Permission to be Real....Really!

Are you keeping it Real? Most of us are familiar with the idea of keeping it real and have an intuitive sense about what that means.   Its no accident that the word Real is a part of how we define ourselves.. as Realtors and in our  Real Estate transactions........don't you think?  :-)........

Keeping it real is about....not hiding behind a mask to keep yourself safe from their fear of how you might be perceived. Real people don't present a false front in order to appear more perfect, more powerful, or more successful.  People who keep it real present themselves as they truly are, the good parts and the parts most of us would rather hide, sharing their full selves with the people who are lucky enough to know them.   The catch phrase often used these days for being "Real" is to be 'transparent'..........Are you transparent?             

Isn't that what 'blogging' is all about?  Not only are we trying to present our knowledge and professionalism..........which in essence has been what Websites have been all about - but Blogging takes us to a whole new platform..........For me its always been about showing the public, who we 'really' are......without the facade, the image, the flash............and giving them someone Real they can relate to and connect with!     

Even companies are attempting to appeal to a new consumer sensibility -this desire for 'Authenticity'...There's a real buzz about being "Real"....Ever heard these taglines?  Coca- Cola's "Real Thing,"

Bell South's "The Real Yellow Pages," and Wrangler's "Real. Comfortable. Jeans." Or CNN Headline News claims to offer "Real News. Real Fast," while Fox News counters with "Real Journalism. Fair and Balanced."

Coors touts itself as simply "Real Rocky Mountain Beer," while Milwaukee's Best bills itself as "Always Real. Always Smooth," and Bud Light weighs in with "Real Men".  Or to bring it one step closer to home......"Realty One states in its advertisements, "It's The Real Thing. Real People Making Real Money at Realty One." Really? 

According to Jim Gilmore and B. Joseph Pine II in their Experience Economy: Work Is Theatre & Every Business a Stage" (Harvard Business School Press) -CORRECTION & UPDATE - Joe Pine was great enough to send me an e-mail telling me I quoted the wrong book!  It was their more recent book - * Authenticity: What Consumers Really Want* .  Now you have two fantastic resources to check out!  :-) 

There used to be a time when cost was the key driver of consumer behavior and affordibility was the overriding factor....then it became more of an issue of quality good and service...Now Consumers are looking for experiences that engage them in a personal and memorable way - authentic experiences.

                                           
Being real is not always easy thing to do as we live in a culture that often shows us images of physical and material perfection. As a result, we all want to look younger, thinner, wealthier, and more successful. We are rewarded externally when we succeed at this asquerade...                                                          

But people who are Real remind us that whenever we feel that we need to be bigger, better, or more exciting, we send a message to ourselves that we are not enough. Meanwhile, people who are not trying to be something more than they are walk into a room and bring a feeling of ease, humor, and warmth with them. They acknowledge their wrinkles and laugh at their personal eccentricities without putting themselves down.

People like this inspire us to let go of our own defenses and relax for a moment in the truth of who we really are. In their presence, we feel safe enough to take off our masks and experience the freedom of not hiding behind a barrier. 

Some of us may have to work a little harder to let go of our pretenses and share the beauty and humor of our Real selves. Our reward for taking such a risk is that as we do, we will attract and inspire others, giving them the permission to be real too. I'm thinking our Clients might appreciate it too?

 If you or someone you know is thinking of buying or selling property in Abbotsford, Chilliwack, Langley or anywhere in the Fraser Valley Area of B.C. - or if you're considering a career in Real Estate or would like more information about Keller Williams please give Liz  Moras a call!  Managing Broker and Team Leader - 604-799-0459 or e-mail at lizmoras@shaw.ca.     

                                                  Copyright © 2008 By Liz Moras, All Rights Reserved 

 UPDATE:

*I, too, love the blog post -- but you cited the wrong book! It is our more recent : *Authenticity Consumers Really Want* not our prior *The Experience Economy: Work Is Theatre & Every Business a Stage*....

Joe Pine