This just in Labor market stronger than expected in November Payrolls up 94,000; jobless rate stays at 4.7% on household survey gains. NO wait I'm sorry...this just in Softness expected in November jobs report...no wait, I'm sorry this just really no in...Trend of jobless claims rises to highest in two years...OKay, now I'm really not kidding, this really just came in...Inflation erodes salary and wage gains, okay one more for good measure...Productivity gains most in 4 years.

Getting the drift? In life there is duality, Dark / Light, Good / Evil, Hope/ Despair. It can drive you nuts, Just what exactly is going on with our economy. We hear foreclosures are up but housing starts gained, One economist says the crisis insn't a crisis at all, another says we are heading for the End of Days.

Duality means, in all obstacles there are opportunities. I know of some agents that were the top agent in their market and have completely vanished off the face of the earth while others that are doing more transactions then they did when the market was strong.

Earlier this year I joined a group called Top Agent Toolbox. At the time I thought why watse the money but then after I started using this product I realized how important it is to remain around others who are doing well and remaining positive. The sharing of information is critical to maintaining your peace of mind when facing challenge. It helped me to focus on what works and not what the problems are. As a result I have realized more opportunity now then I had before and my business has increaed. I have created new streams of income for my business and I am actually happier with the clients I work with.

 BUT...I believe that if I continue to read the news and listen to so called economic experts, my brain will soon fry. People are always asking me, "What do you think about where the market is going?" or "How long do you think this will last?" It's funny but I remember watching Bulls and Bears on Fox back in the peak of the market and they were commenting on how it's time to get out of real estate when everyone is talking about real estate...well now it seems even more people are talking about real estate. Evrywhere I go I either hear a conversation about who's trying to sell or "did you hear what they are selling the house down the street for?" or people are asking me about selling or buying.

Right now, when someone asks. I simply say, "I don't know, it depends on who you listen to". It's anyone's guess and it really depends on the sellers motivation, our competence and mortgage restrictions.

 So I offer only tis one little piece of information: DON'T LISTEN TO THE NEWS! Just focus on what you want. Pay attention to the 10ft circle around you, take care of your turf and let the "experts" bloviate. Oh and yes, be aware of duality and realize when you are on one side or other. As "they" say, perception is everything.