Another post By:
Jim Godwin, Realtor® Manchester CT
Manchester CT Real Estate
860-806-9156
http://www.jamesgcere.com/
jimgodwin@realtyexecutives.com
Can one single word change your life? For most people no, but I had an "aahha" moment last week at our annual Realty Executives conference that I would like to share with all of you. I was wondering around the convention hall that Monday afternoon trying to figure out the next boring class to attend when I stumbled upon a door labeled: Top Producers under 30. Since I'm 29 and not speaking at this class, I thought this might be important. To make a long story short, one of the top producers on the panel was asked "what is the one thing that has made you so successful at such a young age?" His answer will follow me throughout my entire life in real estate, life
in general for that matter. "Kaizen." he said. Kaizen? I thought. What the heck is that and how did it contribute to a 27 year old starting a brokerage shop and managing 10 agents. So, like any other jealous A type I did my research. Turns out Kaizen has been in my life, like a long lost cousin for years. As quoted by Wikipedia; Kaizen is a Japanese word meaning "to change for the better" or "Continuous improvement" or "activities that add value without sacrificing quality" The older I get, the more I see that its principles like this that are creating the positive energy I want to give to the world.
After all my research and a lot of sole searching, I started thinking about what I'm doing now that qualifies as Kaizen and what more I can do to improve. Here is what I'm doing now:
- Reading a least two self awareness books a month. Nothing to do with real estate or business. Books about spirituality (that can mean any religion or non at all), positive energy, the flow of life, the universe. Some of the books I recommend that I have already finished are: anything from the Don Juan series by Carlos Castaneda, The Celestine Prophecy series by James Redfield(also on DVD), anything by Dr. Stephen Covey, and the list goes on and on.
- surrounding myself with people that have the same goals as I do
- Self positive reinforcement in the mirror to start your day. This may sound stupid and lame to some, but what better way to start your day than telling yourself (you by the way are your biggest critic) "I will be successful and I will change lives. Today I will make 20 contacts and talk about real estate to at least 5 people." Seams simple but I assure you its not. But just hearing yourself say it is very empowering. Try it. Its actually fun.
Here is what I plan on implementing this year as part of my daily routine:
1. books on tape in the car instead of music
2. complimenting at least 5 people a day
3. thinking positively about my own future and success
4. balancing work and home life
5. using what I do know to help others J
6. cutting the waste. Meaning time, negative thoughts, bad food, wasted time, the works
Notice none of that had anything to do with my trade. I really believe if you can get a firm grip on the power of your own mind, you can do anything. Explore Kaizen in your own life. It may be the difference between where you are today and where you want to be. It's your universe, Go create it!
Wishing success to all,
Jim Godwin, Realtor® Manchester CT
Manchester CT Real Estate
860-806-9156
http://www.jamesgcere.com/
jimgodwin@realtyexecutives.com
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