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Sometimes it's the little things; Why I use a Journal

By
Managing Real Estate Broker with Howard Hanna Real Estate Services

Over the years I've found that there are big ideas that can transform your business-many of them you can find right here on activerain. But there are also the little things that make your career zip along like a finely tuned engine; I like the little things.

I have always used a journal, since the days before I got into real estate I searched for a day planned that complimented my style and thought processes - but nothing worked. So I started making my own with a simple standard sized wire bound notebook. These are very cheap and very adaptable, but most of all they are very effective for many things,

A couple days ago I got a call from someone and I wrote the message into my journal for that day. Then as we traded calls over a couple days he stopped giving me his number in his messages and I needed to return his call. Well I could have used the call log on my phone, but there are a lot in there and I needed the time and date of one of his calls. I could have used the call back feature of my voice mail system if I had activated it. But over the years my low tech solutions to my high tech problems have served me well. I simply flipped back a couple days and there he was! Simple but effective.

Last week as January turned to February I was coaching some agents and our discussion turned to conversion rates. Again my journal provided a low tech solution. I went back through all of January and counted up the call-in leads, and then tallied the number of them who enrolled in our new agent program and there as my conversion rate.

I guess my point is that when you need a solution to a business process like daily activity planning or follow-up systems or anything like that, there are plenty of high tech solutions you can purchase, then learn, then update, and then abandon. Or, you can just go back the the lessons you learned in school; there's nothing like a good sharp #2, and a spiral notebook to get you through the day!

Make it a great one!

Janice Roosevelt
Keller Williams Brandywine Valley - West Chester, PA
OICP ABR, ePRO,Ecobroker

This is such an important too and I'm glad from the reminder today, Jim, becauseI need to get back to it. Thanks

Feb 16, 2009 10:15 PM
Elizabeth Bolton
RE/MAX Destiny Real Estate Cambridge, MA - Cambridge, MA
Cambridge MA Realtor

Hi Jim ~ Absolutely! Each person finds the tool that works best for them. It seems some people can't live without a planner, others gravitate to the electronic versions, and for others a good old notebook does the trick. I know from past experience that if the tool isn't the right one for you it will soon be abandoned.

I confess to being a far too frequent user of the post-it as a note-taking device. Years ago I saw a Lily Tomlin one-woman show in which one of the characters she played covered herself with post-its. I keep that vision in the back of my mind when the little yellow squares get too thick.

Liz

Feb 16, 2009 11:43 PM
Leesa Finley
RED Properties - Wake Forest, NC
RED Properties - Raleigh NC Real Estate

jim - I LOVE my notebook!  It may be low tech but it seems that when i physically write something down i tend to have it ingrained in my head!  My notebooks have proven invaluable over the years!

Feb 16, 2009 11:48 PM
Anonymous
Anonymous

Journals are great. I go back and check mine from years ago to make sure I don't make the same mistakes. And reinvent old ideas.

Feb 16, 2009 11:56 PM
#4
Jim Gainer
Howard Hanna Real Estate Services - Hershey, PA

Hi Janice, glad I could help you get back to something you like.

Feb 17, 2009 02:56 AM
Jim Gainer
Howard Hanna Real Estate Services - Hershey, PA

Elizabeth you're so right - I remember that character too! I have abandoned several things over the years, and the important thing is to keep trying new things and be open to new ideas even the simple low tech ideas.

Feb 17, 2009 02:57 AM
Jim Gainer
Howard Hanna Real Estate Services - Hershey, PA

Hi Leesa, I can't be with out mine for very long before I start panicking. You're right about the writing down principle, I'll do that sometimes to help memorize a phone number or a name.

Feb 17, 2009 03:00 AM
Anonymous
Laura Sullivan

I think it really boils down to how sharp your pencil is :)

Feb 17, 2009 05:30 AM
#9
Scott Baker
www.eHomeReports.com Coldwell Banker Realty - Liberty Township, OH
Realtor Homes for Sale Cincinnati/Dayton Ohio

I too use a wire ring notebook. I have tried and spent countless dollars using all different kinds of planners, log books, etc. The simple pad that I can write whatever, wherever works best for me.

Feb 17, 2009 09:00 AM