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Tuesday Truths......Why the #1 can be the Loneliest Number in Real Estate

"People, people who need people are the luckiest people in the world"......these are words I remember from Barbara Streisand appropriately named "People." So, if we need people, and Real Estate is a People Business, then why do we work alone?

Kathy McGraw - CELLing Realty

As I wrote last week I have closed down my other Office.

Boy that was hard. A lot of memories came flooding over me as I drove into town, and again as I pulled into the parking lot. I remembered all my hopes and dreams, and sitting outside at the little table talking to people that were going into the hair salon next door. You know the Hi, Good Morning greetings that let you know you are connecting with someone....connecting with people. I loved that office for that reason....the people.

We say Real Estate is a people business, but working from home I have a hard time with this. I want to see people. I want to answer the phone more to clients, not really telemarketers, but even they will do in a pinch when I am feeling like having a conversation and no one is there.

People.....even with all the gossiping, and the idiosyncrasies of different people, I miss being in an office. I want to be around more people. I think that is why I like blogging....I can feel the different emotions of the people that I have come to know. There has been so many times where people here on Active Rain have put their hearts on their sleeves, or had such traumatic events occur that there was no way the emotion couldn't be felt. And the ups and downs....give a little encouragement, and get a whole lot back. People are the ones blogging.

"People" are blogging couldn't be more true. Yes, we are on a Real Estate Network, and all of us have something to do with the Industry no matter how slight that might be. We all know about the benefits of learning the tech stuff, free programs, photo tips, staging, mortgage.....and you get the idea. But that's not all....

We get to share in each others Success's too. Just this morning I saw that Sally Cheeseman won 1st Place in a contest on the best spots to visit in your area. See her post here. And not only that, but last night I saw she had gotten a new listing over the week-end, and to find out this morning that she already has an accepted offer......People. My heart is smiling, and I am so happy for her as she works hard, and is a wonderful friend that I met here.

People....how about Jason Sardi.....the very first person that gave me a kind word when an Active Rain Thunderstorm hit about a year ago. I wanted to jump right into my email, and embrace his words, they were given in a safe place (not on my post) and I could feel the compassion with which they were written. Before that I stayed away from Jason...he was well read, and I was new :) Boy was that some stupid thinking on my part, but blogging can do that. We can feel insecure until we find the right people :)

The right people......so who are they? I have been here awhile now....and I know there are people that just seeing their name gives me a great feeling. It took time, trust, and reading much more than just a certain Post they might write, remember the comments on others Posts, and do they answer when I comment on their Post. Yes, I look for the right people (right for me)....the ones that are givers, and the ones that care if someone is missing, or hurt, or has a success in their career. The people that send brownies to a member that can't cook, or go get food for a wonderful virtual beach party :)

So, who are the right people for me......everyone that I try to comment on. The ones I know and the ones I haven't met yet. Because when tit comes to tat, everyone has something to offer, good or bad. We are in a People Business, and blogging is about people.....and people is more than just one :) :)

***These are just a few of my examples....now I would love top hear yours.....***

By: Kathy McGraw - CELLing Realty and Blog: California Real Estate and Life - stories and pictures of Real Estate, Military Matters, and Life in California.

Posted by Kathy McGraw, Riverside County CA Real Estate on 07/08/2008 01:02 PM

Comments (36)

inspiration, motivation, blogs, active rain, tuesday truths

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Post is included in group: It's all about them (ThemThem)

36 Comments on Tuesday Truths......Why the #1 can be the Loneliest Number in Real Estate

JUL

2008

Sorry to hear about the closing of youroffice. You are so right about this being a people business. I find it helpful to work with others where we can feed off each others energy.

Hi Randy- Oh, I'm not sorry about that Office...it was time, and my main agent had moved, so not much choice :) I only miss having people to interact with since that was a lively Office. You are so right about having people to feed off of (energy).

I am only a phone call away! or a couple of key stokes, what ever you need- be good cw

Kathy,

Turning that around...could you imagine NOT needing people...you would be the UNluckiest people in the world!!! :) Thanks, Fran

Kathy, thanks for mentioning the Blog Beach in my Roots of Inspiration post. You were very funny with your contributions and I appreciate you stopping by. I wrote a similar post today about "family" here in the Rain. Great minds think alike I guess. Blogging is about people. Your one office closing down will just make you more efficient but we all hate to see change sometimes.

Yeah....Randy always comes to the office to feed off my energy lol!

Sometimes it seems we have to bring in the new after going out with the old. After all the 'stuff' my family has gone through in the past few months....job changes, mom getting hurt, aunt passing away and this and that.....it all comes down to what my dad told me "no matter what your life has to go on".

We roll with the changes and like you and me...we make friends...and support each other throughout.

Thanks for your compliments Kathy....calling you.

Hi Kathy, as Fran said "could you imagine NOT needing people"... Being self-employed has it good and bad points. To deal with working on my own most of time time I make sure I get out intp the real world on a regular basis to share a coffee on a terrace with friends, hang out at my favorite book store or whatever, it helps keep me sane, balanced & happy!

Hi Kathy,
Ok, now Barbara is singing in my head and I can't shut it off. Like you, I must stay connected to people, people energize me. Not to say, I don't enjoy my quiet time but it's people that keeps me going and my AR friends contribute much.

Cheryl- I will remember that...and believe me I think of you a lot as you are sort of close to Sheldon Missouri, and I want that listing sold LOL :) Thanks for your offer....oh, and on a different Post you mentioned about Cheryl.....yes, her stuff is over my head too on so many things, but I have learned :)

Fran- Exactly, and it does amaze me people that think they don't need anyone else. Actually it's sort of sad .

Gary- I will come read your post this evening...I have to go pass out fliers :) Thanks for the fun time on your Post, and thanks for everything you give to the Positive Attitudes Group :)

Sally- Roll with the punches, yep. And having others to lean on, helps :) Your comment on Randy was pretty funny.

marti- yep, Fran's comment is a good one. Sane, Balanced and happy......now that says it all :) When I lived in Europe I loved sitting on a Terraza, or at a sidewalk Cafe......my town doesn't have any of this stuff...but the concept is the same anyway, thanks marti.

Cynthia- Ahhh now we have a chorus....People.....people who need people :) You said it well, people energize us, but the quiet time is just as valuable for sure :)

Kathy, It does take a different level of commitment to work from home. I'm on the phone quite a bit during my day with clients and training so I tend to relish quiet time when I'm not interacting with people. Finding the right people to interact with is probably the biggest challenge. No one is perfect, so it's a give and take on both sides.

Hi Kathy,

I work out of our home office too. It has been an awesome adjustment for me too.

Thank You for being so authentic and compassionate. People are the richest and most rewarding aspect of real estate and in every area of life!

Most people think of getting the job done. You confirmed one of my core values. If we get the people done (encourage and strengthen them) first then the job will get done through them!

People are precious and priceless!

Hellllllooooo....is anyone out there? Before I worked in real estate, I had another home based business. I remember when I decided to go out on my own I was terrified that I wouldn't have the will power. After awhile I learned how motivating a P&L statement can be. Luckily, I stayed busy for 15 years. Now that I live in a different state, in a remote area, and I'm in real estate during a down market it's getting pretty scary. I keep looking at my phone, wondering if maybe I left it on vibrate...and that's why it doesn't ring. Luckily, my husband and I are partners. I swear if it wasn't for him and the dog, I'd go crazy not having anyone to talk to. We have "floor opportunity" in our office and I've gotten to where I look forward to that...just to feel some life flowing through my veins again. I don't know if I could deal with being an independent.

Hi Kathy~

Beautifully well put. Between working at home and in a very small office, Active Rain has become my 'virtual' office of sorts. In only 4 short months here, I've discovered many wonderful people, you know, "the people who need people"--kind-of-people, including you. :-)

Since this is our first connection, it's a pleasure meeting you.

Lola- "No one's perfect so it's a give and take" great statement......and although I understand how working at home is good for you...well suffice it to say I want more people most of the time :) I bore myself at times LOL ......

Dan- Interesting comments and thanks .. yes people first, job second. They go hand in hand for sure.

Carole- Helloooooo.....yep the phone must still be on vibrate LOL :) Been there done that. I am restless, and wanting to move, so working from home just intensifies my dilemma. But for you at least you have "floor" time.....me that means walking from one room to the other. Seriously many days I'm fine with it, but some days I'm not.

Carin- Well, after 4 months...nice to meet you too. You are practically my neighbor...not that far away, just down the Freeway a couple hours. I went to your Profile, and I like your attitude....good things come to people that wait, and work for what they want. I was just at your blog, and will go back there in a bit....want to meet more of my neighbor :)

Kathy, As always, a great blog. I forgot all about you closing the office by the time I got to the bottom, and low and behold the first comment said Sorry you closed your office. Then I saw you weren't so I figured that obviously wasn't the point of your post. Surely I would have remembered. LOL. I too have chosen "my people" here in the Rain. Have a great day.

Kathy,

It sounds like you are a "PEOPLE' person. I imagine that the ones you miss are missing you as well. I really enjoyed this post and like you, I enjoy meeting people. Good luck with your home office.

Bob- Thanks and you are right...closing the office was just the preface to the Post, but certainly not the main point :) Yes, you would have remembered...:) "My people" that sounds like that commercial of Eller and American Express...LOL :) Have a good day Bob.

Laura- Glad you liked the Post...and as long as you are posting in either the e-PRO, or Positive Attitudes Group I will see you :) I saw you have a lot of listings posted, so maybe I won't see all of them LOL :) thanks for reading and commenting.....

Well Kathy, welcome to the Home brand. It takes a lot of getting used to. Phone conversations get to nearly replace the irreplaceable-people. I did pick up my worst habit while working at home. Becoming very very long winded.

Since I work from home too, I can always tell when it's been a day without appointments. When the hubby and kids get home I talk....and talk....and talk some more :) I'm sure that I'm boring them to death, but we do need human interaction that doesn't involve a keyboard!

Kathy

As one closes another door opens

You have how open a door to a new world you just have to identify the opportunity. It's there

Liking and wanting to meet people may be your calling. Person to person social network

Good luck

Lou

Kathy, I am always amazed at the sometimes real, profound friendships here on a blogging site...and the people like you I have spoken to already or hope to speak to soon...there si a definite connection. Which is why I love my "job" so much, we ALL connect with these wonderful people who cross our paths.

Kathy, I am home now from a not so great vacation. I am sure I will rant about it soon. I must tell you though, even though I have only blogged since the beginning of this year, I really missed everyone. I believe the friendships we have here are real and they are important.

Glad to be back, I need to get back in the swing of things . . .

William...the Home Brand huh :) I thought that was funny about being long winded ;) But hey we do what we can right?

Lisa- Human interaction without a keyboard...now that's what I'm talking about.

Lou- I have known all my life that "people" are part of my calling.....

Carole- Connecting through our "jobs" is wonderful.......and when we least expect it we find someone that we like to interact with. Now that's something I like.

Audrey- Welcome back......I'm sorry you didn't have such a great time....but hey it's over now, and time to move on. How's it going with finding a new assistant?

Sorry to hear about your office, but, hey, it was just an office. You are right that this is a people business. My most productive time is not in the office but out meeting people!

Ann- Hi there...yes it was just an office....and as you have experienced going out to meet people is productive :) How's everything in your area, good I hope.

JUL

2008

Kathy - Boy, do I remember those days ... that particular AR Thunderstorm that hit. I've been an avid reader of yours ever since. This is a people business, which makes communication a HUGE part of what we do and how we become & maintain successful.

Jason- Yes, I too remember those days...ande I met Neal over my second Thunderstorm LOL :) I am so glad that you reached out at that time.

Communication is how we become and remain successful...yes, that is a huge part of it as you said. thanks and I just love your new fliers :)

How weird that you would write about people who miss you when you're away from the rain for a while. When I got disconnected (after having my twins), I got an e-mail from Lindsey Hasford. That really touched me that someone I had never met (IRL) cared that I wasn't around. You just GOTTA luv AR!

~Renae

That was a great post!!! Thanks for sharing.

Andy Laughlin

Connect Realty

Renae- That is wonderful to hear....especially when people are new they aren't sure that Active Rain really works....as you saw it does. Did you just have twins?????? If so congratualtions........twice :) :)

Andy- Thanks....

Jason- That was me commenting above to you....AR was having a few issues....maybe because of the new launch today :)

...or Thunderstorms:-)

Yep....this one will be interesting for sure :)

JUL

2008

Hey Kathy - Yes, I had twins on 3/31. Weird to think they're 3 months old already. Of course, with the rest of the house full of children (ages 13, 10, 3, 22 months), time really flies! Thanks for the congrats!

Kathy, Great post & yes you are one of the people I always love to hear from. I admit that for a time I was so discouraged I even slowed down on my blogging but I realized finally that, as you said, I need the people. And, as you also said, I'm doing more business online and on the phone. My blogs & articles are leading to more contacts than I was making otherwise...I'm not doing more business BUT I am talking to more people. :0)

JUL

2008

Hi Kathy...I don't know how a non-people person could make it in real estate. wouldn't they become totally frustrated?

It's precisely because we do have that desire for interaction that helps us enjoy our clients and co-workers most of the time (maybe not always).

You''ll have all the company you want at home. We're all a key stroke (or two) away.

Kate

JUL

2008

Kathy, I so identify with everything you wrote! I too work from home for the first time and do miss the people. Perhaps that is why AR is special to me as well. My list is soooo long. I am grateful for everyone who has supported me and challenged me to be a better person and blogger!

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