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In any weather, stay the course

By
Real Estate Agent with The Virtual Real Estate Team 104556

I got into Jupiter to join my wife here on the 12th. January even in South Florida can be variable. The day i arrived it was a high of 81 but then in a few days it had a low in the 40s. Needless to say I will walk the beach every day. That first morning it was calm and pleasant in shorts and tee, but then later the long pants and jackets came out. You can see the calmness in the ocean and it was turquoise for a long distance out. Is it any wonder that turquoise is my new favorite color. Two days later when it was very cool we walked by a children's surfing event with music, judges, a lot of parents, and kids that looked to be about 8 and up. The cool front had moved in, waves were up, and wetsuits were on. It was lemonade coming from lemons and the kids were having a ball. So what does this happen to do with real estate?

If we have goals we practice them daily just like my daily walking the beach. We know that conditions can always change like interest rates, technology, and more but we never lose site of the goal. If the water is too cold we put on a wetsuit, and if interest rates change we adapt with maybe price changes. Instead of shorts and tees we go to long pants and jackets, and when 2008 hit a lot of us went to short sales, then back to our core competence when it corrected. The goals never change but the conditions often do. Steve Jobs was a great believer in preparation and practice. He as obsessive about getting on stage and making presentations. He believed that incessant practice lead to success rather than learning from the experience. He adapted to changing conditions before hand just like me looking at the day's temperatures before I walk the beach.

When I speak to investors in San Francisco on a quarterly basis I have the presentation done a month before hand, then I practice in the car, in front of the bathroom mirror, and to my wife, and this goes on for a month. If something doesn't seem right I change it, if new information comes in I modify it. I never lose site of the goal and I never let changing conditions throw me for a loop, I just change into long pants just like I change the presentation. Nature tells us a lot, observation tells us a lot, but keeping your eye on the goal and practicing incessantly in order to learn achieves it. That being said I hope it is warm tomorrow, but regardless I will practice my beach walk just like I do every day. 

Comments (19)

Yolanda Cordova-Gilbert
Richmond, TX

Joe,

That is a great philosphy, I think you are correct you must practice and also be flexible enough to change.

Jan 15, 2018 02:31 PM
Elizabeth Weintraub Sacramento Broker
Elizabeth Anne Weintraub, Broker - Sacramento, CA
Put 40 years of experience to work for you

I am a dedicated and focused individual, Joe, but I rarely practice. I just wing it and compensate as I go along, LOL.

Jan 15, 2018 02:38 PM
Patricia Feager, MBA, CRS, GRI,MRP
DFW FINE PROPERTIES - Flower Mound, TX
Selling Homes Changing Lives

I hope you have a wonderful time in FL despite any cooler temperatures than you expected. But I know, you'll make every moment count because that's just how you are!

Jan 15, 2018 06:36 PM
William Feela
WHISPERING PINES REALTY - North Branch, MN
Realtor, Whispering Pines Realty 651-674-5999 No.

Just because there are bumps in the weather for a few days doesn't mean you should change the course

Jan 15, 2018 06:48 PM
Dorie Dillard Austin TX
Coldwell Banker Realty ~ 512.750.6899 - Austin, TX
NW Austin ~ Canyon Creek and Spicewood/Balcones

Good evening Joe Pryor ,

Great advice..they say it takes 10,000 hours of practice to master anything..I believe it and you are showing how it's done!

Jan 15, 2018 07:12 PM
James Dray
Fathom Realty - Bentonville, AR

Morning Joe,

Adapt to the changes or get left behind.  Our trip is about 3 weeks away, looking forward to the change.  Heck, I may even post some photos of our trip for all of our cold weather friends.. 

Jan 16, 2018 02:01 AM
Sheila Anderson
Referral Group Incorporated - East Brunswick, NJ
The Real Estate Whisperer Who Listens 732-715-1133

Good morning Joe. Practice, thought and flexibilty are the keys to happiness tome too.

Jan 16, 2018 06:54 AM
Myrl Jeffcoat
Sacramento, CA
Greater Sacramento Realtor - Retired

I certainly love those beach scenes.  I had too few of them in 2017.  I vow to experience more in 2018.

Jan 16, 2018 09:45 AM
Roy Kelley
Retired - Gaithersburg, MD

It is good to see that you are enjoying the beach. Staying on course is always good advice.

Jan 16, 2018 10:52 AM
Debbie Reynolds, C21 Platinum Properties
Platinum Properties- (931)771-9070 - Clarksville, TN
The Dedicated Clarksville TN Realtor-(931)320-6730

This severe cold is dipping very far south. Enjoy your time at the beach and hope you have lots of shorts weather, Joe.

Jan 16, 2018 02:10 PM
Debb Janes
Nature As Neighbors - Camas, WA
Put My Love of Nature At Work for You

You are inspirational, Joe. Your beach walks bring you so much more than exercise - although, that's important too. Bernie and I are commiting to spending more time on the trails, despite nasty weather. We have rain gear...

Jan 18, 2018 09:57 AM
Sharon Tara
Sharon Tara Transformations - Portsmouth, NH
Retired New Hampshire Home Stager

A very inspirational post Joe! I love how you used your Florida experience to motivate us!

We have so much snow and freezing temps here right now that a walk outside is not something I want to do. My husband, God bless him, is walking every day. Needs to warm up above 40 before I join him.

Jan 18, 2018 03:34 PM
Nina Hollander, Broker
Coldwell Banker Realty - Charlotte, NC
Your Greater Charlotte Realtor

Hi Joe... what you are saying in the end is that adaptability to changing conditions is the secret of success in life!

Jan 19, 2018 12:42 PM
Silvia Dukes PA, Broker Associate, CRS, CIPS, SRES
Tropic Shores Realty - Ich spreche Deutsch! - Spring Hill, FL
Florida Waterfront and Country Club Living

Joe, great analogy. Practice makes things look easy.

Jan 20, 2018 05:08 PM
Will Hamm
Hamm Homes - Aurora, CO
"Where There's a Will, There's a Way!"

Well this has been a weird year for weather on the whole east coast.  Stay the course and enjoy anyway.

 

Jan 21, 2018 08:21 AM
Sheri Sperry - MCNE®
Coldwell Banker Realty - Sedona, AZ
(928) 274-7355 ~ YOUR Solutions REALTOR®

HI Joe Pryor - I love your preparation and the analogy of comparing changing weather conditions and adapting to those conditions to the business "climate". 

Jan 29, 2018 05:07 AM
Brian England
Ambrose Realty Management LLC - Gilbert, AZ
MBA, GRI, REALTOR® Real Estate in East Valley AZ

Staying the course is something I try to focus on in my life too, as there will always be ups and downs and I know I just have to get through it either way.

Feb 11, 2018 05:59 AM
Endre Barath, Jr.
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties - Beverly Hills, CA
Realtor - Los Angeles Home Sales 310.486.1002

Joe, you and I are on the same page: I am all about staying the course no matter how many winds and storms try to distract me figuratively and literally, Endre

Feb 13, 2018 11:24 PM