Definition of Insanity

By
Services for Real Estate Pros with Aim 4 Order LLC

Who remembers Einstein's famous definition of insanity? Doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results! 

And that's what leads to today's blog post - yesterday I had the pleasure of working with a widow whose husband died in 2017. It was a very sad and quick death and she had been unable to tackle the piles and piles of accumulated paper since 2017. Whenever she needed to tidy up, she'd stuff the papers and mail into boxes and bags, never seeing the light of day. Now that it's tax time (again), she was willing to ask for help to get her taxes (2017, 2018 and 2019) in order to present to her accountant. In a matter of 3.5 hours, we were able to open, sort and nearly organize the many, many, many important papers from the past 3 years. Among the papers were overdue speeding tickets, unpaid bills, property tax bills. Can you imagine the stress that all of this must have caused over these past 3 years? We'll finish up the rest this week, but for now, she has a plan in place to confront and complete these dreaded tasks.

I am always so inspired by people who recognize they are 'doing the same thing over and over again' and not making headway, and become wiling to ask for help. It fills my cup, so to speak, to be the agent of change in situations like these. 

So - the message for today - is there something that we are doing over and over again and not getting the results we crave? I'd have to answer yes to that in my own life and just by writing this blog, I know my next step is to ask for help!

Happy Tuesday to all,

Cindy

 

More about Cindy Bernstein of Aim 4 Order 

In 2004, Cindy launched Aim 4 Order LLC, A Professional Organizing Service in Baltimore, Maryland. Cindy’s mission is to help people feel better about their homes, their offices and themselves by reducing the stress and strain caused by cluttered spaces. 

Cindy helps people downsize, organize and move. Her husband, Howard, a retired CPA, is now a full time eBay Top Seller; a great added service for Aim 4 Order clients and others in the community interested in making money from items they no longer need.

Sign up for Cindy's monthly e-newsletter "Tips and Tricks" to regularly hear helpful suggestions and fun stories of life in the trenches. Contact Cindy at cindy@aim4order.com or visit www.aim4order.com for more information.

Comments (12)

Sham Reddy CRS
Howard Hanna RE Services, Dayton, OH - Dayton, OH
CRS

Great message!

I am always so inspired by people who recognize they are 'doing the same thing over and over again' and not making headway, and become wiling to ask for help. It fills my cup, so to speak, to be the agent of change in situations like these. 

Feb 04, 2020 03:33 AM
Cindy Bernstein

Thanks so much!

Feb 05, 2020 08:15 PM
Wayne Martin
Wayne M Martin - Chicago, IL
Real Estate Broker - Retired

Good morning Cindy. Every once in awhile it is time to review tht definition. Enjoy your day! 

Feb 04, 2020 04:20 AM
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
Los Angeles Pasadena 818.516.4393

Hello Cindy - sometimes it takes a knowledgeable skill set and smart organization to efficiently address an issue.  That seems to have worked in the case you shared with us today.  

Feb 04, 2020 04:27 AM
Cindy Bernstein

Thanks for your kind comment and happy Thursday to you

Feb 05, 2020 08:17 PM
Nina Hollander, Broker
Coldwell Banker Realty - Charlotte, NC
Your Greater Charlotte Realtor

Good morning, Cindy... at the end of the day each individual has to recognize for him or herself at what point they are acting in an insane manner... till there is that recognition there won't be change.

Feb 04, 2020 04:43 AM
Cindy Bernstein

So true!

Feb 05, 2020 08:18 PM
Michael J. Perry
KW Elite - Lancaster, PA
Lancaster, PA Relo Specialist

Many get trapped in unsuccessful behaviors. I’ve seen people who were once cluttered by paperwork eventually become clutter with plastic containers!!!

Feb 04, 2020 05:46 AM
Cindy Bernstein

Ah yes- cluttering is definitely a transferable skill

Feb 05, 2020 08:19 PM
Kat Palmiotti
406-270-3667, kat@thehousekat.com, Broker/REALTOR® - Kalispell, MT
Helping your Montana dreams take root

It is important for people to realize when they need help to effect change. Some people never realize.

Have a wonderful day!

Feb 04, 2020 05:54 AM
Cindy Bernstein

Happy Thursday to you

Feb 05, 2020 08:20 PM
Cathy Starkweather
La Rosa Realty, LLC. - Celebration, FL

Hi Cindy, I find myself using this phrase often in life (personally, with family and others). I had a home owner that wanted to sell, she'd clean one room up; move it all to another room instead of donating and tossing what was no longer needed. This happened several times when I'd stop by to check in. It was a delicate situation to discuss with her as she was a widow. I suggested, let's go through one quarter of a room together. I took a car load of donations to her church thrift store for her that day. I checked in a few days later and she'd gotten through the rest of the room and had donations for the church, which I gladly took for her right away. I returned and we started the next room together. It was an extremely emotional and touching experience for both of us. We stay in close touch even though she has moved many states away to be close to her children and grandchildren.

Feb 04, 2020 05:57 AM
Margaret Rome Baltimore 410-530-2400

Cathy Starkweather Love how you were able to help this seller.


Just left you a message. Your comment would make a good stand-alone blog.

Feb 04, 2020 01:47 PM
Cindy Bernstein

Thanks for sharing your beautiful story. This is why we love what we do!

Feb 05, 2020 08:21 PM
Wanda Kubat-Nerdin - Wanda Can!
Red Rock Real Estate (435) 632-9374 - St. George, UT
St. George Utah Area Residential Sales Agent

Sometimes we get stuck, especially after a traumatic experience. Glad you are able to help people move forward in a positive direction Cindy. Good post and thanks again for the follow!

Feb 04, 2020 06:33 AM
Cindy Bernstein

Thank you Wanda! Looking forward to reading more of your posts 

Feb 05, 2020 08:22 PM
Ron and Alexandra Seigel
Napa Consultants - Carpinteria, CA
Luxury Real Estate Branding, Marketing & Strategy

Cindy,

Change is one the hardest things to deal with regardless of how old you are.  We recently interviewed someone who said "they wanted to change their business methodology", but were afreaid they would not follow through...A

Feb 04, 2020 08:58 AM
Cindy Bernstein

For some folks, we plant a seed and no telling when it may sprout 

Feb 05, 2020 08:23 PM
Patricia Feager, MBA, CRS, GRI,MRP
DFW FINE PROPERTIES - Flower Mound, TX
Selling Homes Changing Lives

Asking for help takes courage. Those that are willing to help are angels in disguise. Being a widow is very challenging and can suck the life out of you. It takes an understanding person who won't judge but will help assist with the project to get it done. 

Cindy, you are an angel. 

Feb 04, 2020 11:53 AM
Cindy Bernstein

Wow- thank you for the beautiful compliment. Have a wonderful Thursday 

Feb 05, 2020 08:24 PM
Margaret Rome Baltimore 410-530-2400
HomeRome Realty 410-530-2400 - Pikesville, MD
Sell Your Home With Margaret Rome

 Cindy Bernstein So glad to see that you are continuing to participate in AR. Love your message...sometimes we just have to ask for help.

Feb 04, 2020 01:50 PM
Cindy Bernstein

Thank YOU for introducing me to this incredibly warm and kind community!!! And special thanks for sending your cousin our way! You are an angel

Feb 05, 2020 08:26 PM
Joe Pryor
The Virtual Real Estate Team - Oklahoma City, OK
REALTOR® - Oklahoma Investment Properties

The one thing I always depenbd on is change. Staying the same is not an option.

Feb 04, 2020 06:47 PM
Cindy Bernstein

Yes- change is the only thing we can count on.

Feb 05, 2020 08:26 PM