Special offer

Reversing the Tide of Negativity in a Challenging Market

By
Real Estate Agent with Fathom Realty West Sound WA State 52404

Let's face it, times are tough. Unless you're living under a rock or are part of the Occupy Wall Street 1%, I'm not telling you anything you don't already know. All of us have been affected to varying degrees by the severe market downturn, especially for those of us whose livelihoods have been directly impacted by the massive slump in the housing market.It's hard Not to become Depressed!

As is typical, whenever the economy tanks, there's a lot of negativity floating around. The sense of doom and gloom can be overwhelming at times and affect us at our core. It's hard not to get caught up in the sucking vacuum of pessimism.

I'm currently re-reading a really excellent book by Gary Keller entitled "Shift: How Top Real Estate Agents Tackle Tough Times." Definitely a 'must-read' given our current market dynamics.

In his book, Gary makes the statement  that 'your life will either be about your problems or your opportunities. That you can't control the market, but you can control your outlook and your response to the market.'

Recently, at the invitation of my friend Drew Meyers, I had posted an article on GeekEstateBlog entitled "Real Estate Outside the Box: Questioning the Value of Brick & Mortar" with a corresponding teaser article here on ActiveRain called "Are Brick & Mortar Real Estate Offices a Dinosaur?"

Both articles garnered some really great and valuable contributions to the conversation. The one here on ActiveRain reached nearly 100 comments!

Unfortunately, over on GeekEstateBlog, an anonymous commenter attempted to hijack the topic and turn the discussion into a personal attack against me.

I have to admit, this is something new for me. While there may be a few folks who may not care for me, I've never considered anyone an enemy, per se, at least not enough to slander me in an open forum.

Now I'd be the first person to admit that I'm not currently a 'Top Producer,' not by any stretch. I've come close a couple of years, but like many other good, hard-working agents/brokers, just making ends meet the past couple of years has been challenging. This doesn't negate the fact that I love being a real estate broker nor diminish the relentless passion and commitment I have for my clients and representing their best interests.

I think our natural tendency is to get caught up in the drama, expend inordinate amounts of energy being consumed by such petty annoyances, and allow ourselves to feel defeated. But that's not going to happen. I can control my attitude and outlook. Seriously, if you want to complain that I spend more time blogging than I do selling real estate, how about you spend more time selling real estate and less time pestering me, okay?!

So I'm making a conscious decision about my attitude here, and I think its a lesson we all can learn from:

When we're faced with tough times, where pessimism and negativity is prevalent, we are faced with a choice - either we add our critical voices to the sea of negativity, or we become agents of positive influence and change.

It's time for all of us to reverse the tide of doom & gloom that permeates our offices and culture. It's time to take responsibility for the things we can control. It's time to stop being critical of others, and focus more on who & what we are and what we ourselves are doing for others, particularly our clients.

How can you turn the tide where you are today? What positive words of encouragement can you offer someone today that can truly make a difference?

To my anonymous commenter, Jimmy8814@yahoo.com, I'm sorry that I'm not as successful as you are. If it's any consolation, I truly do care about my clients and always strive to serve them to the best of my abilities. If I've ever done anything to upset you, please consider this my sincere apology.

~   o   ~   o   ~   o   ~   o   ~   o   ~

Homes-for-sale-in-Kitsap-County-WA

Rich Jacobson is a licensed real estate professional with Keller Williams West Sound, providing knowledgeable empowerment and relentless representation for his clients of residential properties and vacant land throughout all of Kitsap County WA and portions of Pierce, Mason, and Jefferson Counties. You can also find him at KitsapLifeSoundBiteBlog, and Crabbing in the Hood, or e-mail: kitsapagent@gmail.com

Posted by

Follow KitsapAgent on TwitterFriend Rich Jacobson on FacebookJoin Rich Jacobson's LinkedIn NetworkSubcribe to Rich Jacobson's YouTube Channel

 

Rich Jacobson is a REALTOR® and licensed Broker with Fathom Realty. He's a Crab Hunter, Clam Digger, and Oyster Shucker, skilffuly vanquishing anything in a shell! He is the Social Media Evangelist for Life on the Kitsap Peninsula & The Western Puget Sound in scenic WA State.

Comments (50)

Rich Jacobson
Fathom Realty West Sound - Poulsbo, WA
Your Kitsap County WA Real Estate Broker

Jim:  Thanks for your kind words, man. Life is much too short and we should make the most of every opportunity to be a source of positive encouragement to others.... 

Nov 04, 2011 08:54 AM
Rich Jacobson
Fathom Realty West Sound - Poulsbo, WA
Your Kitsap County WA Real Estate Broker

Bobbie:  I am most fortunate to have the constant love and support of my wife and family, the encouragement of my extended ActiveRain family, and the confidence of my valued clients...

Nov 04, 2011 09:02 AM
Lee & Pamela St. Peter
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices YSU Realty: (919) 645-2522 - Raleigh, NC
Making Connections to Success in Real Estate

You are a winner in my book Rich!  At least you never went around making false statements about your RE productivity like some do.  Perhaps one of anonymous Jimmy's clients chose you instead of him...  In any event sorry to read you had to go through that.  Very unprofessional is all I can say!

Your comment that we control our attitude hits the nail on the head...  it really is ALL we can control.  The RE or stock market, the weather, heck even our spouses attitudes ~ are completely OUT OF OUR CONTROL.  But it is how we approach each day that is the sunshine in our lives.

For me, posting little notes/postlets on my fridge, desk top or phone helps.  a quote/saying that strikes a cord and reading it has an energy effect on me.  This week it's 'finding new pockets in my mind to hang out in' (don't ask me why but it works for me...)

Thanks for sharing and I sure h
ope you have a fabulous week-end.

Pamela

Nov 04, 2011 09:29 AM
Marge Piwowarski
Phoenix AZ Horse Property - Phoenix, AZ
Phoenix AZ Horse Property, LLC

Rich,

I so believe "you get what you focus on" that I have to avoid, evade or tune out the negative stuff.  Focus on what works, what is right, what is good and you will get more of it. 

Nov 04, 2011 05:15 PM
Harrison K. Long
HomeSmart, Evergreen Realty - Irvine, CA
REALTOR , GRI, Broker associate, Attorney

Rich ... Thanks for your article here encouragement for us to find ways to be positive about what we do for business and opportunities available.  Thanks for referring to the Gary Keller book "Shift: How Top Real Estate Agents Tackle Tough Times" ... that 'your life will either be about your problems or your opportunities. That you can't control the market, but you can control your outlook and your response to the market.'  I need to get and read this book.

Nov 04, 2011 06:13 PM
Tim Lorenz
TIM LORENZ - Elite Home Sales Team - Mission Viejo, CA
949 874-2247

It is important Rich to stay within the lines.  Do not get to up when things are going well and do not get to down when thing go wrong.  It keeps us humble and on track.

Nov 04, 2011 06:45 PM
Rosalie Evans
Meritus Group Real Estate - Sioux Falls, SD
The Evans Group, Sioux Falls, SD Homes For Sale

I tend to agree with you! I would rather be a Mary Sunshine then a Debbie Downer anyday! I want to be that positive influence to bring people up instead of the negative person that makes you feel like someone threw a bucket of cold water on you! Who wants to even be around someone like that much less buy a house from them?! Or maybe I am just being a Mary Sunshine! lol  The whole personal attach was bush-league and was indicitive of the character of the person attacking! Some people's children anyway..... :(

Nov 04, 2011 07:10 PM
Emilie Greenwell
ALLEN REALTORS - Lakewood, WA

LOVE the graphic Rich.  Eeyore is a favorite in my family (we have one family member who is a die-hard collector of Eeyore), and as a fellow resident of Western Washington, we all know what it's like to have that rain cloud over your head!  But seriously, thanks for the post.  Positiivty is invaluable.

Nov 04, 2011 07:17 PM
Bryant Tutas
Tutas Towne Realty, Inc and Garden Views Realty, LLC - Winter Garden, FL
Selling Florida one home at a time

Hey Rich. Not sure why folks feel the need to tear others down. It is however one of the risk we take by blogging and exposing ourselves on public sites. Personally I don't do negative. Nothing will turn me off and turn me around quicker than negativity. Except for my wife chasing me with a gun!!

Nov 05, 2011 01:09 AM
Mimi Foster
Falcon Property Company - Colorado Springs, CO
Voted Colorado Springs Best Realtor

Rich - there are so many things that I want to say in response to this, but the only one that really matters is that the immature commenter obviously can't take away from your spirit.  I loved your openness and transparency, and it is obvious that your are well liked.  It sounds so trite to say "pray for Jimmy," but it sounds like he needs a lot of what you've got - heart.

Nov 05, 2011 02:06 AM
Courtney Cooper
Cooper Jacobs - Seattle, WA
206-850-8841

Hi Rich - I reblogged this because I have the same beliefs:)  Have a great weekend!

Nov 05, 2011 02:53 PM
Maureen McCabe
HER Realtors - Columbus, OH
Columbus Ohio Real Estate

I had read the post on GeekEstate when it was first published but went back to see the post.  Your anonymous commenter, Jimmy8814@yahoo.com is a troll.  I just don't think Eeyore was a troll. I think he had a particularly gloomy outlook on things but I do not think he was a troll to Christopher Robin, Pooh, Pigklet, etc. Perhaps with the Internet and anonymity Eeyore could have been a troll....

 

Nov 06, 2011 03:20 AM
Rich Jacobson
Fathom Realty West Sound - Poulsbo, WA
Your Kitsap County WA Real Estate Broker

Maureen:  I don't think Eeyore was a troll either, but he certainly did always have an air of pessimism about him. Some folks are just always negative about everything, and their attitude spreads out around them like a slow undetected cancer....just sayin...

 

Nov 06, 2011 04:53 PM
Rich Jacobson
Fathom Realty West Sound - Poulsbo, WA
Your Kitsap County WA Real Estate Broker

Courtney:  Then we're peas in a pod!...Thanks!

Nov 06, 2011 04:54 PM
Rich Jacobson
Fathom Realty West Sound - Poulsbo, WA
Your Kitsap County WA Real Estate Broker

Mimi:  I really appreciated what you shared here. It would be so easy and somewhat justified to lash out and return such comments in like fashion. But what does that accomplish, other than put me down at the same level?....The world desperately needs more love!....

Nov 06, 2011 04:56 PM
Rich Jacobson
Fathom Realty West Sound - Poulsbo, WA
Your Kitsap County WA Real Estate Broker

Broker Bryant:  Hey, Buddy! How you doing, man? Been much too long! Yeah, I don't like the negative thing either, at least never on a personal level. Watch out for that gun!...

Nov 06, 2011 04:59 PM
Kirsten Lindquist
Pacific Union International - Sonoma, CA
Realtor - Sonoma Wine Country

Rich:  Congrats on a post that struck a loud chord with many of us.  Positive people rock the world!

Nov 06, 2011 05:25 PM
Robert Hammerstein -
Christie's International Real Estate - Hillsdale, NJ
Bergen County NJ Real Estate

Hi Rich,

Well let's just say "That which doesn't kill us, can only make us stronger"!  Your positive light has always made a huge difference here in the Rain!  Wishing you only the most positive things in life.

 

Your AR friends,

 

Nov 07, 2011 01:10 PM
Jennifer Manchester
Suburban Properties of Charlotte, LLC - Mint Hill, NC
GRI, ePRO, ASP - Broker/Home Stager

Hi Rich:

 

I have enjoyed your articles and whoever decided to take a shot at you anonymously probably isn't doing that well.  It's funny how some of the most negative people usually falsely represent their success and pump themselves up by belittling others.

Nov 09, 2011 02:24 PM
Kristal Kraft
Novella Real Estate - Denver, CO
Selling Metro Denver Real Estate - 303-589-2022

Rich, You have always been a good example of how to act and treat others here on AR.  It's hard to believe you could have offended someone, but just the same you took the high road and apologized.  Not many peoople would do that.

We are living in some challenging times, this market adjustment is tough for many causing a lot a personal strife.  I do believe we need to be more compansionate to others these days.  We just don't know who is actually at the very end of their rope. 

I also believe we have the power to turn this market around.  There is good news in the real estate market.  It's the best time to buy a home since as long as I can remember!  (that's a long time too!)

Let's take that energy and direct it with positive force.  Blog on brother!

Your old friend,

kk

p.s. Don't let the turkeys get you down.

Nov 17, 2011 01:39 AM