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In a rut???

By
Services for Real Estate Pros with Reel Productions TV- Real Estate Video

Here are some tried and true techniques to get your motors running if you find yours is currently on empty!

BUSINESS RELATED: 

-Try something new.  If you've been e-mailing blasting for the last two months, do something else.  Pick up the phone, run an ad in the paper, log on to a new networking website, make a business call to a new client, join a networking group, do ANYTHING but what you've been doing.  Insanity could easily be defined as doing the same thing over and over again but expecting different results!

-Reach out to your previous clients by sending a holiday e-mail or card.  Remember, these people were once at the top of your priority list...don't let them fall to the bottom.  They could be your biggest cheerleaders and source of referrals. 

-Tie up all your loose ends.  If you're waiting on a phone call, e-mail, need to make a phone call or e-mail...do it!  There is no time like the present to complete a task.  It could mean more business and money to you in the long run.

-Talk about your business where you normally don't.  Does your hairdresser know what you do?  How about your next door neighbor?  What about your extended family?  You may be surprised at the number of people who are not aware of your ability to help them in the business world.  During this time of gathering and festivities be sure to update those you meet.  

PERSONAL:

-Go to a yoga class.  I know this sounds 'new age' but you'll be amazed at the clarity you will find as you force yourself to relax and rejuvinate.  

-Start a journal.  Getting the clutter out of your head just by putting it on paper can create room for new thought and ideas. 

-Clip coupons.  Saving money creates a "feel good" emotion and a sense of accomplish.  Clip coupons in the local Sunday paper and/or online at Coupons.com or other money saving places. 

-Take an Angel off the Angel Tree at the mall (or any other selfless act).  Recognizing that others are less fortunate can help put your own trials and tribulations in perspective.  Helping those in need is ALWAYS a way to make yourself feel better :-)  

Hope this helps!! :-) :-) :-) 

Reel Productions TV

Comments(19)

Brian Belcher
RE/MAX Executive - Charlotte, NC
Charlotte Realtor

Hey, great post. Thanks for the information. It's something to keep in mind.

Dec 06, 2008 10:41 AM
Lou Ludwig
Ludwig & Associates - Boca Raton, FL
Designations Earned CRB, CRS, CIPS, GRI, SRES, TRC

Hi Tara

We all can get into a rut, look up, step up, and get out of the rut and let the sun shine in.

Good luck and success

Lou Ludwig

Dec 06, 2008 10:42 AM
Carla Harbert
www.LorainCountyHomeSales.com - Avon, OH
RE/MAX Omega: Lorain-Medina County Area

Nice reading - but my "momma" always said, if you're in a rut, get off your butt....excuse the language. Good advice - Carla

Dec 06, 2008 10:46 AM
Susan Emo
Sotheby's International Realty Canada - Brokerage - Kingston, ON
Kingston and the 1000 Islands Area

Tara -  all good ideas.  Thanks for sharing!

Dec 06, 2008 10:48 AM
Marty Remo
RE/MAX Benchmark- Marty Remo-CDPE, E-Pro - Monroe, NY
HV Home Team

Anything that keeps your chin up makes sense to me.

Dec 06, 2008 10:52 AM
Dana Emerson
Keller Williams Realty Livingston Partners - Denham Springs, LA

Thanks for sharing.  I will keep this in mind.

Dec 06, 2008 10:57 AM
Bob & Carolin Benjamin
Benjamin Realty LLC - Gold Canyon, AZ
East Phoenix Arizona Homes

All great points -- thanks for posting -- have a nice holiday season.

Dec 06, 2008 11:22 AM
Denise Shockey
RE/MAX Aerospace Realty - Cocoa Beach, FL
Cocoa Beach, Brevard County Florida Real Estate

Hi Tara, great ideas.  I really like the idea of taking Angel off the tree, you have some winning ideas!  Have a great 2009! 

Dec 06, 2008 11:42 AM
Abiud "Abi" Montes
EWM Realtors - Fort Lauderdale, FL

Tara thanks for sharing and I will pick one of the many ideas and do at least one of them.

Dec 06, 2008 01:42 PM
Debi Ernst
St. Charles County, Missouri - Prudential Alliance Realtors - O'Fallon, MO
GRI, e-PRO, Broker/Sales Associate

Tara - Sometimes you get in a rut and you don't realize it.  Thanks for the encouragement!  :)

Dec 06, 2008 02:22 PM
Don Rogers
Keller Williams Realty Chesterfield - O'Fallon, MO
Realtor, Broker, CDPE, GRI, OnullFallon MO & St Charles County MO homes

Tara,

Good advice ma'am and thank you for clearing the fog in my head.

Dec 06, 2008 10:59 PM
Tara Jones- Atlanta
Reel Productions TV- Real Estate Video - Dacula, GA
GA

Charlotte- Glad you enjoyed it :-) 

Lou- Amen!  

Carla- It sounds like your mom and my mom would get along famously! 

Susan and Dana- Anytime!  I did this as much to remind myself as I did for everyone else.  It's crazy how the simple things can sometimes escape you when you're feeling gloomy.

Remo Realty Group- That's right!  Chin up, chest up, move forward!

Bob and Caroline- A wonderful holiday season to you and everyone else as well :-)

Denise- That ALWAYS makes me warm and fuzzy!  I HATE seeing angels left on any tree...each represents a child and if you have the ability to help that child, it's a win-win :-) 

Abiud-  GREAT!  Good luck and please let me know how it turns out!

Debi- How true!  Sometimes it's the simplest things that can make a different but when you're in a rut they're often hard to find. 

Don- Glad I could act as the wind for a brief moment...clearing away cobwebs, dust and fog! ;-)  

Dec 06, 2008 11:58 PM
Eileen Begley
Coldwell Banker, DelMonte - Carmel, CA
Monterey Real Estate

Some good ideas. It is just so easy to get in a rut at any time of the year and during the holidays even more so.

Dec 11, 2008 04:29 PM
Lance Ziegler
Real Estate Virtual Tours - Bradenton, FL

Here is a positive side to being in a rut................You usually come out with a strong idea as to how to get on your feet again. Follow your instincts but be cautious! Look at every avenue and have a clear picture of where it is you want to go and what it is you want to achieve.

Dec 15, 2008 04:20 AM
Tara Jones- Atlanta
Reel Productions TV- Real Estate Video - Dacula, GA
GA

Lance- I couldn't agree more!  Whether you're in a rut or not, it's always good to have a plan of where you're heading.  I think being in a rut just emphasizes why a plan is so crucial to have to move forward! 

Dec 15, 2008 08:06 AM
Troy Erickson AZ Realtor (602) 295-6807
HomeSmart - Chandler, AZ
Your Chandler, Ahwatukee, and East Valley Realtor

You offer some really sound advice.  What's that saying about the definition of insanity?  If you keep doing the same thing and expect different results?  Changing things up could be just the thing you need to kick start your business, and keeping in touch with past clients is crucial.

Dec 21, 2008 07:23 PM
Tara Jones- Atlanta
Reel Productions TV- Real Estate Video - Dacula, GA
GA

That's right, Troy!  It's amazing the results you can get just by doing one thing differently.  And what better excuse to try than the New Year? :-)

Dec 22, 2008 12:43 AM
Steve Schwartz
AmazingVideoTours.com - Charlotte, NC
Charlottenulls Premier Real Estate Videographer and Photographer

Tara - great tips!

When I was selling actively and got in a rut ... I had a solution that was almost always magical ........ I got out and previewed listings.  Lots of them....  I also visited new construction neighborhoods. 

I took my camera along and started cataloging a huge database of neighborhood photos for when long distance clients wanted to see more. 

Just being out there gave me a huge sense accomplishment at the end of the day.   I knew the market better and was ready to answer questions about inventory.  Even better, I was out there "bumping into" business.  Whether it be meeting a builder, new home sales consultant, or even actual buyers looking without any representation - I found that my efforts usually made the phone ring a few days later. 

Dec 22, 2008 02:51 AM
Tara Jones- Atlanta
Reel Productions TV- Real Estate Video - Dacula, GA
GA

EXCELLENT adice, Steve!  Thanks for sharing.  Hopefully you have inspired another to do the same  :-)  

Dec 22, 2008 11:42 AM