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A Discomfort Zone That Pays Off

By Gary Woltal

Real Estate Agent with Keller Williams Realty 0575737

September 09, 2009 04:14 AM

I have observed, and it is very true among bloggers, that birds of a feather do indeed flock together. Even in Real Estate networking, the funny people hang out with the funny people, the political people hang out with the political people, the religious group people hang out in the religious groups. All well and good TO A POINT. But ALL these people are missing out BIG TIME from a learning perspective. There is a concept that

A Discomfort Zone Pays Off

Random People

The thought follows the Road Less Traveled. Everyone goes left, you go right. You need to meet people NOT like you and learn from them. People that are smarter than you. All right all your narcissists out there, admit it, some actually are smarter than you. Be a compiler, steal good ideas from wherever you find them. I know one very young person who goes to breakfast at a local coffee shop once a week to meet with old timers around the bacon and eggs to pick their brains and learn from their perspective.

Don't FEAR other people not like you. EMBRACE them. Step that one foot first, then the other into that discomfortable path and learn. Check yourself in the mirror and in your life's journey. Are you practicing this great tip from time to time? You really should be a little more brave in your life in this area. Your eyes might be opened up to worlds you had not even have thought of before. Stay open minded with ALL kinds of people and learn!!

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Heather Adkinson

Windermere K-2 Realty LLC www.propertiesinmoseslake.com - Moses Lake, WA

Real Estate Agent - Moses Lake

I'm right there with you Gary....there are a lot of people who feel that they have learned everything there is to learn and you can't tell them anything.

Sep 09, 2009 04:16 AM

Sandy McKee

Sunstreet Mortgage - Tucson, AZ

I am one of these, "birds of a feather flock together" people. This is very good advice and I realize that I need to get outside the box. Thanks for the reminder! Have a great day! Sandy

Sep 09, 2009 04:21 AM

Loreena and Michael Yeo

3:16 team REALTY ~ Locally-owned Prosper TX Real Estate Co. - Prosper, TX

Real Estate Agents

I like the variety in people. If everyone was "like me", it would definitely be such a boring world. I like the diversity.

Sep 09, 2009 04:23 AM

Carla Muss-Jacobs, RETIRED

RETIRED / State License is Inactive - Portland, OR

"You like me . . . you really like me." Sally Field

Sep 09, 2009 04:24 AM

Mike Jones

SUNSTREET MORTGAGE, LLC (BK-0907366, NMLS 145171) - Tucson, AZ

Mike Jones NMLS 223495

Gary,

This is so very true, but not very obvious! Thanks for bringing it to mind; I'll act differently today because I read your post.

Mike in Tucson

Sep 09, 2009 04:33 AM

Shirley Parks

Sands Realty 210-414-0966 - San Antonio, TX

Broker, 210-414-0966, San Antonio TX Real Estate

There are a lot of people on AR. I tend to "hang out" with the ones I am comfortable with. There are people that I think I would be good friends with in real life and people that I would probably avoid being around in real life. Food for thought, Gary.

Sep 09, 2009 04:45 AM

Janice MacMillan

ERA Joyner Realty - Valdosta, GA

Associate Broker

You should surround yourself with like-minded people, that is not to say those who share your interest but maybe your goals instead. You can learn so much from other people, be a sponge and soak it in!

Sep 09, 2009 05:02 AM

Hannah Williams

HomeStarr Realty - Philadelphia, PA

Expertise NE Philadelphia & Bucks 215-820-3376

Gary..Very good advice as usual..I consider my self a lucky person I like all people..my mother raised me that way..but you are right about social networking birds of a feather stick together..But lets face it variety is the spice of life..Thanks

HELPFULHANNAH twitter@helpfulhannah

Sep 09, 2009 05:11 AM

Joanne O'Donnell

Chic Home Interiors - Oakland, CA

Gary, as always you have something wise to say. I am hoping it says something about me that I subscribe to your blog... I have learned a lot on AR from all sorts of folks, though I admit there are certain types of blogs I gravitate toward, The only ones I really don't have an interest in are the ones that are dry and just give listings or statistics - got to admit, I find that boring beyond words,,, Hey are you going to be at the convention in your home town this week? I am talking at the convention on Monday and hoping for some friendly faces in the audience... ;-)

Sep 09, 2009 07:05 AM

Judy Jennings

Top Agent Plus - Middleboro, MA

Tap into Judy's real estate expertise & resources.

Gary - I admit in real life I tend to gravitate toward people with similar values and similar interests. However, here on AR, I enjoy a variety of people and as a result, the ongoing learning experience has been very rewarding.

From a business perspective, I meet all kinds of people and learn something new everyday. Nothing seems to be routine these days!

Sep 09, 2009 11:40 AM

Laura Cerrano

Feng Shui Manhattan Long Island - Locust Valley, NY

Certified Feng Shui Expert, Speaker & Researcher

Gary, I loved the photo. It's true that we tend to stay more with like minded people but I do embrace them all. I know I will never learn everything I'd like to and it keeps me on my toes!

Sep 09, 2009 11:47 AM

Gary Woltal

Keller Williams Realty - Flower Mound, TX

Assoc. Broker Realtor SFR Dallas Ft. Worth

Heather: I am like you. I hope I never feel I learned everything.

Sandy: Birds of a feather is good, just don't get "stuck" there.

Loreena: Good you take in the different types. It does spice up life.

Carla: I remember that Sally Field quote. Discovery in a relationship!!

Mike: Meet those strangers, then they won't be so strange : )

Shirley: True, there are some any of us would stay away from, but one encounter with them we still might learn something.

Jan Marie: Love that sponge thought. So much to learn from everyone, especially those very different from ourselves.

Hannah: Variety keeps everything from being same old same old you are right.

Joanne: Natural to be birds of a feather. Yes our TAR convention is in Dallas. If I am there I will try to find you. It's great that you are a speaker.

Judy: Our like minded folk being with is good, just stretch that comfort zone now and then.

Carole: Mix it up, and it does wonders for your toes ; )

Sep 09, 2009 02:06 PM

Carol Culkin

Diamond Partners Inc - Overland Park, KS

Overland Park Residential Real Estate

Gary - People can become too shallow when they do not put forth the effort to branchout beyond their comfort zone. I guess I am lucky to be a chameleon and seldom do I feel intimidated by others. Perhaps some people don't have the courage to venture into new territory.

Sep 09, 2009 03:32 PM

Russell Lewis

Realty Austin, Austin Texas Real Estate - Austin, TX

Broker,CLHMS,GRI

Gary you are so right and I have tried to be more divers in my associations over the years, avoiding only the harshly opinionated and those of their ilk!

GREAT POST!

Sep 10, 2009 12:47 AM

Dorie Dillard Austin TX

Coldwell Banker Realty ~ 512.750.6899 - Austin, TX

NW Austin ~ Canyon Creek and Spicewood/Balcones

Gary,

That is what I love about Real Estate......the agents are diverse and so are the buyers and sellers! Many times I have the opportunity to embrace different points of views and always learn something new. Venturing into accepting different points of view can be challenging but a great learning experience.

Sep 10, 2009 01:31 AM

Troy Erickson AZ Realtor (602) 295-6807

HomeSmart - Chandler, AZ

Your Chandler, Ahwatukee, and East Valley Realtor

Gary - Stepping out of your comfort zone is a sure way to learn. It will also teach you that you can do things you never thought you could.

Sep 10, 2009 08:04 AM

Sharon Lee

Sharon Lee's Virtual Assistance - Jonesborough, TN

Retired and loving life

Yes they sure do. I have observed, and it is very true among bloggers, that birds of a feather do indeed flock together.

Sep 11, 2009 11:11 AM

Liz Moras Migic

Chilliwack, BC

Chilliwack, British Columbia - Realtor

I like that idea - and the collage -its so true - the most interesting people are often the ones VERY different from ourselves........they stretch and make us grow

Sep 12, 2009 07:52 AM