Creating the "buzz"!

The cumulative effect of living and working in a community for a period of years is measured by how much you will be missed if you no longer participate. When I'm making a call inviting an agent into our working group, I am often met with "what does it have to offer to my advantage?"  After speaking with an agent who is either going to try to cut costs by going with a very meager overhead office which requires him to fill the role as his own pr person, office administrator and fill the primary purpose of selling real estate, or choose to join an office with a cohesive group of like minded professionals with a staff in place to advertise and run the office, it reminds me that our communities we raise our families in and interact with our neighbors for years are run similarily.

One of my new friends who is connected to a group of my long time friends said to me the other day a quote, 'A measure of a man's worth is the service he gives,' to paraphrase.  When you are spending time coaching little league or running the girl scout cookie drive or volunteering in a classroom, your own children benefit and you make connections to people who will be valuable for a lifetime of friendship through common interests.  You will run into some of these people in different capacities in different stages of your life, and maybe share new, timely common interests which will make those connections just that much stronger. 

When we step into the role of benefactor or volunteer in a capacity to benefit for the public good in a role outside of our own immediate gratification, our effect can be even greater.  We can accomplish more because we are focusing strictly on benefiting the greater good.  This can be in the role of city council, board member, managing a public garden.  When you step up from the necessary and appreciated task of managing systems you are involved with to nurturing systems many are benefiting from, you will see the effect you have is great. 

Just as when you decide how to direct your career within a community of like minded professionals, one real estate agent can join a team whose drive is to grow the business for each, causing not only the sought after commeraderie that so many agents really thrive on, but a level of achievement that can be measurably increased through planning and consistent contribution.  This is what is known as "the buzz" we are all trying to achieve and what is the driving force that attracts new members into the group.  What we have to measure is how to get from "me" to "us" in the fewest giant steps.