Courage and motivation in times of Change

"Dont forget to pack your courage for your journey to greatness"- Dave Weinbaum

What a great quote!  Right now I need all the courage I can get. This is my first blog. I have been reading through the blogs on activerain and have put off writing one of my own simply because of fear.

Funny, I had no troubles writing speeches for my High School Graduation and my parents 25th wedding anniversary, but a  blog on a Real Estate website has  me in a tizzy.

So here goes..... I guess I'll stick with the courage theme.

I wish I had a nickel for every time in the last year someone has asked me with a sad look in their face "how's business?" or "how's the market?" It's the same look  they would have if they were asking about a dying relative.The question is usually followed by a comment about how alot of REALTORS are getting out of the business, or getting oter jobs. My response is always the same. Business is good. Properties are selling. It's like any other business, you work at it and you will succeed.Now don't get me wrong. There have definitley been times when I've walked away from those conversations wondering if my luck will run out, and I too will need to get another job to supplement.

I don't hold onto that thought for long. I know I must have the courage and the determination to make things happen for myself. So many REALTORS get  discouraged and wonder why nothing is happening for them. They spend more time worrying and complaining about the business ( or lack thereof) than they do actually out looking for business. I understand things are complicated right now, and personal Sales numbers may not be as high as we'd like, or even less than in years past. I for one can accept not doing as much business as in years past due in part to the struggling economy, but ONLY if I know I did everything  I possibly could to have that not happen to me.

It's scary to think outside the box. It's scary to think of being rejected. It's much easier when the phone rings and the next thing you're out either showing or listing property. When you try nothing, you get nothing in return.If I had some advice to give to agents who are not reaching their full potential, or just need a little motivation it would be this:Have the courage to try something new.When you find you have some down time from activley showing and listing property experiment on different networking sites, Build a better website, browse through different Real Estate websites( Trulias a good example) and confirm all your contact information is shown on your listings ( The majority of these websites don't charge for basic contact info) These are all the ways to create more exposure for yourself.

Have the courage to go back to the basics. Don't be hesitant to call the expireds and FSBOS, you'd be surprised at how willing to talk to you they may be.It may take a while to get an appointment, but it will take longer if you do nothing.Call your past customers. It's good to keep in touch, they'll be happy to hear from you.Remember it's a numbers game,the more people you reach out to, the better chance you have of gaining a new buyer or seller.

Make sure you always send out Just Listed and Just Sold communication.You can order professional postcatds, or you can send out letters. It doesn't matter, just get the communication out there.There's no shame in doing a little self promotion either.Take out an ad in your local Real Estate paper. Our business is all about name and face recognition.

And last but not least, don"t be too hard on yourself. Rome wasn't built in a day. Set some goals and decide you are the one who determines your success.