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The Economy - - - A "Braveheart" will not live with REGRET!

By
Mortgage and Lending with Cherry Creek Mortgage Illinois Residential Mortgage License LMB #0005759 Cherry Creek Mortgage NMLS #: 3001 NMLS ID# 158606

The economy sucks.  I get it.  Everyone gets it.  No one really understands how to get out of this situation.  There are a myriad of theories on what we need to do to save the economy.  What can you do to save our nation?  No one really knows.

If you're going to be in the business, you're going to have to be committed to not only hanging on, but to excelling in ways that have never before existed. 

Here's my take

The economy does suck.  In fact it rots to the core.  People aren't buying homes the way that they used to.  So, what are you going to do about it.  ABSOLUTELY NOTHING.  There's not one thing that you can do to stimulate the economy.

Let me tell you this, if you listen to the people pissing and moaning about how horrible things are in life or in your business or in our profession or in some geographic region, THEN YOU WILL BE PARALYZED.  Unfortunately, it's a fact.  About 5 weeks ago I made up my mind to not be paralyzed by fear...because here's the deal.  IF YOU'RE PARALYZED BY FEAR, then you won't work or take the right actions or risks.  YOU'RE WAITING for life to happen to you.  And guess what?  It won't happen, YOU'LL HAVE THE REST OF YOUR LIFE TO LIVE IN REGRET FOR HAVING NOT FOUGHT THE BATTLE TODAY

There's really nothing more inspirational than the speach by William Wallace in Braveheart.  www.youtube.com/watch?v=WLrrBs8JBQo.  Prior to a fight in Sterling, two fellas say that if they run, that they will live.  Wallace responds saying, yes, you'll live for a while.  Perhaps longer.  But when you're on your deathbed, you'll always regret having not fought for your freedom today.  Today, you can wait for the government to take care of you.  You can wait for clients to walk through the door.  You can wait for your business to collapse or your house to go into foreclosure.  That's called paralysis.  Or, you can fight. 

 I will say this....IF YOU DON'T FIGHT AND STEP OUT OF YOUR COMFORT ZONE, YOU WILL HAVE THE REST OF YOUR LIFE TO LIVE IN REGRET.  The Bible has a great quote in it. 1 Timothy 5:8 (New King James Version)

But if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.

We have a duty to provide for our family.  I can't look back with regret.  You can't look back with regret.  Paralysis can't consume you.  What you can do is swing an axe and move forward.  So what are two things that you can do to get moving?

  1. Fill yourself up with good stuff - Turn off the news and don't listen to anyone who is speaking in contravention for what you're trying accomplish.  You can't let one negative thought roost.  They'll come, but capture those thoughts and kick them to the curb asap.
  2. The president of my company said that if I went downtown Chicago and sat at a street corner and handed out flyers, I could get a loan a day.  I believe that.  Our game right now is not about creating a marketing piece.  Nope, it's all about getting one deal today.  As mortgage people, I fully believe that if you spend all day looking for one deal, you'll get your deal.  I interviewed someone who took this approach and they closed over 25 deals a month and sold their business for over 1 million dollars.  He was only 25 years old when he sold it book of business.  He only did 2 to 3 loans per month until he made the decision to not go home until he took one application per day.  Be committed to what is right.  As I tell my reports, the only thing that matters is getting one deal today. 

Since rolling this out some of my reports have been (EVEN IN THIS ECONOMY) taking 1 application per day.  Some are still paralyzed.  Those who are in the trenches and working with their databases, clients and referral partners will not live in regret.  I'm glad that I made the decision not to live in regret.  What about you?

 

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Comments(24)

Vickie Roberts
First Security Bank - Owensboro, KY

Larry, I enjoyed reading your blog.  I couldn't agree more that people need to get out of their comfort zone.  I know for some change causes fear. I read a good simple book years ago when I worked at the Bank and the Bank was going through a merger.  The book was Who Moved My Cheese. It's fairly short and simple and would highly recommend it for anyone who's struggling with change.  Have a great weekend!:)

Nov 21, 2008 12:53 AM
Larry Bettag
Cherry Creek Mortgage Illinois Residential Mortgage License LMB #0005759 Cherry Creek Mortgage NMLS #: 3001 - Saint Charles, IL
Vice-President of National Production

Steve...I've never seen it either.  Needless to say, it's cool to see it.

Patricia....it does paralyze and we weren't meant to be such.  We're meant to fight.

Kelly...awesome words.

Joanna...JoAnna, to hear this from you made my day.  I've done something worthwhile.  Thanks much.  appreciate the feedback.

Vickie...I love the cheese book.  Simple, big words but straight to the heart.  When you change the heart, you can change behaviors as well...and invariably, results.

 

Nov 21, 2008 01:00 AM
Stephen Kappre
KW Hometown - Mantua, NJ
Helping You Home

Righht on - out of the heart comes the issues of life ...

Nov 21, 2008 01:05 AM
Elizabeth Nieves
The Elizabeth Nieves Realty Group - Durham, NC
Bilingual Raleigh - Durham North Carolina Real Estate Team

MY FAVORITE MOVIE OF ALL TIME!!! And, that 'fight' mentality applies to every aspect of our lives. It is something that you can't teach someone, though. People are either warriors or something else altogether. I've always been a warrior...even wear a little warpaint from time to time. ;-)

Then...there is the great truth to remember. When we have done all that we can do (and that is a LOT)...we must stand...knowing that God always makes the last move. It ain't over till HE says its over. GBU, my friend~~

Nov 21, 2008 01:15 AM
Vickie Roberts
First Security Bank - Owensboro, KY

Larry, I totally agree.  What's on the inside always comes out on the outside!:)

Nov 21, 2008 01:16 AM
Larry Bettag
Cherry Creek Mortgage Illinois Residential Mortgage License LMB #0005759 Cherry Creek Mortgage NMLS #: 3001 - Saint Charles, IL
Vice-President of National Production

Elizabeth...great comments & I got your VM.  I"m in!

Vickie....thx again!

Nov 21, 2008 01:51 AM
Vickie McCartney
Maverick Realty - Owensboro, KY
Broker, Real Estate Agent Owensboro KY

Hi Larry~ This is from the other "Vickie" in Owensboro... It is true, a Braveheart will not live with regret.  All of the negatives we are surrounded with will only bring you down and cause you to live in fear all of the time, IF YOU LET IT!  It is up to each and every one of us to determine is we succeed or fail.  It is our choice. 

Nov 21, 2008 02:06 AM
Fran Gaspari
Patriot Land Transfer, Inc. - Limerick, PA
"The Title Man" - Title Insurance - PA & NJ

Larry,

Just a great post! Can't believe it's not featured yet! As soon as I comment I'm flagging!!! My old broker once told me, "Don't just sit and wait for the phone to ring, go out and make it ring"...Still true today!!! Thanks,   Fran

Nov 21, 2008 02:52 AM
Jeff Belonger
Social Media - Infinity Home Mortgage Company, Inc - Cherry Hill, NJ
The FHA Expert - FHA Loans - FHA mortgages - USDA loans - VA Loans

Larry... I agree with Patricia Kennedy....  but I will say this... the beginning of the post???  That it does suck out there?  I try not to put that in any of my blogs, even if I am talking about it in general...not to mention those types of words. Just my .02. I wrote a blog yesterday about inflation vs deflation... I wanted to start out by saying, it does suck out there, now and it will for a while. Many people that have common sense should know this. But presenting facts of issues, or information to understand what has happened and what is happening, is what should be talked about. A good example, after you mentioned this, you took off with some great information, tips, an encouranging words. In my honest opinion though, we don't need to read that it sucks... I am not trying to knock your post.. just that it's a negative word and that gets built into our minds when reading it... it's bad enough to live it, but then to see it in print, can be a downer. Now I must go sleep for 5 hours since I am depressed.. lol  Seriously, this was a well-written post. I think we do need to keep searching for new business, in ways that we never thought of... but my primary focus is going to be realtor networking (local and out-of-state) (thanks to AR), previous client data base, blogging, and social media marketing....which I wrote about last week. I think news print and flyers, etc etc... are days of the past. Just my opinion.  good post   PS... I loved the movie also... waiting to watch it on HD now..

jeff belonger

Nov 21, 2008 03:09 AM
Larry Bettag
Cherry Creek Mortgage Illinois Residential Mortgage License LMB #0005759 Cherry Creek Mortgage NMLS #: 3001 - Saint Charles, IL
Vice-President of National Production

Vickie....it's important to not let it.

Fran....thanks for the kudos...I love this post as well.

Jeff....I naturally agree with you.  It's all that we hear.  I haven't blogged about the negative markets at all.  This is really an emination of the fact that all I'm hearing is whining and crying.  And the fact is that YOU CAN'T CONTROL IT.  All you can do, if you're serious about being in this business, is control your response to the market and not waver as to your committment to being successful in this market.  Cool?  Thanks bro....I get what you're trying to say though.

Nov 21, 2008 04:22 AM
Elizabeth Nieves
The Elizabeth Nieves Realty Group - Durham, NC
Bilingual Raleigh - Durham North Carolina Real Estate Team

COOL! We'll talk on Monday. Have a great weekend. GBU~

Nov 21, 2008 06:56 AM
Lane Bailey
Century 21 Results Realty - Suwanee, GA
Realtor & Car Guy

Love the movie.  And "woulda, coulda, shoulda" are NOT the words that I want to live by. 

Nov 21, 2008 02:48 PM
Jim Frimmer
HomeSmart Realty West - San Diego, CA
Realtor & CDPE, Mission Valley specialist

I'll do whatever is necessary to put food on the table. If that means a second job, so be it. I'm not too proud to work.

Nov 21, 2008 09:32 PM
James Wexler
wexzilla.com - Scottsdale, AZ

Larry B - my, man,.....  great post. Well thought out, insightful, articulate and reference to the bible. And just like you said, it may seem easier to run and live, then fight, but that is really not living, so not easy at all

Nov 22, 2008 01:01 AM
James Wexler
wexzilla.com - Scottsdale, AZ

Larry B , by the way, in regards to the Book MeMe, I tagged you with, ....

there is no time limit and no threat of 7 years of bad luck of you dont complete it at all, I wont take it personally one small bit...... ,

and if yo dont have a real book , I think people appreciate your quotes better then these so-called 'famous' authors :)

Nov 23, 2008 01:59 AM
Gwenn Tanvas
NEXA Mortgage LLC an Equal Housing Lender NMLS # 1660690 - Appleton, WI
The Mortgage Gal, 920.267.7891~ SMART - INNOVATIVE

Hi Larry: Great Post - I agree, I agree, I agree - It is simply amazing that by taking on this attitide of can do, how easily doors open. Possitive breeds possitive - It is funny, I have been creating some really great strategies that are opening doors and the negi's in and about my circle cannot seem to see past the gloom. They look at success as luck - No such thing. Thanks again for the great post -

Nov 23, 2008 07:58 AM
The Brewer Team - Benchmark Realty
Benchmark Realty - Franklin, TN

Fear is a powerful enemy. defeat fear, and nothing stands in your way. This is a great opportunity to pickup marketshare for your competitors.

Nov 23, 2008 10:41 AM
Gail Szeluga & JoAnna Siminerio
Coldwell Banker Realty - Manalapan/Marlboro - Manalapan, NJ
Fostering Community Spirit Through Real Estate

I enjoyed it the first time I read it and flagged it then!!

Nov 23, 2008 12:40 PM
Tammy Lankford,
Lane Realty Eatonton, GA Lake Sinclair, Milledgeville, 706-485-9668 - Eatonton, GA
Broker GA Lake Sinclair/Eatonton/Milledgeville

Great post.  It's so true.  We just can't give up.  We do have to fight.

Nov 30, 2008 04:03 PM
Barbara Flannery
USA Realty,Inc. - London, KY
"Homes for Everyone In London Kentucky"

Great Post and I have read it at a very good time.  It sure has encouraged me.  I do believe every word you have posted, that we do have a duty to work and make a living for our family. I also believe that we will succeed if we try and not listen to all the negative news on t v.  We can not afford to give up now.  All thing work together to them that love the Lord and I emphasize WORK!!

Dec 01, 2008 12:22 PM