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I Give Thee Seven, No, Eight Commandments!

By
Mortgage and Lending with Guaranteed Rate NMLS# 2611 NMLS #208860

tenOK.  It's January 4th and if we're honest, many of the resolutions we made, both personal and business, have been compromised.  We've snuck some chocolate, slept through our alarm rather than go to the gym, and chewed on our fingernails in a nervous moment.  But take heart!  If you set goals that are measured by the week, there is still hope.  So I present to you, my 8 Commandments for 2008!

I. Thou shalt return phone calls within 2 hours.  We all say we're good communicators, but prove it.

II. Thou shalt return essential e-mails the same day.  What good is e-mail unless you make it your friend?  There's nothing more impressive than a quick response.

III. Thou shalt write five thank-you notes a week.  So much to be thankful for, so little actual thanking.  Reach out to your referral partners and clients and show them some love.

IV. Thou shalt talk with at least 25 people a week about mortgages.  And keep track of this on some kind of tracking form.  Basic sales math.  25 talk-tos = 5 leads = 2.5 meet & presents = 1.5 applications/listings = 1 closed transaction.

V. Thou shalt drink at least (4) 8 oz. glasses of water a day.  If you're body isn't hydrated, your brain doesn't work.  If your brain doesn't work, your hurtin for certain.  Drink away.

VI. Thou shalt run at least 10 miles a week.  I'd rather watch other people run, but we all need to do something to relieve stress, create energy, and gain perspective.  Running (or walking) is the least complicated activity I can think of and you can do it anywhere.

VII. Thou shalt do 500 sit-ups a week.  Self-image plays such a huge part in our confidence level.  You want to be successful in real estate?  Tame your body.  Feel good about yourself.  I'll never be able to do my own laundry on my washboard abs, but I don't want to lose track of my feet either.

VIII. Thou shalt post to your blog 5 times a week.  Why?  Isn't that a waste of time?  Shouldn't I be working right now?  Slap your hand with a ruler for thinking such a thing.  Your effectiveness as a person comes from your daily disciplines.  Connecting your brain to words makes you stronger.   Reaching out to others can only benefit you.  I've made dozens of friends in the past few weeks since joining AR and I'm looking forward to making many more and figuring out how we can help each other have the best year ever!  Amen!

Show All Comments Sort:
Mike Tullio
Guaranteed Rate NMLS# 2611 - Sarasota, FL
VP of Mortgage Lending
Hey Andrew.  Do you mean you'd like to eat more apple pie and ice cream or banish it from your diet?  I'm more of a chocolate chip pie fan myself.  Glad you enjoyed the post; try to come up with your own list and then share it with someone so you have some accountability.  That takes it to the next level.  Have a great day!
Jan 04, 2008 01:43 AM
Jim Skal
Victorian Finance, LLC - Pittsburgh, PA
Beautiful Mike!  I'm already doing alot of them, physical and mental.  Got the spiritual covered to...the most important.  If Andrew thought you a bit irreverent, I wonder what that makes my post today?
Jan 04, 2008 03:23 AM
Mike Tullio
Guaranteed Rate NMLS# 2611 - Sarasota, FL
VP of Mortgage Lending
Hey Jim.  Thanks for stopping by.  Funny how goal-oriented people find kindred spirits.  Glad to hear you've got your own stone tablets and I couldn't agree more with having spiritual focus as well.  I'll be sure to check out your post today.  Later brother.
Jan 04, 2008 06:35 AM
Jim Skal
Victorian Finance, LLC - Pittsburgh, PA

Mike!!!   Happy Saturday....  I am sitting in the office whilst our tech guy cuts us over to a new server...fingers crossed...kneeling.   Here is my favorite of the "Thou shalts" -

VIII. Thou shalt post to your blog 5 times a week.  Why?  Isn't that a waste of time?  Shouldn't I be working right now?  Slap your hand with a ruler for thinking such a thing.  Your effectiveness as a person comes from your daily disciplines.  Connecting your brain to words makes you stronger.   Reaching out to others can only benefit you.  I've made dozens of friends in the past few weeks since joining AR and I'm looking forward to making many more and figuring out how we can help each other have the best year ever!  Amen!    

All of it excellent, but one piece in particular...Reaching out.  I have been inviting, among others, realtors that I know.  Some well seasoned, others much less so.  A newer gal in the biz joined this past week.  Here is what she emailed to me last night,   "Hey Jim. I just got a great referral request from Active Rain. If it pans out, it will be a pretty good deal. I'll make sure to talk to you if we get that far. Carol"

Now, is that cool or what!?!?!?!?!  It's a beautiful thing when we reach out and someone else is helped.  That's what you are doing, brother.  Keep it up and I will go and do likewise!

 

Jan 05, 2008 12:00 AM
Mike Tullio
Guaranteed Rate NMLS# 2611 - Sarasota, FL
VP of Mortgage Lending
Hey Jim!  Great news on the relationship with Carol.  Some people just get it.  You really do reap what you sow.  Thanks for sharing your success and stay warm up there this weekend!
Jan 05, 2008 02:32 AM
Kate Bourland
Marketing with Kate - Redding, CA
Onlilne Marketing Mobile Marketing
I shall violate Commanment VI and VII, but the rest I'll live by.  Good post, I'm am truly going to enjoy reading your blog. 
Jan 05, 2008 07:14 AM
Mike Tullio
Guaranteed Rate NMLS# 2611 - Sarasota, FL
VP of Mortgage Lending
Hi Kate!  Your response cracked me up.  I suppose we all have our own spin on how to take care of ourselves, but if we don't, our body will remind us eventually!  Glad we have a mutual enjoyment club as I look forward to reading your blog as well.  Have a great week!
Jan 06, 2008 01:09 AM
Jackie - computer-training-atlanta.com
770.498.7333 - Atlanta, GA
Learn to leverage technology to get more done.
Mike - These are great commandments!  Mind if I print them out and post them in my office? Mind if I walk instead of run? :-)
Jan 06, 2008 04:03 AM
Mike Tullio
Guaranteed Rate NMLS# 2611 - Sarasota, FL
VP of Mortgage Lending
Good morning Jackie!  Print away.  Even better, let's try to keep these together.  No problem on the walk vs. run; I may do a combination so my heart doesn't explode.  Thanks for the comment and have a great week.
Jan 07, 2008 12:16 AM