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When was the last time you felt excited?

Today is your lucky day!

When was the last time that you went after something with passion and focus? We really do create our own life and we can take control of our destiny. Since when do you let someone suck you down? Why are you sitting there complaining about this market? Get off your duff and find a solution... now!

Do you offer a unique service? Are you different? What separates YOU from the rest? What is it about YOU that is truly different?

That is right... I am questioning you. What do YOU have to offer?

Think about it, now come on, really think... now do it!

One thing for sure is that we need to change our way of thinking and package ourselves for our clients. We need to separate from the competition and think of ways to be different. Try a different, off the wall approach. Maintain your honesty but put it out there. How about an outrageous guarantee? How about a huge wild flower on your lapel? Go for it.

This market tests our creativity, our talents and our expertise. Do something that makes an impression, an honest call to talk to people. That is right... talk to people. Focus on them and what they need right now. Be charming, sincere and honestly willing to help. Have a positive attitude. Offer a strong handshake and look others in the eye. We haven't lost our manners or our integrity. So why even go there?

Stay away from negative people and negative situations. No, I am not closing my eyes to our economy... I am pushing passed it. Why spend time spinning your wheels with uncooperative people who bleed you dry. Remember your ROEI... return on emotional investment. Sometimes by clearing out the draining clutter, you will open up to new pleasant situations.

Keep your vision. Did you set attainable goals for yourself? It is OK to redo them. Start over and put them in place. Create a clear picture in your mind on how you will achieve success. Live your vision everyday. If it needs to be tweaked... do it.

As luck would have it... continue to allow yourself to change existing thoughts, stay positive, clear the negative clutter, and visualize yourself as a success..... this really could be your lucky day!

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________

Lori Kim Polk is the Founder and Lead Designer of Artful Journey Designs and Staging, a full service Home Staging and Design Corporation located in Roseville, California. We proudly service Granite Bay, Rocklin, Lincoln, Sacramento and surrounding areas. Call us today at 916-300-0402 for our premier services.

"The art of selling your home!"

Check out StagersLIST.com the resource for Realtors, Stagers and Homeowners in North America.

Posted by Lori Kim Polk, Roseville, Sacramento Home Stager on 08/01/2008 12:40 AM

Comments (23)

lucky, staging, artful journey designs and staging, inspiration, thoughts

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23 Comments on When was the last time you felt excited?

AUG

2008

Hi LKP. Very thought provoking blog. I'll think about it and get back to you. Short answer though, the last time I felt excited was about 45 minutes ago. House was finally quiet, was able to sit down with the hubby and catch up on how our days went. Life was good :)

P.S. Is it just my computer or does the blackground effects people are putting on the blog pages delay information from popping up?

Hey Beth... so great to hear from you girl! Life is good for me too, but I just have a hard time listening to all the negativity all the time about this market. Attitude makes all the difference, it really does. Not sure about the background effects though.... maybe it is something on your computer??

So true....I always tell my team that we need to position ourselves in the market as different and show our value.

Everyone knows who Charles Lindbergh is because he did something no one else had ever done. Does anyone know who made that trip for the 2nd time? His name is Burt Hinkler. Since he wasn't the first, no one knows his name.

Separate yourself from the crowd, create your own path and show your clients the value in your services....Thanks for a great blob. Now, my mind is racing right as I really need to wind down.

Cheers!

You said it right. You have to stay positive no matter what. Being negative is draining. Who can focus like that.

Lori great blog topic and comments. Im going to post this up at my desk to remind myself. Thanks!

Lori, Great Blog . Positivity lets you soar. In fact NOW....I will start working on a fresh new packaging/branding plan! Thanks!

Last time I was excited was 5 minutes ago when the workmena showed up to work on my back yard. It's the little things in life that are great.

Beth Patnode, yes some of the cumtomizers used in the backgrounds are slowing things down.

When a huge file is placed in the background it takes a long time to load. Those members customizing are learning they need to reduce the size of the file.

I haven't seen too much of a difference with the plain backgrounds like in this post.

Hi LKP, I really do appreciate the positive post and I can honestly say I'm one of those very lucky people who are never bored, I've always got something exciting (to me) I'm working on!

The messages you stated in your post are ones we all need to think about, then act on. Thanks!

Hello Lori Kim, hope your doing well. I do believe that you are right in your assessment about how folks react to the market and to their own business. We feel very removed at times, in that our concern is not that the market is hurting us, it's in being flexible enough to adapt our business model so that we can keep up with the work load placed on our business. So how can that be in the face of the worst market in my life time? I don't know, I simply know that it takes a boat load of skills to be successful in any business, under any economical conditions and one of those skills is not giving up or finding the best reason I can as to why things are not going well. I look around and see quit a few staging companies accross the country that are booming. These folks are not complaining about not getting work. Better energy is spent on looking around and finding those that are being more succesful and asking why. When you understand the why, then do something about it. Seems simple! Very good post Lori Kim, good to see you....

Lori,

Wow! DId I need to see this blog today. I have been in a major slump. Business is almost non exsistant and I have been looking into working for someone else. I wouldn't mind working for somene else because I can always learn new things and that is always positive. But we all know working for ourselves is the best thing possible. So, your right. Find away around it. Go back to the drawing board, go back and do what you did to get things started in the first place, put out those business cards, send out those postcards, talk to people, put out those signs, etc....

Thank you for you positive attitude. Good Day!

Lori

Attitude is everything. IT can be changed at anytime of ones life. Unfortunately, some people seem to dwell on creating self defeating prophecies, than true positive visions. Dreams can be one of the most powerful things. The problem is you have to focus on your dreams, believe in what you are going to do, and sacrifice what it takes to accomplish your dreams.

There are people in our lives that can actually allow you to feel their aura, and you can also pick up on their negative energy. Surround your self with successful and happy people that know that we measure people by their heart and not their wallet.

Dream. believe, focus, and perform on your actions. At least you know in your heart that you won by trying.

A cancer patient once said "You will never forget quiting, but you will never regret finishing" Powerful words.

Truth can be something that some really have a hard time dealing with.

Winston Churchill once said that "The truth is incontrovertible. Ignorance may blind it, malice may attack it, but in the end, there it is"

Sincerely

Tom Braatz

Lori Kim, Thanks so much - I have needed this additional push and inspiration.. I am going to print this and re-read it.. God bless,

Thanks for the inspirational words! Yes, this is a tough market, but it's a great time to get back to basics and improve your marketing skills!

You are so right! Thoughts become things, or in other words, "You get what you expect".

Thanks for the reminder. I'm going to add a money back guarantee on my web site!

The minute I read the title to your post LKP I was excited! I don't know if I'd be as brave as my friend Tessa up there but I find myself in the passionate position of focusing on educating, empowering my clients and mentoring others as something I get excited about. Great and timely topic!

Lori ~ Great post with a positive message. We do indeed create our own destinies with our beliefs and actions ... and I choose to be positive. When you're a "glass is half-full" type of person, the economy doesn't matter. Positive thinkers find ways around obstacles by attracting positive solutions. Just thinking about it makes me excited!!

AUG

2008

Wow, thank you everyone. I actually have been busy again ;) I hope that staying positive and pushing on is getting us all over the "hump". Besides being positive... think about adding something new to your services. That's right.... add something in line with what your area needs. How about working with REOs and offering painting and trash clean up with your contractors that you already use. This service doesn't sound like staging... nope, nothing like we are used to. But just think about what you can offer to bank owned props ;)))) Just a hint for you to keep ahead of your game. Hang in there everyone, be honest, be creative, always offer the BEST service, and know that WE WILL SURVIVE!!!

All the best... LKP.

AUG

2008

The prefect summer post, Lori Kim. Thank you.

There is a need for all of us to repeatedly reassess the VALUE our service brings to the table. If there was anything that the fee schedule brought to light, it is that we are all charging about the same, and none of us are charging enough. I think it's the way we tell our story. There was a very good preview call for a marketing conference in LA, that spoke about soft selling. That with soft sell, we need to speak of the Return on Experience as much if not more than the Return on Investment. Still brooding on it, but will blog about it soon I expect.

I'm glad you're well and thriving. I ran across your blog "Stop the car, honey" on the NAR as required reading for new realtors, btw. Can you post the link again? You do have a wonderful way of putting things.

Best, Jj

Hi Lori,

Great inspirational blog! Lets get fired up...it's such an exciting time to build our business!!

:) Amber

AUG

2008

Today. I felt totally excited this morning when I found out my buyers got their house. Then it happened again this morning. Another buyer got their home, and that was a Nehemiah buyer, too, which means they got a full 6% from the seller, PLUS $20,000 under list price. It also meant I didn't have to show them a ton more homes, and I'm excited about that, too! :)

I guess I try to find something to get excited about every day. It's what makes life worth living.

I could not agree more. If you have ever read any of my blogs, you would see I am your biggest fan. Everythign you said is so spot on but who does it? I have heard "The biggest fear of man is the fear of change" - well, if you're to stay in this indusrty, you gotta change or fear the bill collector -

AUG

2008

What an uplifting and positive post. Love your energy girl, miss you. Have fun back to school. Love ya, T

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