https://activerain.com/blogs/jlough en-us https://activerain.com/blogsview/807869/zero-or-opportunity- Are you the type of person that looks at the letter 'O' being the last letter in the word ZERO or the first letter in the word OPPORTUNITY? Most people miss opportunities because they are focused too much on the lack instead of focusing on what is to be. Our company is on the verge of a TREMENDOUS growth spurt in a positive direction! We are lucky to be in such a better position than most in the industry. We continue to strive for the opportunities that are out there...ready to take on whatever comes our way. I am so thrilled to be able to offer so much to our agents! I can honestly say that Real Living, LifeStyles ROCKS!! If you are not an agent with us, you need to ask yourself why not? Opportunity is knocking...ANSWER THE DOOR! :-) Jazz Lough (Real Living LifeStyles Realty) Tue, 25 Nov 2008 06:34:05 -0800 https://activerain.com/blogsview/807869/zero-or-opportunity- https://activerain.com/blogsview/670834/choose-your-world When the going gets tough, smile. And know that you have what it takes to make it through. When stress and tension and confusion surround you, relax. Select a specific challenge, deal with it, and then move calmly and confidently to the next. If you're being pulled in every direction by forces beyond your control, take time to remember what you value most. Focus on what's important to you, and you'll naturally move toward it. There will be times when it seems that your dreams are slipping away. Remind yourself once again why you follow those dreams, and you will bring them back to life. Choose to live not in a world that's overwhelmed with problems. Choose instead to live in a world that is overflowing with positive possibilities. On the surface, life can often seem tumultuous and incomprehensible. Yet deep inside, where it truly matters, life is the way you see it and becomes what you choose to make it. -- Ralph Marston Jazz Lough (Real Living LifeStyles Realty) Tue, 02 Sep 2008 04:41:34 -0700 https://activerain.com/blogsview/670834/choose-your-world https://activerain.com/blogsview/647758/living-and-breathing "There is a big difference between living and just breathing.  Choose to live, not just exist.  Use your gifts and your days wisely, deliberately.  You were put here for a purpose." By: Paul C. Brownlow taken from a little book called A Blessing For Today Have you ever noticed that the best night's sleep comes after the days that you have used all of your energy working on something that has purpose?  Perhaps it was your hands to plant a garden, your mind to solve a problem, your lips to speak words of encouragement, or your heart to give love to someone in need.  To me that is living, not just existing!!! Jazz Lough (Real Living LifeStyles Realty) Mon, 18 Aug 2008 09:35:09 -0700 https://activerain.com/blogsview/647758/living-and-breathing https://activerain.com/blogsview/637743/fear----not-such-a-real-thing-ya-know "...Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness, that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small doesn't serve the world. There's nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we're liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others." Every time I read this famous speech from Nelson Mandela I read it with different eyes! No matter where you are at in your business, it's our fear that holds us back from moving forward in our lives. So what does FEAR really stand for ? False Evidence Appearing Real Jazz Lough (Real Living LifeStyles Realty) Tue, 12 Aug 2008 04:37:26 -0700 https://activerain.com/blogsview/637743/fear----not-such-a-real-thing-ya-know https://activerain.com/blogsview/636266/business-center-agent-training Today we have a fabulous opportunity to receive training on our agent business center from Caroline Shroyer, our Vice President of Professional Development and Recruiting! I am actually in the middle of the training right now. I am just so excited about this opportunity and all about the tremendous amount of tools and technology we offer I just had to take a second and blog about it. Our company has so much to offer our agents in assisting in branding them in this industry. When you have the knowledge and the tools to assist in progressing you forward, then you are ready to rock and roll! Jazz Lough (Real Living LifeStyles Realty) Mon, 11 Aug 2008 06:46:53 -0700 https://activerain.com/blogsview/636266/business-center-agent-training https://activerain.com/blogsview/628995/life-of-action Time is limited so I better wake up every morning fresh and know that I have just one chance to live this particular day right and string my days together into a LIFE OF ACTION AND PURPOSE. --By Lance Armstrong Jazz Lough (Real Living LifeStyles Realty) Wed, 06 Aug 2008 13:42:03 -0700 https://activerain.com/blogsview/628995/life-of-action https://activerain.com/blogsview/614730/are-you-living-victoriously- We live in a world that reminds us of everything we don't have. We are continually reminded of our hurts and pains, our failures, but seldom are we reminded of our victories. Live your day VICTORIOUSLY and focus on all that is good. Draw your intentions to those things you desire to have in your life. If you think you are going to fail or if you think you are going to succeed...either way you are right....it's your thoughts that will come to fruition. What you think about, you bring about! Jazz Lough (Real Living LifeStyles Realty) Tue, 29 Jul 2008 05:48:41 -0700 https://activerain.com/blogsview/614730/are-you-living-victoriously- https://activerain.com/blogsview/607265/are-you-living-victoriously- We live in a world that reminds us of everything we don't have. We are continually reminded of our hurts and pains, our failures, but seldom are we reminded of our victories. Live your day VICTORIOUSLY and focus on all that is good. Draw your intentions to those things you desire to have in your life. If you think you are going to fail or if you think you are going to succeed...either way you are right....it's your thoughts that will come to fruition. What you think about, you bring about! Jazz Lough (Real Living LifeStyles Realty) Thu, 24 Jul 2008 03:57:42 -0700 https://activerain.com/blogsview/607265/are-you-living-victoriously- https://activerain.com/blogsview/600364/even-though---- Even though Even though your morning may not have been productive, there is still much you can accomplish in the afternoon. Even though you've suffered some setbacks, there are still plenty of options for moving forward. Even though you may disagree with what someone has to say, you can benefit greatly from understanding that person's point of view. Even though you find yourself in difficult and challenging circumstances, there is much value for you to create. Even though you may feel like quitting, you have what it takes to keep going. Even though the goal seems far away, every step brings you closer. Even though there are plenty of reasons for you to feel sorry for yourself, you can choose instead to renew your determination and enthusiasm. Even though your path is filled with obstacles, you can truly enjoy the sense of accomplishment that comes from successfully moving beyond each one. Even though darkness may at times surround you, your light can shine more brightly than ever. Even though you may occasionally grow weary, there's always a way to renew and re-energize yourself. Even though the road has its twists and turns, the journey is worth the effort. Keep going, keep growing, keep learning and loving and living with all the richness your precious life deserves. -- Ralph Marston Jazz Lough (Real Living LifeStyles Realty) Sat, 19 Jul 2008 07:22:28 -0700 https://activerain.com/blogsview/600364/even-though---- https://activerain.com/blogsview/534371/another-game--another-chance So I stayed up late last night (well late for me) to watch one of my favorite hockey teams, The Detroit Red Wings, win the luminous Stanley Cup. It went into triple overtime...TRIPLE OVERTIME!! They were one shot away from winning it all. Then the Penguins made the goal....another game to go and another chance for each team to win. Even though I was cheering for The Red Wings, I had to stop and admire the enthusiasm and perseverence that the Penguins had to move onward and upward. They fought to the very end and never gave up. Sometimes we need to stop and look at our competitors and know that it is not always "in the bag". It's your passion, your perseverence, your hard work and preparation that will separate you from the rest. Just when you think the game is over, you get that one shot that makes all the difference and you are now back in the game! Jazz Lough (Real Living LifeStyles Realty) Tue, 03 Jun 2008 02:33:11 -0700 https://activerain.com/blogsview/534371/another-game--another-chance https://activerain.com/blogsview/532921/clients-and-the-golden-rule--- WHO IS YOUR CLIENT? My definition is this ... Your client is someone that you have taken time to work with them on assessing their needs and establishing a relationship with. In other words, you are following up every few weeks; you are responding immediately and giving her the kind of service that she expects. As a result, you have earned her loyalty and she is not even tempted to buy a house from someone. Not until a relationship is established and agreed upon is there loyalty. Does this mean that once you have established that relationship through service that you OWN that client? No. Not when it comes to matters of the heart. You can only hope that you have earned her loyalty, just like every other business strives to earn their clients' loyalty. It is important to not take it personally when you hear that someone has started buying or listing elsewhere. Handle it like a professional. One of the best examples I have ever heard came from a Doctor I knew in passing. When one of his patients decides to change Doctors, would it be professional for him to call that patient and say, "What do you mean you have changed Doctors? Don't you know that once you come to one Doctor, you are never supposed to go to another one?" Or would it be professional for him to call the other Doctor and say, "How dare you treat my patient. Don't you know that she is my patient? I treated her first and she is supposed to be mine." Sure it hurts our feelings when we hear that someone chose another Realtor over us or, in my case, when an agent I interview decides to go with another Broker. Roll with it! One client is not going to make or break your business. Think about how many different shoe stores, food stores, drug stores, etc. that you shop in. Be gracious and leave that door open. Those clients may come back to you. You are here for the long haul. Just strive to earn loyalty through the very best service possible, but don't be so busy helping the people and working with numbers that you don't miss a few here and there. I make sure my client's best interest is ALWAYS first and foremost. So ... what is the bottom line, here? We are only responsible for how we do business. We want to be sure and honor the Golden Rule in everything we do. There will still be times when we lose clients to someone else. We have to roll with it, not take anything personally. Concentrate on effort and results will come from somewhere when are doing everything the right way! Jazz Lough (Real Living LifeStyles Realty) Mon, 02 Jun 2008 03:53:39 -0700 https://activerain.com/blogsview/532921/clients-and-the-golden-rule--- https://activerain.com/blogsview/529025/focus-on-goals Why Set Goals? 1. When goals are set, things happen. 2. Goals make you feel good about yourself. 3. Goals provide attitude adjustments. 4. Goals establish self-discipline and motivation. 5. Goals give you direction and purpose. 6. Goals take you where you want to go. 7. Goals create good habits and patterns to follow. 8. A goal will eliminate others from controlling your life. Set a goal to discipline yourself. If you don't, others will. Goals Can Be Negative If: 1. They are too big. 2. They are out of your sphere of interest. 3. You believe luck is necessary to arrive at your destination. 4. You set your goal by comparing yourself with others' accomplishments. 5. You are doing it for someone else. Reasons Most People Do Not Set Goals: 1. They are not sold on the benefits. 2. They feel it's safer not to. 3. They fear commitment, failure or success. 4. They have a poor attitude or focus. 5. They don't want to work. Setting A Goal 1. Decide exactly what you want - be very specific. 2. Aim high - you should have "butterflies." Stretch your limits. 3. Create visuals. The subconscious mind accepts all information as fact and cannot distinguish between what is real and what is imagined and believed. 4. Involve family members. Find out what's in it for them. 5. Pick someone to emulate. 6. Define where you are. Goals must be "BIG" according to your ability. 7. Determine what you are capable of in a day, a week, a month and a year. 8. Write your goals in detail and talk about them with appropriate people. 9. Focus on your goal daily. If a goal is not focused on for three days, it's as if it never existed. 10. See goals as if they had already happened. 11. Keep your FOCUS. (Follow One Course Until Successful.) 12. Quitting is not an option. 13. Set another goal immediately upon reaching a goal. Jazz Lough (Real Living LifeStyles Realty) Thu, 29 May 2008 10:25:50 -0700 https://activerain.com/blogsview/529025/focus-on-goals https://activerain.com/blogsview/509758/plan--what-plan- Gearing up for any situation requires a plan, right? So where do you begin? What are your objectives? Well when you are clear on your vision, the details of a plan will just start to fall into place. Hey we have all heard that it is 'not about the destination but it's about the journey'. Are you enjoying where you are at in your life or just focused on what you should have or what you should accomplish? Yes, achieving these goals requires much patience my friends (which I am still working on these challenges myself). What did you feel when you first started assuming the role you are in now? Without clarity you will create insanity. Stop for a second...breathe...breathe..what do you want to accomplish?? Is your belief system such that you are firm on that goal? Only YOU have that power to control what you want. How would you describe your deserve level? That will determine the level of your commitment and how and when your plan will be implemented. So...where do you begin? Guess what? You just did...now get going!!!!!! Jazz Lough (Real Living LifeStyles Realty) Wed, 14 May 2008 05:25:37 -0700 https://activerain.com/blogsview/509758/plan--what-plan- https://activerain.com/blogsview/508173/back-from-momentum I just got back this past weekend from attending our Real Living Momentum event in Ohio. It was so amazing!! We really have such a fabulous company and are so blessed to have so many things ahead of the curve. Not only do the tools and technology sky-rocket us from the rest but our divine and down-to-earth culture is like no other.   With so many offices coast to coast, everyone at Momentum knew about Real Living LifeStyles  here in Austin. So many amazing comments and kudos about our ongoing upward progression and how much we are in high regard with our corporate staff. Wouldn't you agree on how exciting it would be to be able to grow with a company that is constantly seeking ways to make your business easier to succeed in? Well you can do all that with Real Living LifeStyles!! Jazz Lough (Real Living LifeStyles Realty) Tue, 13 May 2008 03:05:24 -0700 https://activerain.com/blogsview/508173/back-from-momentum