I have a lot of great competitors in my area.  My area that I recruit for is Minnesota, Wisconsin and Illinois.  Most of my competitors THAT I KNOW are fun, honest and hard working.  There are still little rivalries between our companies, but nothing much pointing myself against them or vice versus.  The market is such that most, not all, of the dead weight and sleazy loan officers and mortgage companies have been flushed away. 

I have seen one or two of my competitors get to a point that they're obsessed with others in the market.  I am the first to tell you that our company rocks, but it doesn't have the horse power of some of the super conglomorates like CW and Wells Fargo and Chase.  That's why I love Cherry Creek Mortgage, but when it comes to doing some of the things the big dogs do, well....we're just not that big.  My friends with the larger companies do other things that I can't do, but they'll never be as nimble or as service oriented as a mid major like our company.  THAT'S OK!!!!  I love the diversity.  I love the competitors mostly in my market.

HOWEVER.....I have seen a few that are so obsessed with the competition, not only with me, but with some of the others, I have to wonder if they can see straight.  Not to be some bible thumping freak here, but jealousy ain't good.  Huge difference between jealousy and competition.  Anger and Jealousy are the death nell of a human being.  You're filled with something.  Need to make it something powerful and positive.  While none of us are perfect, I'll be the first to admit that if I'm out of snyc, then all my energy and focus are on the wrong thing.  I gotta believe that letting go of whatever is eating you up inside is the MOST DIFFICULT, BUT MOST LIBERATING thing that you can do for yourself. 

I do great recruiting.  The industry as a whole has shrunk by over 25%.  We have maintained the same closing rate as we have over the last 2 years.  We on par for the exact numbers as we were last year.  That means that we've grown by over 25% over the national market share right now.  Am I perfect???  As much as I'd like to be that answer is HECK NO!  I'm sure that I've crossed a person here and there and I, for one, know that others have crossed me.  Sooooooooooooooooo....what's the secret to my success??  Again not being preachy, but forgiveness and moving on.  Without it, you'll never accomplish what you've set out to do.

I came to take names and kick butt.  , but by looking back over my shoulder for all the people who have done me wrong OR WORSE YET, WHO I PERCEIVE AS HAVING DONE ME WRONG, I can't effectively race.

I meet with local loan officers almost weekly.  I for sure talk to them weekly.  They are people whom are on my target list, but also people who have left my company for a variety of reasons.  They are now my competitors.  For most of them, we have great relations.  They call me for help.  I call them to bounce ideas off of.  Today I spoke to a friend who used to work for me.  We still help each other.  I corresponded with a recruit last night....who e-mailed me and told me what a great friend I have become and how much he values our friendship and relationship....AND WE'RE COMPETITORS????

I really believe that we're on this earth to lift each other up.  I'll still compete with you and compete with your company from time to time, but truthfully, anger and jealousy have destroyed some of the greatest.  I"m not saying this as a testimony to me - - - cuz i still learnin dat! - - - but to lift you and all of the other competitors up.  When you help each other, you're invariably helping yourself, your business and your soul.