Is There Life After Real Estate?

Wow. Thanks for the shiny gold star Moderator. 

Sally - this is the last picture I plan on putting up.  Except I'm a woman and you know how that "changing your mind" thing goes.  I may change my mind about that!

Chris - I won't even argue that fact with you.  Love to you =)

Craig - 10 years is too long.  Try to reach that goal much sooner.  Mine was two years and I'm working on reaching it.

Gary - I agree with many of the comments about time management.  Let's pencil our lives in. But even more important, keep those appointments!

Lori - time management is decidedly the backbone of any career staying on track.  My problem stems from looking at my schedule and deciding to change it anyway because the "me-time" is flexible.  Bad move on my part!

Lenn - amen to that! 

John - LOL to you.  And you're right, it does boil down to choice.  I plan on making some good ones in the coming weeks.

Missy - I meant exactly what Bob mentioned further down.  I had to do more.  The MLS alone won't cut it.

Fran - great point.  What's the use of having a schedule with everything accounted for if we're going to change it randomly at other's whims?  At that point, we're not controlling our schedule.  Some last-minute changes are appropriate.  Others can wait until there's some free time available.

Rebecca - I love that idea!  I'll research the movie scene and may implement such a plan myself.  Thanks.

Daniel - it sounds as if you've found the balance necessary to keep the stress levels down.  Good work!

Mana - a cup of coffee with a good friend who is not in real estate sounds lovely. =)  I have just the friend in mind too.

Aziz - are you letting Chris influence you?  LOL  I have to agree with you both.  Thanks for the chuckle.  And thanks for the tip on the book.  I have one other which I am definitely picking up so now it is two.  I promise to read it.

Allen - actually, the business ownership lessons are part of the post licensing class.  A very good and thorough class.  But whether one takes it to heart or not makes all the difference.  It's not a lack of skills in my case, but rather the attitude that the "me-time" can suffer being put off.

Diana - that's what keeps me going.  Knowing that I am working towards a definite goal.

Carole - I know what you mean about using your day off to take care of chores.  tsk, tsk to both of us.  I'm going to start KEEPING those appointments I have scheduled for myself.  I hope you will too.  =)

Thesa - the pic was taken last week, exactly 4 days after my 45th birthday so I was 45 years and 4 days YOUNG there, thank you very much LOL  I already have some "me time" scheduled for December 14th.  Promise me we won't discuss the market!  ha ha ha

Billie - I already spend "alone time" in the mornings.  I wake up much earlier than the rest of the family.  But I will take your advice to heart and try not to do any work for 30 minutes during that time.  And the 'retiring young' thing sounds like a challenge.  Bring it on!

Ashley - I love the fact that you don't miss a blogging opportunity.  Love it, love it!  I think in blog mode lately.

Broker Bryant - I have the very same feeling and that is why I keep going.  I'm gonna go get 'em but I will make sure they don't come get me in the process.  LOL

George - I love your farming/gardening analogy.  It also reminds me that the little garden I planned is sitting there untended.  One of the things I will make time for!

Carole - I'm working on making that a reality. =)

Ann - I know that you are 100% right.  I can think back to the ones I've bent over backwards for and how nothing ever came of my efforts.  I've been using the word NO a little.  I am going to use it a little more. =) 

Paula - the weather was a bit overcast yesterday =)  I think going out and dancing sounds divine.  Let me know when you're up for it!

Bob - you're so practical.  Thank you.  I will be doing some recharging much more often. 

Rita - now that would be sweet, no?  A 48-hour day.  lol

Joanne - getting an assistant is DEFINITELY one of my goals.  I know 110% that my time should be better spent.  However, the truth is that until some closings take place, I cannot afford one.  It's that hump that's the hardest!  Once I'm on the other side I'm looking forward to a little more flexibility in my schedule.

Marlene - at least you're trying girl!  It's funny how EVERYONE loves to talk real estate nowadays. 

Margaret - thanks for the laughs.  I doubt my linen closet will ever be orderly.   The girls make sure of that =)  You're right, of course, about it being a choice of ours.  I am choosing to keep those me-appointments from now on.  And the leg shaving?  I do that for me.  They feel oh-so-smooth and I enjoy that =)  You're one funny Realtor LOL

Gary - from what I read about other markets in the country, the Miami market seems to be worse than most.  The area my builder is in has 40 month's worth of inventory.  I am jumping through hoops to get them sold!  I hope I don't trip.  LOL

Ann - hi again!  The first day had very little traffic (see comment just above this one about our market - yikes)  But when I got home I certainly did enjoy my time with the gang.  Little One turned 13 yesterday and has 7 of her friends sleeping in her room right now.  I just checked on them when I woke up and all's still quiet on the western front.  They were all giggles last night as I was trying to doze off. 

Linda - yes, it is a great opportunity and I'm working it to get 'em sold! 

Sarah - I am going to give that comment a lot of thought.  While I cannot afford an assistant right now, a team is something to look into.  I've had some very good and respectable long-time agents  tell me not to team up.  But I need to consider it fully.  With the right partners it can work like a charm!

Susie - Spending time with the kiddies was one of the reasons I got into real estate.  And I am available to them.  We spend time together each day.  But I need to get out a little more!  LOL

Jennifer - I am doing it starting immediately!  Thank you.  =)

Leigh - thank you for both parts of your comment.  Both being taken to heart =) 

Jim - I will use that as the defining criteria.  No blood?  Sorry, it'll have to wait!  Truthfully, I am going to keep my Me-Appointments!

Steve - I always thought having a spouse to work with would help things.  I see Rick and Ines working their partnership so well.  I hope you'll take these wonderful comments about keeping your personal appointments.  Take your wife to the movies or something fun!

Robert - time management is key.  We have a certain number of hours and we need to determine how best to use them.  I've not taken FC but am very familiar with them.  I've done the Daytimers thing for years.  It's helped tremendously.  I had somehow started to let my personal appointments suffer, though and all work and no play makes Maggie a grumpy girl!

Suzanne - you're so sweet.  I will attempt to heed Aziz's advice and visit your group.  I joined but never made it a regular thing.  Thanks for not giving up on me. =)

Lisa - yes, I hated the new picture when I saw how chunky I looked but hey, I'm chunky, I either live with it or do something about it (I think I'll go after the latter LOL)  As for the topic of choice these days, yes, you're right.  I mention I'm an agent and everyone takes off running with the topic.  I don't recall discussing tubal ligations with the last OB/Gyn I was introduced to socially. =) Oh well....

Jeff - I love that saying!  I always forget to use it but whenever I hear it, it makes me smile.  I will heed the advice of many and stick to keeping my break times.  It will keep me smiling as I make hay. =D

Renee - thanks for your support.  I have seen the error of my ways and will keep my me-time!

Lane - that is one of my favorite words.  I found it long ago.  What I haven't yet found is the money to pay for one.  My present situation cannot accommodate an assistant.  As soon as I get enough closings behind me, looking for a good assistant will be a priority, even if  I've developed a team.  A team needs assistants too!

Al - I'm happy about the listings, don't get me wrong.  But our market is flooded.  Many, many, many are expiring unsold a year later.  Pricing is important as always but even then, it's not always working in this area.  Ouch.

David - I like the idea of getting together with that particular guest list.  But I'll vote for Chippendales instead!  The movie might mention real estate....horrors.....

Jason - if the MWA didn't belong to Sarah already I'd let you have one.  How about a heartfelt thank you instead?  oh what the...I don't think she'll mind........MWA!!

Richard - it doesn't sound tough at all.  It sounds right on!

Brett - I learned a long time ago never to wish to be in another person's shoes.  You never know what else other than the obvious is going on in their lives.  I am very thankful. Always.

Brian - yours is the 3rd vote that book has gotten so I am not going to let it go unread.  And the me-time?  It's in the bag. =)

Tracey - there's a great little park by my office which I pass but have never stopped at.  I'll be feeding the ducks there later this week.  =)  Thanks.

Boomer - of course, you're absolutely right!  I will make an effort to visit more often.  =)  Thank you.

Armando - hmmm....I feel another post coming on.  Thanks for the inspiration!  =D

Justin - at 24, with 68 listings, even in a team of 3, you are doing very, very well for yourself.  My rewards have to remain the non-monetary ones for the time being.  My TV is 14 years old and my car is 7, but they both get the job done.  I've got two good decades on you =)  but I appreciate you putting me in the same age bracket.  That alone suffices as wonderful me-time.  Can I borrow Billie's ROAR?!  =)  Overall, I have to agree.  This is a great business to be in!

Vicki - I promised another virtual assistant I'd check her out when the time was right and the dollar signs aligned with my checkbook.  But I love what you're saying.   Thanks for your advice and good wishes.  I'll look into what you provided, especially the video.  Thanks again!

Lori - AR time is a lot like play-time to me too so I think it should count for something. =)   I wish you much luck next weekend!  Please let us know how it goes.

Chuck - as I mentioned before it's keeping the schedule that's been giving me the most grief.  I'm living and learning.

Cyndee - thanks for your support.  Will hang in there.  Quitting is not an option.  =)

James - it does sound like that, doesn't it?  Now if only I could get my financial statement to agree with us!  Hiring an assistant has always been one of my goals.  I hope to achieve it soon.

Lisa - thank you!  I, too, like structure, but I enjoy throwing the Treo out the proverbial window every once in a while and doing stuff that's not scheduled.  I think I need to leave more flex-time in there!

Eric - duly noted.  I'm actually looking forward to the coming week.  Change is on the horizon. =)

Bob & Carolin - I'm taking notes and planning changes.  =)  Thanks.

Chris - you sound like you are at the place I am aiming to reach soon.  It was so nice reading your comment and knowing that I will be there one day.  Thank you!

Janie - I kept wondering what desk you meant.  Then I finally figured it out...the picture.  LOL!  I'm slow sometimes, what can I say? =)

Beth - I'm going to take my advice from folks like you.  You practice what you preach!

Aziz - Zig Ziglar's The Secrets of Closing The Sale.  A very good friend in a totally different field recommended it and I've been meaning to read it.  It's about time I discovered Zig for myself!