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Stop Look and Listen! Lessons Learned Challenge

By
Real Estate Broker/Owner with Retired Broker/Owner AZ Broker BR030809000

Stop Look and Listen!

 

Bet you had to stop a moment and wonder what these crazy people were all about!  I had to laugh when I saw it this afternoon!  I was going  through photos thinking about what I wanted to write about for the August Challenge.

And les voila  - this photo popped up!

 

Years ago I was involved in a rather intensive Leadership Group which offered lots of opportunities to grow ones life and business. I staffed these seminars and led many groups as did Gary.  In fact, that is how Gary and I met, staffing seminars!  Plenty of great stories about that....for a later time!

 

So how did this photo came about, you ask, when this post is supposedly about Embracing Lessons Learned!! Well..... the gal in the middle (Ramona) was returning home from a week long leadership seminar for her very first time. The rest of us in the photo had been through and on staff for the same seminar many times.  And of course, since we were picking her up from the airport, we thought, why not dress up like Phoenix Snowbirds to welcome her home - doesn't everyone!!  I'm sure it all makes sense now, right!!! 😊

 

OMG we had a blast from beginning to end both at the airport and afterwards at the restaurant. Every one at the airport and the restaurant wanted to know 'all about the fun' we were having together! In fact many folks said- WE want what you're having - more fun! Opportunities galore that day to lighten and light up the crowd! Personally I learned how to do this really well, back in those days and it has served me well both in biz and life.

 

One thing I learned is to  have fun - CHOOSE HAPPY - in whatever way you want - and do it with friends too!  Life is short so why not be silly (when appropriate) and have fun! This was a very tiny snippet of what we taught in the leadership courses.

 

Some attendees had a real tough time of letting go of their business facade - at first. But little by little they came around and started to lighten up.  It opened their eyes to being aware of just how rigid they had become in some ways. Some folks simply thought things 'had to be a certain way' and that was that. Period.  And at one point I probably did too on some topics! That all shifted along the way for me, as things are always changing.  It's how we learn to roll with the changes that makes the difference. When I would see and experience the 'JOY' in the seminar attendees  eyes - I knew the light bulb moment had arrived. They got IT. That moment truly was a gift to behold.

 

Now don't get me wrong I absolutely know how to be in total leadership mode.  That, for years was my normal business mode on a regular basis.   I also had a funny streak, which started when I was a kid as my Mom was hilarious. And, my first broker also had a funny side and used it well to promote the company and all his agents. Not only did I stop, look and listen to his mentorship, I learned so much and continue to learn, to this day.  As my Mom used to say, when you're through learning, you're through!  So have fun and bring joy along the journey kids!

 

 

Stop look and listen every once in awhile!  Shake things up, have more fun and bring a smile to those around you.  You just might be surprised what you learn and what you see happening by experiencing the 'joy' in peoples eyes around you!  It truly can be life changing and a gift to behold.

 

Miss Carol Williams and myself would love to hear about YOUR lessons learned both in business and your life! 

Enter the August Challenge - Embracing Life's Challenges

 

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Comments(40)

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Lawrence "Larry" & Sheila Agranoff. Cell: 631-805-4400
The Top Team @ Charles Rutenberg Realty 255 Executive Dr, Plainview NY 11803 - Plainview, NY
Long Island Condo and Home Specialists

Anna, So much fun...Joy should indeed be a part of life and business. Too much seriousness is no good for anyone. That's why we also sprinkle a little humor in our daily existence too!

Aug 05, 2023 01:34 PM
Anna "Banana" Kruchten

Lawrence "Larry" & Sheila Agranoff. Cell: 631-805-4400 you two so get this aspect of creating a fun and joyful life!  Loved your post entry!

Aug 05, 2023 05:20 PM
Kathy Streib
Cypress, TX
Retired Home Stager/Redesign

Aug 05, 2023 06:15 PM
Anna "Banana" Kruchten

Thanks Miss Kathy for spreading the joy of life!!

Aug 05, 2023 09:00 PM
Thom Abbott
MyMidtownMojo.com |770.713.1505 | Intown Atlanta GA Condo Living - Atlanta, GA
Midtown Atlanta GA Condos For Sale

I know I don't have fun as often as I should. Real estate is one stressful business. Stressful if you are not busy, worried about where the next "deal" is coming from. Stressful if you are busy that you don't miss a step or drop a ball if you have multiple things going on at the same time. 

I'm trying to pay more attention to my surroundings and look for little joys! 

Aug 06, 2023 05:10 AM
Anna "Banana" Kruchten

Thom Abbott well it really is all about what you chose to think.  Mind over matter is a powerful tool to develop.  And you're on the way when you purposely take time to look for and enjoy the little things that bring you JOY! Good for you for taking those small 'joy breaks'.  I like that - joy breaks!

Aug 07, 2023 10:23 AM
Eileen Burns 954.483.3912
Trans State Commercial Realty Inc. - Fort Lauderdale, FL
FLorida Real Estate Connector

What a wonderful greeting for Ramona😎  Most folks do not have a focus on happy so they may never reach that threshold.  It is all about the company you keep.  A real gift to behold. We have a Palm Beach Active Rain meetup hosted by Kathy Streib and one of our members appeared with all kinds of different hats for us to wear during our lunch.  Memories made😎 Let the good times roll

Aug 06, 2023 06:55 AM
Anna "Banana" Kruchten

LOL I had to laugh Eileen Burns your Palm Beach meetups sound much like many of our Phoenix meetups were - fun!  With a tad of more fun inserted - ok a lot of fun 🥳  In fact they still are to this day!

Aug 07, 2023 10:25 AM
Ed Silva, 203-206-0754
Mapleridge Realty, CT 203-206-0754 - Waterbury, CT
Associate Real Estate Broker

Well you convinced me. From now on I am going to live life looser and try to learn to smile.

Aug 06, 2023 12:29 PM
Anna "Banana" Kruchten

Ed (Edward) Silva, 203-206-0754 you are too funny.  I clearly remember you smiling ear to ear when you were in Phoenix almost 10 years ago now!  Bring up gold and smiles were plenty!!

Aug 06, 2023 01:36 PM
Lynn B. Friedman CRS Atlanta, GA 404-617-6375
Atlanta Homes ODAT Realty - Love our Great City - Love our Clients! Buckhead - Midtown - Westside - Atlanta, GA
Concierge Service for Our Atlanta Sellers & Buyers

Love the idea -- "CHOOSE HAPPY". It is a choice, isn't it? Hope you are well. Lynn

Aug 06, 2023 08:26 PM
Anna "Banana" Kruchten

It is indeed a choice in every moment Lynn B. Friedman CRS Atlanta, GA 404-939-2727 !  And it's so good to see you!  Feels like it's been awhile, but then, I was offline for a bit this summer.  Happy Monday!

Aug 06, 2023 08:57 PM
Nick Vandekar, 610-203-4543
Realty ONE Group Advocates 484-237-2055 - Downingtown, PA
Selling the Main Line & Chester County

Choose happy is what I have always believed, although life can knock you down sometimes and life can be hard, there is always something to be happy about.

Aug 07, 2023 01:14 PM
Anna "Banana" Kruchten

Absolutely Nick Vandekar, 610-203-4543 CHOSE HAPPY and of course we all have stuff to learn from and continue deciding just HOW to we want to move forward and how do we chose to perceive it.  And I agree....always something to be happy about.  Sometimes just feeling happy is reason enough.  And I bet you totally 'get' that from that state of mind everything else flows so much better.

Aug 07, 2023 01:57 PM
Joseph Domino 480-390-6011
Inactive - Scottsdale, AZ
The Art of Storytelling

Hi, Anna Banana Kruchten Phoenix Arizona Great post. More people should Choose Happy.

Aug 08, 2023 11:11 AM
Anna "Banana" Kruchten

Sure would be great, wouldn't it Joseph Domino 480-390-6011 !!

Aug 08, 2023 12:20 PM
Jan Green - Scottsdale, AZ
Value Added Service, 602-620-2699 - Scottsdale, AZ
HomeSmart Elite Group, REALTOR®, EcoBroker, GREEN

No wonder!   You Mom must have been a real hoot and no wonder you appreciate having that skill, that talent to lighten up a room.  Good for you Anna!  

Aug 08, 2023 02:47 PM
Jan Green - Scottsdale, AZ

Ahh, thank you Anna!  See you soon 😊

Aug 08, 2023 04:15 PM
Anna "Banana" Kruchten

Jan Green - Scottsdale, AZ darling you are extremely good at lighting up any room with your smile, laughter and fun attitude!

Aug 08, 2023 03:28 PM
Joan Cox
House to Home, Inc. - Denver Real Estate - 720-231-6373 - Denver, CO
Denver Real Estate - Selling One Home at a Time

Anna, you guys sure have a lot of fun, and everyone around you.  Most often having fun is infectious, and everyone around feels good.

Aug 09, 2023 02:11 PM
Joan Cox

Me Too!

Aug 09, 2023 02:22 PM
Anna "Banana" Kruchten

Yes it is infectious and it grows and grows Joan Cox !  The stories I could tell 🤣

Aug 09, 2023 02:19 PM
Wanda Kubat-Nerdin - Wanda Can!
Red Rock Real Estate (435) 632-9374 - St. George, UT
The best agent in Southern Utah!

Your house should be dubbed, THE FUN HOUSE because that is the environment when there, Anna. I have always appreciated your humor, professionalism in business, your upbeat personality and the way you embrace people. Am so glad to have met you here and in-person! 🥳🍌💛

Aug 10, 2023 10:13 AM
Anna "Banana" Kruchten

Oh Wanda Kubat-Nerdin - Wanda Can! from day one over 25 years ago our home was the fun house! You can't imagine the thousands (seriously) people we've had here hosting various events and we love doing so.  Gee...who does that sound like?  Could it be Wanda Kubat-Nerdin - Wanda Can! at the SILO!!  Well yes it does!!  And I love having you here, you're always welcome ❤️

Aug 10, 2023 08:35 PM
Diana Dahlberg
1 Month Realty - Pleasant Prairie, WI
Real Estate in Kenosha, WI since 1994 262-308-3563

What a fun August Challenge!  You sure know how to make a person feel comfortable.  You have the ability to show others their best side, and to loosen up and enjoy the moment!  How, because you are just always the Life of the Party!  You are creative, friendly, humorous, a good communicator, organized and a good listener!  I wish you lived in my area!  Anna Banana Kruchten Phoenix Arizona  

Aug 10, 2023 01:53 PM
Anna "Banana" Kruchten

Hi Diana Dahlberg thank you so much for the kind, kind words.  And you know what...I wish you lived in our area as you'd so enjoy all the fun and friends. Us mid-west girls gotta stick together, right! Thank you again...I I hope you can come again this winter!! ❤️

Aug 10, 2023 08:39 PM
Diana Dahlberg
1 Month Realty - Pleasant Prairie, WI
Real Estate in Kenosha, WI since 1994 262-308-3563

Anna "Banana" Kruchten -- Can you believe summer is almost over and soon autumn and winter again?  I'm hoping to get to AZ in the winter again!  Love getting away from the cold and SNOW (a 4 letter word) and seeing my family and FRIENDS!!!  I will let you know once I make arrangements so we can maybe plan a meet up with a few of our AZ friends!

Aug 11, 2023 02:50 PM
Anna "Banana" Kruchten

That would be great Diana Dahlberg - give me a heads up time lead and we'll create a 'wild and crazy party' just for you!

Aug 11, 2023 08:54 PM
Diana Dahlberg
1 Month Realty - Pleasant Prairie, WI
Real Estate in Kenosha, WI since 1994 262-308-3563

Anna "Banana" Kruchten Sounds fun!!!  I'll let you know!!!!

Aug 12, 2023 06:51 AM
Mike McCann Broker - Mach1 Realty
Mike McCann - Broker, Mach1 Realty Broker-Auctioneer Serving Nebraska - Kearney, NE
ALL Types of Property For Sale 308-627-3700

Anna "Banana" Kruchten   A lot of  my family think I am a big goofball...big 'ol loveable goofball...who knows a whole heckuva lot about real estate.  I kind of like it that way.  Life is way to short to be in full work mode all the time...now partial workmode with my eyes and ears open...heck that is how I work most of the time.  Works for me!!

Aug 16, 2023 07:46 PM
Anna "Banana" Kruchten

Mike McCann - Nebraska Farm Land Broker you are indeed a lovable, personality+ guy! I've always like your style and approach to life and business!  AND... you know what works for you!  That's the key!!!

Aug 16, 2023 08:38 PM
Roy Kelley
Retired - Gaithersburg, MD

Thank you very much, Anna, for sharing your personal experience and advice.

Aug 24, 2023 10:24 AM
Anna "Banana" Kruchten

Thanks for stopping by today Roy Kelley !  I hope this made you smile bigger today!   And ....thanks for the reblog kind sir!!

Aug 24, 2023 10:36 AM
Sharon Tara
Sharon Tara Transformations - Portsmouth, NH
Retired New Hampshire Home Stager

A wonderful life lesson. People learn better and faster if they are enjoying the process. A fun experience helps them retain what they have learned also. Win Win.

Aug 29, 2023 08:27 AM
Anna "Banana" Kruchten

I so agree Sharon Tara ! People learn more, generally while enjoying the process!

Aug 29, 2023 09:21 AM
Debe Maxwell, CRS
Savvy + Company (704) 491-3310 - Charlotte, NC
The RIGHT CHARLOTTE REALTOR!

You know I love your life's lessons and I definitely agree that levity is SO important in life, Anna. I'm thankful to have that same mindset - and you bet, it puts everyone at ease and just makes life so much more palatable! 

Aug 29, 2023 10:44 PM
Anna "Banana" Kruchten

Levity and a little laughter sprinkled in does bring a smile to peoples faces....especially while dealing with moving etc.  My folks know I'll provide a 'stress relief' show for them if needed. LOL

Aug 30, 2023 09:55 AM
Ricki Eichler McCallum
CastNet Realty - Corpus Christi, TX
Broker,GRI,ABR, e-Pro, TAHS

Such a great reminder to lighten up and have fun along the way! We always remember the fun times and that makes learning easier. Diana Dahlberg is completely right about you, Anna. You are the life of the party and people love being around you. :)

Sep 04, 2023 06:11 AM
Anna "Banana" Kruchten

Hi Ricki thanks for stopping by this post! Most people learn more and receive more info if it's make fun and interesting.  That's why I loved teaching CE classes all those years.  For the most part people do enjoy being around me!  My guess is there have been a times when I must put on the boss hat and crank it out......lol

Sep 15, 2023 11:21 AM
Thomas J. Nelson, REALTOR ® CRS,ABR,PSA,RCS-D, CFSP
Big Block LPT Realty 858.232.8722 - La Jolla, CA
Coastal San Diego, Veteran's & Retirees Services

Great story Anna "Banana" Kruchten and wow what a great career to have spent part of it staffing seminars. I always wonder if the staff, sound and camera people, etc. are Stopping, Looking & Listening to all the great info they get paid to see/hear!?!

Sep 15, 2023 06:44 AM
Anna "Banana" Kruchten

Hey Thomas J. Nelson, REALTOR ® e-Pro CRS RCS-D Vets thanks!  The staffing stuff was a part time 'thing' (being of service really) while building my real estate business back in the 90's. And yes......we were always listening!!  Some pretty interesting stuff was said.....many crazy stories and excuses!!

Sep 15, 2023 11:24 AM