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End of the year, and what have I learned?

By
Real Estate Agent with Realty World Wichita

Happy New Year2008 is close at hand.  I've learned a lot in the last year, some of my biggest lessons came in the last few days....

 

My feelings and Ego are both bigger than I thought.  Getting my feelings hurt is easy, and stems from control issues I struggle with.  I've hit a few landmines, I'm dealing with them, and I'm learning (at 51, still learning).

 

Hmmm, another landmine.  That "51" above suddenly looks a whole lot older than I feel...

You get what you pay for  I have an IDX provider, $29 per month.  It's OK, it's better than some, but it just doesn't have the back end I want.  I want all the interaction, agents getting leads, automation.  I've struggled for 2 months, but I finally have it coming to town.  Costs more, but in the end I'll make more.  Cut my PPC budget to pay for it.  But my organic searches yield 10 times the activity of the PPC, so I think I'll be OK.

 

I've Learned to TEXT  Ok, let's not get carried away, I have a full QWERTY keyboard on my phone, so I cheat.  What I learned was how many people texting.  Billions, and more learning every day.  The younger the client the more they text.  Our MLS is putting all our IDX listings on Text messages, so I did the research.  Bought 2 dot MOBI domairns.  I now have all my emails sent to my cell (Windows Mobile).  Speed, communication, in touch.  I preach that mor and more.....

 

The Serenity Prayer....

God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change

the courage to change the things I can

 and the wisdom to know the difference.

Change, inevitable.  How we deal with it, our choice.  I choose to adjust to the times.  A whole lot easier that staying stuck in the 90's.  Bring it on 2008!!

Tom McEvoy, MBA
RE/MAX Gold Santa Clara Valley - Sunnyvale, CA
SRES / Broker Associate / Realtor

Very good post about basically learning continuously, Greg.  Want to share with you a quote from Benjamin Franklin - "The man who does things makes mistakes, but he never makes the biggest mistake of all: doing nothing."

Seems fitting for all of us.  Happy New Year!

Dec 29, 2007 07:30 AM
Joan Snodgrass
Midamerica Referral Network - Kimberling City, MO

And Happy New Year to you Greg.  Congrats on your learning curve.  I think you are ahead of me there.  You have a busier market in Wichita than we have in little old Shell Knob, MO.  By the way,  Shell Knob is known as Wichita East.   Be glad to cooperate on referrals.

Dec 29, 2007 07:55 AM
Allen C. Wright
RealtyU - Aliso Viejo, CA
NS, AHS, REPS
Keep up the learning ... it is what will separate you from the masses that are just looking for the next check
Dec 29, 2007 08:18 AM
Alexander Harb
Knights Investing - Mesquite, TX
Dallas, Texas Real Estate Investing

Nice post.... texting is the IN thing to do for the younger set....

51 is NOT old...... believe me, bro!!

My grandmother died at the ripe age of 89......

You have a LONG way to go if you are taking care of your body....

=-)

Dec 30, 2007 05:59 AM
Monika McGillicuddy
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Verani Realty - Hampstead, NH
Southern NH & the Seacoast Area
I'm learning to text too and trying to clean up the Ethics group.
Jan 11, 2008 01:48 PM