In a world of endless distractions, protecting your most prized resource—”your attention”—must be a priority.
What if?
What if… we didn’t fight distraction? We just made them irrelevant.
How?
Accept, Reflect, and Redirect!
It’s not the distraction’s fault; it’s your focus.
TCF+ is the daily discipline and the daily focus!
Touches
Conversations
Face to Face or Zoom to Zoom
Plus +
Referrals
Database adds
Hires
And we all know the “R” in CRM is relationship!
Sometimes, these distractions come from A.N.T.S.: ants, say what? Automatic negative thoughts… (l learned this from Dr. Daniel Amen).
Let’s face it—agent recruiting and attraction are hard work and typically play out in the long game. They require frequent repetition of proactive tasks with infrequent positive feedback, which is fertile soil for negative thoughts and doubts.
The antidote? Complimentary resources from Recruiting Insight!
We’ve put together a library of resources to enhance your recruiting and attraction game – click here – to check it out.
What if… we didn’t fight distraction? We just made them irrelevant.
I was reflecting today that many things in life and business can be beneficial or harmful depending on how they are used or managed:
Fire, when contained and controlled, provides warmth, cooks our food, and serves many other beneficial purposes. However, when uncontained, it becomes dangerous, costly, and destructive.
Water in the right amount keeps us hydrated and healthy. Although rare, excessive water intake can overwhelm the kidneys, leading to a condition called hyponatremia, where sodium levels in the blood drop to unhealthy levels. (I was participating in a bike ride event where some participants had to be airlifted due to hyponatremia.)
When used responsibly, technology can enhance our lives, improve communication, and increase productivity. However, excessive or inappropriate use can lead to issues like addiction, mis or disinformation, decreased face-to-face interactions, and theft/scams.
Medicine, properly prescribed and taken, can cure illnesses and improve health. Misuse or overuse, however, can lead to side effects, dependency, or even resistance to treatment.
Sunlight is essential for vitamin D production and overall well-being. Too much exposure, though, can result in sunburn, skin damage, and an increased risk of skin cancer.
Like fire, water, technology, medicine, and sunlight, many aspects of our business and lives have dual potentials. They can be incredibly beneficial when used wisely and within limits, but they can also become harmful if mismanaged or overused.
It’s a balancing act that requires awareness and responsibility.
Business often throws us into situations where we feel stuck, unsure of the next step. Whether it’s a career decision, a personal dilemma, or just a general sense of being lost, not knowing what to do can be incredibly frustrating.
Here are some strategies to help you navigate these uncertain times:
Focus on Ends, Not Means
When you’re unsure of what to do, it can be helpful to shift your focus from the process to the outcome. Ask yourself, “What do I ultimately want to achieve?” By clarifying your end goals, you can better evaluate the different paths available to you. This approach helps you stay flexible and open to various methods of reaching your desired outcome.
Focus on Your Values
Your values are your internal compass. When you’re lost, they can guide you back to a path that feels right. Take some time to reflect on what truly matters to you. Is it honesty, creativity, family, or something else? Aligning your actions with your core values can provide a sense of direction and purpose, even when the way forward isn’t clear.
Keep Taking Action – Even If It’s Just One Small Step
Inertia can be paralyzing. When you don’t know what to do, the worst thing you can do is nothing. Even a small step can create momentum. Break down your larger goals into smaller, manageable tasks. Completing these smaller tasks can build confidence and provide clarity on what to do next.
Talk It Out/Get a Second Opinion
Sometimes, the best way to find clarity is to talk it out with someone you trust. A fresh perspective can offer insights you hadn’t considered. Whether it’s a friend, family member, or mentor, getting a second opinion can help you see your situation from a different angle and may reveal new solutions.
Trust Your Feelings/Gut
Your intuition is a powerful tool. While it’s important to gather information and consider your options, don’t discount your gut feelings. Often, your subconscious mind picks up on things that your conscious mind might miss. Trusting your instincts can lead you to choices that align with your true self.
Sleep, Hydrate, Rest
Never underestimate the power of basic self-care. When you’re tired, dehydrated, or stressed, your ability to think clearly is compromised. Make sure you’re getting enough sleep, drinking plenty of water, and taking time to rest. Sometimes, a good night’s sleep can bring a fresh perspective and renewed energy to tackle your challenges.
It’s okay not to have all the answers right away. The important thing is to keep moving forward.
Feeling lost or unsure is a natural part of business. By focusing on your end goals, aligning with your values, taking small steps, seeking advice, trusting your intuition, and taking care of your basic needs, you can navigate through uncertainty with greater ease.
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 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:
Understanding Buyers: Home stagers think like agents first. They consider the likely buyers: what they seek in a home, their preferences, and aspirations. By aligning staging with buyer profiles, they create spaces that resonate.
Beyond Generic Staging: Avoid generic room presentations. Instead, focus on charm, character, and distinctiveness. Today’s buyers crave uniqueness.
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:
Communication: Builders and stagers must communicate openly. Builders’ insights combined with stagers’ expertise lead to optimal presentations.
Creating Vision: Stagers help buyers see beyond a house’s bones.
Networking
Real Estate Agents and Loan Officers
Mutual Referrals: Successful agents and loan officers build strong relationships. Beyond referrals, they share insights, market trends, and client needs.
The Art of Networking
Know Your Audience: Networking isn’t just about collecting business cards. Understand who you’re connecting with—agents, lenders, or stagers. Tailor your interactions to their needs.
Attend Industry Events: Conferences, workshops, and local meetups provide networking opportunities. Engage, learn, and expand your circle.
Online Platforms: Leverage social media and professional networks. Join real estate groups, participate in discussions, and build virtual connections.
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!
