Dan Stewart, of Happy Grasshopper, has asked us to write a blog post about the five things we're most thankful for that impact our business on a daily basis. This is part of an Active Rain contest, where one entry will be chosen at random to receive $1500.00 to that person's favorite charity. How cool is that?
So, narrowing my choices to five, here we go (and I apologize in advance for being so long-winded.)
First: good health! I know that my habit of exercising daily, whether hiking up and down San Francisco's hills, practicing yoga, or hiking the trails of the Marin Headlands and San Mateo County energizes me and enables me to happily work long, hard hours. It wasn't until earlier this month when I was felled by a ruptured appendix while in Mexico that I fully appreciated how strong I am. Four days later I was on the plane, headed for home. I am doing well, walking a few blocks at a time, and resting a lot. This evening will be my first big step toward recovery: walking over Nob Hill to attend a lecture at the Commonwealth Club.
Second: my husband, family and friends. My knight-in-shining-armor husband, who flew to be by my side and guide me home, who drove me to my new listing to change a light bulb for my clients, who cooks for me and handles my IT woes without complaint. My daughter who helped make his reservations and find his way to me in Mexico; the point person keeping us all in the loop. My granddaughter Rachael whom you'll soon meet here; she has been providing very capable real estate assistance to me while she studies for her license exam. She had a baptism by fire while I was laid up, bringing my new listing to the market, and arranging a myriad of details. She's going to be a great agent!. My other daughter and teenage granddaughter, who stepped in to provide door service at broker tours and open houses when needed.
My friends are equally awesome; Nicole, yoga teacher and organizer of our retreat when I fell ill, spent hours driving me 45 bumpy minutes to a clinic, sitting with me while treatment decisions were made; Dawn a woman I had known for all of 3 days who contacted my husband and stayed by my side at the hospital until it was time for my surgery. Others who have offered shopping help, friendship, love and good wishes.
Third: My team - whether it's an electrician I need to come to a listing for a small job, or a home inspector who will come out for me on a Saturday--or even a Sunday, the locksmith who comes to re-place a broken lock minutes before an open house, the stager, photographer, sign installer, brochure writer, painter -- they provide excellent service for my clients and their behind-the-scenes work make me look like a star! And I can't forget lenders who co-host my open houses, and are on-the-spot to answer questions for potential buyers.
Equally important on my team are my clients, and those who refer their friends and family to me. I value them and will always work my best on their behalf.
Fourth: the ability I have to work from anywhere. I have sat in hotel lobbies in Hawaii sending contracts to clients for signature via DocuSign and on a mountain trail negotiating a deal by cell phone. Two days after surgery, I sat in my hospital bed uploading my new listing into our MLS Listings. We scanned Homeowner Association docs and uploaded them along with all reports and disclosures to the Cloud where agents for potential buyers could access them. Because of this ability, listings go on as planned, emergencies or not. My clients' plans are not disrupted.
Fifth: the beauty of the world and most of the people in it. Natural beauty surrounds us, and serves as a reminder of goodness. And the beauty of the everyday heroes we find--the people who give their shoes to a barefoot homeless woman on the subway, those who give a sandwich to the hungry and then take time to sit down and chat, the volunteers who tirelessly work to make a neighborhood better, those who go out of their way to make holidays less bleak for others -- this is where I choose to dwell and on which to focus. This enables me to better serve my clients, and everyone whose path I cross. It's a way of life that gives meaning and purpose to me, and adds to my happiness and success.
Thanks, Dan, for encouraging us to focus on what we have for which to be thankful -- it is a lot.
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