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No Condolences...Congratulate me instead... I WORK LIKE A DOG!

It's a question that I'm asked all the time during this past year...it actually happened twice yesterday...

Whether it's someone who I just met or with someone I haven't seen in a while...

pup

The question always seems to start with an Awww or an Ohhhh...

How are you doing?

How is it going?

How are you holding up?

How is the market?

And the tone. always sympathic, as if they are giving condolences.

And the expression, kind of looks like this puppy...

pup

Then, when I respond with: G R E A T!

I'VE CLOSED OVER $15 MILLION IN SALES, SO FAR THIS YEAR...

The awww's turn in to.... WWWWWHAT?

Yes, it's official...

I'VE ALREADY CLOSED OVER $15 MILLION, WITH ANOTHER $1.5 MILLION STILL TO CLOSE IN THE NEXT 45 DAYS.

I'm asked; how have I done it, when others are leaving the business?

The explanation is easy...

HARD WORK...I WORK LIKE A DOG!

Always on the computer - You need to stay updated, know your market!

DOG

Always running to appointments - Always be on time!

dog

Always on the phone - You need to constantly stay in touch!

Dog

Always spending time at my listings - Keeping clients updated with market conditions!

dog

Always showing properties - Be available & willing to take on new customers!

dog

Always Driving - My vehicle is my second office!

Toula's Office

Always Helping out - Be willing to give customers a hand

dog

Always retrieving information - Take the time to deliver information personally!

dog

AND FOLLOW UP...FOLLOW UP....FOLLOW UP!

dog

ToulaRosebrock,com

Toula N. Rosebrock (of Diane Turton, Realtors) - Broker / Sales Associate - Specializing in all of Ocean County - Lacey Township Real Estate, Forked River / Lanoka Harbor

Unique Name ... Unique Agent ... Unique Service!

Websites: www.Toula.org www.ToulaRosebrock.com

www.OceanCountyNJRealEstateSales.com

Waterfront Properties, Single Family Homes, Multi Family Homes, Condos, Townhomes, Adult Communities, Vacant Land, Commercial Properties, 1031 Exchanges

Posted by Toula Rosebrock -Broker/Sales Associate, Realtor, Lacey Township, Ocean County, on 11/12/2009 06:26 AM

Comments (97)

No Condolences...Congratulate Me Instead... I WORK LIKE a DOG! in the ActiveRain Channel

no condolencescongratulate me instead i work like a dog

This post has been included in New Jersey Information Ocean County, NJ Information
Post is included in group: Thankful Thursdays
Post is included in group: It's Raining DOGS! Dog Lovers Group
Post is included in group: Diane Turton, Realtors
Post is included in group: Club Chaos
Post is included in group: Active Rain Animal Rescue

97 Comments on No Condolences...Congratulate me instead... I WORK LIKE A DOG!

NOV

I LOVE THIS!!! Great photos and of course, so true!

Good job Toula...and great pix to go along with it!

Toula, this is a great reminder that the things we do on a day to day basis are the things we do to survive this market and stare it in the face!!!

Bravo Toula, keep on truckin' mama. Have a great day!

Toula, same thing here. Many just don't believe that we can be doing well in this type of market. They also don't understand the hard work involved.

Toula..great post. Very up lifting. I appreciate you!!

Toula - Congratulations on your success and the photos started my "work like a dog day" with a smile.

Hi Lise - Thank you!

Hi Laura - Thank you...you know how hard I work.

Hi Caren - You are so right!

Hi Kevin - Will do!

Hi Gabe - Congratulations to you also!

Hi Pat - I appreciate you appreciating me!

Hi Norma - Thank you...I'm happy to have made you smile!

Hey Toula!

You ARE the woman. Congratulations from the team.

Thanks Team - You definitely have first hand knowledge of my work ethics!

Congratulations on your success. Sounds like all that hard work has paid off this year.

Toula! That is some compliment!!! Great news for doing so well in this market! You are da bomb!

Hey, Toula. No doubt in my mind that you are a hard worker. Great post, Jim

Hi Julia - It sure has...thanks so much!

Hello Toula,

Congratulations on your success! Your hardwork has certainly paid off! Your post was terrrific! Enjoyed the photos and tags! Thank you for sharing it with us! Again, congratulations!!

Chris

Hi Kristin - Thank you...and thanks for Da BOMB!

Hi Jim - Thanks, I guess it shows!

Hi Chris - Thanks for the congrats! Glad you liked the post.

Hi Toula,

Congratualtions and it is true many of us are doing well in todays market because we work like dogs! Love your photos!!

Hi Dorie - Thank you...and congratulations to you as well!

That's just great stuff Toula!

I know for a fact that you work "like a dog" because when we tried to touch base over the phone, we kept having to call each other back because we were either with clients or getting a call we had to answer and so on.

Your hard work has made you the listing queen of Lacey township!

Hi Craig - Thank you! This is true, we've both been very busy... and I know for a fact that you are a very hard worker as well.

Toula

Great post, hard work is a choice and moves us in the direction of success.

Good luck and success.

Lou Ludwig

Hi Toula ~ Too funny - I know just what you mean about the sympathetic " How are you doing?" questions. Congratulations on having a rocking year - way to go! And I too love the dog photos and how they're tied to each point.

Liz

Hi Lou - Thank you! Another great quote...

Hi Liz - You've heard it too! So glad you liked my post... Thank you!

"AW" CONGRATULATIONS TOULA!! It just goes to show that working like a dog pays off! I love your photos and tips on the way to stay on top of things. Good for you, turning those condolences into congrats :-) That's awesome!

WOOOOOT! GO TOULA! CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!!!!! You are INCREDIBLE!!!! And I love the puppies! :-)

Hi Mary - So glad you liked this post. I knew you would like the dog reference in this...

Hi Marney - Thank you...Thank you! You are incredible too my friend!

Toula,

These are just too cute! I know you had fun putting this together.

Mike in Tucson

Hi Mike - You know I did!!!

NOV

Toula, I love dogs too. Cute post! I know that this one took some time and effort. Well done...

Helping you live your American dream...

Toula, congratulations on your achievements this year and I absolutely loved how you put this post together with the doggies! :)

Leilani

Hi Michael - It did...thank you!

Hi Leilani - Thanks, I definitely have a theme going here!

Oh Toula, First congratulations on the sales volume.

Second, this is a fabulous post with the illustrative photos. Truly one of the most creative blogs about what we do I've ever seen.

I am so doggone proud of you Toula, what a great year! Great tips for all of us on how to survive this dog-eat-dog market we are in. Love the pictures!!! I need to show this to Holly and Maddie(my two dachshunds) for all they seem to want to do is SLEEP.

Toula - congratulations, but remember, dogs also play like dogs and relax like dogs.

Toula . . . cute post and thanks for taking the time to put it all together. CUTE photos. After reading, all I can tell you is . .

It's a Dog's Life!!

Thanks for writing what I have been thinking all along.

Toula - You look dog tired! Very creative and fun post. Congratulations on having such a great year. You obviously worked very hard. ;-)

Sounds like you have what it takes for success! I am crying my eyes out as I read this as our sweet, sweet 7 yr old Swissy passed away on Sunday. These photos are so precious - they are bringing back sweet memories of my Abby girl! Thanks!

Toula- I loved it, your blog reads like one of them fold out greeting cards!

I agree with Lisa... I Love This!! What great photos and good points you make :) I'll be following your blog. Cheers,

Bernice Dubon in Calgary Alberta, Royal LePage Solutions

Wonderful post - well written & entertaining - but most of all POSITIVE!!! Not only is it good for realtors, but buyers & sellers need to see this positive momentum. Congrats on your sales.

Toula,

Congratulations!!!! I love to see positive attitudes.

Great post...as a dog lover, and one who works hard...this brightened my day. With all the rain here today, nice to get a motivational shot in the arm...perhaps I should go wake my dog, and myself up!

Congratulations Toula! I see the same look of trepidation on people's faces here in Basking Ridge, NJ when they ask me how things are...truth be tol, my business is taking off right now with not enough hours in the day and it is not even the spring market. I have brought my husband in to the business with me for fortitude and he is stunned at how busy we are in a "down" market....Love this blog from one dog lover to another!

Haha - Thier sympathy towards you turns to jealousy and anger, lol. You go from the "needy" agent to the "stuck up, rich" agent.

Right on... and congratulations on the feature. Hard work prevails... I come from a family with a big work ethic, yet also a big passion ethic. The two together are most powerful. I appreciate this post very much. It demonstrates such a great point... being POSITIVE will win the day. Thanks.

Congrats on the Feature Toula! You know I love this one... I will give you a pass for sneaking the 1 cat picture in there

Have a great weekend.

Toula...indeed you have worked hard and congratulations on all your sales and this feature.

Great post and so true, you have to put the work in to get results. Nice pictures and congrats on the $15mil.

Congratulations on a GREAT year!! So true - you're as successful as the effort you put in!

Great post. Congratulations on a great year. Its wonderful when your efforts pay off!

Great job Toula, what a busy year you have had. Some great photos as well, poor guy at the top he thinks nobody wants him!

Great post Toula! I wanna take those pups home! :):):)

Hi Toula, Wow, I'm having a pretty good year but you've left me in the dust. Cool critters !

Congratulations, Toula. I love dogs too, and love your photos ... very creative. I'm sure your creativity has a lot to do with your success. Have a great weekend.

Toula, I can tell you worked hard to create this post (and had fun doing it!). Thanks!

Toula,

Great attitude! I am glad all your hard work payed off. The realtors with systems and a plan in place haven't lost a step in this market. And I love the doggie pictures. Are any of the dogs yours?

Toula...

Congratulations my friend. Both on the incredible sales tally and the feature. You have conquered the market in your area ans you should be proud!

BTW that number in Coweta County GA would DOUBLE the top producer here!

Toula ~ I love this post! Friends and family are constantly asking how real estate is going and always expect the worst answer, don't they?

I have to say the boxer pics are my favorites!

Oh and congratulations on your very successful year!

What a great visual blog. I love it both for the content and photos. Congrats to you, know wonder you are doing so well, you are a smart creative gal.

It sounds like many of us hear the same questions

Toula - my heart jumps happily every time I see a Pug! Thanks for such a fun blog post!

Julie

Toula:

This post is a masterpiece! I absolutely love it.

Congratulations on the success in your business and also on this feature. It is well-deserved.

Toula, like others I have to just stop by and say I loved the dog photos.

Wow! Bully for you...that's great.

I do love your pics today.....so expressive.

Patricia /Seacoast NH

it's the old I can get a featured post by using the cutest damn dog pictures in the history of the western world trick. The post was so good that I rolled over on command just after i finished reading.

Despite all your hard work, you still have time to put together one of the most creative blogs I've seen. Excellent work and congratulations on the results of your efforts.

Toula.. You have the *right* attitude, and drive. This is what separates you from the others. It goes to show that your Motivative Mondays are paying off too.

My new years resolution was a positive attitude... you also have shown this.

Congratulations on ALL the sales... and I'm glad to see this blog is a *feature*. You do work hard and it shows.

valerie osterhoudt

Such a CUTE blog & so true!!! Another problem is other AGENTS have the same sympathetic attitude, they act like they have nothing going on...Speak for yourself I am working like a Dog too!!! And reaping the benefits!!

It looks like you have one smart helper Toula. How did you train him to do all those things?

Aloha & best wishes.

TOULA !!!!!! I love love this post and HUUUGE congrats on a fantastic year !!!!!

I am having my best year too and am approaching $10Mill, but $15 is phenomenal !!

Good for you :o)

Hi Toula -- I laughed and smiled hard at those photos, as they truly drive home the point. Hard to argue with success eh? Congrants and kudos to you!

Toula - Congrats!!! I get the same reaction when I tell people how busy I am. Hard work does pay off!

Toula -- I absolutely loved this! You brought a smile to my face after a very long day. The pics are great. The very first one of the beagle is a dead ringer for one of my dogs. Love love love it!! Congratulations on your success! Hard work wins every time!

Funny post! Congratulations on your success this year. With an attitude like you have you will have a great 2010 also!

Wow, Toula! Congratulations! I haven't had near that much in closings this year, but I feel that I'm doing okay compared to a lot of other agents and brokers, and I think the "magic formula" that you have set out (and my blogging here) have been the keys to my success while others around me have spent their time moping about the market.

Hi Toula! You GO! I am so excited for you and what a wonderful way to present this to the WORLD! I have to agree though, it's a far cry from 2006 as far as 'effort' goes but, the money is FAR better now--and, yes, we DO work like dogs but, it is SO worth it!

Congrats on your success AND that little gold star!

NOV

GOOD MORNING TOULA! Congrats on the feature! And especially all the "bones" coming your way in the way of sales! I love the way you displayed how proud you are of your hard work - not to mention - your dogs! --Gab

THANK YOU TO ALL WHO HAVE RESPONDED!

I THOROUGHLY ENJOYED READING EACH AND EVERY COMMENT HERE...SO GLAD YOU THOUGHT THIS WAS CREATIVE (AND CUTE)...THAT'S WHAT I WAS GOING FOR!

THE $15 MILLION WERE ALL OF MY PERSONAL SALES, I DO ALL OF THE WORK, NO ASSISTANTS...HENCE, I WORK LIKE A DOG!

I AM A BROKER/SALESPERSON (NOT AN OWNER). I DO HAVE TWO BUYER AGENTS, BUT THEIR SALES ARE NOT INCLUDED IN MY FIGURES...

STILL HAVE LOTS MORE WORK TO DO FOR 2009!

MUCH SUCCESS TO ALL OF YOU AND THANK YOU AGAIN FOR YOUR KIND COMMENTS!

Toula- This is one of the best posts I have read here in the Rain … maybe because I love dogs … they way you tell the story and bring it home with relevant and adorable photos of dogs … thank you … truly inspirational. Congratulations on $15 Million in sales … Wow!

Toula, I so enjoyed this post with the cute photos and captions. You are so clever. It is no surprise that you excel! Congratulations.

Sounds to me like

Toula rocks!
Toula rolls!
Toula rules!

CONGRATULATIONS!

Toula,

You are unique as is this delightful blog! Thank you.

Sue

These comments are all so WONDERFUL!

Thank you to everyone who took the time to, not only read my post, but comment also!

You are ALL THE BEST of the BEST!!!

NOV

Great post! I agree, it seems everyone that asks about the market acts like we are in dire straits and how are we possibly managing things? It's as if they think we are on the soup line. When I tell them things are doing quite well, same expression as you said. They are shocked... "Really?" Go figure that things are not as bad as we would be lead to believe.

NOV

This is great story with awesome pictures. thanks for sharing.

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