I am truly honored to be nominated for Staging Innovator of the year. I have worked hard to promote several innovative ideas and organizations for the people that I believe in over the year. So what happens when you end up running against the people whom you have helped and people whom you admire?

Here are some things to remember:

•1.  Become your own audience. Just like becoming a buyer for a home, as a nominee, you should speak to your audience, not down to your audience. It is essential to remember that a leader is not one who controls followers, but someone who is of the people. A leader is one who serves the industry and through their actions produces many more leaders, is supportive, and listens to the needs of others.

•2.  Be honest. There's nothing that your peers like more than straight honesty. Open your heart and tell them the truth about you, your goals, and what you hope to do for and with them. Remember, we are moving the industry forward, not just ourselves.

•3.  Be realistic. Set good goals in your campaign and clearly outline how you will achieve them. Have one focus and put your efforts towards that which you are qualified. If you have strong goals and a good plan for accomplishing them, others will perceive you as a professional and an excellent leader in the industry.

•4.   Be welcoming. Always emphasize how approachable you are and how much you want to work for them. People want a representative of our industry that works to involve them in decisions and ideas. Everyone wants a voice, make sure your presentation says that you will give them that voice.

•5.   Be yourself. Be creative. Help others.  If you try to be someone else, others will know in an instant. Trust that they will want the real you as a leader and someone that they can call a friend.

•6.  Be funny and have a sense of humor. Many of our staging friends couldn't care less who wins, really, so make note of that. You'll earn their respect and feel they can relate to you if you are real.

•7.  Do not use slander, do not put down, do not chastise; this can make others not like you in a heartbeat. I have always believed in what goes around... comes around, so don't let it come back and bite you in the patootie!

•8.  Keep it short and simple so you present yourself as an honest individual.

•9.  Whether you win or lose, have honor and integrity. That will bring you much farther in your journey than anything else. Be true to yourself and your peers, realize that it is only YOU that holds the key, and you will make friends for life who honor and support you no matter what you are nominated for.

I wish all the nominees for the RESA Staging Awards the very best!

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 Lori Kim Polk is the Founder and Lead Designer of Artful Journey Designs and Staging, a full service Home Staging and Design Corporation combined with Ryan Dressel from Staged Right Design located in Roseville, California. Recently featured in Sacramento Magazine, Sacramento News and Review, KFBK radio and SMUD's Home of the Future.  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!"