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Olympic Lesson --- Don't Give Up!

By
Real Estate Agent

Olympic Lesson --- Don't Give Up! ---

The Winter Olympics provides us with daily confirmation of the basic principle of all winners --- Don't give up. You won't always win, but you certainly won't win if you give up.

Don't Give UpFor us in the real estate business, the times are confusing at best. It seems like we are working our way through a fog. We have the courage to continue, but at times it seems like we don't know which way to turn next.

None of the competitors at the Winter Olympics made it to Vancouver without a coach. We all need guidance from time to time. Even if we are on a winning streak and feel like we know what we are doing, perhaps it is time to move on to the next level of competition to truly test our abilities and raise our capacities.

It may be time to seek some guidance, if not from a formal coaching commitment, at least from a trusted ally that will give us the straight scoop. It can be like sunlight breaking through the fog to hear that word, or special insight that can help us find our way forward.

ActiveRain is a great support system in itself. Sometimes though, it is necessary and important to make a more personal connection.

It may be as simple as picking up the phone. I did that last night. I called someone very close to me that I'd not talked to in years. After an hour on the phone, we've committed to monthly communication. Today I have a new special feeling of understanding and greater optimism for the future.

If you find yourself in a fog, don't give up, there is a next step you can take, even if it takes the guidance of someone else. Just don't give up.

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Debi Boucher
Real Estate Showcase Photography - Woodland Park, CO
"Realtor Showcase" - Real Estate Photography/Virtual Tours

Wonderful advice, Frank. Stick-to-it-ness is a good lesson we'd all do well to remember.

Debi

Feb 24, 2010 04:29 AM
Bill Gillhespy
16 Sunview Blvd - Fort Myers Beach, FL
Fort Myers Beach Realtor, Fort Myers Beach Agent - Homes & Condos

Hi Frank,  Speaking of coaches what do you think the Netherlands ice skating coach is doing today.  He directed the overwhelming favorite to take the wrong lane and thus was disqualified !  Ouch !

Feb 24, 2010 05:28 AM
William Feela
WHISPERING PINES REALTY - North Branch, MN
Realtor, Whispering Pines Realty 651-674-5999 No.

Frank...If we look at the athlets and how one mis step and change the entire competition, quitting is not an option.

Feb 24, 2010 05:48 AM
William Johnson
Retired - La Jolla, CA
Retired

Hi Frank, Nicely done indeed. There is no one exempt from the frustrations of their industry and the forming networks and seeking proactive conversations with others with advanced skills and getting above the level of thinking that can stifle growth, is excellent advise. We all need to that from time to time. Let in the sunlight and garner ever new well illuminated perspectives. Well done Frank.

Feb 24, 2010 09:44 AM
Tony & Darcy Cannon
Aubrey and Associates Realty - Layton, UT
The C Team

Frank, wonderful advice!  "Never give up, never, never give up," Winston Churchill

Feb 24, 2010 09:46 AM
Sharon Paxson
Sharon Paxson, RealtorĀ® EQTY Forbes Global Properties - Newport Beach, CA
Newport Beach Real Estate

Never give up - could not agree with you more. The Olympics are inspiring.

Feb 24, 2010 10:09 AM
Frank Kliewer
Woodinville, WA

Hi Debi, yes we've got to stick to the task until done.

Hi Bill, Thanks for bringing this up. The skater had this to say, "It is pretty hard now. I was on my way to make the right decision and right before the corner, I changed my decision because of the advice from the [coach]. At the end of the day, it is my responsibility. I am the skater on the ice. I have to do it . . . We had a good talk. It's a hard time for both of us, but in the end it will be good, I've won so many races with him, that doesn't get lost in one moment. We have worked together for five or six years now and we have done so many great things. If the relationship is strong, you can deal with these kinds of things." So, I guess Bill, the skater is a real smart person, realizing that we are all human, and on balance, the skater would not have made it to the opportunity without the coach. This will most likely never happen again, with more victories in the future. The lesson, move on and don't give up.

Feb 24, 2010 10:47 AM
Frank Kliewer
Woodinville, WA

Thanks Bill, quiting should not be an option, no matter how many mistakes we might make along the way.

Thanks William, this very simple advice does apply to us all, no matter what our situation.

Thank you Tony and Darcy for adding such a fine example from history.

Hi Sharon, it is great that we can find inspiration right now, so easily.

Feb 24, 2010 10:52 AM
Larry Bettag
Cherry Creek Mortgage Illinois Residential Mortgage License LMB #0005759 Cherry Creek Mortgage NMLS #: 3001 - Saint Charles, IL
Vice-President of National Production

Great advice for sure.  Nothing doing except persistence and training and single minded focus.

Feb 24, 2010 03:27 PM
Steve and Jan Bachman
RE/MAX Gateway, Reston, Herndon, Ashburn, Sterling, Fairfax - Herndon, VA
Realtors - Northern Virginia

The athletes love what they do, otherwise they could not possibly work as hard as they do. You clearly enjoy your work and have many more personal tools than the above average realtor! You will get what you want, sometimes so much of what we do is just to keep slogging until the payoff arrives.

Feb 25, 2010 03:26 AM
Frank Kliewer
Woodinville, WA

Hi Larry, it is amazing how if we just persist, we find ourselves at our goal.

It does take some real slogging at times Steve, but there is something to be enjoyed even in that "tedious" part of the adventure. Thank you for the kind words. Take care.

Feb 27, 2010 03:00 AM
Gloria Todor
Premier Property Sales & Rentals - Springfield, PA
& Doug Durren (484) 431-3686 in SE PA

Hi Frank, thanks for your post.  I like to watch as much of the Olympics as I can because of the fact that the athletes are people who do not give up and when they falter, they pick themselves up and continue.  And if they get to speak about their "defeats", they usually all have the attitude of "well I did my best and I learned from this and I am looking forward to what is next".    ---Gloria

Feb 27, 2010 12:16 PM