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Paying it Forward....it's the little things!

By Gayle Rich-Boxman Fishhawk Lake Real Estate

Real Estate Agent with John L Scott Market Center 700512026

March 12, 2011 09:02 AM

Paying it Forward can mean the little things that all add up during the course of a week. The young mom, towing three kids trying desperately to recycle a cart full of cans while giant gusts of wind were blowing them across the parking lot. Her smallest son was crying, scared and she kept saying, "It's okay, buddy, it's just the wind!" So, I dropped what I was doing and went on a quick scavenger hunt to retrieve 7-up cans that had grown wings.

There was the young lady at my favorite pet store who supplies endless amounts of great service to anyone who comes in there. She's been there for 3 years without a raise. She also just got one of her friends a job at another location of the same pet store franchise and found out that after two months, her friend will be making the same amount she is NOW. She has decided to do something completely out of her comfort zone and ask for a (well-deserved and WAY overdue) raise, but she is incredibly nervous about any kind of talk regarding money, not to mention having conversations about her performance with her boss. Certainly understandable! I explained that long ago, I had the same problem, so what I did was write down all of my talking points, with clear and concise reasons why I deserved the raise, make a copy for the owner and sit down and take control. I also told her that it will keep her on task, because (like me) it's one of the most difficult conversations to hold with anybody and when your heart is beating fast it will help to get you back on track and stay focused.

Then there was my closing gift blog that I wrote for the closing gift challenge (http://activerain.com/blogsview/2175222/a-closing-gift-can-be-an-opening-gift-). One of the other realtors e-mailed me asking where he could find that actual gift, so I did some research and got him the information....as I had bought it from a little local retailer in the small town where my brokerage is located....clear across the country from him!

The Gurgle Pot

It may not be one BIG THING you do to pay it forward, but maybe a bunch of little things, just to spread it around!

Gayle Rich-Boxman
Broker, Vernonia Realty
Specializing in Fishhawk Lake Recreation Club
"Your Gateway to the Lake!"
Direct: (503)755-2905
My website: http://www.lakehomesatfishhawk.com/
My blog: http://fishhawklakerealtor.wordpress.com/

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Kathy Clulow

Uxbridge, ON

Trusted For Experience - Respected For Results

Gayle - in all things in life it is usually the little things we do that make the biggest impact you could just as easily walked on and left the cans blowing in the wind but that mom will likely remember you the next time you cross paths.

Mar 12, 2011 09:26 AM

Gayle Rich-Boxman Fishhawk Lake Real Estate

John L Scott Market Center - Birkenfeld, OR

"Your Local Expert!" 503-739-3843

Thank you, Kathy! And I hope that my friend, the young lady got her RAISE, because boy howdy, she deserves it. She's the biggest reason I go in there.

Mar 12, 2011 09:35 AM

Gary Woltal

Keller Williams Realty - Flower Mound, TX

Assoc. Broker Realtor SFR Dallas Ft. Worth

Gayle, I agree that writing what you are going to say in tense moments helps you a lot with your preparation.

Mar 12, 2011 09:43 AM

Barbara Todaro

RE/MAX Executive Realty - Happily Retired - Franklin, MA

Previously Affiliated with The Todaro Team

Gayle....helping that mom with the little one was sooo good....I can remember those days....it was tough juggling everything and a baby too....

Mar 12, 2011 09:53 AM

Gary, she had never thought about writing it down and SHARING it with her employer, and she said she would feel like she was in control of the meeting-- it would be a first for her with her boss--

Barbara, the little guy was SCREAMING at the top of his lungs, and it was a cold wind and the cans were making lots of noise (and really, all I wanted to do was get in my truck AWAY from all of that) and I consciously thought about our Pay It Forward group and what was I doing to be "accountable"? So it was an active choice.

Mar 12, 2011 10:00 AM

JoAnn Moore

The Mortgage Market of Delaware - Georgetown, DE

Home Loans in Delaware

Yes, indeed, Gayle, it is the simple things in life that make life so good. They may seem like little things to you as you go about your day but they can make a world of difference in the other people's lives. Thank for for proactively paying it forward over and over. Other people are watching and notice these things too. You're setting a good example.

Mar 12, 2011 11:28 AM

He4y Gayle, just noticed something about your page. I didn't know about it myself until I read someone else's blog about it. Your backgroud it black and your headings are also black so they can't be read. Go on the edit (next to active rain) and change the color so when people navigate from your blog they can see "Home", etc.

Mar 12, 2011 11:31 AM

Tamara Schuster

Naperville Glen Ellyn Lisle Plainfield Wheaton Illinois - Naperville, IL

Realtor Broker - Naperville

Little things in life make the difference and add up to big things. I find that doing little things are the key to success in life.

Mar 12, 2011 12:05 PM

JoAnn. so many people in my life have made those "moments" for me where they didn't know they'd made a difference in my day (because I never saw them again), but they fell into my life at just the time. Hopefully, we can do that for others, even if we don't know the outcome.

Tamara, it's the same as if we don't pay attention to the little things that bother our closest family members or friends...if we don't address them when they're small they can add up to a huge PROBLEM.

Mar 12, 2011 02:37 PM

Joyce Godwin, Realtor, CRS

RE/MAX Elite Properties; Serving Cypress, Spring, Tomball, NW Houston - Houston, TX

RE/MAX Elite Properties

Gayle, This should have been a very rewarding week for you! You mentioned three very nice things that you did. I'm sure the mom was very surprised and grateful. You may have laid the groundwork for someone to tactfully handle an uncomfortabe conversation and hopefuly get a raise. And you helped someone locate a closing gift that apparently will be meaningful to someone who receives it.

Mar 12, 2011 05:32 PM

Barbara Hensley

RE/MAX Properties - Rockwall, TX

Homes for Sale in Rockwall County, Texas

Hello, Gayle, I think it really is the little things that make the difference. Just a small thing and a little of our time can mean so much to some one else. Love the post...gentle reminder that our Pay It Forwards do not have to be major...just little things done all the time.

Mar 12, 2011 11:58 PM

Joyce, the ironic thing was that everyone did things for me! I kept thinking how can I turn this around and thank OTHERS? Being part of our Pay It Forward Group puts those thoughts forefront in your mind.

Barbara, your description of it being a "gentle reminder" was lovely. Thank you.

Mar 13, 2011 07:12 AM

Paying it Forward....it's the little things!

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