prepared for an amazing back half of the year,back half of the year then you gotta read this.
3 killer strategies…
Up your seller education game;
Portray trust and
Regardless of YOUR age, appeal to millennials.
Some time ago I had the honor of attending the Zillow Premier Broker event in Chicago, IL. The Zillow Consumer Housing Report was an amazing value add, and at least 3 major trends stood out for me.
Trend 1: Up Your Seller Education Game
Zillow’s research shows more than half of all sellers have NEVER sold a home before. It’s a totally new experience for them. Place yourself in their shoes: Are they scared? Are they apprehensive? Are they afraid of being taken advantage of? Do you think they wish they knew more than they do? That answer would be YES to all of those.
So, let’s look at what that means to you and me. This is one stat begging you to proactively help educate your prospects and, in the process, attract more referrals and more listings.
For those of you with extensive experience, you could write up a report like, “4 Ways To Maximize The Value Of Your Home” or “3 Essential Facts Every First-Time Home Seller Must Know” and offer them on your lead capture landing pages.
Promote them by running Facebook ads in your target communities, along with a video about how you’re passionate about educating sellers. For those of you with less experience, you can hire out these reports to content writers in your area… check out FIVERR or #GTS = Google That Stuff!
Practical ideas to consider:
Informative Direct MailCampaigns, like: The benefits of a “Home Warranty Sellers Coverage” policy
Short special reports and white papers, like: Best Home Improvements• Determining Your Homes Value• Value Of A Pre Sell Home Inspection• Benefits Of Partnering With A Hyper-Local Expert, Like Me!
Educational seminarsor zoom sessions
Short videosto walk people through the process with a call to action to reach out to you
Quick seller tipson social media with a call to action to reach out to you
And while it may be their first time, today’s sellers have access to more data and best practices BEFORE they reach out to possible selling agents. They are looking for a strategist with the market knowledge, marketing skills, and legal know-how to do the heavy lifting that will get them from sale to closing.
Some of the activities “self-starting sellers” get a jump on before engaging with an agent include home improvements (50 percent), coming up with a list price for their home (39 percent) and securing a home inspection (25 percent).
Trend 2: Ensure Your Marketing And Promotions Portray TRUST
Eighty-six percent of consumers say trustworthiness is “extremely” or “very” important when choosing an agent. When your biggest asset is at stake, you want to trust the person guiding your transaction.
So, let’s think about what makes someone trustworthy. Or better yet, let’s discuss who we don’t consider trustworthy:
Complete strangers• Salespeople who only show up when there’s something in it for them
Obviously, the more familiar people are with you, the more they are naturally likely to trust you. So, if 86 percent of consumers are telling you that you must be trustworthy to even be considered, what’s that mean to you? It means you need to be putting yourself in front of prospects over and over and over again to create that familiarity that breeds trustworthiness.
Do you have more than 5 testimonials and endorsements?• Do you create a “social proof” marketing piece that shows what OTHER people say about you?• Are you visible and involved in the communities you serve?• Are you marketing to the same neighborhoods consistently or jumping around to wherever you take your next listing?• Does your website or your marketing give any insight into who YOU are as a person, or do you come across like a real estate robot?
All of these questions lead to huge opportunities to build trust with homeowners so when they decide to sell, you’re already in that “extremely important” category of being trustworthy.
Trend 3: Regardless Of YOUR Age, Appeal To Millennials… Nearly 50% Of Your Future Business May Depend On This!
Millennials – that generation between the ages of 24 and 38 – account for 42 percent of all home buyers and 61 percent of all first-time buyers, according to Zillow’s report. These folks were raised on the Internet. As a result, they’re accustomed to Amazon-level service and ease of use. You know that experience: Where you order something late Friday night and somehow it shows up on your doorstep on a Sunday morning! That’s the standard you’re up against when you work with 42 percent of buyers. So here’s the big question:
Are your services and systems up to that standard?
If your answer is no, it’s time to adapt how you do things.
Strive to make working with you as easy as ordering from Amazon. Where can you streamline? What can you eliminate? What more can you do prior to meeting with a buyer to make the process smoother? What “extras” can you provide to make your service more beautiful? We all need to be asking ourselves these questions and refining our systems on a regular basis because that standard isn’t reversing course anytime soon. It’s only going to get higher and higher.
There you have it… 3 killer strategies… up your seller education game; portray trust and regardless of YOUR age, appeal to millennials.
To resonate with prospects, you must understand their pains, problems, desires, and triumphs.
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:
Which one of these habits do you (your agents, your clients) fall into?
A few years back, I got a tiny pebble divot in my windshield. A $100 fix. I kept putting it off — busy, distracted, “I’ll get to it.” By the time I finally dealt with it, that little chip had spread into a full crack. $1,000.
That windshield might be your real estate business right now. And it doesn’t matter if you’re an agent, a broker-owner, a CEO, a recruiter, a loan officer, or a title rep — the principle is the same. What’s in front of you matters more than what’s behind. Prospecting fills your pipeline. Recruiting builds your team. Retention keeps it all from leaking out the back. And relationships — the ones you’re nurturing right now with referral partners, affiliated services, and your sphere — are the glass holding everything together. Focus forward.
Small, unattended issues can quickly escalate, especially in a challenging market. Think of today’s market as a rough, pothole-filled road. Every professional in the real estate ecosystem feels the vibration. If you’re not paying attention, small cracks in your business foundation can widen fast.
For agents, those 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
For broker-owners and CEOs, the cracks can show up as:
Agents quietly disengaging or slipping out the back door
A recruiting pipeline that’s stalled or inconsistent
Culture drift — where the energy in the office just feels… off
No clear value proposition to attract or retain top talent in a compressed-commission environment
For recruiters, watch for:
Outreach that’s reactive rather than proactive
Candidates going cold because follow-up fell through the cracks
No system for nurturing long-term relationships with agents not yet ready to move
For mortgage and title professionals, the cracks often look like:
Agent relationships that are transactional rather than truly partnered
Inconsistent visibility — showing up only when you need something
Missing co-marketing opportunities that keep you top of mind between deals
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 it. You can choose a different path.
A Two-Step Strategy to Overcome “I Don’t Feel Like It”
Step 1: Acknowledge and Reframe.
It’s okay to not feel motivated sometimes. Don’t beat yourself up about it. Acknowledge the feeling without letting it control you. Think of it this way: you can’t stop birds from flying over your head, but you can stop them from building a nest in your hair.
Instead of saying “I don’t feel like making calls today,” try: “I’m feeling a bit resistant right now — 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, motivation usually shows up after you take the first step.
Some small actions to try — no matter your role:
Lead Generation / Prospecting: Make five calls, send three texts, or post one piece of valuable content your audience actually needs right now.
Relationship Building: Send a quick check-in to a past client, a referral partner, or an agent you’ve been meaning to reconnect with. No agenda — just genuine.
Recruiting / Retention: Reach out to one agent on your radar or have a meaningful conversation with someone already on your team. People leave quietly before they leave officially.
Skill Development: Spend 15 minutes reviewing market data, sharpening a script, or learning one thing that makes you more valuable to the people you serve.
Organization: Clear your desk, update your CRM, or map out your next 30 days. Clarity is an action too.
One small action breaks the cycle of procrastination and builds momentum. Once you start, you’ll often find it easier to keep going.
The Bottom Line
Across this industry — agents, leaders, lenders, title reps, recruiters — we are all driving on the same road. And right now, that road is rough. The cracks will come. The question is whether you catch them at $100 or let them become $1,000 problems.
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.
The winners are the doers. And that is how we win the day.
Your prospects and clients prioritize four critical dimensions during their home-buying experience:
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.
Transparency: Being open and straightforward about policies, pricing, and processes.
Simplicity: Streamlining the home selling or home buying journey to make it straightforward and easier to navigate.
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:
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
