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Where Are You At!

How's that for an intro.

Where are You At...Are you on the phone, checking e-mail while driving, texting, thinking about what else needs to be done, all the while trying to look like you are having "quality time" with a friend, co-worker, or family member?

Have you got to the point that you aren't where you should be any more??

Where are you at? Do you need to look around to find yourself? Probably not, but are you mentally where you are at? AAHHHH that's my point.

Multi Tasking has gone too far,and it's time to remember, on this Thanksgiving Day, to be thankful for what we have. Our families are important. SO is our career. Be fair to all and just be where you are!!

It's so easy to get caught up in answering that phone while talking to your kids, or your spouse. But when do you say "right now I am just here." Physically and mentally.

A few weeks ago I was on the floor coloring with my twin seven year old granddaughters. We were having a nice time, and my phone rang. When I just turned it to mute and put it away, Michelle (the oldest by 17 minutes) said "Don't you need to get that?" I told her no, I want to just spend time with you guys right now. You should have seen their smiles.

Believe it or not, this will work well with spouses too. I promise it will!!

I have been practicing this at home and my wife and I are doing more talking like we used too. Just us. No laptop, no phone, just chatting. Later, I say, I need some time to do my broker training, blogging, MLS Searching and its OK, because now I have a few hours to do just that. When we have dinner out now, the phone stays in the car. We deserve time for us too.

Do you answer your phone while in a listing presentation?

I don't even take it in the house. When I am dealing with this client, I want to be THERE, just there. When I am having lunch with a co-worker or friend, I have the phone on vibrate, and I would like them to do the same. Imagine not seeing someone but every once in a while and they talk to someone else half the time at lunch. I promise not do do that ever again, Really, I do Promise.

Yes, ask yourself, Where are you at? Can you just concentrate on being good at being here??

After a few months of this practice, I can tell you that my life is more focused, and overall doing better, at home and at work. Try it and see the difference. It takes a bit of practice, but your friends, family, and clients will get a better part of you, they will get all of you. Focus on what your are doing NOW, and who you are with Now!

I promise that when you actually do this, you will be shocked by the difference in your lives. One more thing, if you are really serious, call your spouse and tell them what you plan on doing. The way they respond should be motivation enough............Remember Just Be Where You Are At!!

Posted by Mike Norvell Sr., Developers Capital Realty on 11/22/2007 10:43 AM

Comments (15)

focus, positive thinking

15 Comments on Where Are You At!

Mike,

Very good.....I have used this myself and the results are good.

Have a great Thanksgiving.

11/22/2007 10:46 AM

by Dan Brudnok - Realtor, e-PRO, ABR, CSP - Chester County RE Professional (Keller Williams - Exton - PA License Number #RS225179L )

Thanks Dan, Happy Thanksgiving tooo

11/22/2007 10:56 AM

by Mike Norvell Sr., Developers Capital Realty (Developers Capital Realty, LLC)

Dan, what a perfect blog for this Thanksgiving day.

I used to run myself into the ground with customers, now I have a virtual outgoing voice message explaining when I will return their phone calls. Family is important and I've promised myself before I got into this business that they will always come first.

11/22/2007 11:04 AM

by Wayne Miller (Beach & Luxury Realty, Inc)

Hi Wayne, thanks for the support..I am looking into a voice mail system next week,,,Have a great day

11/22/2007 11:09 AM

by Mike Norvell Sr., Developers Capital Realty (Developers Capital Realty, LLC)

Hi Mike,

Thank you for the good message--it has been easy to have the cell phone run our lives--yes it is time to take back control and stay focused on whom we are with.

11/22/2007 11:16 AM

by Leslie Bloss, Seattle Real Estate Professional (REALTY EXECUTIVES/BRIO )

Amen & Amen, Mike. It's hard to remember life without a cell phone or computer. It's too easy to get trapped there. Have a blessed Thanksgiving.

11/22/2007 11:30 AM

by Joan Snodgrass Tri-Lakes Realtors, Shell Knob, MO (Tri- Lakes REALTORS)

Mike ~ Great advice! Sometimes hard to do...when that next Realtor phones and needs a pre-approval on her new client. You are right, though, of course. So, thank you for the reminder!! :) Happy Thanksgiving to you, Mike!

11/22/2007 12:03 PM

by Sarah Eubanks ~ Preferred Oregon Loan Consultant & Notary Public (Hill Valley Financial Services)

Leslie, I hope you take the challenge to make a clean break, another way to say it is to be present in our presence!! Thanks for stopping by, and Happy Thanksgiving

11/22/2007 07:50 PM

by Mike Norvell Sr., Developers Capital Realty (Developers Capital Realty, LLC)

Joan,,, Amen is right, we should reserve the right to take our lives back, how many times have we spent time doing all these things that don't turn out at all, all the while we left our families hanging. Schedule is not a dirty word, I swear...Happy Holidays

11/22/2007 08:13 PM

by Mike Norvell Sr., Developers Capital Realty (Developers Capital Realty, LLC)

Sarah...I didn't say it was easy. But I know this, it's very important to take better care of who's in front of you. I am working to set up an administrative assistant as we speak, and to have a voice mail system that take non emergency calls to this assistant. PS...one of the most effecient Realtors I know does not take calls at all from clients. His office assistant handles all calls, his cell number is not on his business card or his signs. He maintains 35-50 listings at all times and even thru the slow down averages 3 closings per month. He returns calls 3 times per day on average to clients that are not handled by the assistant. It can work, and it makes you more productive. The other side of this is the agent's wife is battling cancer so he does much of the child care responcibility too, as well as getting her to chemo and other doctor visits.

11/23/2007 06:07 AM

by Mike Norvell Sr., Developers Capital Realty (Developers Capital Realty, LLC)

Wow, Mike ~ That poor guy! He has been, it sounds like, a great example of priorities. Too often in life, it seems that the priorities are put into place when something is going wrong. If only we would all be more proactive (as you are doing), there would be far less regrets in people's lives. Thanks for the ideas and thoughts. All the best to you! :)

11/23/2007 03:55 PM

by Sarah Eubanks ~ Preferred Oregon Loan Consultant & Notary Public (Hill Valley Financial Services)

Hi Sarah, I am just checking in, its been a long day working and coming home at 2:30 to prepare a second Thanksgiving Dinner for the kids and grandkids who could not make it yesterday. I will continue to work on this system, it has made a difference in my life,,,,,,,,,wishing you all the best

11/23/2007 08:08 PM

by Mike Norvell Sr., Developers Capital Realty (Developers Capital Realty, LLC)

Mike - An outstanding post. Thanks for the reminder of the truly imporstsnt things and where our focus needs to be.

11/24/2007 08:46 AM

by Tom Plant - Murrieta Real Estate Expert - Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage (Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage)

Thanks Tom,,,,,They say when you preach you can learn twice..I am writing to me most of all. Thanks for stopping by....

11/24/2007 08:33 PM

by Mike Norvell Sr., Developers Capital Realty (Developers Capital Realty, LLC)

Where are we at today.....Hopefully enjoying a beautiful morning

11/25/2007 08:27 AM

by Mike Norvell Sr., Developers Capital Realty (Developers Capital Realty, LLC)