Joeann's Blog

Summer Vacation Reading

Joeann Fossland, Master Certified Coach (Advantage Solutions Group) — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 08:36:16 -0500

One of my summer vacation goals is to read. I have a pile of books that have come highly recommended or that I have been meaning to get around to. I don't know about you, but I still love to read and had not been making the time to do it. Or leaving it to before bed when I could read about 5-10 pages and then got too sleepy to read more.

While in Florida a couple of weeks ago, I read a couple novels. It is almost like going on vacation to be entirely sucked into a story and time outside my reality. The fun of being in other lives unseen and without risk is a delicious treat! I plan to do more fiction in the coming weeks.

And, then there are all the business books and mind stretching books. These are my favorite! I just finished How Would Love Respond?: Imagine If You Were Given a Gift So Powerful That You Knew You Had to Share It with the World by motivation speaker Kurek Ashley. Kurek shares his own powerful story of awakening that begins with a helicopter crash where he loses his best friend and is forced to question his purpose. If you could use a useful perspective, especially when you've been having a abda day...this is a good read!

There are other recommendations in the bookstore on my website, including the book I've got a chapter in, Conversations on Success (along with Tom Hopkins and Dr. John Gray).

What are you reading?????

How Selfish Are You?

Joeann Fossland, Master Certified Coach (Advantage Solutions Group) — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 21:16:24 -0500

In my keynotes and seminars, I often relate the story of the airplane announcement about putting on your oxygen mask first, in the event of decompression, before helping the child (or person acting like a child screaming beside you). I ask "why" and, of course, the audience knows....you can't help anyone if you don't have oxygen going to your brain!
There are, it seems, many agents working today without oxygen going to their brains......Have you met them?

Today, I went to my first Yoga class in a few years. I am on summer vacation. I have made a committment to take care of myself. Before taking care of anyone else. I know if I do that, it will be good for me, but, even better, it will be good for the people I serve. I can be a model of sanity and peace in a world where it is normal to work too many hours, neglect health and relationships all in the name of being "successful".

How about you, are you enjoying yourself this summer and taking care of yourself?

Being selfish isn't about hurting anyone else. It's about getting oxygen to your brain first so you can do the best job in making a difference in the world.

Do You Want To Know More About Wordpress?

Joeann Fossland, Master Certified Coach (Advantage Solutions Group) — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 18:53:15 -0500

Join Frances Flynn Thorsen and me for the www.NoBloggerLeftBehind.com breakout for another great webinar... on using Wordpress. Last week's session on ActiveRain was lots of fun. This also promises to be informative, whether it is a platform you are interested in right now or not!

Wordpress Blogging experts will join us for an hour of discussion and question and answer about the most robust blogging platform available today. We will discuss templates, plugins, and the learning curve with the masters.

Title:		No Blogger Left Behind - WordPress Breakout

Date:		NOW: Tuesday, July 29, 2008 NOTE: We have rescheduled to July 29TH!!!

Time:		6:00 PM - 7:00 PM EDT

You can register here

Come play!

La Posada Hotel

Joeann Fossland, Master Certified Coach (Advantage Solutions Group) — Fri, 04 Jul 2008 17:36:22 -0500

Take a tour of The La Posada Hotel This hotel was the gem of the Fred Harvey Railroad hotels. If you need a real good reason to go to Winslow, Arizona, this would be it! While you are there, Stand on The Corner and remember the Eagles! You'll be glad you did!

Takin' It Easy!

Joeann Fossland, Master Certified Coach (Advantage Solutions Group) — Fri, 04 Jul 2008 06:59:09 -0500

As the Eagles say.....

"Standing on the corner in Winslow Arizona, such a fine sight to see."

We spent 3 days in Winslow at The La Posada Hotel in the Harry Truman Room. The La Posada is an absolute gem. Built in 1930 as part of the Fred Harvey railroad hotels, it has been lovingly restored by Allan Affeldt. The Turquoise Room Restuarant was deemed one of the 10 best restuarants in the state by Arizona Highways magazine in May 2008.

It's on the old Route 66 and is a not to be missed stop across northern Arizona. There's not a lot to do in Winslow, although the surrounding country offers The Painted Desert, The Petrified Forest and Navajo and Hopi Reservations and trading posts.

It is a great place to TAKE IT EASY!!!

Bub's birthday is in more detail here.

What are you doing This Summer? Playing in the Rain?

Joeann Fossland, Master Certified Coach (Advantage Solutions Group) — Sat, 21 Jun 2008 11:33:02 -0500

I have been inspired watching my friend, Jennifer Louden, aka The Comfort Queen, as she took a 9-month sabbatical. (if don't know of Jennifer, she is the contemporary voice of women's comfort -- a best-selling author, life coach and social commentator who provides women with the information, inspiration, and tools to create lives they love.) What a joyous thing to do, I thought. Inspiration almost always opens some thinking for myself of how would that fit for me. I had put this on hold for the future-maybe just wait until retirement-which I am musing about too...But, something kept gnawing at me to shape it for myself.

Then I woke up last Wednesday and I had it! Don't you love it when that happens? I've been watching Lily have fun now that school is out, with different adventures each day and saw how perfect that was. I remembered summer vacations of childhood that were devoted to having FUN every day!!!!

So.....I'm going on Summer Vacation.From the Summer Solstice (June 21) the Autumnal Equinox (September 22nd),I AM CELEBRATING SUMMER VACATION!!!!I will have fun everyday, let go of the activities that don't make my heart sing and spend lots of time with people!

I read recently that vacations are beneficial because when you are away from your normal life, you expand your sensibilities and experiences. It stretches your brain a causes new thinking. Sounds like just what I've been in the mood for! So, rain or shine, beach or desert, I'm gonna play!

During this vacation I will:

Let go of everything work related that is non-essential
Play lots of tennis with Bub
See friends and take time to celebrate
Learn about weaving
Do Yoga
Limit clients to those that I love and those who value my gifts
Write
Travel
Read
Do only work that makes my heart sing
Keep the speaking engagements I am already committed for
Play with my granddaughters!!!!!!

I will not:

Start any new groups or programs
Be writing my Tuesday Tips
Do my Monthly Fossland's Forum's
Work on anything that isn't joyful

While, as you see, Tuesday Tips will be on vacation, too, I do intend, however, to Blog as the spirit strikes me. There are also archives of the past Tuesday Tips here.....plenty that is still relevant. I may also send you information if it seems like something you should know about or that would be of value!

Bliss is the anchor word for my summer vacation.

How To Counter The Negative Headlines!

Joeann Fossland, Master Certified Coach (Advantage Solutions Group) — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 14:11:17 -0500

The great news is that blogs can level the playing field! We are each able to impact the world's information by posting points of view that help educate the public.

I was fortunate to be part of a very interesting discussion, sponsored by NoBloggerLeftBehind, yesterday with Blanche Evans, Editor in Chief of Realty Times, Hilary Marsh, Managing Director, Editorial Development for www.Realtor.org and Frances Flynn Thorsen, Managing Editor of www.RealTown.com

Some of the items that were touched on were:

Articles for Rookies

Economic Research

Build a Better Web Site

Start a Podcast

Architecture Guide

Handouts for Buyers and Sellers

Field Guides

8-Step Personal Marketing Plan

Download e-Mail Banners

Fill--In-The-Blanks News Releases

You can watch the webinar and read more here

2 Great Resources

Joeann Fossland, Master Certified Coach (Advantage Solutions Group) — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 20:42:45 -0500

1. SHOOT GREAT INTERIORS:
While in Ocean City at our e-PRO Presentation, Blogger Susan Pruden came to the presentation and shared this great resource: "How to Photograph Interiors When You Barely Know How To Work a Camera". Thanks Susan! We appreciate you! And this is a great topic for most of us who are not experienced photographers.

2. GET A HUMAN!:
Are you tired of the menus that send you to telephone purgatory?
There is a wonderful roster of toll free phone numbers of major organizations, such as airlines and hotels, with the easiest way to reach a live party. Just go to www.GetHuman.com

What Are YOU Thinking?

Joeann Fossland, Master Certified Coach (Advantage Solutions Group) — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 16:33:51 -0500

"All conditions and all circumstances in our lives are the result of a certain level of thinking. When you want to change the conditions and the circumstances, we have to change the level of thinking that is responsible for it." Albert Einstein

Your thought is the most powerful tool you have for your success. That is good news. Creating your ideal life is not about having to struggle really,really hard to do more stuff to make something happen. It is about RELAXING and finding your own way that is a natural self-expression of your values and what lights you up. When you have a dream that excites you, you'll naturally get ideas of actions to take. And, when one doesn't work, you'll just try something else for the curiosity of it (rather than deciding YOU or your lack of something is the problem)!

So, what ARE YOU THINKING? Do you consciously monitor the thoughts you have and then choose the most empowering route? Or do you let those inner children and wicked critics rule the castle and live rent-free? Each thought you have is NOT necessarily the truth. You can choose to accept or reject each as you decide if they are appropriate and empowering.

COACH's TIP: HOW TO LIGHTEN UP AND RELAX
If you find yourself struggling today or tomorrow, take these steps:

Take a look at the thought you have that is causing the struggle.
Examine if that thought is grounded or ungrounded. i.e. Is there evidence that you will really end up homeless if you don't sell a house to these buyers or is that just one possible outcome?
Make up 3 or 4 other possible outcomes
Let go of your initial belief.
Choose a belief that makes you feel lighter, more empowered.

My 200th Active Rain Posting

Joeann Fossland, Master Certified Coach (Advantage Solutions Group) — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 20:41:46 -0500

Really Awesome Women

Are you one? Or do you know one? I am so impressed and inspired with the women in real estate today! I just had the opportunity to spend the day at my friend,Bernice Ross's 2nd Annual Really Awesome Women in Real Estate Conference with some of the most amazing people! Bernice, founder of http://www.realestatecoach.com/, is definitely an awesome woman. She's an author, speaker and Master Certified Coach who has a body of wisdom that is aligned with my own thinking: having a great life, with a highly productive business and time to enjoy the things that are important to you.

On the Business Side

There is good news! Bernice interviewed Anne Randolph, publisher of LORE Magazine and Leslie Appleton-Young, the economist for the California Association of Realtors. Both of these women are brilliant visionaries with their pulse on what's happening now and how that can give us a compass for future success.

Leslie wrinkled her nose when Bernice asked her about the good news, and then proceeded to share information

that clearly wasn't the rah-rah of the past frenzy days, and yet, full of opportunity and hope from where we are now. One of the facts I found most interesting was Leslie's warning of how inaccurate the broad averages can be. She said that it is imperative we not only take local data, but focus down specifically at the subdivision or narrow price range data. She said can be considerably different STREET TO STREET! The opportunity here is for you to bring that expertise you have to the consumer to really educate them to what the true picture is for their house...not some national or even city specific generalities. This is your opportunity for different ion and deepening of your expert status!

Besides publishing the most interesting real estate magazine available, Anne conducted two surveys last year. The first was with investors-real investors who are still in the market and still being successful. The opportunities right now for investors are broad. This is not the fix and flip (or just flip) market of a few years ago. Anne's numbers were persuasive in showing an increased demand for rentals. The opportunities exist to be successful as a landlord, or, from a practitioner's perspective, as a property management company. She shared that we are still programmed to think of what was the traditional buying unit, the family. Right now, they are only 25% of the market. A whopping 22% of the market is single women and 21% investors. Anne's second study was with over 3500 CRS Designees to discover some of the commonalities in running a profitable business these days. She confirmed what I have been preaching for years: you must niche yourself. Find those segments of the market that you can dominate and focus yourself on that!

This was only the first morning of the conference. You can see from the schedule, there was much more! Next year's conference will be in Savannah in March. If you are in a leadership position in real estate, you don't want to miss this.

COACH'S TIP >>

1. Take a look at your local data in a much more defined way. When making a listing presentation, differentiate yourself, with absorption rates and other data that will show the consumer you that you are the expert!

2. Take a look at your business plan and marketing plan and see if you need to restrategize your target markets? Are you focusing where the opportunities are? Are you targeting your "perfect" client?

A Cool New Phone That is a MUST HAVE!!!!

Joeann Fossland, Master Certified Coach (Advantage Solutions Group) — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 18:06:09 -0500

As a tech instructor, I have to confess, I am always looking for the cutting edge tools. When I saw the preview of this great new phone,

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oYimJPi5qJY

What do you think?

I said to myself,"Cost is no object, I have to have this phone!"

Or maybe I should wait for the vibrating model!

How are YOU doing????Are you Struggling or Going With the Flow????

Joeann Fossland, Master Certified Coach (Advantage Solutions Group) — Sat, 12 Apr 2008 13:12:00 -0500

Are you paddling as fast as you can upstream to try to make things happen? I have been using The Law of Attraction principles with my clients, in my class, Relax and Attract and with my own life. The concept of going WITH the flow instead of fighting it is very compelling for me. I love being able to relax and trust that I am doing what I need to do to have all the things I want. And I can't tell you how much fun it is to see things show up in ways I'd have never imagined and maybe, even have missed, if I hadn't stop trying so hard.

One of the important components in The Law of Attraction is being attractive. And, yes, while being pretty is good, that's not what I am talking about. What I mean is getting the stuff OUT OF THE WAY that drains energy and keeps me in a state that attracts little or nothing that I truly want and, sometimes, actually repels! So, my attention is on clearing the stuckness so life becomes easier. What practices do you have that get you unstuck?

COACH'S TIP>>>>> This week, spend some time every day being selfish. Not the bad selfish that hurts others, but selfish (AKA self-care) that nurtures you. Spend time doing those things you LOVE to do. Spend time with those you love and who make you feel great.

And then on the other side of this:

What self-limiting beliefs are in your way?
What are you doing that is out of integrity?
What are you wasting energy resisting what is?
Where are you not taking care of yourself?

Others won't give us the respect we want and deserve if we don't give it to ourselves. Take an honest look at how you are treating yourself and, if need be, make some changes. Be very, very selfish this week and watch what happens!

Networking & Referrals-WCR Style!

Joeann Fossland, Master Certified Coach (Advantage Solutions Group) — Fri, 11 Apr 2008 10:42:34 -0500

I LOVE WCR!!!!!! I have been a part of many organizations and I find the energy and support I find at WCR Meetings is second to none! I just returned from The Mega Networking Summit in St. Charles Missouri. There were hundreds of real estate professionals all intentional on growing themselves and, in the process, their businesses. Thank you, WCR, for the opportunity to meet and learn from other members.

So far today, I have accepted 4 LinkedIn requests. This tells me people were listening when my friend and tech trainer extraordinaire Amy Chorew told them they needed to participate in Web 2.0! Are you on board yet? Because you are reading here, my guess is you are already on board. Are the other Web 2.0 apps you need to check out? Do you Twitter?Are you using LinkedIn?

To be successful in 2008, you need to use some more strategies to bring value, service and education to your clients. If you took out to lunch 1 person per week and talked to them about all the ways they could benefit from real estate:

A second home
A retirement home
A rental or other investment
Using a self-directed IRA
Using their Health Savings Account

Do you think you'd end up with an additional transaction? I bet this strategy could add 6 more transactions to your production. All for the cost of a lunch (and maybe some additional education for you)!!!

As a side note...if you are interested in knowing more about Web 2.0, my Fossland's Forum this month was on that topic and can be downloaded here.

AND>>>>>>If you haven't already........ do yourself a favor, make plans right now to go to the Influential Women Summit in Boston this summer. You and your business will be glad!

What the heck is Twitter?????

Joeann Fossland, Master Certified Coach (Advantage Solutions Group) — Wed, 26 Mar 2008 14:04:59 -0500

Twitter is a micro-blogging platform that limits posts to 140 characters, but allows for replies and direct messages. Each post is an answer to the question "What are you doing?"

I don't know about you, but reading that definition leaves me asking, "So what?" It sounds almost like the stupidest idea ever. But actually using it, diving into it, working with it makes you realize that no explanation could really describe what it's like to use Twitter. Doesn't even come close! Just like blogging, once you participate, you get bitten by the bug!

In an article in FAST COMPANY, Robert Scoble says "Twitter will change the way business communicates (again)." He goes on to say,"The professional intimacy these services create...can also win you clients." And, of course, using technology to win clients is what it is all about, isn't it?

Quite frankly, it isn't for everybody. However, if you want to connect with tomorrow's buyers and sellers, Twitter is an application you should know about and, maybe, differentiate yourself with!

Here's a good blog post with more on this.

On The Personal Side- Spring is my favorite time of year!

Joeann Fossland, Master Certified Coach (Advantage Solutions Group) — Tue, 18 Mar 2008 14:04:17 -0500

Robin Williams says,"Spring is Mother Nature's way of saying Let's Party!"

My irises are blooming, the sun is shining and the wildflowers are in bloom all over Arizona! Life is good!

And since I turn 60 on Friday...I plan to follow the preaching's of that wise Mother!
I don't know about you, but this aging thing has been quite interesting. I used to have some concept of 60 being old. Just doesn't apply! Bub says maybe I will grow up by the time I turn 60 on Friday, but I doubt it.

I can say I am enjoying myself more than ever. Being a Grandma has to be the best title I have earned in all these years. I have made some decisions about what is and what isn't important. People are always trumping things! I have also begun to become a lot more LOW MAINTENANCE!! I have let the color grow out and now have hair that has natural highlights! (and it isn't nearly as grey as I thought it was). A good day is waking up above ground with food in the fridge, gas in the car and a roof over my head with the wherewithal to enjoy the people in my life. "Let's Party" seems like a good theme for not only the week, but for every day.

I don't want to make light of the problems with the housing market, the economy, the war, and global warming. I also know I can only make a difference in certain ways. So, the way I plan to contribute this week is by smiling and attempting to bring smiles to others. It may seem selfish or small, but I have a certainty of belief that it will all turn out if I do the best I can! My birthday wish for you is that you also have many things to be grateful for that you can focus on today and get joy from. Let's leave worry somewhere else and LIVE our best lives today!

And, if you want to come to one of my 2 birthday parties...here's the e-vite

Law of Attraction 30-Day Workbook Follow Up

Joeann Fossland, Master Certified Coach (Advantage Solutions Group) — Thu, 06 Mar 2008 17:25:46 -0600

Almost 100 of you downloaded the 30 Days to Turn Your Life Around Workbook I offered you last week. If you missed it, it is still available. We had some tech problems with the site. If you weren't able to download, try again or just email me and I'll send it to you.

I've gotten some offline questions mail about some of the terminology and exercises in the workbook.

BOPA stands for Book of Positive Aspects.

There is more information for the placemat exercises & segment intending on these 2 posts:

http://pat.powerfulintentions.com/forum/coaching/message-view/9342144

http://thesecret.powerfulintentions.com/forum/thesecret/message-view/15652554

If this all interests you, come to

RELAX AND ATTRACT MORE
Starts March 24

Are You Having A Bad Day? How Bad is it?

Joeann Fossland, Master Certified Coach (Advantage Solutions Group) — Tue, 04 Mar 2008 09:28:40 -0600

The real estate business may not be easy or the way you want it to be, but, as my husband said the other day, "At least they aren't shooting at us!"

I came across a link to a video of Carnegie Mellon professor, Randy Pausch on my Arizona Real Estate Educator's listserv. Not the place I would have expected to find this kind of inspiration, but I thought you'd find value too.

Randy was given 6 months to live. This is his "Last Lecture" to his students at Carnegie Mellon.

I checked him out further and found his home page here

Perhaps, thinking about your bad day with this in mind, you'll see another picture.

Get Off The Hamster Wheel-Start Using The Law of Attraction

Joeann Fossland, Master Certified Coach (Advantage Solutions Group) — Wed, 27 Feb 2008 17:32:00 -0600

Are you calm and peaceful, serene and satisfied? My byline is "Relaxed Real Estate for Magnificent Agents" and my vision is that each person I touch gain some value from me that leaves them creating extraordinary satisfaction in living a life they love. Of course, I can't make you or any of my clients calm, peaceful, serene or extraordinarily productive, it is ultimately up to you. The good news is that we always have the power to change what we are getting, if we don't like it!

I recently read The Astonishing Power Of Emotions by Esther and Jerry Hicks. In reading this and studying some of the other works by the Hicks, I am learning more about how to relax and go with the flow. The most profound shift for me has been to use accepting rather than resisting to take me to where I want to go.

For more on this and a gift of a free 30 Day Workbook to help you buff up your attractiveness, take a journey over here

TWO TECHY TIPS for Tuesday

Joeann Fossland, Master Certified Coach (Advantage Solutions Group) — Tue, 26 Feb 2008 14:49:40 -0600

1. This article "The Real Estate Marketing Toolkit - 37 Places to List a Home" is at International Listings blog and will help you with the links to the online places to give your listings even more exposure!

2. I've told you how much I love my Palm Centro...It's my phone, my lockbox key, my phone modem as well as a device to email, surf the web, and have my Outlook database and calendar at my fingertips! All for only $99. It now comes in PINK, RED, Black and White! BTW-If you have any TREO or the Centro, Pam has a wonderful self-paced learning site to take you through learning how to get the most from your device!

A Vision Board for 2008

Joeann Fossland, Master Certified Coach (Advantage Solutions Group) — Tue, 08 Jan 2008 21:35:30 -0600

I came across this as I was planning for my 3 Day REINVENTION Business Planning Retreat. Each participant is going to get one! It's called a Vision Board.

In my workshops, I have always found the creation of what I had called a Destiny Display, a poster with pictures of what the person wants to achieve in the coming year, is a kind of magic. Even people who think it is a silly exercise come around when they see the results they create. The Law of Attraction works powerfully when you keep your intentions in front of you.So, when I saw this, I loved it!!! It's a high tech, very cool way to keep your goals in existence and in front of you!

COACH'S TIP>>> For 2008 to be amazing, keep your goals visible!

ActiveRain Year In Review On Coaching By Joeann Fossland, Master Certified Coach

Joeann Fossland, Master Certified Coach (Advantage Solutions Group) — Mon, 31 Dec 2007 17:13:41 -0600

AR & Coaching 2007 : The Good, The Bad and The Ugly

Actually just the GOOD!!!! The bad and the ugly have been edited out!
What a fun task to review the coaching posts and take a look at how coaching and ActiveRain are intermeshing! Thanks to Jennifer Fivelsdal for the opportunity to play on this team!

To research this post, I read all the posts that were flagged coaching and reviewed the bios in the trainer group and took a look at the Coaching Groups to find more people and posts that would be valuable to bring to you. I interviewed a few coaches who had some good posts for their perspective. I found some new folks who'll I'll now subscribe to! There are 10 Coaching Groups, although several are private. When I joined early in the year, there were about 60 trainers listed. There are now 515. The whole profession of coaching is an interesting one since anyone can call themselves a coach.

So, I'd like to start there: On ActiveRain, we have a category for trainers but not one for coaches and I hope that this post will help you understand some distinctions between the two. I feel strongly about this because I encounter people who have no training at all or have just been trained by the company they work for. The International Coaches Federation (which is sort of like the NAR for Coaches) has certified 48 schools to offer training programs with minimum standards of 125 hours of class study. The ICF serves as the ethical body as well as offering the opportunity to earn coach designations, such as the Master Certified Coach(MCC) and Professional Certified Coach (PCC). Many people calling themselves coaches are using their real estate industry background to justify the title, coach. And many are actually offering "training" or "mentoring" rather than coaching. A good way to explain the difference, is that training is about the "what" and coaching is about the "who". Perhaps this is splitting of hairs, here, but I do want for you to know the difference and be empowered with the right questions should you hire a coach....but, I digress...and that is a whole 'nother post!

Should you have a coach? It's a personal decision, of course, based on your needs. Whether you need a trainer or a coach is part of that decision. Here are few thoughts on that by some ActiveRainers:

This caught my eye, Coach: I don't need no stinkin' coach! , by Tiffany Norton.
Lisa Wetzel offers some thoughts on why you'd want a coach in her Invitation To Join Business Coaching Group.
Award winning (ActiveRain/Inman ProjectBlogger) Blogger, Mary Pope Handy feels it is an expense that has proved worth it.

The great opportunity you have as part of the ActiveRain community is to sample the coaching style of the coaches by reading their blogs and getting a feel for their style.

DrumRoll Please........ Best of 2007 Coaching Posts:

Here is my favorite post by Katerina Gasset Conquering Your Roadblock Who's Name Is FEAR.

She says "Being a coach in the Active Rain Community has been very rewarding. I have been blessed so greatly in my life and love the chance to pay it forward. The way I give thanks is through helping others and here on the Rain I have the greatest opportunity to reach the most agents who can read my posts to help them in their lives and businesses. Through comments on my posts I know that my contribution is effective and appreciated.I also have picked up some great clients to coach and this is also very rewarding. I love to coach and train so I am living my dream and I am in my element here on the Rain." She also had a featured post Are You Ready To Quit or Sink Your Teeth Into Your Business In 2008 that is well worth reading if you missed it.

Lonn Dugan, a former webmaster and SEO service provider , also had two posts I had a hard time choosing between (so I didn't! Isn't that the great thing about blogging?...you can make up your own rules): Are You PURPLE Yet? and Roll Over Beethoven: Inventing a Wheel vs Buying a Wheel

Lonn said,"It used to be that most real estate blogs were about scripts, dialogue, business practices, office systems, and which smart phone to use. In 2007 we started hearing a lot more about SEO, SERP, Long Tail, PPC, and Google Rank! Active Rain has been a huge leader in online discussion for Real Estate Agents, so it is no surprise that there were a lot of posts on these topic. Not every agent can afford a personal coach, so this great web site at ActiveRain.com lets me help them too. My eBook about How to get Page One Rank at Google was published free of charge, one chapter at a time, at ActiveRain.com. See FREE eBook post #1 at http://activerain.com/blogsview/59831/Draft1-Page-1-TOP .

Chris Pollinger's post, Producing a Great Electronic Newsletter is an example of training (the what) vs. coaching(the who). Good stuff, regardless of the category, so I've slipped it in!

Chris sums up what I believe many of us have experienced. He says," Active Rain has allowed me to exceed the successful and tap into the significant. As a Real Estate Coach, I see the best of the best and the worst of the worst. Active Rain has allowed me to participate in some small way to share what's working and what's not it today's market. I have received comments from all over the US with agents I would have never met otherwise, letting me know something I've said in a comment or written in a post has changed their lives for the better.Active Rain has provided far more exposure than I had ever thought possible into markets and areas that I wouldn't be in otherwise."

Kelle Sparta gives some good advice for the "who" side of things: Get Committed

She says,"The thing that I've found most useful for blogging on Active Rain for me as a coach is that it is letting people get to know me and how I think. I've found that between the blog, the book, and the podcast, people who call up are acting like they've known me for years. It's really amazing (and a little disconcerting since I have no idea who they are). I have a few raving fans who are always out there to offer up a kind word or two as well and that's a bonus for me when I'm needing a pick-me-up. The interesting thing for me though is how the points system really encourages me to post in my blog. I have a goal to get into the top 10 in Massachusetts. It's a daunting task since the bar is constantly moving and I'm competing against agents who have the option of cutting and pasting reports from the MLS and who post listings. So it's more work for me. But it isn't really about getting into the top 10, it's about motivating myself to post, I think the point system is simply brilliant for this.

And here are a few more that impressed me :

Jess Rankin wrote WHAT THE HECK IS A D.F.E.? If you don't know about a D.F.E., it's time to find out
I loved this rather introspective post the moon by Mary Pickering. Simple questions are the most powerful tool a coach possesses. It taps you into your brilliance.
Tim Davis also wrote simple but powerful insights in The Essential Fundemental To Establishing Your Brand
Dean Gomus and Susan Hanshaw have written a series that is called Tips for Maintaining Positive Energy
And, everyone needs coaching tips about time management. Coach Steve Toth offers his Top 10 Time Management Tips.

So there you have it! 2008 promises to be an extraordinary year for those who choose to stretch themselves beyond average! Reading the posts from great coaches on ActiveRain will be one way to stay at the top of your game! Hiring a coach might be another!

2008 is going to be AMAZING!

Joeann Fossland, Master Certified Coach (Advantage Solutions Group) — Mon, 31 Dec 2007 14:20:48 -0600

Actually, I have to say that every year of my life can be described that way. Some amazing good...some just amazing :>)

I've learned that:

Even when things haven't worked out the way I expected, there were powerful life lessons that have served me well
The Universe often has a different time line for me than I do.Patience is one of the lessons of this lifetime for me :>)
Friends made along the way are some of the most precious gifts

So I know in 2008 I want to:

Relax and trust in myself and the Universe's plan
Spend time with family & friends as a priority-not an afterthought
Be joyful and spread joy
Choose the things I do by how passionate I am about them and say no to the rest
Create and share more abundance than ever before!!!!

Keeping it nice and simple is not my forte, but I believe I will do some REINVENTION around that too!

What is on your short list for 2008????

Who Are You Networked To?

Joeann Fossland, Master Certified Coach (Advantage Solutions Group) — Sat, 29 Dec 2007 09:14:24 -0600

Ah, the advantages of Web 2.0 and Social Networking!!!

I sent a message out this week to others on LinkedIn that were members, in my address book, but we hadn't linked up yet! There were over 300 of these people. It has been a blast! I am reconnecting with many people I haven't be in communication with it quite a while. They are sending me notes or asking where I know them from or just joining my network.

The funniest was an invitation from someone named Louis P to join his network. I haven't been accepting all invitations. I ususally make sure I really know the person. So, when I didn't recognize the name, I wrote back and said, "Do I know you?"
He replied,"My mother was the sister of your first husband's father." And, folks, the funny thing is...this is the truth and I realized I did know him! But I divorced that husband 37 years ago....

Are you LinkedIn Yet? It may be a great way to connect with people in your database and re-connect with people you have seen or spoken to in a VERY long time!

And send me an invitation when you do!!!!

Some days, it's not what you know, it's who you know and I believe in 2008 that will be critical to be successful. That is one of the reasons you are here, n'es pas?

Happy New Year

Five Wishes

Joeann Fossland, Master Certified Coach (Advantage Solutions Group) — Mon, 17 Dec 2007 08:20:56 -0600

I've just finished reading Five Wishes by Gay Hendricks.

It's a little gem of a book that you should buy first for yourself and then maybe for some of the people on your Christmas list! (the people coming to my 3 day Business Planning Retreat REINVENTION in Hawaii next month will be getting one free!)

He makes it simple to take a look at your life and know what is and what isn't important. If you are doing your business planning for the year and are a litle weak in the vision part, this book could give you some insight.

For me, The Second Wish he talks about.....Completion is an especially important one. All the way back to the things I wished I'd said to my Mom before she died (unexpectedly when I was 15)...I am conscious how important it is to be complete with everyone or risk the energy drain of those psychic vampires!!!! It was a nice reminder, also, to let the people who I appreciate know how I feel!!!!

So THANK YOU for coming here and reading, for making comments and for teaching me!!!!
We are all in for an amazing 2008!

Get It Organized!

Joeann Fossland, Master Certified Coach (Advantage Solutions Group) — Mon, 17 Dec 2007 07:31:29 -0600

One of the best little tools I know to do this with is "C . . . I AM ORGANIZED" tech organizer system from my friend Carolyne! I've loved this system, because when something goes awry, I KNOW where to find eveything to get on it. She has allowed me to extend a Christmas, Holiday, and New Year special offer to all my AR friends and colleagues:

It's that time of year AGAIN. Time to get organized for '08. Write it off your taxes this year. Hundreds of folks have the old original binder system (yep! and I gladly paid $97 for it!), and the PDA version; others have the updated version with all the parts and pieces.

Now the "C . . . I AM ORGANIZED" tech organizer system is currently "only" available as an eBook. Download yours now, using the special PayPal offer below. You can go to your local business supply depot and buy the plastics and card holders, dividers and such and build your own system however you like to use it. Print out the sheets, and put each sheet in your file drawer or in a binder.

As always, let Carolyne know if you need any assistance. Please read the testimonials. She has received kudos from great people like fellow Active Rainers such as Ann Cummings, Judith Clausen, and many others. She says she still regularly get notes from users, saying how much they appreciate having their info at their fingertips whenever they've had a crash or otherwise have had to re-build their computers, or buy a new one and need to document all their old information. It's not just for REALTORS... your kids and office staff can use it too.

http://www.MyBackUpBook.com/ Currently ONLY available as an eBook - pay using PayPal or Visa REALLY SPECIAL DEAL - just $20. U.S. Funds - download now

Immediate on-line delivery.