I just returned from the NAR convention in Las Vegas.... Always a very informative and exhilarating trip for me... I've been several times and always look forward to it. Once again, given I think that observing people is FUN, it got me thinking... (airplanes and airports can be a great place for that huh?) :) I noticed something about the people there........ I'll explain this in a second....
Often, I am asked by friends, other Realtors, title companies, lenders, inspectors, etc... "Brent, how is that you can always be smiling and laughing, even when there are severe problems with the transaction, or things simply aren't aren't going your way? No really Brent, please, I'd like to know...."
My answer is always the same.. "It's just a choice I make, I choose to be happy and most important.... GRATEFUL! The Good Lord has been good to me!!"
Case in point.... An older friend, a former corporate executive, called me a week or so ago and when I queried him on what he needed... his response warmed my heart... "Brent, today I just needed a laugh... and I knew who to call..." That felt GOOD!! My choice to be joyful and positive has affected some one else....
well... I knew, that over the past year, he had been having a tough time with a broken arm that just won't seem to heal itself in the time frame he would like it to.... so... I leaned back in my chair, then shared with him a prospective "theory on medical insurance" my brother and I have been discussing/ working on.... :) If only Congress had the courage to make a move....
Ed......... "You've been back and forth to the doc for a year now with your arm... next time you go, would you try something for me??? You know how a hundred years ago people were peddling whiskey for it's "medicinal value", and if you have kids or grand kids in public schools I'm sure you've heard them express that Willie the Drug Free Wonder Dog purports that alcohol is a drug......? Well.... I can see something of an OPPORTUNITY in that line of thinking... here are my thoughts..... next time you go to the doctor my friend... ask him/ her......
"Doc...... Would you kindly write me a prescription for a half gallon bottle, or better yet.....a CASE of fine whiskey so I can just make a $5 co-pay and take it home?? ---- for medicinal purposes ---- of course!! Pretty please with sugar on it.... "
Well, for some reason, he thought our theory was funny.... (Even if you don't drink, at least you can give it to a friend who does... :) Frankly, I just want to see if his Doc has a large enough sense of humor to say, with a smile on his/ her face... "Oh what the heck... let's try it.... ;) Oh, and btw.. in the UNLIKELY event the Pharmacist doesn't have it in stock and your favorite package store can't read my writing/ accept it, ..... here's your REAL prescription."
He laughed... I felt better because of it.... me.... I FELT BETTER...... both of us did.... and... I know Ed... next time he goes, he will go with a SMILE on his face, anticipating the befuddled look his Doc will give him... and I bet the Doc gets a laugh out of it too... a welcome break in the day.... and hopefully it will get passed on...
Well.... getting back to where we started.....(I'm easily sidetracked -- maybe that's why I'm so happy??).... Isn't it the same with our clients and our vendors and our fellow Realtors???
One of the reasons I find the NAR convention trip so beneficial is that it is fun to be surrounded by the best of the best in the industry!! Always, always, the people who are there are positive, up-beat, and excited about their careers in real estate! Refreshing!! Even when a lot of the country is in a down market, the people who will be survivors choose to be OPTIMISTIC and are looking for OPPORTUNITIES for themselves and their clients.... and they project this attitude... through their speech, their mannersisms, and their actions. And, a smile..... or even a crazy theory...
My opinion is this is what differentiates the winners from the losers, positivity from negativity. My mother has a saying that she often repeats to my brother and I:
"Son, ANYONE can hold the helm when the seas are calm.... but, it takes someone SPECIAL to hold the helm when the waters are rough. Grab hold and smile!"
That's what positive leadership is --- recognizing that the seas may be rough, but it is also an OPPORTUNITY to step up to the wheel, grab hold, and steer the boat!! Then smile --- because you get the opportunity to choose the path!!! Just plot a course and GO! :) People with a positive attitude will survive and thrive...... attitudes become contagious and contagious attitudes mean more business in the long run b/c people WANT to be around you! Enthusiasm!!
So, the shortest answer is that a positive attitude is a CHOICE.... it's just that simple :) .... positive thinking shows up most clearly in our choice of conversational words. Something I noticed at the convention in Vegas --- For instance ever asked some one how they are doing and they reply "Not bad." Two negative words.... instead, how about, "I doing GREAT, how about yourself?" Then, hush, listen, smile and mean it! :) We become what we think... would you agree?
"This transaction is just an absolute mess..." instead how about.... "This is why I became a Realtor! :) Luckily, I have the skills and knowledge to fix this and know who to talk to in order to get answers! I'm glad you chose me to be your Realtor!" Which would a client rather hear?? And, since we all know that our clients feed off of us, and react accordingly.... My opinion is......it is so much simpler to develop and maintain a positive approach than to deal with depressed clients. Perhaps I could loan them $5 for a co-pay......??? :)
So.... I wrote a blog..... kinda scattered my thoughts all over the place, but it was FUN!! :)
Brent
Comments(5)