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As we look to the future of Real Estate and the different cycles we endure we must be  cognizant of the fact that what goes up must come down.House on ocean

What we really need to be watchful for are those agents in our offices who always see the glass half empty and not half full.

Many years ago my father (Joseph Jeremiah McGillicuddy) had a sheet of paper under the glass top of his desk and everyone that came into his office sat down on the otherside of his desk and they would always read it.

When he passed away I kept the story.

Now, I would like to share it with you because it has stayed with me ever since.

 THE MAN WHO SOLD HOT DOGS        

THERE WAS A MAN WHO LIVED BY THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND SOLD HOT DOGS.

HE WAS HARD OF HEARING SO HE HAD NO RADIO.

HE HAD TROUBLE WITH HIS EYES SO HE READ NO NEWSPAPERS.

BUT HE SOLD GOOD HOT DOGS.

HE PUT UP SIGNS ON THE HIGHWAY TELLING HOW GOOD THEY WERE.

HE STOOD ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND CRIED; "BUY A HOT DOG, MISTER?

AND PEOPLE BOUGHT.

HE INCREASED HIS MEAT AND BUN ORDERS.

HE BOUGHT A BIGGER STOVE TO TAKE CARE OF HIS TRADE.

HE FINALLY GOT HIS SON HOME FROM COLLEGE TO HELP HIM OUT.

BUT THEN SOMETHING HAPPENED.

HIS SON SAID, "FATHER, HAVEN'T YOU BEEN LISTENING TO THE RADIO?

HAVEN'T YOU BEEN READING THE NEWSPAPERS?

THERE'S A BIG DEPRESSION.

THE EUROPEAN SITUATION IS TERRIBLE.

THE DOMESTIC SITUATION IS WORSE."

WHERE UPON THE FATHER THOUGHT, "WELL, MY SON'S BEEN TO COLLEGE, HE READS THE PAPERS AND HE LISTENS TO THE RADIO, AND HE OUGHT TO KNOW."

SO THE FATHER CUT DOWN ON HIS MEAT AND BUN ORDERS, TOOK DOWN HIS ADVERTISING SIGNS, AND NO LONGER BOTHERED TO STAND OUT ON THE HIGHWAY TO SELL HIS HOT DOGS.

AND HIS HOT DOG SALES FELL ALMOST OVERNIGHT.

"YOU'RE RIGHT, SON" THE FATHER SAID TO THE BOY.

"WE CERTINAILY ARE IN THE MIDDLE OF A GREAT DEPRESSION."

 

 WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT IT .......THIS STORY SPEAKS VOLUMES

This is an excerpt of what I spoke about at the 2003 New Hampshire Association of REALTORS Annual Convention following in the footsteps of

                                  

Ann at convention

 

 

 

 

                                                                          Being sworn in by wife Monika

                                                                         

                                        

 

 

AR Member 2003 NHAR President Ann Cummings

Jay and Monika

Jay and Monika McGillicuddy

Serving Southern New Hampshire and Rockingham County

New Hampshire Real Estate with Jay McGillicuddy 

NH Real Estate Blogs 

Prudential Verani Realty

Hampstead NH Real Estate

603-548-7685

 

 

42 Comments on The Man Who Sold Hot Dogs

NOV
27
2006
154,703 Points 1 Featured Post
Jay that is a great story and thanks for sharing it.  Everyone should read this!  I hope they feature it!
6:41pm • #1
2 Featured Posts
Oh hon..that brought tears to my eyes.
6:47pm • #2
220,986 Points 7 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp

I agree with Jennifer - this should keep us focused!  By the way, you have the most beautiful pictures!

6:50pm • #3
323,528 Points 45 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp

Jay, I very clearly remember your speech the night of your installation, and that story had an impact on everyone in the room....just as it will here, too.  And I know right where that picture was taken!   ;-)

star Here's my STAR for you on this post!!!!

Ann

6:57pm • #4
2 Featured Posts

Diane --Thanks Diane for visiting my website and I am glad you enjoyed the pictures.

Ann  Thanks as always I appreciate the star.

Thanks Jay 

7:14pm • #5
323,528 Points 45 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp

I just noticed my beer on the table next to you standing there!!  ;-))

Ann

7:15pm • #6
279,946 Points 18 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Excellent story Jay and something we all need to remember.

Where is that house in the photo? Looks like a beautiful place.

8:07pm • #7
136,585 Points 14 Featured Posts Outside Blog

The house is located at the Samoset Resort on the Ocean just south of Camden, Maine. The owners of the company Monika and I used to work for stayed there the weekend of our convention. 900.00 a night.

thanks Jay 

 

8:16pm • #8
110,915 Points 26 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog
OMG Jay that was one of the best posts I have ever read. I could not agree with you more. This business is NOT for negative people! (Not that any business is, IMHO) 
8:20pm • #9
279,946 Points 18 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master
Nice place. I just checked out the website. Guess I won't be going there soon:)
8:33pm • #10
323,528 Points 45 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp

Karen - they have specials that they offer to people who subscribe to their e-newsletter.  We've had our convention there a couple of times, and the Maine Association almost always has their convention at The Samoset.  It is absolutely beautiful up there, but it surely is a drive to get there!!

Ann

8:57pm • #11
548,980 Points 110 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

"Hey Guys"

Thank for not giving me a ticket!

Ya'll Rock, ya' know! Talk about NH at it's finest...

Ann. This is wonderful. You're the Pres. I like that. I am keeping good company here.

I served as an MLS Director and sat on The BOD. No wonder we all get along so well.

Being on these Boards, or having been, gives us commonality...

Jay, love the hot dog story! If we all take the media too seriously our glass will become "half empty"...

That was a great way of telling us to "Move Forward"...

I am very proud to be a part of you lives here on AR.

TLW "The Lovely Wife"...Sorry. I Got A Little Mushy Again...ROAR!

8:59pm • #12
136,585 Points 14 Featured Posts Outside Blog

Carol - Thank you very much for the kind words. I am sick and tired of working with people who are always negative. This type of behavior can tear an office apart.

Karen- It's probably only a six hr drive from where you are in Warwick probably. Did you notice the gentleman standing next to Monika in the above photo? He is from RI. Hopefully a future NAR President Ron Phipps. Got to love the small states. They work hard...

Thanks Jay 

9:10pm • #13
NOV
28
2006
Your wife ld me to this blog, and I am sure glad she did.  I don't think advice through storytelling has ever gotten me the way this one has.  I am truly inspired.  Thank You!
12:43am • #14
279,946 Points 18 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Jay,

If you were from RI, you would never say "only" to that six hour drive! ha ha.

No, I did not notice Mr. Phipps there. I know of him, being in RI all my life but do not personally know him. Hopefully, I will become more involved here. Yes RI does work hard.

9:02am • #15
136,585 Points 14 Featured Posts Outside Blog

TLW No tickets here, we are glad Ann introduced us to AR and we are able to meet super people like you and Broker Bryant

Thanks Jay 

10:45am • #16
275,450 Points 4 Featured Posts Outside Blog
Great story - and the media continues on it's merry way attempting to wreak havoc with whatever they choose to focus on at any given time.  A great reminder that our business is what we make of it!
11:11am • #17
Great Story !
12:50pm • #18
786,603 Points 20 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master
Great food for thought - no pun intended.  Wonder when the media will come out with a story on the imminent collapse of newspapers, talk shows, etc.....
2:21pm • #19
136,585 Points 14 Featured Posts Outside Blog

Hi Suzanne And Tony,

 Thanks for commenting and you are right the media is unbelievable. When I was state president-elect in 2003 they were calling me to find out when the bubble was going to burst. I never gave them an answer they wanted to hear so they went on to ask someone else.

Thanks Jay 

7:49pm • #20
323,528 Points 45 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp

Karen, Ron is a FABULOUS person, if you ever get the chance to meet him and/or work with him.  He was New England RVP when I was State President, and I got to work very closely with him then and later on.  He may, if all goes as planned, be one of our upcoming National Presidents......

Ann

9:20pm • #21
3 Featured Posts
I always like a good story. The message was a great one. Thank You!
9:39pm • #22
136,585 Points 14 Featured Posts Outside Blog

Thanks for stopping by Michael. I get tired of negativity it breeds negativity.

Thanks Jay 

9:57pm • #23
DEC
02
2006
Very inspirational. Thanks for sharing!
8:21am • #24
DEC
03
2006

Jay,

This is a great article and thanks for submitting it to the Carnival of Active Rain!

It was a very tough category to judge and I had to read all the posts several times before I was able to pick a winner.

Keep up the great work!

4:36pm • #25

Jay,

Okay, so now that my "official" post is complete, I wanted to comment that this was a great story.

And I'm going to print off something to the "tune of"  -- Be the Hot Dog Man -- and keep it in my bag. When things are tough -- pull that out and be reminded that attitude is 90 percent of the game.

4:39pm • #26
136,585 Points 14 Featured Posts Outside Blog

Thanks Toby, I appreciate the opportunity to have been nominated and I appreciate you taking the time to read my blog.

I am proud of the fact that this is my first month blogging and this story as of right now 8:37 pm is rated 9th in the category of all blogs sorted by highest rated posted within the anytime time slot

Something I can tell my grandson. LOL

Thanks again for reading, Jay

   

 

7:43pm • #27
DEC
04
2006
15 Featured Posts
Great story, I've heard several versions of this story in the past number of years.  Excellent motivator for sales people who can't get out the door.  I think the real estate industry is in their own depression at present.  But I know a number of lenders that have never had more work then present.  
4:43pm • #28
136,585 Points 14 Featured Posts Outside Blog

Thanks Karl, Business is slow up here but one really needs to keep an upbeat attitude.

Thanks Jay 

5:39pm • #29
DEC
16
2006
1,048,312 Points 177 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master
Great story..... Thanks for sharing it. Isnt it true our mind is indeed very powerful?
8:59am • #30
212,221 Points 69 Featured Posts Outside Blog

Jay... I am glad you redirected attention to this post.

Many time people tell me how "naive" I am. I look at this way... I like "hotdogs".

Me

9:05am • #31
136,585 Points 14 Featured Posts Outside Blog

Loreena thank you for reading and yes our mind can do powerful things if we just want it to. All we have to do is think positive. Too much negativity in our lives especially the news. Too bad we couldn't have an all positive news company.

 

Craig  thanks for redirecting your attention back to my post. We all can be a little naive at times as that may have a lot to do with trusting people and believing what we are told. I sometimes place too much trust in some people and I can get hurt a little. As for hot dogs, I like them steamed or off the grill.

 

Thanks Jay 

9:21am • #32
DEC
27
2006
Just goes to show that we ARE what we THINK.  Thanks for sharing a wonderful and insightful story.
5:24pm • #33
136,585 Points 14 Featured Posts Outside Blog

Diane thank you for stopping by and I look forward to reading one of your blogs sometime soon. Welcome to Active Rain and you will be able to find a lot of great information here that will help you in your day to day business.

Thanks Jay 

5:46pm • #34
DEC
30
2007
Outside Blog
Love that story Jay. Thank you for sharing"o) I guess I better keep advertising huh?
4:39pm • #35
403,484 Points 6 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Hit Router Called Shot Master
Jay this is a great story thank you for sharing it and I also want to say how happy I am that you found your birth mother.  Great ending well actually, its a beginning.  God bless you and your family.
10:42pm • #36
DEC
31
2007
136,585 Points 14 Featured Posts Outside Blog

Hi Sally, I would say keep blogging maybe start your own outside blog. It can work wonders. Happy New Year.

Rosemary, I love that story and yes a new beginning  with a lot of questions and I am very excited and can't wait. We will be calling my brother Alexander in a little while so I am looking forward to that. Happy New Year.

6:45am • #37
157,111 Points 5 Featured Posts Attended Rain Camp
That's an awesome story.  Thanks for posting it.  I've bookmarked it and will send it to my agents. 
11:43pm • #38
JAN
01
2008
2 Featured Posts
I always thought this was a great story. Happy New Year!
8:49pm • #39
MAY
23
2008
568,837 Points 12 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Jay... I just read this blog... GREAT POST.  This about sums up what I've been saying now about the housing market.  It is a great time to buy... but everyone is listening to the media.

3:25pm • #40
AUG
24
2009

The hot dog story was originally printed in the 1930's, right after the great depression. The book "Thing and grow rich" by Napoleon Hill. a story worth repeating every few years. Thanks for reminding me. Gene

Gene Fleszar
9:26am • #42
JUN
17
2010

I first read the "hot dog stall" story about 45 years ago, reprinted in a union journal.  I was deeply moved by it and copied it.  It resides in a drawer with other treasures and I occasionally come across it and re-read it each time, only to be "moved" once again.  I did so the other day and was motivated to "google" the first two lines and came across this site through the wonders of the world-wide web. I'm glad I did!

 

Barry Hugg

Barry Hugg
7:00pm • #43

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Jay McGillicuddy~Real Estate Broker

Hampstead, NH

More about me…

Prudential Verani Realty

Address: P.O. Box 327, East Hampstead, NH, 03826

Office Phone: (603) 329-6625 x 1446

Cell Phone: (603) 548-7685

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This blog is to be entertaining and informative. Both humorous and professional.



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