One of the 4 on Mount Rushmore- Teddy Roosevelt

One of the four American heroes on Mount Rushmore, one of our most loved United States Presidents, Teddy Roosevelt is back in the news these days. Teddy as well as the other four George Washington, Thomas Jefferson and Abraham Lincoln were agents of change, dynamic, influential and the right people for our country at the right time in history.

Theodore (Teddy) was a positive personality and doer of deeds often using the term "Bully!" which at the time meant "Wonderful!" or "Superb!".  Later, the Presidential utterances from the White House became universally known as the "Bully Pulpit", still used today. This term itself was coined by Theodore Roosevelt, who referred to his office as a "bully pulpit", by which he meant a terrific platform from which to advocate an agenda. 

Teddy Roosevelt on Mount Rusmore National Memorial

The "Rough Rider, US President Teddy Roosevelt, third from the left

Our former President and "Rough Rider", symbolic of that American "can do" spirit, Theodore (Teddy) Roosevelt inspires us when he said in 1910 (as true then as it is now),  "It is not the critic who counts...but the Man in the Arena...whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood...who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat.”

Theodore Roosevelt is talking to each of us when he said in fuller text from a speech on April 23, 1910:

"Man Who Is Actually In the Arena....It is NOT the Critic Who Counts..."

“

It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better.

The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat.”

― Theodore Roosevelt

Teddy was a man "in the arena" of daring that blazed new paths and put his sweat and energy into his convictions. You too as a Realtor, need to blaze a path and not listen to the critics and do your job the same way as everyone else. Developing your own niche and sticking to it will make you stand out.

Theodore Roosevelt, former President did not do it like everyone else in a campaign photo (note he did not actually ride a moose in a river but it illustrates is life long daring)

A thought for today, considering Teddy Roosevelt's 'Man in the Arena' quote

Do others criticize you and say, it would have been better if you had done it this way or that way? There is no one right way. One who strives and does the work is the same one who realizes the triumph and great acheivement. Not the armchair quarterback who second guesses and says after the fact what "they" would have done.

As a Realtor, we are the "Man in the Arena" every day.  I go into battle for me and for my clients. Take a chance...see what works! As I  go for the next big listing, take a chance with the new advertising campaign, put myself out there with hand shaking (now COVID masked "air fist pumps) and meeting of the neighbors. Go ahead and try the drone pictures of the home and the golf course, sponsor that little league team (when they start playing again- post Corona). How about buying some the new light up at night real estate signs to get noticed. Try new things, take a chance and see what works for each new client. Don't let others tell you to not waste your time. Why? If you try and try hard and with enthusiasm, your efforts will help your clients and may pay off! 

So keep on striving, trying and working. If you are a home buyer or a home seller, look for a REALTOR® who strives hard and is a "doer of deeds", that will look you in the eye with a firm handshake and a good spirit! Or....just call me.

Meet Jeff Masich, REALTOR® in Scottsdale Arizona 

For a free MLS search and more Scottsdale homes or Arizona Homes and Land for sale just ask Jeff Masich

If you are looking to move to Phoenix including Scottsdale or to buy a home in Arizona or sell a home in Arizona, contact Jeffrey Masich, Associate Broker and Realtor. I would be pleased to help you and look out for your best interests while finding you the right home at the right price!