Counting My Blessings in 2020

October Challenge Post 1- To Think Is To Create 

Counting My Blessings In 2020

We have all heard the old saying is the glass half empty or half full?  Wikipedia references the phrase this way: “(this) is a common expression, a proverbial phrase, generally used rhetorically to indicate that a particular situation could be a cause for pessimism (half empty) or optimism (half full), or as a general litmus test to simply determine an individual's worldview.^[1] The purpose of the question is to demonstrate that the situation may be seen in different ways depending on one's point of view and that there may be an opportunity in the situation as well as trouble”.  

The Glass Is Always Full… 

The glass is always full…This sums up my view of 2020 as well as my worldview. I take the approach that unless you are talking about a glass that is floating in outer space or is inside a vacuum chamber, it is full of air.  this makes the glass always full. Negativity or pessimism has no place in my life. I just won't allow it!  I have always believed that there is a silver lining in every rain cloud. When things don't go as planned, I ask the questions, what did I learn from this?  How can I make it better? 

I don’t believe I can get anything done if I do not look at the subject in an optimistic and forward-thinking manner.  I learned a long time ago in the corporate world that the only constant in life is CHANGE! Those who do not embrace change well will have difficulty throughout life while those who do embrace change will continue to make adjustments to address it head-on. 

I think this quote covers it well.

“What is the difference between an obstacle and an opportunity? Our attitude toward it. Every opportunity has a difficulty, and every difficulty has an opportunity.”– J. Sidlow Baxter

 When this all started, I already had a couple of sales in the pipeline and a brand new listing.  So when the phone stopped ringing for about 2 weeks in March, I spent my time calling friends, relatives, and clients.  All I wanted to know was, “How are you doing? How is your family?  How has the pandemic affected you? Is there anything I can do to help you?” My clients asked me the same questions and wanted to know how the real estate market was doing as well. My outlook was optimistic and continues to show that every day. 

Arizona Never Flinched - Real Estate IS an Essential Business

After about two weeks, the phone started ringing again. Of course, some of those clients I spoke with had specific questions that I needed to do research on. You see, Arizona never shut down the real estate industry.  We have been considered an essential business.  Our governor laid out general guidelines consistent with CDC guidelines and each MLS as well as individual brokerages made decisions on how best to deal with this challenge. Our government knew that the real estate business could make thoughtful and responsible decisions to conduct business and keep everyone safe.  

What I Did To Adjust My Business

During the two weeks of reaching out to all,  I let clients know what was going on and wanted to find out how they felt about showing their properties.  I told each what I would do for safety and each client wanted to continue to show their property.  

1. Frank and Candid Communication 
2. Adjustment of Marketing Strategy for Buyers and Sellers
1. Paid advertising was curtailed. I also looked at marketing in different areas that understood my needs and gave discounts due to the pandemic. 
2. I did continue to use the Coldwell Banker vendors for postcard mailers.
3. Moving forward - Thanksgiving cards will be going out after the election is over. 
4. Companies such as Yelp and advertising at golf courses as well as church bulletins, I sent packing!  Golf courses were shut down and so were churches but that didn’t stop them from billing me for services they were not providing. 
3. Follow All Pandemic Guidelines and Client Wishes

1. Rick and I created a template for making virtual showings.  I did share a couple of blogs with my videos.  One of the videos shows me wearing masks, gloves. See the image below.
2. Rick recently purchased a DJI OM4 - with 3 point gimbal and a mic and receiver for me while doing virtual showings. 
1. Continue to apply the “Glass is Always Full” Optimistic View

Counting My Blessings

Not only is it humbling, but I am very fortunate to have clients who keep coming back to me. I reached my 2020 goal in late August so I adjusted my goals to a much higher level and I am continuing to work with clients to meet my new goals.  

If I have time before Halloween, I will share my listing and buyer strategies in more detail. My third blog will be about why we do what we do.  It’s all about family.