I have been thinking again and want to see if I can get some of the rest of you thinking too. 2008 was a pretty good year for me. I ended up No. 3 out of about 100 agents in the office.

I'm not bragging BTW but just putting things in context. All of my business was from referrals and I have only been in business for 5 years. I have been in coaching with Brian Buffini for 4 years and some of the deals I got came from the referral network inside the coaching system so my coaching was paid for by the referrals most years.

Now I have noticed a couple of things this year that are different than my previous experience.

1. Calls are easier to make than they used to be. I think that is because the relationships are better because I have been focused on them. 
2. Getting out to see folks face-to-face is easier too. Probably for the same reason.
3. The traditional methods of cold calling, expireds and FSBO have not been productive for most agents but that is always the case with an attrition rate of 85% or more of agents getting out of the business every 3 years.
   

I have seen very productive agents unable to make things work in this market because they ran out of time. One couple in particular were an example of this because they focused on expired listings and they could not close enough to stay alive in the sales market we had.

Some folks here would say they can do it with out the help of a coach. I agree, maybe they can but as I think about it, there are top producers that decided to follow a coaches advice. Michael Jordan comes to mind. I know, it's not the same thing but you get my point. Coaching has saved my business and I am in to stay just because I need the perspective and encouragement of a coach. If you don't then more power to you but I would challenge you to consider the benefits.

I am not getting paid for saying this nor do I get any 'brownie points' for it either. I just was thinking that we need to help each other and I wanted to tell you what works for me. I am pretty good about making my calls, writing notes and seeing clients but during the next 3 months we are going to be focused on the Blitz '09 that Brian is challenging us to do.It is a set of planned tasks with the stated purpose of getting us 1 more transaction EVERY MONTH in 2009. For me that would equate to 30 transactions in 2009. Not bad in my book.

I'll write more as we do the planned tasks. I'll give you some real numbers and results so you can see for yourself the benefits of doing the work. The work is to build better relationships and show people what we bring to the table and how we can help them and their friends and family in this tough market. I think it is going to beat the average and that is what I want to do.

My goal is to be in this business the next 20 years, enjoy the relationships and friendships that grow out of it and I plan to make a lot of money in the process. Doesn't sound too bad and I don't think working this way is going to burn me out anytime soon.

Any thoughts about this?? I would love to hear from you.

Thanks for listening,
Jerry W. Robertson