At a recent meeting I heard a great story.  It was called "The Parable of the Hotdog".  I was so taken with this story that I used it in my monthly newsletter to my farm area.  It has great value to each of us.  So, I would like to share it with you as well.  I wish I could take credit for the story, but it actually is an anonymous origin.  But, here it is.....

The Parable of the Hot Dog

There was man who lived by the side of the road and he sold Hot Dogs. He was hard of hearing so he had no radio. He had trouble with his eyes so he read no newspapers, nor did he watch television. But he sold good Hot Dogs.

He put no signs on the highway telling how good they were. He stood on the side of the road and cried ""Buy a Hot Dog Mister?"" And the people bought. He increased his meat and bun orders. He bought a bigger stove to take care of his trade. He finally got his son home from college to help him.

But then something happened......

His son said, ""Father, haven''t you been reading the newspaper? There is a big depression on. The European situation is terrible, the domestic situation is worse. Everything is going to pot.""

There upon the father thought, ""Well, my son''s been to college, he reads the newspapers, he listens to the radio, he watches the television and he ought to know."" So the father cut down on his meat and bun orders took down his advertising signs and no longer bother to stand out on the highway to sell Hot Dogs.

And his Hot Dog sales fell almost overnight.

""You''re right son,"" the father said to the boy. We certainly are in the middle of a great depression.""

Moral of the story......

Be very careful! Don't blindly believe everything you hear.....it may not be true :)

Examples

Nation's foreclosure rate in the "depression"  50%, current nation rate 6-7%, Utah's rate 3-4%.

Nation's unemployment rate in the "depression" above 60%, current nation rate 7%, Utah's rate 3-5%.

I could go on, but you get the picture.  It is not doomsday, I am having a great year, actually a bit better than last year. 

IT IS ALL IN OUR ATTITUDE, IF YOU THINK POSITIVE, POSITIVE THINGS WILL COME.

Have you ever had a life altering experience?  Something that totally changes the way you live your life.  Last December I bought the book, "The Secret".  I read it in about 2 hours. I then went out and bought the video and since then I have purchased the audio tapes of the book.  I have the audio going in my car just about all the time.  I play the video while I am exercising in the morning.  This stuff is fabulous.

Things I learned......thoughts become things, I am a money magnet, everything that comes into our lives-we have attracted it, like attracts like...I could go on and on and on.

Each day I think of myself as a magnet.  I visualize what I want in my day, ask for it, believe I will get it and then wait to receive it.  This has changed my life.  I use it in my real estate business all the time.  I created a vision board.  I put my listings up on that board with a sold sign on them.  I have the amount of commission I want to receive this year on my board, I have pictures of the new 5th wheel and car I want to purchase.  I have words like thank you and gratitude on my board because we must give thanks for what we receive. 

One last thing, I have always been a happy person.  Life has thrown me a few curves but I have survived.  A positive attitude is a must in life, in real estate, in parenting, in business, in relationships, etc.  I try to look at the good in all things.  I find that life is much easier that way.  I hope this helps someone.  Life can really be challenging but if we keep smiling and helping people, we are the winners. 
So remember, positive attracts positive!!!!!

My office recently merged with Coldwell Banker Residential.  I am excited about the change and have been impressed with the new office and staff.  After having worked with a company for nearly 19 years, it was a bit scarey to make the change.  However, it has been awesome.  I have been impressed with many things but mostly I have been impressed by the amount of community involvement.  Each week at Sales Meeting we get more information about this program or that.  So many of the agents are giving back to their communities and special causes. 

This is really important to me because I believe we must give back and show our gratitude.  I taught my children to have an "attitude of gratitude".  Can you imagine what a great world we would have if everyone had such an attitude.  There would be no hunger, no wars, no poor, ....you get my meaning.  You can't be grateful and ignore other peoples needs.

Each year I sponsor a 5k walk to benefit the Road Home, a local shelter here in Salt Lake City.  Although I have never been homeless, it has touched my life through a family member.  NO ONE SHOULD BE HOMELESS.  So, to show my gratitude for my home, food, clothing, etc.....I give back. 

So thank you to all of you that live your life with an attitude of gratitude.  Thanks for making the world a better place.  Keep up the good work.

I love to collect quotes.  I recently attended our yearly planning workshop at our office.  It was the best ever.  I would like to share two quotes that were part of the workshop.

1.  No one can do everything but everyone can do something.  I like this quote because it tells me that I don't have to do everything in one day, week, month or year.  All I have to do is something everyday.  I am going to apply that to my business as well as my personal life.  One thing the world is missing right now (in my humble opinion) is good examples.  So, everyday I am going to DO SOMETHING, to make myself a better, person, wife, mother, NaNa (grandma), and finally a better Realtor.

2.  The second quote came from a gentleman that is a Surgeon here in the area.  He was our guest speaker and he talked to us about "finishing".  He told of the experience of his first ironman competition.  He was ready to give up and a fellow competitor told him something that changed his life----"You will never forget quitting, but you will never regret finishing".  Isn't that awesome?  It was profound for me.  He has shared that same statement with others as he has competed in other competitions.  He has "passed it on". 

So my message today, is DO SOMETHING and BE A FINISHER!  Apply that to your life however it best fits you.  Good luck and make 2008 the best year ever. 

Well, it's my birthday.  This year, as in year's past, my husband wanted to know what I wanted to do for my big day.  I thought about it a lot.  2007 went so quick, it's a blur.  So far, 2008 seems to be tha same.  So, I opted for quiet day at home.  I did what I had to do in Real Estate and then came home, got a good book and finished it tonight.  Sometimes, it's nice to just relax and enjoy the comforts of your home. 

As I reflect back on my many years (52) I have much to be grateful for.  I have a great family, good health, a great career, and people around me to love.  Life is good.  So, at the end of my day today, I just wanted to pass along a few words of wisdom. 

1.  Smile----we don't do that enough now days

2.  Put joy in your life----Just Offer Yourself---help someone out---it will make you feel really good

3.  Take some time tomorrow just for you

4.  Call a friend that you haven't talked to for awhile and see how they are doing

5.  Last but not least----------have a great day, you deserve it.

I had a wonderful opportunity presented to me this year.  A good friend of mine came to me and asked if I wanted to participate in a fundraiser.  He volunteers with a youth group and they wanted to do something to help out the local homeless shelter.  They have worked all year long to raise money.  I sponsored two events for them.  One was a 5k walk and then a choral group that I sing in put on a benefit Christmas concert.  We had people who matched the money that we raised and then that money was matched as well. 

I have to say, I enjoyed both events very much. I really appreciate all of the people who helped out by donating time, money and their talents.  Thank you to those who supported the events.  Thank you for caring.  I have determined that the 5k walk will be an annual event.  Hopefully the choral group will choose to make the benefit concert an annual event as well.  But, the thing that impressed me the most was the youth.  I was very impressed with this group of kids.  Their hearts were in the right place.  They were great examples of kindness and charity.  They put others needs before their own.  In today's world when it seems most people are out for themselves, here was a group of kids that volunteered many hours to help out people they don't even know.  Hats off to them.  Thanks for allowing me to help out in some small way. 

Well, in less than an week 2008 will be here.  It is hard to imagine, but true.  So, my plan for the next week, is to put together a plan.  Late December is when I go over the previous year and set goals for the coming year.  I look at programs that worked and ones that didn't work. 

I don't believe I am alone in this venture.  I think most people in business do this.  Perhaps some wait until January, but general all companies evaluate their goals.  I think it is good for us in all aspects of our lives.  Business, physical, spiritual, etc. etc.....  So, happy goal setting.  May we all do a little bit better next year than we did this year. 

I grew up in southern Missouri.  I moved to Utah in 1989 for a second time and have been here in Utah since then.  I recently returned from a trip to Hot Springs, Arkansas.  What a beautiful state.  The geography is very much like Missouri and I felt right at home.  The main reason I felt at home was the people.  I taught a class there and the students that were in the class were very welcoming.  So, Kudos, to Arkansas. 

Our lives are so busy and hectic, that we often don't take time to visit with people we meet, or say hi as we pass someone on the sidewalk.  Heck, most people don't even look at you anymore.  But, not in Hot Springs, they still smile at you, wave to you and just generally make you feel welcomed.  Nice place!

My daughter in law posted a comment on their family blog that said something like this-----NOOOOOOOOOO!  I had to laugh.  Her comment was in response to walking into a store the first part of November and hearing Christmas music.  She said she wasn't ready for it.  It was to early. 

For me, it is never to early.  I sing in a choral group and we begin practices in September.  So for me the Christmas Holiday begins the first part of September.  I love the holidays.  It means family, fun, joy, good food, good conversations, pleasant memories, giving gifts to my family and friends, etc, etc. 

The holiday season is another reminder to me to prioritize my life.  It is a time that can be very busy and hectic.  But, so can every other day of your life, if you let it.  I like to enjoy the sites and sounds of the holidays beginning with Thanksgiving.  I have my family around me and that brings me great joy. 

Life is short, enjoy it :)

I have been selling real estate in Salt Lake City since 1990.  One thing that I have learned over the years is a good agent will know the seller or buyer's motivation.  The way I find that motivation is, I ask questions.  There are four valuable questions.  Why ..., Where ...., When .... and What if...., these questions will give you the answer to motivation.  As a seller you need to be ready to answer those questions.  Basically you need to decide what's more important, time or money.  The real estate market across the nation has slowed.  Pricing your home correctly is vital today.  The longer the home is on the market, the lower offer will be.  If you get an offer at all.  The first 2 weeks is critical.  So choose an agent who is active in the following areas,  internet, personal website, mls, marketing (virtual tour, not just photos), full service.  Don't be fooled by lower commissions, you get what you pay for.