motivation: Get Motivated #19 - 06/03/12 05:13 PM

Sunday night again, means it is time to start thinking about the week ahead.  I know Memorial Day weekend typically starts the start of summer vacations.  And last week many took advantage of the three day weekend.  For me, there was little extra time off and that is a good thing!  I love being busy and last week was a really great week.
 
So in order to keep that momentum going, I am going to focus on team work.  I am going to support my team members and ask them to support me.  With the cooperation of all, and … (0 comments)

motivation: Get Motivated #17 - 05/22/12 09:17 AM
Motivation comes in all shapes and forms.  Sometimes I am motivated by a story that shows the strength of the human spirit.  Sometimes I am motivated by the lyrics of a song.  Sometimes I am motivated by the demonstration of a true leader. It is the last that I would like to discuss with you today.
There are some misconceptions about leadership too.  Simply put, you do not have a job title to be a leader and you do not become a leader automatically as you age.
If I were to ask you one question, "Do you consider yourself a leader?"  I … (23 comments)

motivation: Get Motivated #16 - 05/13/12 05:27 PM
It is time to get motivated so here is suggestion number 16.  BE CURIOUS!

Curiousity may have killed the cat, but in our professional lives it is imperative to keep the momentum moving forward.
One way to accomplish this would be to think of yourself as a detective.  What do detectives do?  They ask questions.
So, when you are engaged in a conversation with a prospect or client, ask questions.  Carefully listen to the answers.  Then ask follow up questions.
You may remember this technique used in the television program Columbo.  The Lieutenant just as he was about to leave, … (17 comments)

motivation: Get Motivated #14 - 04/08/12 07:50 PM
 
 
Most of us have spent the last day or days traveling or spending time with our family and friends.  But Monday morning is less than 12 hours away and it is time to redirect our attention to business.
 
With all of the family and friends that have shared photographs it reminded me of one of Stephen Covey's stories in First Things First.  
He talked about taking a container and filling it with rocks in front of a classroom, and then asked if the container was full.  Surprised, the students said yes, until he pulled out pebbles and … (11 comments)

motivation: Common Mistakes Made by Salespeople - #10 - 04/08/12 06:51 AM

Here is the last in this series.  
The last thing you want to do is give up on yourself or consider yourself as mediocre, average or worse!  A career in sales is stressful.  There are peaks and valleys in the selling cycle and the potential to be discouraged is always present.
Be consistent in your schedule of reading, self-improvement and motivation.  Stay away from the negative.  Keep your focus.
Remember in the real estate profession, we have a huge impact on our clients financial lives.  Don't forget that point!  There is great satisfaction in helping someone achieve their dream. … (10 comments)

motivation: Get Motivated #13 - 04/01/12 12:55 PM
 
 
It has been a busy week and being busy is a great way to stay motivated. 
Activity always leads to more activity.  Making a change in companies has certainly contributed to that too.  Not that I am complaining, but there are always so many details to take care of when you change companies.
The biggest change is the amount of time I am spending commuting to the office.  Working from home for the last 4 years has had its advantages.  But it has been necessary to be at the office with all of the set up of computers, cell … (7 comments)

motivation: Getting Motivated #12 - 03/22/12 07:21 AM
If you've failed are you a failure?  Really is a thought provoking question.
We have plenty of examples of people that failed at one time or another. However they did not allow that failure to derail their dream or goal. There is a laundry list of people that fit this category including Walt Disney, Thomas Edison, Mozart, van Gogh.
Imagine for a minute what our life would be like had Thomas Edison not succeeded in his invention of the lightbulb.  Vincent van Gogh only sold ONE painting in his lifetime, and yet now his works sell for record breaking amounts.  Walt Disney … (7 comments)

motivation: Get Motivated #11 - 03/18/12 07:47 AM

Here is the next blog in the series on motivation. I have been reading John C. Maxwell's book "Failing Forward".  I am always inspired by his words.  When I read his material, I often find myself experiencing one of the AHA moments.    

The second chapter discusses failure, more specifically our own definition of failure.  What I have learned is that failure is not avoidable, failure is not irreversible, failure is not the enemy and failure is not final.  

So as I have been reading this chapter, it happened, another "AHA" moment.  As children we learn … (7 comments)

motivation: Get Motivated #10 - 03/16/12 04:54 AM
 
 As you know I started reading John C. Maxwell's book “Failing Forward”.   I'm always reading something to keep me inspired.  What has struck me most in the first chapter is his first step to failing forward, “realize there is a one major difference between average people and achieving people”.  That is a powerful statement.
 
When you think about a successful individual you will find similar traits, they take responsibility for their actions, they take on new risk, they remain positive and above all they are persistent.   Obstacles are not a reason for us to fail.  In these obstacles we … (10 comments)

motivation: Getting Motivated #9 - 03/12/12 04:10 PM
 
I had a few minutes this afternoon while waiting for an appointment.  This rarely happens during the day for me.   I decided to take advantage of the opportunity and in an effort to maximize my time management I started reading a new book I just picked up this week.  There are many books that I enjoy but one of my favorite authors is John C. Maxwell.  The book that I picked up is titled, “Failing Forward”. 
 
The first thing I read where the comments by other authors on the back cover.  As I read each of them, I … (3 comments)

motivation: Getting Motivated #8 - 03/11/12 07:45 AM
 
Sometimes the best way to stay motivated is to find ways to simplify your life. In order to stay motivated I often look to inspirational quotes on a daily basis. Today I came across this one from legendary Green Bay Packers coach Vince Lombardi, "it's hard to be aggressive when you're confused."
 
Those are eight words that deliver a huge message. With all of the technology available, are there things that you can do to simplify your life. Find ways to combine activities that make sense. After all a carefully planned a will be much more productive than one … (8 comments)

motivation: Getting Motivated # 7 - 03/04/12 06:57 PM
 
 
The keys to motivation have been the topics of the last six blogs. To stay motivated, we need to stay focused. In today's message, I'm going to give you a helpful hint to maximize your focus.
 
If you remember the story about Jimmy Johnson’s speech to the Dallas Cowboys before the Super Bowl, the message was when you lose focus, you fail to achieve your goal.
 
So, a simple way to keep your goals in focus, is to literally put them in front of you.  You can write them down and keep them in a day planner, … (2 comments)

motivation: Getting Motivated #6 - 02/29/12 07:41 AM
 
Today's motivation was inspired by a comment made by Greg Gillespie on my post Getting Motivated #3.
If its success in your business, you will often find a measure of success is determined by our outward appearance.  Do you portray the image of the successful professional?  Some people just fake it, until they make it, others never do make it.
 
However, when working to create our dream, there are many things that need to change. In reality the only way to realize our dreams is to change our attitude or change our belief system.  It will be the change in … (7 comments)

motivation: Getting Motivated #5 - 02/27/12 10:43 AM
 
In yesterday's blog Getting Motivated # 4, I talked about focus. The example was Dallas Cowboys head coach Jimmy Johnson’s talk to the team before the 1993 Super Bowl.  His message was simple, stay focused.
 
As I started writing this morning, it occurs to me that focus will be meaningless unless there is a goal. The more specific the goal, the easier it will be to maintain your focus. So today's message is to write a specific goal that will ignite your passion and excite your imagination. It is the combination of the two that will drive your motivation … (3 comments)

motivation: Getting Motivated #3 - 02/25/12 08:56 AM
One of the easiest ways to get motivated is to have a very specific dream.   Be as brief yet as specific as you can.
I remember reading a story about Arnold Schwarzenegger. Someone once asked him what he was going to do after he finished his career as a bodybuilder. His answer was simple. "I am going to be the biggest Hollywood box office star in history."  How many would really share that type of goal with a stranger?  How many actually share their dreams with their family and friends? 
The fact is, he went on to do just that.  … (10 comments)

motivation: Getting Motivated - #1 - 02/19/12 04:55 PM
Okay, it's Sunday night again.  How are you going to get yourself motivated for Monday?  Do you need someone to light fire under you?

One of the best ways to motivate ourselves is to plan your day. When we plan our day, and have our tasks outlined, we know where we need to be and when. As we check off each of these tasks, we increase our sense of purpose and develop a feeling of accomplishment.
Planning and organizing your time is the most important skill to learn. It's the difference between being proactive versus reactive. As the day … (6 comments)