If you can’t breathe, nothing else matters.

By
Real Estate Broker/Owner with Richard Weisser Realty

If you can’t breathe, nothing else matters.If you have ever “had the wind knocked out of you” or had a bad choking episode, you understand that if you can’t breathe, nothing else matters.

If you can’t draw a breath, you will not be thinking about getting a contract extension signed or whether or not you will get the earnest money on time. Your entire being will be focused on survival.

In dealing with any crisis, one must establish priorities. There is little point in dealing with minutia if a deal is on life support. It is essential that the most critical issues be resolved with a sense of urgency.

Because time is of the essence, and it waits for no one.

Comments (20)

Larry Story
Total Care Realty - Greensboro, NC
Total Care Realty, LLC, Greensboro, NC Real Estate

Richard,

Oh so true. It really does have a tendency to narrow your vision and make you focus on what is important at that moment.

Sep 18, 2010 01:40 AM
Steve Hoffacker
Steve Hoffacker LLC - West Palm Beach, FL
Certified Aging In Place Specialist-Instructor

Richard,

Fantastic analogy. I remember the first time I hjad the winf knocked out of me as a kid - scary. :)

Steve

Sep 18, 2010 01:41 AM
Barbara Todaro
RE/MAX Executive Realty - Retired - Franklin, MA
Previously Affiliated with The Todaro Team

it's the theory of relativity....at any one moment, one thing is more important than another......

Sep 18, 2010 01:44 AM
Marian Goetzinger
Pine Knoll Shores Realty 252-422-9000 - Pine Knoll Shores, NC
Crystal Coast Real Estate NC

Amen Dear Friend!

Sep 18, 2010 01:53 AM
Russell Lewis
Realty Austin, Austin Texas Real Estate - Austin, TX
Broker,CLHMS,GRI

True and sadly when a person is struggling to breath, that's the only thing that matters. Good advice, we should all take a deep breath, step back and then start again. Have a good weekend!

Sep 18, 2010 01:59 AM
Diane Osowiecki
Diane O and Friends - Benchmark Realty - Franklin, TN
Greater Nashville Real Estate

I had a wise women once quickly listen to my tale of the days sad events and how this happened and then that happened.  She leaned back in her chair and said, "How important is it?  Will you remember it in 3 days, 3 months 3 years?"

Sep 18, 2010 02:15 AM
Brian Rugg
Rugg Realty LLC Sun City Texas 512-818-6700 - Georgetown, TX
Sun City TX Real Estate - Georgetown, TX Real Est

Hello Richard:

 

Not sure where you got the inspiration for this post, but it does tell the real story. There is a time for details and a time for a 40K ft view.  I have suggested.

Sep 18, 2010 02:22 AM
Don MacLean
New England Real Estate Center Inc. - Easton, MA
Realtor-Homes for Sale- Easton, Mass 02356

In most cases it's easier to revive a body than a deal lol

Enjoy the day

Sep 18, 2010 02:31 AM
Steve Loynd
Alpine Lakes Real Estate Inc., - Lincoln, NH
800-926-5653, White Mountains NH

Richard, I tell my agents you must resuscitate the heart of the matter before you can sprint to the finish line.

Sep 18, 2010 02:32 AM
TeamCHI - Complete Home Inspections, Inc.
Complete Home Inspections, Inc. - Brentwood, TN
Home Inspectons - Nashville, TN area - 615.661.029

When we are gasping for breath, it is difficult to focus on anything but another life sustaining gulp...

Sep 18, 2010 02:33 AM
Dorie Dillard Austin TX
Coldwell Banker Realty ~ 512.750.6899 - Austin, TX
NW Austin ~ Canyon Creek and Spicewood/Balcones

Good morning Richard,

Time is of the essence and it is so true it waits for no one!

Sep 18, 2010 03:40 AM
Gary L. Waters Broker Associate, Bucci Realty
Bucci Realty, Inc. - Melbourne, FL
Fifteen Years Experience in Brevard County

I have been in some contract negotiations where I felt like my breath had been knocked out! Time is really of essence.

Sep 18, 2010 04:00 AM
Chris Ann Cleland
Long and Foster REALTORS®, Gainesville, VA - Bristow, VA
Associate Broker, Bristow, VA

Richard:  I hope this is an analogy and not taken from recent experience.  Yes, focusing on the crisis at hand will narrow your vision. 

Sep 18, 2010 05:07 AM
Leslie Prest
Leslie Prest, Prest Realty, Sales and Rentals in Payson, AZ - Payson, AZ
Owner, Assoc. Broker, Prest Realty, Payson,

My Dad died, over 10 years time, from emphysema, so I have a special appreciation for "can't breathe". It does take precedence, and I do take your point.

Sep 18, 2010 06:43 AM
Paula McDonald, Ph.D.
Beam & Branch Realty - Granbury, TX
Granbury, TX 936-203-0279

Since I just recovered from open lung surgery to remove a large tumor, I can say first handedly that breathing is essential.  When you can no longer take a deep breath, you gain an appreciation for something we have all taken for granted.

Sep 18, 2010 07:48 AM
William Feela
WHISPERING PINES REALTY - North Branch, MN
Realtor, Whispering Pines Realty 651-674-5999 No.
Richard. I have several deals that are choking. Hopefully they get a shot of air otherwise there is going to be a funeral
Sep 18, 2010 08:18 AM
Mike Saunders
Lanier Partners - Athens, GA

As a former childhood asthma sufferer, before there were the medications that actually worked, I can entirely agree, if you can't breathe, nothing else matters. Take care of the big stuf first.

Sep 18, 2010 10:29 AM
Cameron Wilson
Labrum Real Estate - Murrieta, CA
The Short Guy - Murrieta,Temecula,Menifee Californ

Most of the transactions today require some CPR to keep them alive. After doing that it's time to move on and tackle the bigger things to breath life into them.

Sep 18, 2010 12:35 PM
Rene Fabre
First American Title - Seattle, WA
Marketing in the Digital Age

When I was young and rather cocky... I turned out for football... Note: I'm only 5' 4", 140 pounds (still). And, a musician to boot, not a jock... But, I turn out (thinking I can do anything anytime)... I lasted 2 days... On the second day, Pete Peterson, 6' 1" about 245 hits me hard with a tackle. It's true, I saw stars... I was frozen in agony. I couldn't exhale or inhale, and I could feel every nerve in my body, every nerve! The seconds seemed to be hours...

Lesson learned... not just what to avoid, but what needs immediate attention... Love the way the light streams in your photo...

Sep 18, 2010 01:21 PM
Keith Sellers
Sellers Real Estate - Kalamazoo, MI
Greater Kalamazoo and Lakeshore

That's a great pic, and my days here are numbered, and not too many!

Sep 19, 2010 03:38 AM

What's the reason you're reporting this blog entry?

Are you sure you want to report this blog entry as spam?