I have the extreme pleasure of being married to a residential architect.. and this is not the first time in our lives we've had to adjust to the winds of the economy. I've learned to roll with the punches and take each day as it comes. These times provide a new opportunity to be better at what you do.
Every day I meet agents who have never experienced a major economic shift like we are seeing right now. They are struggling to make it- and many have gone back to prior industries that offer benefits, a regular paycheck and stability. It's a natural event when you work in an economically based industry - and it does weed out those who are opportunistic vs. those who chose to make this their profession.
But what about the rest of us?
When times get rough- we should learn to use this to our benefit. As my accountant ( ah.. the sage man that he is) always reminds me " Take this time to work on your short game".
We have such a hard time allowing ourselves to take a break from the adrenalin. So many of us live in a constant state of realtor crisis- a condition that I find common among our ranks.
So what should we do when the business is a bit off ? It's a great opportunity to reevaluate your marketing methods, work on your database, take classes you've been meaning to get to and most of all- stay focused on the things that will help you get through this.
It's a great time to have workshops with your co workers, invite agent friends from other companies to lunch and to touch base with your past clients who might wonder how this market is playing out.
It's also a great time to focus on your own home and family- both areas that can use more attention than they often get when we are busy. I laugh to myself at home inspections when I think about how my own house would fare should I be the seller! Don't I need that faucet repaired? Did I ever change the filter in the attic HVAC unit? And.. how about your kids? Did you ever take them on that hike you promised or did your open house have to come first? How about that visit tto the newest vineyard with your spouse or just a day of relaxation and laughter with your friends and family.
If you've covered all of the above- there are plenty of volunteering opportunities you can take part in and believe me- here in Arlington Virginia where I live- there are many groups that could use your help.
Learning to use the hard times to be better at what you do, who you are and what you give - seems like it would be common sense, but it isn't.
Good things can come from looking inside and reorganizing your 'house'.
We spend hours helping our sellers ' get ready' for the market by house cleaning, organizing and getting prepared.
So remember- it's the perfect time to do that both professionally and personally.
We'll all survive this shift- by focusing on the positive things we can do that generate good energy.
As a collective group- we need to send that energy back out into the market place. Thinking gloom and doom and woe is me- will only help it to form roots ain our collective consciousness.
Let's try and look for all the good things we have and what we can do over the next few months and shift the power we hold as agents.
Call me crazy- but if you tell people things are bad- they believe it! The newspapers continue to discourage sellers and encourage buyers ( and some agents) behave badly.
Well.. I'm not going there and hope you aren't either.
Anyhow... thanks for stopping by... but I've got to go now.
This afternoon I'm working on my short game.......Warmest regard, Kathy
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