We all have moments of doubt, anger, frustration . . . and a burning desire for “things to be different.”

We might stew in our wonderment as to how we have gotten ourselves into this uncomfortable spot coupled by a fear of “facing the music” through standing up for CHANGE!

Only the “Vital Few” of our population will muster the courage to take action.

Whether it be from a feeling of last resort desperation or sheer heroism, these gallant folks choose FIGHT over flight (or oppression).

There are myriad reasons NOT to take a stand.

“They” might label you as a “rabble rouser” or “activist” or “trouble maker” . . . or (GASP!) a “NONCONFORMIST”

We all have this choice/option to take ACTION and effect CHANGE . . . or we can swelter in our discomfort along with the “Mass of men” as Henry D. Thoreau so poignantly captures:

“The mass of men lead lives of quiet desperation. What is called resignation is confirmed desperation. From the desperate city you go into the desperate country, and have to console yourself with the bravery of minks and muskrats. A stereotyped but unconscious despair is concealed even under what are called the games and amusements of mankind. There is no play in them, for this comes after work. But it is a characteristic of wisdom not to do desperate things.”

Seth Godin’s post this morning inspired me . . . Shouting into the wind . . . in which he says:

“The most devastating thing we can learn about our power is how much of it we have. How much change we could make if we would only speak up first, not last.”

I end this with a challenge for you to designate yourself to be one of these “Vital Few” folks who stands up and makes a difference . . . because it IS that simple . . . you can designate yourself as such simply by choosing to take appropriate action.

You already have the power and don’t need permission to wield it.

I offer you this set of “Training Wheels” from the “Law of 2 Feet” – Open Space Technology

“If at any time you find yourself in a place where you are neither contributing nor receiving anything of value, than it is YOUR responsibility to use your 2 feet to take yourself to a place where you CAN contributing or receive value – be useful!”

5 years ago today September 14, 2010, I “Birthed” Pareto Realty from my pure passion around the notion that there’s a better way to run a Real Estate Sales Firm.

I pledged always to keep it simple . . . and always to focus on the 20% (Vital Few – Pareto Principle).

There have been many “tests” along the way of my resolve.

At any point in the past 5 years, I could have compromised my commitment of simplicity and Vital Few and would likely have grown the company larger faster, but then it wouldn’t be the firm we now have NOW.

I am SO proud of  the firm we have built . . . and SO excited for the coming years as celebrate our Birthday today and take possession of a new office space in Green Hills.

All because I overcame my reluctance to stand up and claim my personal power in the face of a veritable gauntlet (Depressed Real Estate Market and economy).

So . . .

What’s burning inside YOU NOW?

I hereby grant you permission (not that you need it) to go ahead and stand up and TAKE ACTION!

You’re gonna SOAR . . . I just KNOW it!

b

About Barry Owen

Residential Real Estate Principal Broker and Founder of Pareto Realty, LLC. Creating the quintessential real estate firm with emphasis on "Live, Work, & Play" balance . . . and a true Performance Oriented environment for Real Estate Professionals. Serving the Real estate needs of Home Buyers and Sellers in Middle Tennessee.