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Sometimes You Have To Win The Race With Your Shoe Untied

By
Real Estate Agent with Keller Williams Realty 0575737

Running RaceSometimes You Have To Win The Race With Your Shoe Untied.

You see buyers of real estate sitting on the fence. You see people who won't take their business to the next level gripped in analysis paralysis. Wanting everything to be "perfect" before venturing forward and making a decision. The military and NASA I think try to make do with what they have and get on with the mission at hand the best. Why do the rest of us sit and do nothing?

                                                                                                                              AP photo

I think it has to do with comfort level. We are all waiting for ALL the lights to be green before we proceed with something. Fence sitting of any kind is a killer. Why? We are wasting valuable time. If you are in the race to get to the finish line and be the winner you have to take off down the track. Even if your shoelaces become untied. Jump and the net will appear. Connect the dots into an uncertain future. When the student is ready the teacher will appear. Be ready. The gun has gone off. Gather ENOUGH information before the race, but you have trained and conditioned well. The crack of the gun thrusts you into action. Your shoe lace has come undone. You know what? It doesn't matter, you are a winner and a champion and you know where you are going. You CAN win the race with your shoe untied. It's pretty darn amazing to you when you finally figure this out. Pass it on to the fence sitters.

The Rains Team
Keller Williams Realty Atlanta Partners - Hoschton, GA
A higher standard in real estate

Hey Gary...Oh this is so true of all the first-time home buyers I work with. I understand that buying a home is scary (especially your first one, trust me--I was there last year) but I get a little frustrated after showing house after house, doing research after research and pointing out their best option knowing that it's time to put in an offer...take that first step...but no, they just sit and wait (It's good to think it over for a night, maybe two but a couple of weeks?!!)...and then they get upset when the house they wanted goes under contract. AND...we're back to square 1...JUST TAKE A STEP :-)

Okay, that's my little rant for the day :-)

--Anne Rains

Apr 09, 2009 04:00 AM
Lenn Harley
Lenn Harley, Homefinders.com, MD & VA Homes and Real Estate - Leesburg, VA
Real Estate Broker - Virginia & Maryland

That photo is priceless.  Apparently, his mother never taught him how to tie his shoes.

 

Apr 09, 2009 04:02 AM
Colleen Fischesser Northwest Property Shop
NextHome Experience - Chelan, WA
A Tradition of Trust in the Pacific NW since 1990!

Gary, I love the photo and the analogy is awesome. Refusing to move forward is a waste of a life in my opinion. Time will fly with or without you participating is the way I look at it....I just hope I don't trip on that untied lace too often ;-)

Apr 09, 2009 04:10 AM
Li Read
Sea to Sky Premier Properties (Salt Spring) - Salt Spring Island, BC
Caring expertise...knowledge for you!

Excellentn post, and I hope everyone reads it!    You said it all!   

Apr 09, 2009 04:20 AM
Gary Woltal
Keller Williams Realty - Flower Mound, TX
Assoc. Broker Realtor SFR Dallas Ft. Worth

Melissa: I'll look into that book. Thank you.

Mike: Life is risk. When we risk we grow. Thanks for the feature thought.

Anne: Maybe those first time homebuyers need a nudge from you. Remind them of the photo.

Lenn: Hey he's one of those superstar athletes. Guess he skipped out on kindergarten.

Colleen: If we trip we just have to stumble into the finish line. Afterall, we are fast ; )

Li: Thanks.

Apr 09, 2009 04:24 AM
Rita Bradley
Laguna Hills, CA
Valuation Consultant in Orange County California 949-916-3263

Story of my life.  Good advice!

Apr 09, 2009 04:27 AM
William Feela
WHISPERING PINES REALTY - North Branch, MN
Realtor, Whispering Pines Realty 651-674-5999 No.

Gary...although buyers are starting to look for a place to step down, it seams like it is just some education that they need.  Then they need to listen and believe!

Apr 09, 2009 04:28 AM
Jason Sardi
Auto & Home & Life Insurance throughout North Carolina - Charlotte, NC
Your Agent for Life

Gary - Of a matter of public record, I'm the one in the middle.

The planets won't always be aligned.  Heck, even if the situation right now isn't perfect to buy a home, refinance a home, go back to school, strive for that promotion, etc... it may be the best one you'll ever see again.

Apr 09, 2009 04:28 AM
Mary Douglas
United Country Ponderosa Realty, Red Feather Lakes, Colorado - Red Feather Lakes, CO
REALTOR, Red Feather Lakes, Colorado

Hi Gary, I can think of several buyers people to email this post to!  and good point not only for buyers, in life we just have to go for it -- if we wait the opportunities disappear. Great post!

Apr 09, 2009 04:53 AM
Sharon Lee
Sharon Lee's Virtual Assistance - Jonesborough, TN
Retired and loving life

Hi Gary-Great post-It so true in life that lots of folks are fence sitters each for their own reason. But it is better to make a decision and get on with it. I think it has a lot to do with confidence.  P.S. I'd still have to tie my shoes though otherwise I'd fall and lose the race anyways. <smile>

Apr 09, 2009 05:28 AM
Bruce & Mary Smith
Savannah Lakes Homes - McCormick, SC
REALTORS, Savannah Lakes Village McCormick SC

Gary - Great photo and story!  I've seen some races won 'with shoes untied' but it's easier to be agressive and to tie that shoe!

Mary

Apr 09, 2009 08:29 AM
Gary Woltal
Keller Williams Realty - Flower Mound, TX
Assoc. Broker Realtor SFR Dallas Ft. Worth

Sky Enterprises: Hope you won that race with the laces undone. Victory despite the challenge.

William: I think educating them to move forward is a great teaching skill REALTORS can provide as a service to their clients.

Mr. Sardi: Take advantage of what you have in front of you and stop pondering forever. Yes, I knew you were that championship material.

Mary Douglas: Yes, you snooze you lose with opportunities. They just keep passing us by.

Hi Sharon Lee: I agree very much with that confidence thought. Maybe they should practice running with the laces undone LOL.

Mary Smith: A tied shoe would be less stressful, I agree.

Apr 09, 2009 08:43 AM
Sally Dunbar
Lyon Real Estate, Fair Oaks CA (Sacramento Area) - Fair Oaks, CA
Fair Oaks Realtor - Fair Oaks Homes for Sale

Just DO it...

Apr 09, 2009 11:59 AM
Gary Woltal
Keller Williams Realty - Flower Mound, TX
Assoc. Broker Realtor SFR Dallas Ft. Worth

Sally: Absolutely. You work part time over at Nike??

Apr 09, 2009 12:51 PM
Esko Kiuru
Bethesda, MD

Gary,

So true. If you wait for the absolutely lowest point in the real estate market to buy a house, you'll never find it. That's the cold truth about market timing.

Apr 09, 2009 01:55 PM
Sheila Kennedy
J29 Project - Rochester, NY

This is great motivation Gary!  I have some moments where I sit the fence for fear of not doing something right - I get over it quickly though!  I have so much to do - forward motion is important for my success.  I bookmarked this to remind me in my off moments to GET OFF THE FENCE!

Apr 09, 2009 03:05 PM
Dorie Dillard Austin TX
Coldwell Banker Realty ~ 512.750.6899 - Austin, TX
NW Austin ~ Canyon Creek and Spicewood/Balcones

Gary,

I love this picture!! Your message is priceless!!

Apr 10, 2009 03:06 PM
Russel Ray, San Diego Business & Marketing Consultant & Photographer
Russel Ray - San Diego State University, CA

I use the 80/20 rule for perfection. If perfect is 100, then perfect in life is 80. The other 20 is for when life gets in the way.

Apr 10, 2009 10:14 PM
Christine Donovan
Donovan Blatt Realty - Costa Mesa, CA
Broker/Attorney 714-319-9751 DRE01267479 - Costa M

I like the metaphor. Be prepared, do your best, and keep going regardless of the obstacles.

Apr 12, 2009 04:07 PM
Kelly Young
The Platinum Group Realtors - Colorado Springs, CO
Colorado Springs Real Estate ~ 719-226-0126

Gary, how true.  Being willing to start wherever I am and just do the next right thing (shoe untied or not).  It is so easy to wait for life to be perfect meanwhile it just keeps passing me by.  The advice of just starting where we are and doing it regardless of what it looks like is priceless. 

Apr 13, 2009 01:55 AM