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Stop Talking... Start DOING!

By
Real Estate Agent with Max Broock Realtors

Sara & Her Dad

For the past week I’ve had a houseguest.  My dad is visiting me from sunny Naples Florida.  It's been a huge struggle to keep up with my work schedule and spend quality time with my dad.  Still not sure how mommy Realtors do it!  (No offence gentlemen).  Did I also mention that I’ve been finishing my ePro course this week?  Needless to say, it has been a very busy week.

Today I was able to spend the afternoon with my dad.  He's been mocking me in a "very parental" way all week about the amount of time I spend at the computer.  Not to mention the phone.  I may have the phone to my ear as much as Geri Sonkin!  In my defense, I've been online more than usual this week with ePro…. OK, AR TOO!  Between the calls, the email alerts and the text messages, I think it is safe to say that my dad HATES my phone. 

My dad took me to lunch today to discuss the happenings with my business and the local market.  He loves to give me advice on my business.  I admit, I can find it a tad bit annoying.  However, I participate in the conversation because I can usually find a nugget of wisdom.

TODAY I GOT A NUGGET! 

During my “lunch meeting” I explained that I've been building my 2007 business plan.  I told him about AR and all the wonderful things that I’ve learned.  I told him about ePro (Sorry Tomato).  I gave him a full rundown of my plan. 

My dad was patient, listening to all that I was saying.  I could tell that he understood me.  He was smiling, nodding.  You know, all the validation one could hope for.  After I stopped talking he looked at me and said: “stop talking, start doing”. 

STOP TALKING… START DOING

I love it.  I love everything about it!  Sometimes we become so obsessed about learning about our craft, we forget to do our craft.  We can tell new agents all the things that they should do to jumpstart their careers.  Yet, we fail to do those things.  We become practitioners of “do as I say, not as I do”.  Not good for those of us who desire career success

So what does this mean for me? 

It means that I'm going to leave well enough alone and get back to doing what I do well… That’s networking.  I'm going to stop fussing about this darn website I need.  I’m just going to get it done. And allow myself to be OK with that for the time being.  It’s a start, and it can be modified along the way.   I’m going to stop thinking about all the “out of the box” marketing ideas I have.  I’m going to start trying them out.

So Dad, I thank you.  Thank you for the nice visit… and thank you for kicking me in the butt! 

So in homage to TLW (I'm stealing your "lesson learned"):

Lesson learned… Knowledge is great.  Learning is crucial for growth.  But what you do with that knowledge is most important.

Sorry the photo is so grainy.  Just took it quickly before Dad went to bed.  Boy do I look tired!

Show All Comments Sort:
Sara Lipnitz
Max Broock Realtors - Birmingham, MI

It's called Linking... It's really easy.  Kristal wrote a post about how to do it.  So happy linking to you!

Oct 04, 2006 03:53 AM
Mitchell J Hall
Manhattan, NY
Lic Associate RE Broker - Manhattan & Brooklyn

Sara,

Your Dad is right....I get the message I'm shutting down this computer and stop reading all these great blogs about our business and am going to go show a buyer an apartment.

Oct 04, 2006 05:41 AM
Maureen Francis
Coldwell Banker Weir Manuel - Bloomfield Hills, MI
Coldwell Banker Weir Manuel

PS. I am sorry I did not get to meet your dad while he was here.

 

Oct 04, 2006 09:15 AM
Sara Lipnitz
Max Broock Realtors - Birmingham, MI

Amber,  Defrost baby!  ;)  Talk to you tomorrow.  Can't wait.

Kristal,  I don't know if I should be happy or worried that there is no end in sight.  33 years old and my dad still thinks I'm 13.

Angus, I mooved in high speed today.  Thanks.

Brian, If I keep doing what I do best, I would stop working at AR.  I'm much better at networking in person. The internet is not my forte.  Maybe I can compromise?  I'd simply miss you too much.

Maureen, I'm happy to be your Zig Zigler.  Can you be my... web developer??  Maybe you and Dima can come to Fla with me sometime.  I feel like you have to have met my dad at the office.  NO??

Scott, Trust me, everyone leaves the Lipnitz house well fed.  He was not smiling because he had to get up early today to head back to Naples.  He was sad to leave me.  ;)

Colleen, If he is bringing the Michigan weather back it will be cool.  Its been chilly here.

Erika, Thank you.  I look awful.  Late nights on AR has made me very tired.

Candi, Remember, blue skies and closings are coming your way.

Mitchell, Did you sell the apartment?  I hope so!

Oct 04, 2006 01:58 PM
George Souto
George Souto NMLS #65149 - Middletown, CT
Your Connecticut Mortgage Expert
You can have the best business plan in place, and you can refine it all you want, but it is what you do with that counts. Nothing is a substitute for geting out of the house and puting the plan to work. Your dad is right just do it.
Oct 04, 2006 03:25 PM
Ray Higdon
Forever Wealth Club - Fort Myers, FL
Anthony Robbins said it best when he said "Knowledge is POTENTIAL power".
Oct 04, 2006 11:49 PM
Derek and Mariana Wagner
The Artisan Group- Keller Williams Premier Realty - Colorado Springs, CO
The Artisan Group - Colorado Springs REALTORS®
Very good post- very important information! Thank you!
Oct 06, 2006 04:35 AM
Dan Ellis
Nations Title Agency of Alabama, Inc - Birmingham, AL
NTA of Alabama

Think we all could use that dose daily. I think we all know that person (s) that talks, talks, and talks, but never does. Great lesson to be learned here.

I think trademarked it best: Just Do It.

Oct 06, 2006 08:06 AM
Eddy Martinez
Nationwide Funding Group - Highland Park, CA
Like my favorite saying goes, "dont talk about it , be about it!!!!!"
Oct 06, 2006 09:02 AM
Marguerite Crespillo
Marguerite Crespillo - Roseville, CA
Great advice!  The difference between the successful and the not so successful is not the ideas it is the action.  Speed of implementation is the key! I have had many great ideas over the years only to find out later that someone else actually implemented them.
Oct 06, 2006 11:11 AM
Susan Trombley
Trombley Real Estate - Wake Forest, NC
Broker/Realtor, Raleigh, Cary, Wake Forest, Youngs
I think it is wonderful that your Dad is still to this day Interested in what you are doing.
Oct 07, 2006 01:52 AM
AAA Properties
AAA Properties - $500 Flat Fee Listings - Medina, WA
Your father sounds like a smart man!
Oct 07, 2006 04:48 AM
Professor X
NONE - Ludington, MI

Excellent...

I am glad to see a post from you...it may inspire me to blog again.

Did you take your Dad to Ray's?

When are we going to have lunch again?

Oct 08, 2006 02:49 PM
Sara Lipnitz
Max Broock Realtors - Birmingham, MI

I did take him to Ray's.  Infact, we went there the day that photo was taken.

Call me tomorrow & we'll plan something.  Again, welcome back!

Oct 08, 2006 02:51 PM
Ginger S
Wilkinson & Associates, Wilmington NC - Wilmington, NC
Wilmington NC Real Estate & Relocation~

Your dad is a wise man,

Enjoy your time with him!

Oct 08, 2006 05:48 PM
Todd Murphy
Fitts Agency - Tuscaloosa, AL

Wise, indeed.  I find that I can use up most of my valuable day talking and not doing.

When I start doing, the rest seems to fall into place.

Thanks for sharing your story with us - it made my day.

Oct 09, 2006 04:12 AM
Professor X
NONE - Ludington, MI

Was out of office all day on appointments today!

 didn't check yoru blog until today.

Ill call you on tuesday

Oct 09, 2006 03:15 PM
Sara Lipnitz
Max Broock Realtors - Birmingham, MI

Todd,

Thank you for the kind words.  I really appreciate it.

JP,

Please call.  Maureen & I miss you.

Oct 09, 2006 04:02 PM
"The Lovely Wife" The One And Only TLW.
President-Tutas Towne Realty, Inc. - Kissimmee, FL

"The Lovely Sara"

I am not sure how I missed this...Thanks for the homeage.

Must be all that "Doing" I have been Doing. I done missed this!

Will you be keeping my "Lesson Learned" or shall I coin a new phrase?

What is that they say about Love and Eterntity.

P.S. Great photo of you and your Dad!

TLW "The Lovely Wife"...Kum La Ka Lakka...ROAR!

Oct 13, 2006 12:15 AM
Haven Realtors
Haven Realtors - Bloomfield, MI
Sara, where are you?  Out doing?
Oct 27, 2006 01:57 PM