Are You Too Fat For Real Estate?
This is something I've been thinking about a lot lately. Maybe it's because I'm getting up there in years and there's a zero at the end of my age now... or maybe it's because the business side of this is finally sinking in... either way, it's something I'm no longer willing to settle for in my life!
Think back to the last time you went to a networking event. There's 30 people in the room that you don't know but are all potential clients. You see 2 different people standing alone. One is overweight, the other is not. Who are you most likely to see as a viable business associate?
You can't judge a book by it's cover!
But we do every day! When you walk into Books-A-Million to find a book on a subject, you go to that section and there are probably hundreds of books available to choose from. How do you pick one? Based on the title and the cover design... yes, by it's cover. The best book in the world might be sitting there on the shelf, but if it's plain, un-interesting, disheveled and torn, you're not even going to look, are you?
Same thing with business. When we first meet with a potential client, vendor, employee or employer, some kind of opinion is formed on them in the first few seconds.
(let me now make a big disclaimer: this article is NOT intended to hurt anyone's feelings... I am trying to let it sink in... and I'm coming from a place of realizing that I need to work on this as well)
A while back I was interviewing for a managerial/supervisory job opening. On paper the person was perfect. When the person actually came in for a chat though, they were extremely overweight. The first thing that crossed my mind was "will other people respect and follow this person?"
What does it take to lose weight?
We all know the answer... eat less, move more! So if you KNOW what to do, why don't you do it? So maybe our clients are thinking "they may KNOW how to do short sales but maybe they don't do it or do it well!" These are subconscious thoughts that go through their head the minute they meet you and then you are in a hole you have to immediately dig out of with your brilliance and knowledge. Wouldn't it just be easier to start NOT in a hole?
If all else was equal between you and another agent the client is considering working with, they will pick the not overweight choice each time because they are perceived as more professional and more disciplined.
We pick the cutest puppy out of the litter at the pet store, we pick the healthiest looking lobster out of the aquarium at the seafood restaurant, we pick the most attractive person at a speed dating event, and we pick the "in shape" person to do business with over the "out of shape" person every single time!
How seriously will YOU be taken?
Some of you will read this and say "I don't care what people think" and that's ok. Over the years I've had many friends in many different industries see their income go up as the lose weight. Is it a real phenomenon? Is it all in their head? I don't care either way... but I've made the conscious decision to change this one part of my life that I have complete control over.
If you're ready to make a change too, check out www.fitwithtim.myvi.net
If you're in the Central Florida area... email me about our walking, weight loss and fitness groups we've started. Accountability leads to success!
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