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Reflection and Anticipation as 2014 comes to an end.

By
Industry Observer with Nature As Neighbors

A Natural Time to Reflect.

Another year comes to an end and it's a natural time to reflect. In fact, a little reflection is a good thing. What were the winners in 2014? Did you reach your business and personal goals? If not, why not?  

Active Rain, videos, my SOI, and passion for customer service all proved to be winning sources of business in the past year. A trial run with Trulia, and several mail campaigns did not. Therefore, I will continue utilize the aforementioned resources and activities that did bring results. 

 

Live in Joy

Anticipation - a necessary component for growth.

The world is changing at a rapid pace. Is it increasing its speed? Regardless, the key to success must include our ability to foresee new trends and thus react accordingly. Those of us who can anticipate the future will have a plan in place to be ready for action. 

Even if you are successful today, doing what you have always done will not get the job done. The best way to thrive ( and not just survive) is to redefine and refocus. As 2014 comes to a close, I am working to identify and leverage my uniqueness in new and powerful ways.

It's my impression that people are beginning to value those personal touches again, more than the impersonal touches of social media.  Will you be incorporating more interactions with people in the coming year?  I will. What are you doing to take advantage of future opportunities?  Do you recognize the need to anticipate change?

While a bit of reflection and anticipation are important, the most challenging task it seems , is to recognize the importance of the moment. It's a fine line. We are wise to learn from the past, anticipate the winds of change, while being especially mindful to recognize the gift in each and every moment.

Happy 2015, may all of your dreams come true. 

 

Posted by


Debb Janes  Bernie Stea
Brokers/REALTORS®
Call or Text 360-608-4900

We help buyers and sellers in Camas, Washougal, Brush Prairie/Hockinson, Salmon Creek, Felida, and other Vancouver, Washington Areas. 


We bring our passion for nature and beautiful environments to Real Estate. Multigenerational and family estates, country land and homes, and small farmsteads are our speciality.


We agree with our clients, "The true luxury of rural living is having elbowroom for the soul.

 

Comments(21)

Gayle Rich-Boxman Fishhawk Lake Real Estate
John L Scott Market Center - Birkenfeld, OR
"Your Local Expert!" 503-739-3843

Debb, you always bring it. And this wonderfully written, thought-provoking post delivers as well.

Love you for your mind, your heart and your sisterhood! 

To more relationship-building...one of my keys to bring to unlock doors in 2015.

 

Dec 31, 2014 02:59 AM
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
Pasadena And Southern California 818.516.4393

Hi Debb -- as one year closes and another approaches, it is a good time to reflect on what worked as well as those that were a bit topsy-turvy or went awry.  As you and Dick Greenberg mentioned, the need for a re-introduction of that personal touch is important.   Happy New Year's Eve!

Dec 31, 2014 03:06 AM
Rebecca Gaujot, Realtor®
Lewisburg, WV
Lewisburg WV, the go to agent for all real estate

I agree that most would like the personal touch, and will bring it on in 2015.  Have a happy and healthy new year.

Dec 31, 2014 03:10 AM
Joan Cox
House to Home, Inc. - Denver Real Estate - 720-231-6373 - Denver, CO
Denver Real Estate - Selling One Home at a Time

Debb Janes as always you are always so insightful.    I have always thought the personal touch was in, and put lots of efforts into phone calls and attending functions my clients invite me to.    It shows you care.   Social media will grab some, but not the long-term clients I would prefer.   Know you will outdo 2014 in 2015, and looking forward to seeing your success! 

Dec 31, 2014 03:11 AM
John G. Johnston
John G. Johnston & Associates, LLC - Westcliffe, CO
An Exclusive Buyer's Agent ~ Westcliffe, CO

Debb  The personal touch will never change.  What changes is how to get to - the personal touch.  Media and a fast response are a couple of key ingredients.  As always, a great blog.  Happy New Year!  

Dec 31, 2014 03:14 AM
Rene Fabre
ARFCO Media - Renton, WA
Practicing Philosophical Eclectic of the Arts

Nicely said, Debb Janes ! and sage advice... I love this saying from the Hopi Indians...

(excerpt)

There is a river flowing now very fast. It is so great and 

swift that there are those who will be afraid. They will try to hold on

to the shore. They will feel they are being torn apart and will suffer

greatly. Know the river has its destination. The elders say we must let

go of the shore, push off into the middle of the river, keep our eyes

open, and our heads above the water.

And I say, see who is in there with you and celebrate. At this time in

history, we are to take nothing personally, least of all ourselves. For

the moment that we do, our spiritual growth and journey come to a halt.

The time of the one wolf is over. Gather yourselves!

Banish the word 'struggle' from your attitude and your vocabulary. All

that we do now must be done in a sacred manner and in celebration.

We are the ones we've been waiting for.

 

Hopi Elders Prophesy

Have a Happy and Prosperous New Year!

 

Dec 31, 2014 04:03 AM
Robert Bob Gilbert
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Anderson Properties - Katy, TX
Your Katy TX ( West of Houston) Real Estate Expert

Debb, 

Great line and tremendous idea being"The best way to thrive ( and not just survive) is to redefine and refocus". Excelelnt post plus advice we all should think hard about and take action. 

Dec 31, 2014 04:28 AM
Ron and Alexandra Seigel
Napa Consultants - Carpinteria, CA
Luxury Real Estate Branding, Marketing & Strategy

Debb,

Wishing you and yours a Great Year Ahead, and continued success in all aspects o your lives. Like you and Bernie Ron and I have discussed this past year, and are planning to toast the highlights and the lowlights (we need them for contrast sake), and we are looking forward to what is next on our paths...A

Dec 31, 2014 04:39 AM
Debb Janes
Nature As Neighbors - Camas, WA
Put My Love of Nature At Work for You

You are all some of my favorite peeps and for good reason. I read each of your comments and realize how lucky I am to have you in my circle. Rene, your comment blows it out of the water. I am in love with that quote and plan to print it out and hang it nearby - it's a great mantra for the New Year. 

Dec 31, 2014 04:52 AM
Joanna Cohlan
Fresh Eyes For Your Home - Chappaqua, NY
Designing, Decorating & Staging Westchester Homes

Debb, you are one smart cookie.  So important to re-assess and focus on results and learn from those trials and risks.  You are smart, resourceful, innovative, competent and filled to the brim  with both joy and character - if that isn't unique I don't know what.  You exude the laws of attraction and that is why they come and they stay! xoxo

Dec 31, 2014 05:01 AM
Tom White
Franklin Homes Realty LLC (615) 495-0752 or www.FranklinHomesRealty.com - Franklin, TN
Franklin Homes Realty LLC, Franklin TN

Debb, you've really hit on so many of the things that Tammie and I have been considering over the past couple of months. Adapting to change is huge! Finding what works and more importantly, what doesn't is the name of the game. I'm never disappointed when I read your posts!!

Dec 31, 2014 06:58 AM
Yolanda Cordova-Gilbert
Richmond, TX

Debb,

 

 

Just stopped by to wish you and yours a Happy New Year!  I hope 2015 brings you the best of everything! I wrote a similar blog great minds...!

 

Dec 31, 2014 07:14 AM
Beth Atalay
Cam Realty and Property Management - Clermont, FL
Cam Realty of Clermont FL

Debb, without a doubt, techology, gadgets, systems, social media, online marketing, blogging are all important to our success but without that personal touch, we can't grow much. I spend four hours today with one of my agents helping her with her goal setting and talked about all that didn't work and new approaches.

Dec 31, 2014 12:01 PM
TeamCHI - Complete Home Inspections, Inc.
Complete Home Inspections, Inc. - Brentwood, TN
Home Inspectons - Nashville, TN area - 615.661.029

 Good morning Debb. I do have to agree that technology helps get our name out there in the marketplace. However, I still believe that real estate is a people business and we must spend time pressing the flesh.

Want to take this opportunity to wish you a very happy, healthy and prosperous new year.

Dec 31, 2014 06:32 PM
Joan Cox
House to Home, Inc. - Denver Real Estate - 720-231-6373 - Denver, CO
Denver Real Estate - Selling One Home at a Time

Debb, Happy New Year, and your posts are always parallel to mine, I just can't put them in words.     Hope 2015 is everything you are expecting!  

Jan 01, 2015 04:32 AM
Bruce Hicks
Best Homes Hawaii - Honolulu, HI
Your Best Hawaii Realtor!

2014 has been a FLASH Debb Janes , I expect 2015 to be SUPER MAN!  Happy New Year, I clicked LIKE>

Jan 01, 2015 09:51 PM
Patricia Feager, MBA, CRS, GRI,MRP
DFW FINE PROPERTIES - Flower Mound, TX
Selling Homes Changing Lives

This is great food for thought. I believe reflection is necessary. You can't keep doing the same things you always did and expect better results. It would be just impossible. I really appreciate what you have written. Thank you.

Jan 02, 2015 03:57 AM
Tammie White, Broker
Franklin Homes Realty LLC - Franklin, TN
Franklin TN Homes for Sale

I will definitely we incorporating more personal touches. Tomorrow is our first lunch of the new year with past clients. We're going to meet with one couple/client each week just to stay top of mind.

Jan 03, 2015 12:56 PM
Endre Barath, Jr.
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties - Beverly Hills, CA
Realtor - Los Angeles Home Sales 310.486.1002

Debb, the year went by so fast for me that I barely have had time to not reflect but just glance back...and here we are it is already a week virtually gone...just grateful that I am so busy...will have to time block so I can reflect...as far as your post is concerned I agree we have turned the tide to personal touches and I do not mean a text:))Endre

Jan 06, 2015 05:58 AM
Debbie Walsh
SHAHAR Management - Middletown, NY
Hudson Valley NY Real Estate 845.283-3036

I hope you have a great 2015 and this is a thought provoking post!

Jan 06, 2015 07:37 AM