Special offer

Do you have a good sense of direction?

By
Real Estate Broker/Owner with Richard Weisser Realty

Do you have a good sense of direction?Yesterday I went to see an industrial property in a neighboring county. The facility was located on a side road just off of a major new highway.

As I don’t like to backtrack, I decided to head back home on the side road. I had never been on this road before and I just love to explore so off I went.

I do this quite often. I don’t use GPS, a compass, or even a map. I just use my innate sense of direction to guide me. When I come to a stop sign and forced to decide “right or left” nine times out of ten I will make the right choice.

There is little guesswork involved. I always am aware of the relative position of the sun and I look for visual clues along the way. The density of houses, the numbers on the mailboxes, and even the condition of the pavement can indicate when you are approaching a town or settlement.

Yesterday I made the right observations and applied them. It wasn’t long before I was back in familiar territory.

The same thought process can be applied to running a business. You have to be to find the clues and interpret them.

Flipping a coin is a bad strategy.

Making choices based on the available information will serve you much better

Comments (12)

John McCormack, CRS
Albuquerque Homes Realty - Albuquerque, NM
Honesty, Integrity, Results, Experienced. HIRE Me!

Good morning Richard -

It sounds like you know you way around.  When back east I'm totally off my directions.   So many trees, woods, mountains I stay lost without my GPS.  I even get claustrophobic..... crazy but true.  I'm just too use to flat and open easily knowing my directions by the huge Sandia Mountain chain and the watching the sun.  Glad you made your way home and had time to blog :)

Feb 24, 2013 10:27 PM
Roger Stensland
Keller Williams Realty Puget Sound - Maple Valley, WA
Let's Move!

I can always find my way, eventually.  Sometimes, it would be easier if I left a trail of bread crumbs.  I have gotten lost in the woods a few times.  And after wandering around for hours, sometimes finding my own tracks, I have always managed to come out of the woods within a hundred feet of where I went in.  This is true for me in business too.  I follow clues and do my best to interpret them, but I find it much more profitable if I don't re-invent things and instead, follow the advice of those who have been there before me and have already made the mistakes and succeeded.

Feb 24, 2013 10:31 PM
Cindy Edwards
RE/MAX Checkmate - Johnson City, TN
CRS, GRI, PMN - Northeast Tennessee 423-677-6677

Good morning Richard,

This just makes me laugh, because I can promise you I would be lost for days without my GPS.  My sense of direction is horrible.  I get confused walking out of my hotel room door! Good for you though!!!

Feb 24, 2013 11:03 PM
Liz and Bill Spear
Transaction Alliance 513.520.5305 www.LizTour.com - Mason, OH
Transaction Alliance Cincinnati & Dayton suburbs

Richard, I think I have the same software module installed, I typically have a good sense of direction and don't mind gambling on a strange route home when I have the time to spare, and you never know what new things you'll find.

Feb 24, 2013 11:29 PM
Debbie Reynolds, C21 Platinum Properties
Platinum Properties- (931)771-9070 - Clarksville, TN
The Dedicated Clarksville TN Realtor-(931)320-6730
Good morning Richard, I refer to it a gut and some people have more of it than others. Have a great day.
Feb 24, 2013 11:43 PM
Ellie Shorb
Compass Real Estate - Chevy Chase, MD
Realtor DC, MD & VA Luxury Home Expert

I definately rely on my GPS- especially when I'm in a new area.... I don't have the "luck" for guessing whether a right or left turn will get me there.... However, when returning to a place I've been before, I use visual clues and will remember strange things like the need to turn left after the McDonalds and before the white fence. Funny!

Feb 25, 2013 12:01 AM
Chris Ann Cleland
Long and Foster Real Estate - Gainesville, VA
Associate Broker, Bristow, VA

It's amazing how dependent people become on gadgets to help them through their daily life.  GPS is a great example.  The sun is always there to help you find your way.  Of course, in order to trust your gut, you have to practice not using those gadgets.

Feb 25, 2013 12:24 AM
William Feela
WHISPERING PINES REALTY - North Branch, MN
Realtor, Whispering Pines Realty 651-674-5999 No.

I don't use a GPS either. 

Using common sense and educated guesses you cna usually end up close to where you need to be. 

Feb 25, 2013 02:56 AM
Tammy Lankford,
Lane Realty Eatonton, GA Lake Sinclair, Milledgeville, 706-485-9668 - Eatonton, GA
Broker GA Lake Sinclair/Eatonton/Milledgeville

I suppose that's why I have survived as long as I have in this business without ever having a "formal" business plan or budget.... I have a keen sense of dirction.

Feb 25, 2013 03:49 AM
Gary L. Waters Broker Associate, Bucci Realty
Bucci Realty, Inc. - Melbourne, FL
Eighteen Years Experience in Brevard County

Sounds like gut instinct is involved here as well...intuition, maybe.  You are right a coin is not a strategy!

Feb 25, 2013 04:41 AM
Peggy Wester
Realty Executives Integrity - Grafton, WI
Real Estate Agent Ozaukee & Washington County

I have oftentimes just driven the country roads here with no GPS just to experience the roads I never travel. And like you, by paying attention to where the sun is and other "clues" I always find my way back home. I love your analogy of using and interpreting clues in running a business, as well. Never thought of it that way.

Feb 25, 2013 05:08 AM
Nancy Conner
Olympia, WA
Olympia/Thurston County WA
My sense of direction is horrible - I blame it on our frequently overcast days that prevent the sun's position from helping me navigate around. And the fact that the freeway takes a bend as it goes through Olympia always throws me....I 5 goes north and south.....except for when it goes east and west. Sheesh!
Feb 25, 2013 05:50 AM