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They Shoot Realtors, Don't They?

For those of you not familiar with the movie "They Shoot Horses, Don't They?" here is the scoop: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/They_Shoot_Horses,_Don't_They%3F

After my own personal marathon, I feel like someone needs to put me out of my misery. This week just about did me in. I wrote and received over three million dollars worth of offers, and none of them have come to fruition. Disappointed clients and 16 hour days spent working for naught. I sincerely gave it my ALL. It was beyond INTENSE...

I have a big, fat zero to show for all my efforts! Zilch... Nada...

I've had weeks like this before. Here is how I usually deal with them:

•1. I write down a synopsis of each deal. I critique myself. I look at every angle and ask myself the hard question: "what could I have done differently, knowing what I know now?"

•2. The next question asked on each deal is: "What have I learnt from this experience?"

When talking to yourself like this, it is best to do it in writing. Your subconscious takes over and guides you to places you didn't know existed. If you don't believe me, do the exercise! I swear by this methodology!

You will be surprised by the answers. I am always surprised myself and I have used this to hone my skills for many years. It probably works with all professional failures, but I've just never tried it on more trivial problems. I will be performing the exercise tonight or tomorrow. Much good will be derived from it. Who knows, maybe some of the deals that are now comatose will be revived by week's end. That's usually what happens after this exercise.

Remember: each failure brings you that much closer to your goal, if you derive the right lessons from it!

Success without failure is impossible. So, what are you waiting for: Hurry up and fail! Fail often and hard and get to your destination faster!

Mirela Monte, Your Myrtle Beach Real Estate Connection Join The Optimist Group!

Posted by Myrtle Beach Real Estate by Mirela Monte on 08/12/2008 11:00 AM

Comments (79)

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Originally posted at: Myrtle Beach Real Estate by Mirela : They Shoot Realtors, Don't They?

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79 Comments on They Shoot Realtors, Don't They?

AUG

2008

Look at it this way - it has to get better this week! Hang in there!

I wonder if anyone else does this. Please share your ways of coping with professional setbacks!

Great Post. Enjoyed reading it. I have used the "they shoot horses, don't they?" line several times!

Cute picture!

I hope at least one deal falls back in to place for you.

Good Luck!

Patricia and Linda: Thank you! I appreciate it!

How do you guys cope with professional setbacks? Have you ever done this exercise?

I feel the same way sometimes no matter what you do you can't get the buyer and seller together. It is extremely difficult when you are up against a bank and wait a month for a response, you loose your momentum and so do the buyers.

Excellent perspective for the culmination of such a week. Hope next week goest much better!

It will get better. It will come to fruition. Keep working hard and the deals will come together. You are doing the right things. Analyzing what went wrong to make it right next time.

Mirela- I just posted a blog about a deal that fell- It was a culmination of a year of fallen deals- I am on my way to a week of job interviews- I do not think i can take it anymore- Thanks for the great blog! Good Luck- I hope it gets better for you!

Wow, we hope that this week is better for you. We do the same thing as you do and then just keep on moving forward.

Barbara: I do not have the option of failing. I have too many people who depend on me. In general I have had a stellar career and a good year, actually. I've had weeks like this one before; they make me a better agent.

Russ: Thank you! I think so too.

Vickie: It will get better for sure: I am taking a 10 day vacation starting tomorrow! I pushed the pedal to the metal on purpose...

Edie: Yes, I understand very well. Thank God for the foreclosure sale! It makes my business! Short sales are very taxing indeed!

Myrtle,

Cheer-up!

It took time, but you pulled-off the church deal!

Failure is not pre-ordained!

Be careful this sort of thing could cruel your hair!

Bill

Patty & Scott: That's the spirit! We'll be each other's cheerleaders!

I've had days like this. I've had weeks like this. Heck, I've had YEARS like this. But in the end it usually works out okey. Cheer up!

Better luck next week. Those bad weeks make want to retire on a beach somewhere.

Bill: How do you know about the church deal? Which church deal; I've had a few...

We were in Church at Christmas last year and we were sitting in the back. I was pointing to different people in the audience and telling my family: "I sold him a home; I sold her a home; they bought two investment properties from me, etc. As the speakers came to the pulpit, it just so happened that several of them were past clients. Finally the priest took the mike and my daughter turned to me and said: "Don't tell me, you sold him a home too!" "Actually I did!" (the church bought it for him). My teenage daughter did her eye rolling thing, then competitive as she is, she exclaimed: "Next Christmas we're going to my church!"

Carol: Retire on a beach somewhere... sounds like a plan! Retire for 10 days I will... starting with tomorrow.

Barbara: Thank you! That was cute!

You know I tell people who ask me about the market, that it is still good, we just have to work twice as hard for half the business............After my second best year ever last year this is tough to take, but those dedicated, professional agents will make it...............

Sometimes at the end of a marathon round of negotiations that go no where I just sit down with a glass of wine and cuddle with a loved one. I soon forget that this business doesn't always make sense.

Rita: Hey, that's MY line! I can't believe that you tell them EXACTLY the same thing I've been saying all year:

"You know I tell people who ask me about the market, that it is still good, we just have to work twice as hard for half the business."

Cindy: Yes, that is a very good recipe for maintaining your sanity!

Mirela, thanks for your honesty and that "sometimes" hard work does not pay off but it all is part of the mix.

Mirela, I think we've all been there and had times where you can spin your wheels and end up in the same place. I hope this week isn't as intense and you have deals that work out.

Gary: Hard work ALWAYS pays off! Learning lessons, although called "delayed gratification", is truly the most valuable remuneration...

Debbie: I like that:

..."we've all been there and had times where you can spin your wheels and end up in the same place"...

Been there this week and got the T-shirt!

Mirela~ Every single one of us has been in your shoes! I love your idea of analyzing the situation to try to determine how to get a positive outcome the next time.

AUG

2008

I try to remember that RE rolls in waves. Bad weeks are fixed with good weeks.

Bill: This week and the next will be great! I know it for sure! I'm going on vacation tomorrow!

Thank you!

Lisa: I'm glad that you do. The analysis works beautifully.

One good turn deserves another....enjoy your vacation, rest, regroup, return and attack it like the champion Real Estate agent that you are. With your great attitude and work ethic, that next deal isn't very far away.

-Peter H.

Mirela,

Thank you for your wonderful insight into an often overlooked process. I just completed a similar exercise touching base with corporate clients I had not heard from in awhile. Simpley put, I asked if they were satisfied with my service and how could I improve to better our relationship. This one attempt to "self check" my work has opened the door of communication with my client and I netted two potential buyers. Not bad for an email and follow-up call.

To quote Dori the blue fish from Finding Nemo, "Keep swimming, just keep swiming!"

And my current all time favorite motivational quote:

"Brick walls are there for a reason. The brick walls are not there to keep us out. The brick walls are there to show how badly we want something. Because the brick walls are there to stop the people who don't want something badly enough. They are there to keep out the other people."

From "The Last Lecture"
- Randy Pausch ( 1960-2008 )

I think Thomas Edison had something like 5000 failures before he got the lightbulb "right" he saw each one as a learning experience. I bet he took the time to write down what was good and what was bad about each one!

If you take the time to analize the failure and learn from it, you will also be less destined to repeat the same mistake.

Mirela, Wow, that is a heck of a week and we can all relate to. It is what makes the winners - WINNERS. We fail so much but we have a winner attitude of getting up, dusting our butts off and moving forward. Next week will be different, you will see.

Hi Mirela, congratulations on your feature, very well deserved.

I always do this exercise, for some strange reason it brings things into perspective.

Somehow you see different angles and things.

Bummer...........................

I've had weeks like that all for naught, but right around the corner comes a couple of easy ones.

You have described the last ten days of my life - tired and exhausted after working 12-15 hour days. I agree - asking those important questions with a willingness to openly and honestly reflect helps me learn and grow. For the most part - I do the best I can in every situation and learn and grow from the experience. Sometimes - the lesson brings more value than the actual pay check.

I have discovered that when I step back and allow myself to detach and let go ....miracles begin to happen all around me. Last night I surrendered to the idea that one listing will be cancelled and a transaction with one buyer may also be cancelled. Getting my mind around that and accepting it is what it is ... has freed me to focus on something more productive than swimming up stream.

Simular weekend here in Sunny Virginia. It can be frustrating. But I am not giving up.

Mirela~ This post hit just in time. I had a similar few weeks and it is unbelievable. Actually, I did exactly what you did. I found out it wasn't about me -- it is the way things are in the universe at the moment. It reinforced my policy of interviewing clients in depth before agreeing to work with them and feeling okay when I determine someone is not going to be a good fit! Good luck and may your "failures" all turn into gold.

Kathleen: I liked your comments so much that I went to look at your blog. Wow, aren't you beautiful! Such great facial symetry and such gorgeous smile; just a pleasure to look at!

"Sometimes - the lesson brings more value than the actual pay check." That is exactly the point I wanted to make. Even though devoid of "instant gratification", in the long run, it is those lessons that calibrate our paychecks to higher levels...

The other great point you are making is the ability "to detach". The greatest lesson I've learnt in life is the ability to detach and have a full spectrum view of the situation at hand and most importantly, of myself. Letting go of that tyrant called "The Ego", has done much to liberate myself and infuse ample dosages of Peace into my life.

Mirela...

I'm gonna go in a different direction here :)

I don't know if they shoot Realtors but in my little world...We shoot counteroffers...And do that eather well :)

Next time you need one shot let me know. You can only imagine the surprise on your fellow Realtor when they receive a shot up counteroffer :)

TLW...ROAR!

I bless each offer either way know that God will bring me another one and better and reward me for the time. Abundance is on the way when you do that.

The Lovely Wife: Lovely comment! I tell all the agents who call me with possible offers on my listings: "Go ahead: Insult Us! I'll do my best to get the offer accepted. None of us get paid unless we help massage an offer into An Accepted Offer!" We're on different sides of the coin, but it is the same coin, after all...

Chuck: Amen!

Joan: I love what you said:

"I found out it wasn't about me -- it is the way things are in the universe at the moment. It reinforced my policy of interviewing clients in depth before agreeing to work with them and feeling okay when I determine someone is not going to be a good fit!"

Missy: You've earned them! Enjoy! They come in waves...

Anne: I'm so glad to see someone else employ this great tool! It works, doesn't it?

Gary: Coming from you, one of the best bloggers here, it means a lot to me! Thank you!

Audrey: I love what you said:

"It is what makes the winners - WINNERS. We fail so much but we have a winner attitude of getting up, dusting our butts off and moving forward."

Amen!

Robert: This is perfect! Thank you! I have to quote you:

"I think Thomas Edison had something like 5000 failures before he got the lightbulb "right" he saw each one as a learning experience. I bet he took the time to write down what was good and what was bad about each one!

If you take the time to analize the failure and learn from it, you will also be less destined to repeat the same mistake."

Cat: You quoted some of my most favorite sources of inspiration:

Nemo and Randy Pausch, and that gets you a formal invitation to our Optimist group!

I know I am being redundant here, but you guys have been too good, and I just have to quote you:

To quote Dori the blue fish from Finding Nemo, "Keep swimming, just keep swimming!"

From "The Last Lecture"
- Randy Pausch ( 1960-2008 )

Wonderful contribution! Thank you!

Peter: Thank you!

My next deal is actually going down today, as I'm embarking on my vacation. ...But I want THOSE deals... the ones I couldn't put together from this weekend! I'm a dog with a bone, I know...

I figured out what I need to do to get the transactions I lost back on track. If I succeed, I'll post the recipe here... after I close them!

I tell my team just keep doing your job right and the rest will happen. Maintain a great attitude is key!

I used to coach younger sales agents and when discussing rejection would point out that each " NO" brings them one closer to the next " YES" ! Good selling to you.

I am sorry that you have had such a difficult week. You are right on with your assessment that each failure brings you a step closer to success! You also seem to have a great way of coping with these setbacks; your writing of lists give you something tangible with which to build future success. I will have my fingers crossed that your deals will be able to be revived!

Mirela: I'm sorry about your bad week. I can only imagine how frustrated you are. I have had some weeks like that where I wrote several staging bids and did not get one job. I never thought to sit down and do an "autopsy" though. I will start doing that. It should prove enlightening.

Onward and Upward!

Michelle: Bravo! You've just coined a new phrase:

The Business Autopsy

The Deal Autopsy

See how magical this communal brainstorming is?

Rich: Thank you very much!

Right you are:

"Each failure brings you a step closer to success!"

Bill: Each product has a prescribed list of "No's" before you get to the "Yeses". Not taking the "No's" personally will do much for a new sales person's productivity...

Jean: Yes, Attitude is Everything!

Great information! I hadn't thought of doing it on paper. Next time I will do exactly that. What great advice!

Well, thank God you had a chance for those deals, right? Because you are working with either listings that are going to sell or buyers who are going to buy, things will keep progressing until there are deals. Good deals, not little $300 commission deals, like in our Akron market.

Mirela, thank you for sharing. At the beginning of each day, I spend time reviewing the previous day and reflecting on what worked and what didn't (Richard Robbins' Dad's tip). Sometimes I journal it, other times I just ponder. Either way, I've slept on it, lived through it, cooled my jets and sewed my popped with pride buttons back on...and I learn from it.

This week probably wasn't a time you would choose for a lesson, and life is brutal that way. Aren't you glad you have AR buddies to help you through it all? I sure am. See you!

OK, you've written the blog. Get it out of your system Start out with a positive attitude that good things will come your way soon, and they will!!

Gabe, you didn't really read the entire blog, did you?

Dawn: Yup! ...With one correction: I pushed the pedal to the metal on purpuse: I'm taking vacation today. Two more blogs and I'm gone for 10 days!

Melissa: As one of the top bloggers here and one of the best stagers anywhere, it makes me so happy that I have contributed a tiny grain to the improvement of your already perfect systems. You are awesome, girl! I'm a long time admirer of what you do to ugly spaces and how they morph under your amazing guidance.

Being in the real estate business for 11 years, I have had my ups and downs. In the beginning, I would lose hope and feel really bad about losing business. But, I have always found a way to bounce back. One of the things I don't do is "Get Depressed". I look at every situation that has not gone very well and I have learned something that has made my business better. If nothing else, these WAR Stories are great teaching tools in the future. I have been asked to write a book for REALTORS about my experiences in real estate. Keep a journal and learn from past mistakes; but don't beat yourself up.

Welcome to Real Estate.

Mirela,

I think that we all have weeks like this(though on a smaller scale) and sometimes it is just the luck of the draw. However your method of analyzing the transactions could be something that will help others. Thanks for posting!

It is through positive action that one overcomes adversity. Keep up the good work. I use the same technique in my own practice.

I hope you would feel better to know that my $20M deal working for 6 months finally fall out of contract... potential commission $400K... I have an idea... below...

Shoot Realtor

Great post but I prefer the line, "From the Ashes of Disaster Grow the Roses of Success!" from Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.

Every bursted bubble has a glory!
Each abysmal failure makes a point!
Every glowing path that goes astray,
Shows you how to find a better way.
So every time you stumble never grumble.
Next time you'll bumble even less!
For up from the ashes, up from the ashes, grow the roses of success!
Grow the roses!
Grow the roses!
Grow the roses of success!
...

Of course you have to dance around and sing like Dick Van Dyke to really get your blood going!

mark hall vancouver wa homes www.ernw.org

George: Why would I feel better to hear that you lost your deal? It's very sad to work so hard, for so long and end up with a big, fat zero! Chin up! Do that exercise I described in my blog. Good luck!

Mark: this is so cute! Thank you!

By the way, I LOVE Dick Van Dyke!

Arnold: Thank you! I'm glad you're employing the same method! Great minds think alike...

Joshua: Thank you!

Cathy: Good contribution:

"If nothing else, these WAR Stories are great teaching tools in the future. I have been asked to write a book for REALTORS about my experiences in real estate. Keep a journal and learn from past mistakes; but don't beat yourself up."

Thank you!

Great motivation~ We can't reach our goals if we are so afraid to fail that we won't try!

Remember to go over what you did right too!

Mirela - Oh my, how frustrating. Also impressive, but frustrating for you, I'm sure. I think the "deal autopsy" is a great idea. Hindsight of course is 20/20 and please don't be hard on yourself. In this market, you can do everything right but the market won't cooperate.

Thank you for sharing another great tip!!!

Great Attitude!

Failure is not final; success is not permanent.

Have NO Fear.

It would have been nice if ONE deal went through but then you probably would not have been prompted to do your autopsies. Hope your vacation is great.

Mirela....I can't say I had that kind of week...but I was with an out-of-town buyer on Friday for 5 hours. Looked at several condo buildings for to get a feel of them and decide which building(s) she liked best. Went to Starbucks, had coffee, chatted, met her son who's a doctor here in Atlanta...and she even asked me, "So, we are working together, right?" Well, that was 3 days and 3 phone calls ago and no response. UGH! I'm hoping it's nothing! I really liked her AND her son, and was looking forward to working with her!

The joys of our profession!

Mirela, I really respect you for looking inward, as to how to improve your skills. Obviously, if you are writing $3,000,000 in one week, you are very professional, IMO. The only way to fail is to not try! You go girl!

Wow, reading this post left me pooped ! Time for Long Island Ice Tea !

AUG

2008

Mirela, My first job out of college was in the printing industry as a sales rep responsible for the industrial and Produce Market area of San Francisco. Our Monday sales meetings resembled one of my favorite movies--even when the dread takes over. GlenGarry GlenRoss.

Repeat after me "A-B-C. . . Always be closing. . . Always be closing" "Coffee's for closers put that cup down-your a loser!" "You know how much this watch is worth? This watch is worth more than that piece of _hit you drove here in tonight" "I made $900,000 last year whadidyou make?"

It's only a nightmare when you let it be one. You are that much closer to yes--be well!

dean

That happened to me last month. Just keep your head up & keep going forward! Things did come around just not like YOU had planned. Somethings just have to happen in a certain way, in a certain order. Good luck - fortitude girl!

Hang in there. What doesn't kill us makes us stronger!

Thanks Mirela.... I did just what yu prescribe... its part of life ... remember we don't need to close all our transactions so long as we continue to close one transactin at a time.. that's okey... there are more coming yur way...

AUG

2008

Mirela, Your perspective is so refreshing. It sounds like your vacation is well needed and deserved. I too have a deal falling apart (it's supposed to close tomorrow). Kick back and enjoy for both of us (0;.

Ann

AUG

2008

any post that can garner now 75 comments deserves reading. however, it was the 75 comments that left me exhausted , great article

Mirela,

You rock girl! It's easy to be your best when everything is coming up roses but keeping your perspective when everything turns to crap at once is true grace.

I evaluate my business every year just like this when the dust settles and it's a great learning tool.

From beginning to end you've brought yourself back to reality and knowing as Maya Angelou says "and when I knew better I did better". I love that phrase and in this market am quoting it alot myself. So, her's to next week. You know next week it'll all turn around. Real estate is the only place you can be on again and off again many times an hour or a day. You just keep on keeping on and it all comes together. Love your pricepoint missy. Carry on.

AUG

2008

Terrylynn: I love Maya Angelou!

My vacation helped quite a bit, although I'm still reluctant to get back in the rink...

AUG

2008

I agree with writing everything down when going through problems and making decisions. I have kept a journal for that purpose since October of 1998. Not only did this help me solve many problems, but looking back at past years and seeing the history is just plain good fun.

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