Good Riddance 2007, Hello 2008!

I am an optimist.    My friends and associates will tell you it's my greatest strength.   When things are at their darkest, I am the most positive.

My closest friends will tell you it's also my greatest fault.  When things are at their darkest, I am usually the last one to see the inevitable.

2007 was a very difficult year for me and, especially, for our industry.  Sales are down.   Many loan products have disappeared.  Big companies have collapsed and others have filed for bankruptcy protection.  Friends of mine and yours are hurting and many have left our business.

However, this is not only about business.   Sure, my business will end up about 30% down from last year.  Some tell me that's tremendous for this market.   I believe them.  I have built nice momentum since switching over to one of the nation's top retail lenders late in the year so I actually feel good about those numbers and am excited about our business in 2008.

2007 was a very difficult for me personally.  Early in the year, a close friend of mine for over 30 years, Scott, died of cancer at 42.  He left behind an 11-year-old son, Andrew.    I was around Andrew's age when I met Scott.

Scott was six months older than me.  Scott grew a full mustache when he was 13.  Full like Tom Selleck's during the "Magnum" years.   The rest of us were lucky to have a straggly patch of peach fuzz developing in the deepest cavers of our arm pits.   Facial hair was still years away.  Not for Scott.  Scott wore that ‘stache until close his passing so it always felt like he was at least five years older than me.  

A few months later, my neighbor, Eugene, who was in his early 40's died.  Eugene was a very pleasant guy.  He would jog on our block, smile and say "hi" to the neighbors.  He'd wave at every car that passed.   Eugene would even stop your car as you passed by to ask how you were doing. 

Eugene was on the verge of breaking through career-wise as a restaurateur.  He owned a small diner downtown that was always packed at lunch with a line out the door.    Everyone raved about the food.   The Meatball Parm was terrific.  

You couldn't get a seat in his diner so you would eat your lunch standing up.   It didn't matter.  I once saw a suited attorney leaning against a wall and he squeezed his meatball sandwich a little too tight.  

A full red-sauced meatball dropped off the bottom end of the crusty roll.  It plopped a marinara stripe right down the front of his neatly-pressed white shirt and suitably patterned yellow tie, and directly onto his expensive brown suede loafers.    It was a pricey food fumble but the guy just laughed it off.  It was simply the price you paid to eat at Eugene's diner.

Eugene got sick suddenly, found out he had cancer, and passed just weeks later.

Another of my closest friends, a very successful real estate entrepreneur, achieved one of his greatest goals in 2007.  At 42, he finally had his first child.  The most beautiful baby girl you have seen.  A full head of dark bushy hair, stunning dark eyes, and a crooked little shy smile that sets your heart on fire.  

Having a child was something my friend wanted for as long as I can remember.   He is one of those guys who you just knew would be one of the best dads there would ever be once it finally happened for him. 

Within hours of the delivery of this incredible gift, while in my friend's arms, his baby girl turned blue.   It turns out she has a heart defect that only affects one in every 200,000 children.  Her first few months of life have been filled with incredible love and joy, as well as endless hospital stays, invasive surgery, with intense fear, concern and sorrow.   

You should see my friend with his little baby girl.  He is an amazing dad, taking his infant to work with nearly every day and when he looks at her, you can see the incredible love he has for his little princess.

It is painful and very hard to watch my friend go through this and although we are all very hopeful, everyone also understands this is just the beginning of a long road. 

In the summer, my 64-year-old mother was diagnosed with Stage 4 lung cancer.  Thankfully she is still with us today, living with cancer, and we are hopeful.   She is even going to Hawaii in the next few weeks.   

My father passed two years ago at 66 from cancer.  A little more time between these two events would have been a bit easier for me.

So, along with and in spite of the downturn in the market, you can understand why I am happy to see 2007 get behind all of us and I look forward with optimism to 2008. 

I don't want to turn this into a soapy detail of sorrow in my personal life but I truly believe that the greatest lessons I learned this year are personal ones that we can all share caused by these tragedies.    

The down cycle in the real estate business just doesn't seem to mean as much when compared to these real-life events.  

In my opinion, it's important we put this year into perspective.   Based on what I have described above, how can you not?   It's so important to focus on the positives.  I don't need to tell you want they are once again.   Read any of my newsletters the past few months or simply look inside.

I am one of the preferred lenders at a real estate auction coming up soon.  Over 15,000 people have visited the open houses to preview these homes.   That is exciting news.  There are tons of buyers out there.  They just want a deal.

Sure, you may not have made as much money as in year's past and it's likely you worked a lot harder than you wanted to.  However, as Abe Lincoln once said, "Things may come to those who wait, but only the things left by those who hustle."

I believe it's important, during the holiday season, and regardless of your religious convictions, that we embrace the season's spirit and cheer.  This year more than recent years.

It's a time to reflect on the year that's past and to anxiously await the promise of the New Year.   It's a time to reflect on things for which we should be thankful and not dwell on things that have passed.  

I am thankful that I live in one of the most vibrant cities in the world that is experiencing explosive economic growth.   

I am thankful I have a loving, warm wife and amazing, smart kids that support me unconditionally.   

I am thankful I have great friends that inspire me to better myself.  I am thankful I have great clients that have the trust and confidence in me to refer their friends and family. 

I am thankful to be alive and healthy. 

I worked with Scott in my early 20's selling ads for a mobile billboard company that very few people had interest in advertising with.  Scott single-handedly made a company that had no business being in business successful.   Scott was the greatest salesperson I have ever known.  

I am successful today in large part because of the life lessons Scott taught me during his life.  I never got to tell Scott how valuable he was in my life but I don't regret not telling him. 

You see, when he died, I felt a suffocating need to be alone for a few hours.  Part of it was the need to express my sadness.  Part of it was to reflect on the passing of a lifelong friend and mentor.   

In those reflecting hours I was able to put into perspective, in clear thought, the lessons I learned from Scott.  I would never have taken the time to do that when he was alive.  That part is my regret.

In my reflection, before the funeral, I sent an email to everyone I knew that also knew Scott. 

I want to share with you the words I wrote them that day because the lessons I learned from Scott are more pertinent today than they were that winter day of his passing.   If you want to be more successful in 2008, personally and professionally, I believe the lessons I learned from Scott may help you too.

 "No matter how low or down you get, dressing well can lift you up and make those around you still respect and admire you."

"Over-laughing, or laughing very loudly at someone's jokes makes them feel good."

"Being confident in yourself, even when you are unsure, will help you in striving for success."  

"In sales and in life, never be afraid to ask anyone for what you want."

"Never be intimidated by someone you believe to be of "higher stature" than you.  We are all equal.  What you have to say to them is as important as they are.  Believe that."  

"No" is only a temporary answer the first few times you hear it.  Keep trying for the "yes."

"Being passionate about something is never silly.  It's living life to the fullest the way you want."

 "Emotions are ok to express in front of whoever happens to be around when you feel them."

"There is nothing more important TO your children than being there every day FOR them."

"Life is not to be lived a day at a time.  It's to be lived an hour at a time."  

At Scott's funeral, his 11-year-old son, Andrew, the bravest boy I have ever seen, gave the eulogy.   Over 400 mourners packed a room meant for half that.   Andrew's eulogy was over 30 minutes long and filled with incredible father/son stories that most grown men can only dream about telling about their fathers.   

Andrew's words that day, though incredible sad, were filled with hope, respect, joy, some laughter, but, most importantly, reminded us all of the potential in life.

"When life hands you lemonade, squeeze it and make lemonade."  W. CLEMENT STONE, former publisher of "Success Magazine."

 I am committed to making 2008 my best year personally and professionally.   And when it's over, I will make the same commitment to 2009.  I hope you will make the same pledge.

"None of us can change our yesterdays, but all of us can change our tomorrows."  COLIN POWELL, former Secretary of State

I wish you and yours a great holiday season and a Happy New Year!!!  Let's all have a great and prosperous 2008!!