The Tortoise Wins The Race Again - 12/31/09 09:56 PM
There is this terrific quotation I ran across:
"We must go slowly, there's not much time."
Especially as we enter a new year, it relates to that time is short thought. It is too short to put off our happiness just because we have NOT ACHIEVED our goals yet. As you work toward a dream, it is not all about the destination, but the journey is equally important.
Life is a series of moments. Do not put off your happiness even one more day. Think slow, as the frenetic pace of life wants to drag you quickly forward towards all you … (25 comments)

Resolve Once In A Blue Moon To Be Your Best - 12/30/09 08:30 PM
OK, this new year is your chance. Once in a Blue Moon. Literally. Let astronomer Gary, another hat I wear clue you in.
Resolve Once In A Blue Moon To Be Your Best.
What is a blue moon? It is not blue, but two full moons in one month. Guess what? It is happening New Year's Eve. Full Moon December 2nd and December 31st.
Only happens on this date in this month every nineteen years so you will have to wait for 2028 for the next one lined up like this. Blue moons indicate typically something rare. You are rare. No … (26 comments)

Saving Slices Of Love When Your House Burns Down - 12/30/09 08:36 AM
Think quick. Your house is burning down. The family is safe outside. You have five minutes to run back inside and get anything you want. What do you save?
Most would save slices of love.
Snippets of time preserved in photographic form. An agent in our office actually had a house fire over Christmas so these things happen.
Your valuable photograph collection is very meaningful to you as the years go by and you see yourself and others change and the people that enter and exit your life.
One great idea for better organization for the new year is to develop … (22 comments)

Why Being A Little Pregnant Doesn't Work With Serious Realtors - 12/29/09 04:18 PM
Have you ever seen a woman into the eighth or ninth month of a pregnancy? In almost all cases there is no doubt what's going on. If she's just overweight and you are unsure as a guy, the right thing to do is to say "NOTHING" <Smile>.
But,
Being A Little Pregnant Does Not Work With Serious Realtors.
With a pregnancy test for women you either ARE pregnant or NOT. You cannot be a little pregnant. You know, lukewarm. With buyers and sellers they are either serious about getting the job done, or they want to play games and live in fantasyland.
… (28 comments)

Try To Beat A Poke In The Eye With Your 2010 Goals - 12/28/09 09:35 PM
I remember very vividly a country style gentleman looking at an "ok" offer that wasn't quite what he wanted for his house for sale and commented, "Well, it beats a poke in the eye."
I think with our goals and also aspirations for 2010 we need to set our sights higher and feel like we deserve better.
Being better than a  poke in the eye is settling. Whether in our relationships, our desired achievements, our glorious plans written down on a napkin, all areas ~ be bold, aim high, want the BEST for yourself. In goals they call it stretch goals. … (55 comments)

The Lesson In Opening Christmas Presents - 12/27/09 09:15 PM
"Love is what's in the room with you at Christmas if you stop opening presents and listen." There is
The Lesson In Opening Christmas Presents.
Some I have read did not celebrate the traditions of Christmas or other this time of year holidays. In one sense, to each his own. But out of ALL the things you can do this time of year, the opening of gifts is very special. The lesson is one of love between each other and that we really don't have to take the world on our shoulders all alone. When someone gives you a gift and … (22 comments)

Don't Miss The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year - 12/27/09 10:41 AM
I have always thought of the time AFTER CHRISTMAS as the most wonderful time of the year. Whether in our personal lives with times of reflection and relaxation or business possibly slowing down just a tad, we really should find ways to relax with activities of our choosing, or with chosen friends and family you want to be with.
Barring any family emergencies, illnesses or crises you may be going through which you may have to just endure this year, this is a reminder to
      Don't Miss It!!!
The world will soon be back to its normal frenetic self. The … (27 comments)

Just Like Contracts YOUR Words Are Very Important - 12/26/09 09:05 AM
In real estate contracts did you know Realtors are not allowed to practice law without being an attorney? Well it is true. Real estate agents are kind of fill in the blank lawyers. Words are carefully crafted by others, reviewed and then promulgated by state agencies or directly from a law firm. But
   Just like contracts YOUR words are very important.
We have all been there with the heat of the moment, or our frailty human thoughtlessness. You say something hurtful to a friend, spouse, client or child. You want to take it back, but the damage is done. The … (36 comments)

Peace On Earth Starts In Our Heart - 12/24/09 09:36 PM
Of the many messages of Christmas ~ love, salvation, God made man, the Good News, one of my favorites is peace on earth. Many people that you talk to in life are looking for peace, contentment, and serenity. I truly believe if you find that you are well on your way to a happy life.
Peace On Earth Starts In Your Heart.
Peace, like joy, is best cultivated from inside and can be there despite your circumstances. When you have it, then it can emanate outward to the world to disarm others, calm them, help them.
How do we find peace? … (37 comments)

Church Bells Ring Throughout Your Life - 12/24/09 08:59 AM
No man is an island, entire of itself; every man is a piece of the continent, a part of the main. . . . Never send to know for whom the bell tolls; it tolls for thee." --John Donne
During the holiday season in particular, many church bells ring out in proclamation of Christmas, church service or Mass start times or oftentimes churches in town squares, bells on the hour or even melodiously marking the half hour points. In some neighborhoods people have even complained that all the clanging and bong bonging throughout the day, particularly into the evening hours is … (15 comments)

Wordless Wednesday - This Is Not A Bath Towel - 12/23/09 02:38 PM


… (23 comments)

A Life Lesson ~ Don't Be So Sure You Know The End Of The Story - 12/23/09 09:00 AM
Here is a love story I came across recently and they say the author is unknown. With perhaps a little too much stress in our lives from the holidays we need to sit back and take in a tale from yesteryear. It made me feel good.... it is both a love story and of giving of ourselves and a postcript that maybe we shouldn't be so quick to think we know how the end of our story is written.
                           The Wallet
As I walked home one freezing day, I stumbled on a wallet someone had lost in the street. I picked it up … (16 comments)

Always Remember To Be Curious - 12/22/09 10:20 PM
In keeping real estate transactions moving forward and polishing our detailed abilities
Always Remember To Be Curious.
It seems we can get dull with our curiousity as we get older compared to our highly questioning self that we had as a child.
The key is continuing to ask the "why" question. Why is what is in front of us is adequate, correct, properly completed, etc.
Curiosity allows us to double check things, wonder how things can improve, and just overall remove blocks of fear and learn. Remember that image of a child enthusiastically asking questions and be like that as an … (23 comments)

Are You A Math-O-Phobe? - 12/21/09 05:03 PM
I recently took a Real Estate Mathematics class as some continuing education. For me at least because I already come from a technical background, I put it off cause I just knew the time it would take to work through all the problems, not the difficulty of the class. But it made me wonder about others...
Are You A Math-o-phobe?
That is, an adult needing to conquer a fear of math from some negative thought about yourself from some teacher that gave you bad performance when you were younger.
Math is highly valuable for appraisals, inspections, loans, measuring materials and labor … (29 comments)

Mr. Electric Toothbrush's Guide To Firing Friends - 12/20/09 04:00 PM
I wrote recently in a blog post in business and personal planning for ourselves in 2010 about looking through your friends list and perhaps firing a friend or two. Here is
Mr. Electric Toothbrush's Guide To Firing Friends.
You know, they have that superiority attitude to everything in your life. They have the electric toothbrush. You are still brushing manually-tsk, tsk!! They have a better car, house, wife, husband, kids, multiple vacations throughout the year. What about YOU and your sick dog? They couldn't care less. Do they ever call to offer assistance with ANYTHING? The answer is a big FAT … (39 comments)

Will My Toy Chest Go With This Room? Home Buying For Children - 12/20/09 01:23 PM
Will My Toy Chest Go With This Room?
Among all observations with buyers walking through houses, pay also attention to along with the adults who sign on the dotted line, the observations of the children. What do they think of the backyard for playing, the neighborhood, the room sizes, the floor plan? Does the house make them feel enthused and smile? Do the colors brighten them up? Obviously, ultimately it is the parent's call if this new place they have come back to and looked at two or three times is the "new" home sweet home, but don't discount the impressions from … (18 comments)

Do You Feel Lucky, Punk? Your Real Estate Team - 12/19/09 09:10 AM
Harry Callahan (Dirty Harry): I know what you're thinking. "Did he fire six shots or only five?" Well, to tell you the truth, in all this excitement I kind of lost track myself. But being as this is a .44 Magnum, the most powerful handgun in the world, and would blow your head clean off, you've got to ask yourself one question: Do I feel lucky? Well, do ya, punk?
Famous words from the 1971 classic movie Dirty Harry by Clint Eastwood. The bad guy needs to know if now cornered by the Detective and a pistol pointed at him if … (27 comments)

How To Lick A Bowl ~ check this out! - 12/18/09 06:38 PM




… (36 comments)

Shout Out For Christmas - 12/18/09 08:09 AM

… (17 comments)

Work, Work, Work, Even During The Holidays? - 12/17/09 09:15 PM
Realtors are a funny bunch when it comes to keep serving their clients. Many posts have been written about work/life balance especially having set hours or more importantly TIME OFF. So as good stewards of the business relationships we have with our clients should we
    Work, Work, Work, Even During The Holidays?
You will hear things that are actually facts that the buyers out around Christmas are the SERIOUS buyers. Some need to buy before the second half of school starts so they can move in.
But seriously, when you are 90 years old looking back isn't some quality family … (28 comments)

Want It BAD or You Will Fail With Your Goals - 12/16/09 07:26 PM
I have concluded with all the motivational seminars I have ever attended is they don't really work well to externally motivate you. Only YOU can motivate you. With our business and personal goals for a new year be reminded that you need to
Want It Bad or You Will Fail With Your Goals.
This craving, tasting, visualizing, immersing yourself in the end point is where you need to be to achieve. No wishy washy maybe of getting there. YOU WANT IT. BAD!!!
Goals, believe it or not are not the point. They set the "direction" for where you want to be. … (85 comments)

Ditching A Few Hamster Wheels Going Into 2010 Business Planning - 12/15/09 09:56 AM
In reading many blog post topics related to business planning I see a lot of what people are ADDING to the mix for 2010. But there is a law of addition by subtraction. You can actually add more with your time if you
Ditch A Few Hamster Wheels Going Into 2010 Business Planning.
That 20/20 hindsight will serve you well as you look back at what didn't work in 2009. Go with your FEELINGS not your THOUGHTS on this evaluation. Ditch
Meetings that are a waste, emails from those you don't care about, business practices that go nowhere, social media that … (31 comments)

Speechless Sunday - Hit The Road Jack! - 12/13/09 10:07 AM

HIT THE ROAD JACK!
 
… (39 comments)

When YOUR Voice Is The Best Voice - 12/12/09 04:34 PM
I sometimes think bloggers writing their posts are their harshest critics. ESPECIALLY those new to writing posts that go up out there on the Web. A reminder should be to think
When YOUR Voice Is The Best Voice.
If you've written ten blog posts or 1,000 it is good to always keep this in mind. There really is NOT a right or wrong with what you write. You uniqueness needs to shine through. Your VOICE will inevitably emerge, and it will surprise you with what style comes out of you. Some people are funny all the time. Others are all about business or … (26 comments)

New Agents Should Just Think Cake - 12/11/09 01:38 PM
New agents always ask how can I stand out from the crowd? This applies pretty much to anyone new in any given field.
New Agents Should Just Think Cake.
Particularly "icing" on the cake. Namely do MORE than the basics, and what's expected. Surprise your clients with extra information, insight, or help. Doing more than asked. Recommend your partners. You will so stand out from others who seem to think the bare minimum is "enough."
You helpfulness and thoughtfulness not only will be a good experience for that particular client but you being the one with the sweetness beyond the core … (32 comments)

Two Tips To Walk Through The Fog Of Life - 12/09/09 06:52 PM
I read a lot. I listen a lot as well to other people. It is how I learn or I at least get impressions or inspired by others. Lately I have been reading many rants of various complaints people have on this or that. I listen in groups to complaints as well for everything from the weather to traffic to on the job problems or personal issues. I see too many people seeking clarity in their lives but constantly taking a walk in the fog. Here are:
Two Tips To Walk Through The Fog Of Life.
Be a problem solver. Don't … (33 comments)

What You And Barney Fife Should NOT Have In Common - 12/07/09 08:07 PM
From the old days of the memorable and hysterically funny Andy Griffith show do you know
What You And Barney Fife Should NOT Have in Common?
Think about that scene with his gun. Sheriff Taylor knew Barney better than himself. It is that a little knowledge can make you dangerous. Barney had the gun but the single bullet for its empty self stayed in his pocket. Even though Mayberry's worst criminals were typically Otis the drunk, putting the bullet in the pocket showed that the gun would never go off half cocked, with out more to the process, more thought put … (27 comments)

Gift Giving For The Grinch In All Of Us - 12/06/09 07:40 PM
As the holiday season moves along it is only natural that we may just get worn out by all the Ho Ho Ho'ing and jingle bell refrains everywhere. Inside each of us we can go back and forth between being loving and just wanting to be our natural Grinch selves. So beyond traditional presents for all those you cherish in life how about
Gift Giving For The Grinch in All of Us.
With these ideas you will really make a difference in the world this time of year.
Your Time. How many of you are too busy with your own lives … (22 comments)

Become Your Own Puppetmaster When It Comes To Negative Energy - 12/06/09 03:05 PM
Reading many rants in the blogosphere and just watching various people get all hot and bothered about political or religious positions reminded me how we should try to
Become Your Own Puppetmaster When It Comes To Negative Energy.
Negative energy is SUCH a waste of our time. Little spurts perhaps are ok to try to drive your point or opinion. But some people go on and on and on. I think they need a life doing something productive and need to disengage their mouth or from their keyboard and give it a rest. Negative energy is draining too. From the puppetmaster … (25 comments)

Frantic Vs. Foremost, A Lesson From The Holiday Season - 12/05/09 02:06 PM
I am starting to see it again. Every year as the weeks get closer and closer to Christmas, shoppers have that frantic look on their face. They are not doing it all. They are not moving fast enough for the shopping, baking, decorating, wrapping presents, going to the parades, the parties, the where am I going to find time for that? For me it is a reminder I have spoken of here several times in different formats and that is
Frantic Vs. Foremost, A Lesson From The Holiday Season.
You see people, you can divide what you need to remember about … (20 comments)

What You Really Want For Christmas - 12/04/09 10:59 PM
"I know how you feel about all of this Christmas business, getting depressed and all that. 
It happens to me every year.  I never get what I really want. 
I always get a lot of stupid toys or a bicycle or clothes or something like that." ~Lucy Van Pelt
"What is it you want?" ~ Charlie Brown
"Real estate." ~Lucy Van Pelt - A Charlie Brown Christmas


 
… (26 comments)

Housing Is Not The Only Bubble To Burst - 12/04/09 07:02 PM
Did you know that
Housing Is Not The Only Bubble To Burst?
Many things you will observe are very fragile and can change from one state, one impression to another swiftly. Take the recent Tiger Woods flap about multiple women outside his wife. "Reputation" IMMEDIATELY is damaged.

I'm not really sure why in life with all things fragile we are surprised when the bubble pops. I guess we don't like change. Or maybe it is perhaps that we have one rock solid perception and to alter that shakes our reality hard. Very hard.
Sometimes the old adage of don't always … (21 comments)

Will You Trade Your Wooliness In For A Bikini Or A Speedo? - 12/03/09 09:43 PM
The Wooly Mammoth is one of the most recognized animals from a long time ago. But the question is
Will You Trade Your Wooliness In For A Bikini Or A Speedo?
You see the Wooly Mammoth is no longer with us. True. Ask to see one at your local zoo. They went extinct, somewhere around 12,000 years ago. Located in Siberia, parts of Europe and also North America. The fossil record tells us this. Glacial retreat with climate change caused the habitat to decrease in size and their food went away. Not good if you are a big guy or gal. … (22 comments)

Wordless Wednesday - Merry Christmas from our house to yours...Tiger - 12/02/09 10:27 PM

… (46 comments)

First Time Homebuyer Credit Means Dealing With More Millennials - 12/02/09 06:57 PM
There's a new cat on the block. Another generation is forging its way into the home buying market. They are the Gen Y crowd, the Millennials, the Echo Boomers. With the first time homebuyer credit extended, more of this generation may land on a Realtor's doorstep for assistance.
Do you know who they are? Are they your kids? nieces and nephews? Friends? YOU?
It is important in understanding generational traits so here's a quick recap:
Born in the era of 1982-1995, so how old is that? 15 to 28!! There are 60 million of them, three times the size of the … (10 comments)

When Letting It All Hang Out May Not Be A Good Thing - 12/01/09 06:38 PM
Today I wanted to write about and solicit your opinions particularly in the online world of social media about "transparency." That is revealing more the personal side of ourselves on blogs or social media like Active Rain or Facebook or with our tweets on Twitter. Sometimes this may not be a good thing. As one might say about your portrayal, "Too Much Information."
Particularly as a business person your image stays out there on the Internet. But especially Gen Y and the Millennials generation, some of them just don't seem to care about any perceived "reputation" they are tarnishing.
A recent blog … (93 comments)

 
Gary%20blue%20shirt Ambassador_large

Gary Woltal - Assoc. Broker REALTOR® SFR Dallas Ft. Worth

Flower Mound, TX

More about me…

Keller Williams Realty

Address: 2611 Cross Timbers Rd, Suite 100, Flower Mound, TX, 75028

Office Phone: (972) 874-1905

Cell Phone: (972) 310-8858

Email Me



Listings

Links

Archives

RSS 2.0 Feed for this blog