Barb Siegwalt's Blog

Positive Energy Summit

Barb Siegwalt, Barb Siegwalt (Keller Williams) — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 12:14:32 -0800

Positive energy, success, positive energy, success.....any more questions?

The purpose for any business is to provide an answer to a problem someone is willing to pay for the solution to. How are you doing with that? My hope is you all are doing really well. My desire is for all who are truly INTENTIONAL about success have it. The reality is, those who live intentionally, ask for success and live into that reality ALWAYS get what they want! Ask, it will be given, knock and the door will be open. It is time to be prepared for the abundance you want. More important however, is to be really intentional about what you want. First you must ask yourself "So what do I REALLY want?". Spend as much time as necessary to find the answer, then ask for it. Clear out any negative in your head and launch into your intention.

I would like to share a plug for a good friend who has an incredible course by the name of "Intentional Eating". The Author / Coach Shelly Kochhar's program is a great way to fuel your body as you fuel your business.

http://blog.intentionaleater.com

Also for those of you who believe that we all need Positive Energy, feel free to join the Positive Energy Summit.

www.meetup.com/positiveenergysummit No matter where you are in the world you may join the group and be a part of the Positive Energy Movement!

If you have the opportunity to reside in or around Austin Texas, the group is holding live meetings which are free to attend.

Be safe, be happy and most of all Be Positive! Our Real Estate industry, our families and our Country can use the support!

Thanks!

Steve Siegwalt

Realtor GRI

512-745-5880

Pre-Paid Legal Services Inc.

Barb Siegwalt, Barb Siegwalt (Keller Williams) — Fri, 13 Feb 2009 13:43:26 -0800

Hello Rain! I am happy to announce that our Real Estate business is rolling right along. I believe that as so many times after an election and a change of parties, people get scared and angry and frustrated and and etc et al...... I am seeing many folks just pulling up their bootstraps and getting back in the saddle. The ride is rough but this country was not founded by sissy's! Anyhow, while I was stumbling around myself I came across a product I felt compelled to share with the rest of the world. This product provides a service to be sure and there is a business opportunity as well, to be sure.....but I have a personal cause.

The legal system in this country is just a little difficult at times. No really! Not broken or corrupt (although some might argue that!) but just dysfunctional. There are way too many Lawyers (yes they say the same about us Realtors!) and the court system is flooded with frivolous lawsuits, divorce, etc. Enter the product I discussed before, Pre-Paid Legal Services. If you want to see the product please log onto www.prepaidlegal.com/hub/stevesiegwalt. The reason I am so interested in this product is, as I believe, this is a service of which, if everyone had it, there would arise the opportunity to actually reduce the litigiousness of our country! It is a defensive product that gives the members access to some of the most powerful attorneys in the country for less than the cost of a cup of coffee a day! Just think of the opportunity for perhaps, less litigious closings, less legal paperwork required to get to the closing table, etc. Many other benefits from this service but this is not really a commercial, I just wanted to share a new and wonderful mission I am on......join me!

Mission work

Barb Siegwalt, Barb Siegwalt (Keller Williams) — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 11:20:52 -0700

I just returned from a 7day mission trip to south Dallas Texas. The opportunities to witness and meet people were boundless and fruitful.

Our mission team consisted of 20 middle school aged youth and 7 adults. If you are not familiar with south Dallas, it has reached notoriety as being one of the most crime ridden areas in the country.

We stayed right in the heart of south Dallas and at times during the night heard gunshots ring out. I did not, however, feel unsafe at any time throughout the week. Most of those who were up at the late hours causing the noise kept their "dealings" among themselves.

I could go on for pages and hours about the mission trip and the inpact we had on the comunity yet the most powerful impact was that which came upon my own heart. I left there wanting to return as soon as possible and check up on how all my new friends were doing. Especially Pastor Chris Simmons of Cornerstone Baptist Church. That man is on a mission each and every day. It is very evident that it is a mission blessed by God.

My main purpose for this note was to share a perspective. While I was in south Dallas, I saw and interacted with many people. The response was always a wave, a nod, a smile or some form of positive gesture. I was pleased with the politeness I saw. Now for the other part...... I came home to my middle class affluent neighborhood and the first person I stopped to let cross the street never even raised his head. Not even a gesture. I felt that there was more of a lost feeling for him than the people I had just spent a week with.

I do not feel that we are all this unaware all the time yet for each time we do not smile or wave we loose an opportunity to share Gods love for us through our love for one another.

Give a smile and a hug...............

Give God the glory for our Country, for we are one nation...... Under God.......Indivisible.......

Consultation help!

Barb Siegwalt, Barb Siegwalt (Keller Williams) — Fri, 11 Jul 2008 11:56:14 -0700

If you have been in this business a while chances are you have listened to consultants at one time or another. They all have great things to say and will give to you, (for a nominal fee), the success system that will propel your business into the stratosphere. I was wondering, as I do a lot...., if there is a common denominator to most of what they are all saying. I think I have narrowed it down to a couple of items that are the most common.

1. You are what you think about and you get what you put into your mind.

2. The best system is the one that helps you stay on track and be able to "be accountable" for your actions.

3. You must act! whatever the system, plan, energy director, panacea, whatever it is, it will do nothing. You must still get up in the morning and go to work. Nothing just comes to anyone, unless you have already done a lot of work and are the blessed recipient of the highly sought after "residual income!"

4. You must learn the meaning of the word discipline. None of the programs I have studied have said that you could just eat whatever you wanted whenever you wanted! You must inculcate in the very fiber of your being the attitude of discipline.

All this aside the secret to success is to do your job while becoming the best at what you do. Do it with a genuine smile on your face. All the old rules in the real estate business still apply to this day and time. Such is the subject of the next post!

Calling all sales pros

Barb Siegwalt, Barb Siegwalt (Keller Williams) — Sat, 21 Jun 2008 21:43:22 -0700

Are you a real pro at the Real Estate game? Do you constantly exceed your, as well as others, expectations? If so, would you care to share any of your tricks? The fundamentals we all know. Perhaps we do not execute to peak performance every day?? Here are a few starter, nib-lets.

- Always maintain a constant, clear and concise level of communication with your client

- Remember that the relationship is far more important than the commission.

- Smile a lot, offer positive energy as well as positive communication to all you come in contact.

- Call and keep in constant contact with your "list". They are your lifeblood.

Next.......

Mark McClure and "The Ruthless Entrepreneur"

Barb Siegwalt, Barb Siegwalt (Keller Williams) — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 12:46:18 -0700

Has anyone out there in the Active Rain community attended any of Mark Mcclure's, Ruthless Entrepreneur seminars? I would like your feedback. The web address is www.markmcclurelive.com. It appears that this US Marine has indeed been there and done that in many places. I look forward to comments from the Rain.

Way To Go Celtics

Barb Siegwalt, Barb Siegwalt (Keller Williams) — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 00:18:22 -0700

The Boston Celtics just threw a colossal whupping to the La Lakers this evening. 92-131. The teamwork they displayed should be a lesson to us all. As Realtors, if we took on this market like the Celts took on their season, there would be nothing beyond our reach. I am happy for the Celtics but equally happy now that the Lakers beat our own San Antonio spurs. Reason being, I would be in the Lakers shoes tonight asking "did anyone get the number of that freightliner!". A great coach a great team effort, overall an exciting BBall game. Good for you Boston! Congratulations on #17

Marketing opportunities through Active Rain

Barb Siegwalt, Barb Siegwalt (Keller Williams) — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 16:32:33 -0700

I was commenting on a poat and noticed someone stating that they just received their first listing appointment through their association with Active Rain. Is there out there with a couple of good supercharged ideas of how to get business from our great site.

What do you value most?

Barb Siegwalt, Barb Siegwalt (Keller Williams) — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 16:11:19 -0700

Warning!! This story has been known to bring tears to some peoples eyes.

I believe that the road to happiness is paved with stories like this

The necklace

The cheerful little girl with bouncy golden curls was almost five. Waiting with her mother at the checkout stand, she saw them, a circle of glistening white pearls in a pink foil box.

'Oh mommy please, Mommy. Can I have them? Please, Mommy, please?'

Quickly the mother checked the back of the little foil box and then looked back into the pleading blue eyes of her little girl's upturned face.

'A dollar ninety-five. That's almost $2.00. If you really want them, I'll think of some extra chores for you and in no time you can save enough money to buy them for yourself. Your birthday's only a week away and you might get another crisp dollar bill from Grandma.'

As soon as Jenny got home, she emptied her penny bank and counted out 17 pennies. After di nner, she did more than her share of chores and she went to the neighbor and asked Mrs. McJames if she could pick dandelions for ten cents. On her birthday, Grandma did give her another new dollar bill and at last she had enough money to buy the necklace.

Jenny loved her pearls. They made her feel dressed up and grown up. She wore them everywhere, Sunday school, kindergarten, even to bed. The only time she took them off was when she went swimming or had a bubble bath. Mother said if they got wet, they might turn her neck green.

Jenny had a very loving daddy and every night when she was ready for bed, he would stop whatever he was doing and come upstairs to read her a story. One night as he finished the story, he asked Jenny, 'Do you love me?'

'Oh yes, daddy. You know that I love you.'

'Then give me your pearls.'
'Oh, daddy, not my pearls. But you can have Princess, the white horse from my collection, the one with the pink tail. Remember, daddy? The one you gave me. She's my very favorite.'

'That's okay, Honey, daddy loves you. Good night.' And he brushed her cheek with a kiss.

About a week later, after the story time, Jenny's daddy asked again, 'Do you love me?'

'Daddy, you know I love you.'

'Then give me your pearls.'
'Oh Daddy, not my pearls. But you can have my baby doll. The brand new one I got for my birthday. She is beautiful and you can have the yellow blanket that matches her sleeper.'

'That's okay. Sleep well. God bless you, little one. Daddy loves you.'

And as always, he brushed her cheek with a gentle kiss.

A few nights later when her daddy came in, Jenny was sitting on her bed with her legs crossed Indian style.

As he came close, he noticed her chin was trembling and one silent tear rolled down her cheek.
'What is it, Jenny? What's the matter?'

Jenny didn't say anything but lifted her little hand up to her daddy. And when she opened it, there was her little pearl necklace. With a little quiver, she finally said, 'Here, daddy; this is for you.'

With tears gathering in his own eyes, Jenny's daddy reached out with one hand to take the dime store necklace, and with the other hand he reached into his pocket and pulled out a blue velvet case with a strand of genuine pearls and gave them to Jenny.

He had them all the time. He was just waiting for her to give up the dime-store stuff so he could give her the genuine treasure. So it is, with our Heavenly Father. He is waiting for us to give up the cheap things in our lives so that he can give us beautiful treasures.

As a Realtor it should be your goal to bring happiness to your clients life.

Tuesday Funnies

Barb Siegwalt, Barb Siegwalt (Keller Williams) — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 12:40:54 -0700

1. HOW DO CRAZY PEOPLE GO THROUGH THE FOREST?

They take the Psycho path.

2. HOW DO YOU GET HOLY WATER?

You boil the Hell out of it.

3. WHAT DO FISH SAY WHEN THEY HIT A CONCRETE WALL?

Dam!

4. WHAT DO ESKIMOS GET FROM SITTING ON THE ICE TOO LONG?

Polaroids.

5. WHAT DO YOU CALL A BOOMERANG THAT DOESN'T WORK?

A stick.

6. WHAT DO YOU CALL CHEESE THAT ISN'T YOURS?

Nacho Cheese

7. WHAT DO YOU CALL SANTA'S HELPERS?

Subordinate Clauses.

8. WHAT DO YOU CALL FOUR BULLFIGHTERS IN QUICKSAND?

Quatro Sinko.

9. WHAT DO YOU GET FROM A PAMPERED COW?

Spoiled milk.

10. WHAT DO YOU GET WHEN YOU CROSS A SNOWMAN WITH A VAMPIRE?

Frostbite.

11. WHAT LIES AT THE BOTTOM OF THE OCEAN AND TWITCHES?

A nervous wreck.

12. WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN ROAST BEEF AND PEA SOUP?

Anyone can roast beef.

13. WHERE DO YOU FIND A DOG WITH NO LEGS?

Right where you left him.

14. WHY DO GORILLAS HAVE BIG NOSTRILS?

Because they have big fingers.

15. WHAT KIND OF COFFEE WAS SERVED ON THE TITANIC?

Sanka.

16. WHY DO A PILGRIM'S PANTS ALWAYS FALL DOWN?

Because they wear their belt buckle on their hat.

17. WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A BAD GOLFER AND A BAD SKYDIVER?

A bad golfer goes, whack, dang it! **A bad skydiver goes,

dang it,

whack!

18. HOW DO YOU CATCH A UNIQUE RABBIT?

Unique up on it

19. HOW DO YOU CATCH A TAME RABBIT?

Tame way, unique up on it.

20. WHAT DO YOU CALL SKYDIVING LAWYERS?

Skeet.

Christian advice

Barb Siegwalt, Barb Siegwalt (Keller Williams) — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 12:29:03 -0700

I cannot remember where I got this but it makes for a good read and the advice is well worth the time to read!

Enjoy!

CHRISTIAN WAYS TO REDUCE STRESS

An Angel says, "Never borrow from the future. If you worry about what may happen tomorrow and it doesn't happen, you have worried in vain. Even if it does happen, you have to worry twice."

1. Pray

2. Go to bed on time.

3. Get up on time so you can start the day unrushed.

4. Say No to projects that won't fit into your time schedule, or that will compromise your mental health.

5. Delegate tasks to capable others.

6. Simplify and uncluttered your life.

7. Less is more. (Although one is often not enough, two are often too many.)

8. Allow extra time to do things and to get to places.

9. Pace yourself. Spread out big changes and difficult projects over time; don't lump the hard things all together.

10. Take one day at a time.

11. Separate worries from concerns. If a situation is a concern, find out what God would have you do and let go of the anxiety. If you can't do anything about a situation, forget it.

12. Live within your budget; don't use credit cards for ordinary purchases.

13. Have backups; an extra car key in your wallet, an extra house key

buried in the garden, extra stamps, etc.

14. K.M.S. (Keep Mouth Shut). This single piece of advice can prevent an enormous amount of trouble.

15. Do something for the Kid in You everyday.

16. Carry a Bible with you to read while waiting in line.

17. Get enough rest.

18. Eat right.

19. Get organized so everything has its place.

20. Listen to a tape while driving that can help improve your quality of life.

21. Write down thoughts and inspirations.

22. Every day, find time to be alone.

23. Having problems? Talk to God on the spot Try to nip small problems in the bud. Don't wait until it's time to go to bed to try and pray.

24. Make friends with Godly people.

25. Keep a folder of favorite scriptures on hand.

26. Remember that the shortest bridge between despair and hope is often a good "Thank you Jesus."

27. Laugh.

28. Laugh some more!

29. Take your work seriously, but not yourself at all.

30. Develop a forgiving attitude (most people are doing the best they can).

31. Be kind to unkind people (they probably need it the most).

32. Sit on your ego.

33. Talk less; listen more.

34. Slow down.

35. Remind yourself that you are not the general manager of the universe.

36 .Every night before bed, think of one thing you're grateful for that you've never been grateful for before. GOD HAS A WAY OF TURNING THINGS AROUND FOR YOU. "If God is for us, who can be against us?" (Romans 8:31)

Good Morning World!

Barb Siegwalt, Barb Siegwalt (Keller Williams) — Sat, 14 Jun 2008 09:50:38 -0700

Is this not a great day? Look around you and take note of what you are thankful. For those of you who are experiencing great hardship and pain, take a few moments and look ahead with an attitude of gratitude. If you feel so strongly that your environment keeps you from experiencing happiness and joy please share with us your troubles and through the Rain we might be of a service. Please share the many things you are thankful for as well that others might be lifted up with your positive energy.

Firday the 13th

Barb Siegwalt, Barb Siegwalt (Keller Williams) — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 16:21:17 -0700

Some believe that when the 13th falls on a Friday there are going to be bad things happening. What is the reasononing behind this? If one believes something to be true than it will most likely become true. Your mind creates your daily exsistence. Should we believe Friday the 13th to be a bad day? Why not just say, "Friday the 13th...14th....whatever Thank God it's Friday".....oh by the way, thank God for each day. Remember, every day above ground is a good day!

Get Excited!

Barb Siegwalt, Barb Siegwalt (Keller Williams) — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 17:03:18 -0700

The time has come for all good folks to get excited again. I have seen a lot of blogs about this and that and there seems to be a bit of concern about the market.

We need to refocus and realize that the Real Estate business is not an easy, show up and collect a check endeavor. (How's that for a flash of the blindingly obvious!) There is a lot of fun and hard work involved in order to be truly successful in this business.

Here are a couple of action steps to rekindle the fire.

Go out and buy a copy of the Rob Report. Flip through it and tear out the pages that put a glimmer in your eye. In the morning, lay them all out on your bed and leave them there until you return from your daily activities. You will have to gather them up in the evening to through the sheets back but the next morning spread them out again. Why do this? I am not really sure, however the law of attraction as discussed in the movie the Secret well understands this. You are daring to dream. Dreams are the fuel that keeps the business alive. You will begin to think about what exciting things are possible and start to live into the future instead of having the future "done unto you".

Secondly, go for a long walk (preferable not off a short pier!) and ponder a bit. A long walk breaks through many barriers, the one that says I need my car, a long walk gets me too far away from my car! Another barrier is pushing through the comfort zone of time. I can't take a long walk, I don't have the time. You do if you so choose. Take control of your life, and try to live it through the eyes of a child.

Attitude and Skepticism

Barb Siegwalt, Barb Siegwalt (Keller Williams) — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 12:01:29 -0700

I would like to thank all who responded to my post on attitude. This note has the purpose of addressing the comment on Skepticism. Please take this response as positive since that is the spirit it has been created.

Encarta Dictionary:

Skepticism:

Doctrine that knowledge is impossible

the doctrine that holds that true knowledge is not possible

1. Doubting Attitude

an attitude marked by a tendency to doubt what others accept to be true

2. Doubt of religion

a doubting attitude toward religious beliefs

From the Thesaurus:

Skepticism:

Cynicism

Disbelief

Doubt

Uncertainty

Skepticism affects us daily. We should prevent it from infecting us. I choose to live my life without being skeptical........yeah right! Let me rephrase, I am attempting to live a positive life while attempting to minimize the influence of skepticism! We should always, when partaking in any new knowledge, gage what we are learning through the wisdom and perspective that comes from living the plan God has for our lives. Since we really do not know what the day to day realities of that plan are, we must, through faith, gage and measure all our interactions through a mindset guided with perspective and wisdom we receive through prayer. The Secret is a movie made by humans and should be viewed as such. It is not a religion, just information and one should, "Believe it or not"........

Attitude

Barb Siegwalt, Barb Siegwalt (Keller Williams) — Sun, 08 Jun 2008 21:57:36 -0700

Of course by now we all have heard of the movie "The Secret". (http://thesecret.tv/) If not go out and buy a copy today! Most bookstores will have a copy.

My wife and I do our best to raise our family on good Christian values. This movie in no way impedes them. It is good information we all can live by.

You are what you think about most and you will act as you see yourself. Attitude, not just any attitude, but positive attitude, will lead you through the fog. Always remember that the plan you are living, past, present and future is Gods plan. You can live that plan with zest and enthusiasm or the other way....

As I have heard Anthony Robbins say many times, "Live with passion"

A great Experience

Barb Siegwalt, Barb Siegwalt (Keller Williams) — Sun, 08 Jun 2008 21:45:42 -0700

LaChance Realty

"Our Goal is a great experience"

Our Goal at LaChance Realty is to sell your home or find you a new one or both, while creating a great experience that is both fun and lucrative. We are in the relationship business and it just so happens we get to provide homes to our new friends. We believe that the service experience you get will make you a member of our family for life.

Lifetime Referrals

Barb Siegwalt, Barb Siegwalt (Keller Williams) — Thu, 05 Jun 2008 16:09:36 -0700

To gain a great and new perspective in the world of referrals please go, buy and read a copy of The Referral of a Lifetime: The Networking System That Produces Bottom-Line Results By Timothy L. Templeton. This is an easy read and has tools you can use immediately.

Your Top Four Priorties

Barb Siegwalt, Barb Siegwalt (Keller Williams) — Thu, 05 Jun 2008 15:45:58 -0700

What are the four top priorities in your life. Money, health, your house, car, kiddos. If you indeed know them do you live by them in all your daily activities? Do all your actions reflect your top four even when no-one is looking? My four for example are First, my faith in God and his plan for my life. Second, my health, emotional as well as physical. Third, my wife and families safety and happiness and fourth, the creation of financial abundance. Discover your top four, then go to work on your happiness.

Do it TO yourself remodeling advice.

Barb Siegwalt, Barb Siegwalt (Keller Williams) — Thu, 29 May 2008 15:12:47 -0700

After years in the construciton field and many more in the high end custom cabinet design and manufacturing business, I have finally decided to hang up my construction tools (stored in my man garage for future opportunities) and put my 15+ year old real estate liscence to work. My wife is a veteran in the construction and Real Estate business as well yet she just recieved her coveted liscense. We have created our team of two (actually three counting my mom our borker!). Now we are going after our huge list of friends, family and former business associates in order to explode our business. My purpose for this note however has nothing to do with our real estate business. I would like to offer my advice, from my many years of being in the construction, remodeling and cabinet industry to the folks of Active Rain. One caviot, I will not be held responsible for anything you touch, for I know how much damage I can do with a sawzall! Once again ask away and I will try my best to give good advice with an occasional dose of wise cracks.

Steve

New Husband and Wife Realtor team

Barb Siegwalt, Barb Siegwalt (Keller Williams) — Thu, 29 May 2008 14:03:58 -0700

I just wanted to say we are happy to be a part of the Active Rain Network. Can't wait to learn more about how we can become involved! Barb and I are excited to be a team in the real estate business where we can really put our years of relationship building and customer service talents to work.

Thanks!

Steve Siegwalt

Realtor

Lachance Realty