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How do you eat an Elephant?

By
Real Estate Agent with Atlanta Communities 303302

One bite at a time.

This old saying I use almost every day. An agent will come to me having a serious anxiety attack about some issue they are facing. The one this morning concerned a new agent who was stressing out over everything she needed to do. She is in the process of getting ready to get ready.

The answer I told her was to prioritize. The problem she has is that she is viewing all these steps that need to be done as a huge elephant. The only way to resolve all these issues is to deal with them one at a time. We eat the elephant one bite at a time.

The real problem most new agents face is trying to get everything done in a day. Becoming a good agent requires us to work on our business every day. She says, I need to design my new signs, what about my email signature, I need to do some videos, what about my business cards, do I need to carry a charger in my car for when my phone dies? One bite at a time.

The elephant will not go away. It might get smaller with time, but there will always be numerous things that need to get done. The best way to tackle these issues is one at a time. So, when things pile up and the anxiety levels get too high, get out you fork and knife, relax, and enjoy your elephant...one bite at a time.

 

Posted by

Peter den Boer, Associate Broker, Realtor

Atlanta Communities Real estate Brokerage

 

Ph. 770.713.1545

www.denboerhomes.com

 

I write about daily life as a Realtor in the Towne Lake Community in Woodstock Georgia.

Comments(13)

Mike Rock
Complete Design - Granite Bay, CA
Granite Bay Luxury New Construction...For Less

so true. chop the tree down , one axe swing at a time. write them down , cross them off as you get done, and keep the list, i feel good looking at the lines crossed off :)

Oct 07, 2015 11:52 PM
Richie Alan Naggar
people first...then business Ran Right Realty - Riverside, CA
agent & author

Trying to make something happen instead of letting unfold? There is a difference...

Oct 07, 2015 11:54 PM
Margaret Goss
@Properties - Winnetka, IL
Chicago's North Shore & Winnetka Real Estate

I use the analogy of Anne Lamott from her book "Bird by Bird."  When her younger brother was struggling to write an essay on birds, their father told him to just take it "bird by bird."  

Elephants or birds - it's the same thing.  Start chipping away one at a time and you'll get through it.

Oct 07, 2015 11:55 PM
Raymond E. Camp
Ontario, NY

Good morning Peter,

Over time we learn to have plans for all aspects of the job; from yearly to daily it al comes together.

Make yourself a great day.

Oct 08, 2015 12:16 AM
Nicole Doty - Gilbert Real Estate Expert
Zion Realty - Gilbert, AZ
Broker/Owner of Zion Realty ZionRealtyAZ.com

How do you climb a mountain? One step at a time. Just keep putting one foot in front of the other and you'll get where you want to go. 

Oct 08, 2015 02:44 AM
Gene Riemenschneider
Home Point Real Estate - Brentwood, CA
Turning Houses into Homes

Good point.  I have also found that most problems seem bigger than they are.  Everytime something would go sideways with an escrow I thought we were gonna loose the transaction.  Most things work out.  Just keep working it.

Oct 08, 2015 06:08 AM
Morris Real Estate Marketing Group
Morris Real Estate Marketing Group - Toronto, ON
Marketing for realtors made easy!

Great point Peter, There is so much to do on any given day that seems impossible to get to everything, so setting up priorities is key. 

Oct 08, 2015 06:53 AM
Robin Smith
Pine Knoll Shores Realty - Pine Knoll Shores, NC
It's a beautiful day on the Crystal Coast!

Years ago, I read a book that advised readers to "eat the frog first thing in the morning; then your day must get better." Now I always try to do first the thing I dread the most. It saves me time and lots of dread....

Oct 08, 2015 06:56 AM
Theresa Akin

i have been getting better at eating the frog. A little at a time.

Oct 08, 2015 09:46 AM
Bill Reddington
Re/max By The Sea - Destin, FL
Destin Florida Real Estate

Think this is why the Good Lord created lists. Easy to attack the elephant one task at a time. Just have to start.

Oct 08, 2015 07:09 AM
Chris Lima
Turtle Reef Realty - Port St Lucie, FL
Local or Global-Allow me to open doors for you.

I was actually getting anxious reading about this poor agent.  It does seem like a huge battle some days and especially if your brain is wired to look at "ALL" instead of little bits or bites in this case. I have learned to triage and in most cases I am able to go to sleep with some peace. 

This is great advice.  Thanks for posting.

 

Oct 08, 2015 07:13 AM
Myrl Jeffcoat
Sacramento, CA
Greater Sacramento Realtor - Retired

I've often found that an elephant only means more work.  But, with a plan, and persistence even an elephant can be controlled.  I wouldn't want to eat one though!

Oct 10, 2015 08:48 AM
Jan Green - Scottsdale, AZ
Value Added Service, 602-620-2699 - Scottsdale, AZ
HomeSmart Elite Group, REALTOR®, EcoBroker, GREEN

So true.  The best advice is one step at a time!

Oct 19, 2015 09:06 AM
Donna Foerster
HomeSmart Realty Group - Parker, CO
Metro Denver Real Estate Assistant

Bite size pieces is the best way to handle every day tasks and get them done!

Sep 20, 2016 02:56 AM