Special offer

Learning from 2010, planning for 2011: Have you ever just wanted to kick your own rear??

By
Real Estate Agent with RE/MAX Access

Learning from 2010, planning for 2011: Have you ever just wanted to kick your own rear??

photo courtesy of: http://www.flickr.com/photos/lentzstudios/3878525551/sizes/z/in/photostream/

This year has been one that has been full of ups and downs for me.  I AM going to finish the year with my best sales numbers to date and I am super excited about that.  However, I am not at all satisfied because those number could have been and should have been a whole lot better.  I still have lots of growing to do and I made some mistakes that I am certain cost me clients and in turn income.

Don't get me wrong, I am ending the year with more listings than I have ever had, I almost doubled my number of transactions as well as increased my income from 2009 quite a bit.  It has been a good year, but not good enough... 

What were my grievous mistakes you ask??  Well here they are in no particular order...

1.  When I was busy working on pending contracts I forgot to continue my marketing, prospecting and networking - I mean come on...I had closings to worry about, more closing were sure to come knocking on my door, right??  Not so much...in 2011, I will maintain my marketing and prospecting activities no matter how many closings I have scheduled!!

2.  Once my last deal closed and I had nothing pending, I spent some time pouting - seriously, I did. We really become unemployed as soon as our last deal closes, right? So for now, I am officially employed, but only as long as I have closings in the pipeline (I have to remember that).  2011 will be the year of moving forward and staying on track!

3.  I was way too inconsistent with my blogging and social media.  I must find a good balance in 2011!

4.  I did not consistently track my contacts, lead sources or marketing efforts.  I would do really well for a few weeks, then fall off the wagon and often take weeks to get back on.  No more roller coasters for me in 2011!

5.  I stupidly didn't always take the advice of my broker/owners.  Not that I didn't want to, I had every intention of doing it...I just didn't always make it happen.  They are two of the most HELPFUL and successful people I know and why the heck I didn't just follow their lead I'll never know!   I am so excited about what the coming year has in store for me and I vow to man up and blow 2011's socks off!

 The good news is that I have learned from my mistakes and will not repeat them!  I am working hard to wrap up 2010 with pretty little bow and break out of 2011's gate with gusto!  I hope you are doing the same and here's to an amazing 2011!!

Mike McCann Nebraska Land Broker
Mike McCann - Broker, Mach1 Realty Farm & Commercial Land Broker-Auctioneer Serving Nebraska - Kearney, NE
Farm & Commercial Property For Sale 308-627-3700

Good Luck Jeanna...Thanks for the great pointers...and yeah I understand the unemployed feeling at times and agree it is easy to forget the marketing when you are busy...have done that more than once!

Dec 03, 2010 03:46 AM
Paul Walker
Equity Fifty Five Realty, LLC - Scott AFB, IL
Scott AFB IL Area Realtor

It can be very hard to keep everything in balance at times. But staying organized, keeping track of how you use your time each day, creating a routine, and writing out your goals and then keeping them in front of you at all times. Sounds like you are on the right track - keep it going.

Dec 03, 2010 03:47 AM
John Puplava
ABC Home Inspections,L.L.C. - Prescott, AZ
ABC Home Inspections,L.L.C.

Jeanna---Very nice Post...Go for it Kick Butt for 2011..You can do it..Keep it up..

Dec 03, 2010 03:48 AM
Barbara Hensley
RE/MAX Properties - Rockwall, TX
Homes for Sale in Rockwall County, Texas

Jeanna, cool post!  Good luck for a great finish and a wonderful start for the new year.

Dec 03, 2010 04:34 AM
Rick Wilson
Virgil Adams Real Estate - Olympia, WA
Olympia WA Real Estate

It's a great time to look back and see what can be improved and make new plans for a new year.  I'm doing the same - here's to 2011!!!

Dec 03, 2010 04:55 AM
Jeanna Martinez
RE/MAX Access - Schertz, TX

Mike - Yes it is easy to forget the little things and we must keep on top of the prospecting...no matter how busy we are!! Thanks!! Good luck to you too!

Paul - That is so true! Organization is definitely key (and staying on top of things! Thank you!! Have a great weekend!

John - Thank you very much and the same to you!!

Barbara - Thanks!! I hope the very same for you!! :-)

Rick - Yes this is a great time for that!  Best of luck to you and YES to a fabulous 2011!

Dec 03, 2010 01:23 PM
Sheila Moran
RE/MAX Access (Garden Ridge, San Antonio, New Braunfels) - New Braunfels, TX
SanAntonioSheila.com, RE/MAX Access, 210-32

Jeanna- You have had some great success this year, too!  Keep that in mind. 

#5 is music to my ears.  We can sometimes lead a horse to water, but can't make him drink no how thirsty he is! 

2011 is gonna be heaven!

Dec 06, 2010 10:09 AM