Thomas Jefferson has a wonderful list of 10 rules that is above my computer. These same rules can apply to Real Estate today or just our daily lives....

 

Never put off until tomorrow what you can do today. -  As agents we can easily procrastinate. Make that call, send that email, Blog!!!

 

Never trouble another for what you can do yourself. - This is a call to action. Do not put things off for others if you are the one who is responsible for the outcome. Just take care of business!

 

Never spend money before you have earned it - Going into debt seems to be the national mantra. These are wise words that we should all take into consideration when pulling out that Visa or Master-card.

 

Never buy what you do not want because it is cheap. - Just because something is on sale does not mean it is a good deal. There is a reason it is on sale. Goes with homes too, check the area, the schools, the comps....

 

Pride costs more than hunger, thirst or cold. - Our pride often gets in our way in business and in our personal lives. Consider that there is more at stake than just your pride. Many times it is your families well being.

 

We seldom repent of having eaten too little. - Well, there is a huge industry trying to get us to loss weight and this is a simple rule.

 

Nothing is troublesome that we do willingly. - I think these words are trying to tell us when you do something, do not make a big deal about it. Do it for the pleasure of doing it.

  

How much pain the evils cost us that never happen. - This happens to all of us. We worry about our clients our  families our friends and so often we worry for nothing. I feel that instead of worrying, just ask!

 

Take things always by the smooth handle. - Well if you take this literally of course if someone hands you a knife. But the deeper meaning is that we should take criticism or comments as if the meaning were not an attack (even if it may turn out to be). This is just a good way to handle oneself.

 

When angry, count to ten before you speak; if very angry, count a hundred - This is one that I use very often. When we speak before we think, we often regret what is said.

 

Jefferson wrote these words many years ago and they are still good words to live by!

NOTE: Thomas Jefferson living in Charlotesville at Monticello and founded the University of Virginia.

Add Charles as Associate 

Associate BROKER at RE/MAX Assured Properties, Licensed to sell Real Estate in Virginia
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Brought to you by that guy who sells Charlottesville VA Real Estate

 

49 Comments on Jefferson's Ten Rules (for Real Estate?)

OCT
08
2007
4 Featured Posts Outside Blog
Good stuff.  I also like this one, "I find that the harder I work, the more luck I seem to have."

I thought you were on vacation?
11:03am • #1
156,913 Points Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Hit Router
Excellent Rules To Govern Ourselves By! Thomas Jefferson Had A Great Grasp on Dealing With Life.
11:04am • #2
540,887 Points 13 Featured Posts Outside Blog
JESSICA - That is a good one.... Vacation, next week :-) I just like to tease you! lol
11:06am • #3
123,183 Points Outside Blog
Thomas Jefferson made some other very memorable statements.  He wrote, "I am for freedom of religion, & against all maneuvres to bring about a legal ascendancy of one sect over another".  And although this statement might seem controversial to some, Jefferson also wrote, "Erecting the 'wall of separation between church and state', therefore, is absolutely essential in a free society".

11:08am • #5
293,324 Points Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Hit Router

 

That's great Charles.  I will have to look for that the next time I'm in Virginia.  Thank for sharing.

11:17am • #7
1 Featured Post Localism Sponsor
a mastermind at work. you are a wonderful , I enjoy reading your post each time. you always make me think.
12:33pm • #9
688,345 Points 72 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog
You scared me there for a minute - that, like me, you might blog on vacation!
12:41pm • #10
540,887 Points 13 Featured Posts Outside Blog

PATTIE - you are welcome my friend!

PATRICIA - Soon we will be blogging without a keyboard or a computer (just our minds) don't you feel like you can visualize what some bloggers are thinking?

12:55pm • #11
172,114 Points 3 Featured Posts Outside Blog
Charles, tryly Jefferson was a very wise man. I think a copy of these ought to be in every real estate (and related) office in the country. Actually, do you think they have seen these in Washington? You might want to call around and supply a copy.
1:16pm • #12
540,887 Points 13 Featured Posts Outside Blog
STEPHEN - How about we just send them a link to my post in AR??? lol!!!
2:07pm • #13
4 Featured Posts Outside Blog
At least you are still joking around!  I've had 4 different meetings today and they were all so tense.  Crazy.  Life is good.  People need to learn to enjoy it. 

You going to NAR in Vegas? 
2:36pm • #14
540,887 Points 13 Featured Posts Outside Blog
JESSICA - Are you talking about on Nov 13-17, 2007 in Las Vegas??? The biggest Real Estate Conference and Expo of the Year!!!.... nope... wish I was but our end of 2007 is full of several family visits our trip next week and a big party the first week of Dec... Will you be there?
2:41pm • #15
4 Featured Posts Outside Blog
IF I go...I will be at the casino playing Texas Hold'em 95% of the time.  Harrahs' down in New Orleans financed my entire trip to Nardi Gras last year!  We had a blast.  I want to go play again!  They play little dime games here...no fun in that.  Can't get people to fold when there isn't any real money in the pot. 

I have a possible conflict but we are trying to work around it.  Sure hope so!!!!!

We will be driving up to Boston in a few weeks to watch FSU play up there.  I better see those signs with your face on them when I drive through Virginia....
2:46pm • #16
540,887 Points 13 Featured Posts Outside Blog

JESSICA - Now Texas Hold-em sounds like fun!!!

I have been putting those little signs all over (had to spend 36 hours in jail) for littering. But it was worth it so that you would not be mad at me! :-) 

2:49pm • #17
The founding fathers had wisdom mostly unmatched since. Thanks for keeping this in our minds as it is terrific advice.
2:50pm • #18
569,459 Points 95 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Hit Router
Too bad, we don't still live by our wise Founding Fathers.
4:30pm • #20
540,887 Points 13 Featured Posts Outside Blog
MISSY - Yes it is to bad. Though there is a lot from them that I do try to live by. It is a personal thing.
6:30pm • #21
135,282 Points 19 Featured Posts Outside Blog
I love this list! Definitely words to live by...thanks for sharing!
9:47pm • #23
Charles - Great post...I like the "When angry, count to 10 before speaking."  This is something I could have definately used in the past.
10:13pm • #24
OCT
09
2007
394,441 Points 5 Featured Posts Outside Blog
Charles, "TJ" is one of our favorite forefathers.  Arthur and I think he would easily fit into our society today.  Actually, he would probably be considered "cool".  I'm sure he would make one of the "most eligible" lists.  Karen 
5:24am • #25
1 Featured Post
Very sound advise indeed. And what is this? A vacation delay? OMG youre blogging when your on your trip? Just Kidding have fun next week. :^)
5:50am • #26
Great post!! I want that to hang in my office. We have a lot of people who think I AM LUCKY with business. I love LUCK!! You just have to WORk to get it! Have a great vacation. I will comment on your old blogs while you are gone..so your points do not suffer too bad. I lost a bunch to my peers while I was gone! However i just took over 3rd spot in Denton County!! Yippie!!!!
6:54am • #30
540,887 Points 13 Featured Posts Outside Blog
SHERRI - Just read my stuff when I return, I enjoy reading yor blogs too! I will most likely have some great blog ideas from my trip!
8:34am • #31
Charles - what a great list!  Now if only I can get my husband to count to 10 when he is driving!  He has a road rage issue....
8:52am • #32
8 Featured Posts Outside Blog
Go TJ!  Seriously, it is amazing how these sayings have DIRECT parallels to real estate.  I may need to make a printout of this as well!
9:06am • #34
540,887 Points 13 Featured Posts Outside Blog
KAUSHIK - I have it framed on the wall in from of me. I use #10 a lot!!!
2:57pm • #35
Jefferson was way ahead of his time. I love to visit his home here in Charlottesville
6:12pm • #36
OCT
10
2007
4 Featured Posts Outside Blog
Yeah.  I guess I did miss the comment.  Sorry.  Not sure how that slipped by me.  Maybe AR programmers could implement an online game into the network?  It is so hard to find a good game to play at.  Blogging and Poker....that has a nice ring to it. 

I hope you are joking about the 36 hours!  You aren't littering!  You are doing a community service. 

6:47am • #38
540,887 Points 13 Featured Posts Outside Blog
JESSICA - You know when I am kidding! There was no time spend in jail, just a $2,500 fine! LOL
6:53am • #39
219,363 Points 1 Featured Post
EXCELLENT information and rules for all of us to live by! If I would have seen them when the kids were still growing up and living at home, I would have posted them on the 'fridge!
9:54am • #40
1 Featured Post

Charles,

The one about not spending money before you've earned it applies to alot of people who were greedy in the real estate boom and over extended.  Thanks for bringing these rules to live by back up to consciousness.  I've been a big fan of TJ for most of my adult life.

11:50am • #42
OCT
11
2007
201,920 Points 6 Featured Posts Outside Blog

Charles, The wisdom of Jefferson is timeless and so applicable to our profession. Thanks for posting,

Ginger

8:10pm • #44
OCT
12
2007
1 Featured Post

What a great post!  I plan to incorporate it into a future sales meeting.  Thanks much, Charles!

10:17am • #46
OCT
22
2007
Charles - these are great.  I have to admit that, without your commentary, I would still be scratching my head on the "handle" one.
7:37pm • #48
DEC
01

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Charlottesville Real Estate - Your Trusted Broker Charles McDonald

Charlottesville, VA

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