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The Pondering Path of Planning

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Industry Observer Inactive

 

The Pondering Path of Planning

A January 2025 AR Challenge Entry. . .  

 

 

Pondering can take many paths. So can the process of planning.  While I have left real estate as a daily practice my interest in the industry remains. I am grateful for the opportunity this community continues to offer to those of us who wish to continue to participate.

 

 

But like any place, the AR community is diverse.  Different goals. Strategies and reasons for involvement too. All on display to see. At least to those who choose to make sense of it. Let me tell you, it's been an experience. While I don't know about times yet to arrive, I have learned much throughout my membership.

 

 

And like that previously mentioned "real" place, there is change happening around ActiveRainLand. This occurs even as some discussions remain a “constant”.  Points, the leaderboard and many sorts of issues continue to "live" among us. Maybe that’s an AR equation that can compute even for the most mathematically challenged among us.

 

 

Planning to me certainly includes collecting data as well as information from the past. As we attempt to understand its relationship to the present and consider the future, the effort is an undertaking that brings together many sorts of actions. Yes, mixing, meshing and messing up my relationship with the concept of combinations is something I have repeated often.

 

 

 

 

Specificity is wise and obviously necessary. However, one’s mindset continues to provide a direction that may not be unstoppable but has a powerful potential.  While I may not always be successful in this path it can provide a roadmap open to detours. 

 

Admittedly, there is nothing novel in this approach to the January challenge co-hosted by Leanne Smith and Will Hamm. But I continue to travel on this trail that is uniquely my own but not so uncommon that similarities cannot be gleaned by each of us. In this community and on planet Earth. That is my ongoing story. A plan-in-progress.

 

 

 

The images in this post are a combination from my personal collection, canstockphoto.com as well as this site.     

Posted by

Michael Jacobs

 

CalBRE # 01165532

P. O. Box 587

Pasadena, CA 91102

Call/Text:  818.516.4393

mtj916@gmail.com

 

 

Comments(44)

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Laura Cerrano
Feng Shui Manhattan Long Island - Locust Valley, NY
Certified Feng Shui Expert, Speaker & Researcher

This is pretty thorough. Wishing you all the best with love and light! Be well and happy!

Jan 10, 2025 10:15 PM
Michael Jacobs

Laura Cerrano - thank you.

Jan 11, 2025 02:22 AM
Eileen Burns 954.483.3912
Douglas Elliman Las Olas - Fort Lauderdale, FL
FLorida Real Estate Connector

When I hear the word ponder, I no longer think of Winnie the pooh - I think of you Michael Jacobs Health challenges can change your life in a nano second.  How we respond to it makes us stronger human beings.  Glad you recovered and always enjoy your pondering here in the Rain my friend.😎

Jan 11, 2025 10:48 AM
Michael Jacobs

Eileen Burns 954.483.3912 - although there are plenty of ponderers on this platform as well as in the everyday world, I appreciate your kind words.  Growing as humans is ongoing.  If we're fortunate enough to observe such opportunities.   

Jan 12, 2025 10:31 AM
Liz and Bill Spear
Transaction Alliance 513.520.5305 www.WarrenCountyOhioRealEstate.com - Mason, OH
Transaction Alliance Cincinnati & Dayton suburbs

We ponder, analyze, adjust, observe, repeat the cycles and decide how we can best interact with ActiveRain and get the results we want.  For some it works, for some it doesn't.

Jan 11, 2025 03:01 PM
Michael Jacobs

Bill Liz and Bill Spear - agreed. In fact, there are occasions when it works for me, then it seems to turn off.  Just like that.  

Jan 11, 2025 04:57 PM
Leanne Smith
Dirt Road Real Estate - Golden Valley, AZ
The Grit and Gratitude Agent

Congratulations on the feature and again your words of wisdom are thoughtful and careful. Thank you so much for your first entry.

Jan 12, 2025 11:14 AM
Michael Jacobs

Leanne Smith - thank you for hosting this month's challenge. 

Jan 12, 2025 03:11 PM
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

Yes Michael, The A/R community is a vibrant mix with unique reasons for being involved. It’s there for anyone to decide how to use it. For sure...A Plan in Progress!

Jan 13, 2025 08:11 AM
Roy Kelley
Retired - Gaithersburg, MD

Good Tuesday morning, Michael. Have a great day and an outstanding week.

We have cold weather in Maryland. 24 degrees at 10 a.m.

Jan 14, 2025 07:03 AM
Michael Jacobs

Roy Kelley - this Southern Californian native can appreciate cooler weather at times but not below freezing.  

Jan 15, 2025 12:54 PM
Debra Leisek
Bay Realty,Inc Homer Alaska - Homer, AK

I love this photo. It makes me ponder on planning a path to warmer mossy places.

Your thought patterns are always so peaceful and methodical.  Your POV challenges me to consider pausing and carefully thinking about the path ahead.

Have a wonderful week ahead Michael Jacobs 

Jan 15, 2025 01:08 AM
Michael Jacobs

Debra Leisek - I hope your week-in-progress brings a lot of wonderfulness.  Paths or ponderings, perhaps both. 

Jan 15, 2025 12:55 PM
Debra Leisek

Maybe even a little wandering to improve the pondering Michael Jacobs 

Jan 16, 2025 01:04 AM
Michael Jacobs

Debra Leisek - indeed, wanderings and wonderings can work well together.  

Jan 16, 2025 02:36 AM
Gloria Todor
Premier Property Sales & Rentals - Springfield, PA
& Doug Durren (484) 431-3686 in SE PA

Plans are made to be broken, as the saying goes.  But they serve a purpose of getting us on our way in this journey.

Jan 16, 2025 07:14 PM
Michael Jacobs

Gloria Todor - plans are interesting.  They are obviously made in advance but "in the moment" things of many possibilities seem to open.  

Jan 17, 2025 10:29 AM
Wanda Kubat-Nerdin - Wanda Can!
Red Rock Real Estate (435) 632-9374 - St. George, UT
Southern Utah's Preferred Real Estate Agent.

Every year brings with it a new set of goals to be achieved and while some things remain the same, changes can be so subtle that they almost feel  like Groundhog Day or similar to the Dunkin Donuts baker, "It's time to make the doughnuts!"

Glad to be a part of this community, it feels like home most days, Michael. Cheers to more punning and pondering, wondering and wandering!

Jan 17, 2025 05:59 PM
Michael Jacobs

Wanda Kubat-Nerdin - Wanda Can! - noticing the nuances is often the news of the day.

 

 

Jan 18, 2025 12:53 PM
Roy Kelley
Retired - Gaithersburg, MD

Good Saturday morning, Michael. I hope you are enjoying the weekend.

We are expecting to have snow all day on Sunday in Maryland.

Jan 18, 2025 11:51 AM
Michael Jacobs

Roy Kelley - checking in with AR after some time out and about earlier today.  The weather is nice.  Hope you stay as warm as possible.  

Jan 18, 2025 12:55 PM
Jeff Dowler, CRS
eXp Realty of California, Inc. - Carlsbad, CA
The Southern California Relocation Dude

Hi Michael:

Pondering is an important part of planning, is it not? It help determine the possibilities, to consider the pros and cons of the plan, and what to do if things do not go according to the plan. But pondering can get in the way if one spends too much time on it rather than developing and following a needed plan.

Jeff

Jan 18, 2025 05:10 PM
Michael Jacobs

Jeff Dowler, CRS - pondering is not the right way to spend time for everyone including me.  Like countless things in life, it's a combination of things that come into play in our daily lives.

Jan 20, 2025 04:34 AM
Barbara Michaluk
Weichert Realtors | Phone Direct 240-506-2434 | 301-681-0550 office - Silver Spring, MD
Leisure World Specialist / Full Service REALTOR

Hi Michael, I seem to be spending more time these days pondering about my artwork. After taking a break from creating art several years ago, I'm back at it and pondering how to create a specific style that is unique to me.  I haven't quite landing there yet but I'll keep pondering and working at it until I land.

Jan 20, 2025 03:06 AM
Michael Jacobs

Barbara Michaluk - I find it interesting to see how our habits evolve.  Is that a part of the plan. . .   Yes, I wonder. . .  

Jan 20, 2025 04:37 AM
John Juarez
The Medford Real Estate Team - Fremont, CA
ePRO, SRES, GRI, PMN

Yes. We need to ponder as we plan. Making an unworkable plan is not good. Making a plan that does not challenge us is also not good.

Jan 20, 2025 12:47 PM
Michael Jacobs

John Juarez - pondering is not for everyone.  And it certainly doesn't always work for me, but you seem to have a wise approach to the subject to planning.  

Jan 21, 2025 12:00 PM
Barbara Michaluk
Weichert Realtors | Phone Direct 240-506-2434 | 301-681-0550 office - Silver Spring, MD
Leisure World Specialist / Full Service REALTOR

Michael, I love the photo of the pond and bridge in the background. It makes me want to sit on one of those rocks and ponder my life's direction. We should all ponder where we've been and use it to influence where we're going.

Jan 24, 2025 03:08 AM
Michael Jacobs

Barbara Michaluk - thank you.  That's a photo of a peaceful scene at the Storrier-Stearns Garden in Pasadena.  A hidden gem in the city.  

Jan 24, 2025 03:27 AM
Roy Kelley
Retired - Gaithersburg, MD

Good Saturday morning, Michael. Have a great day and an outstanding weekend.

Jan 25, 2025 07:51 AM
Michael Jacobs

Roy Kelley - my day started early today, before sunrise, and it's been another go-go kind of day so far.  While the weather today is a bit cooler than usual (here) - no complaints - I continue to feel fortunate to live in Southern California.  I'm sure you feel similarly about your area as well.  Happy Weekend.

Jan 25, 2025 05:18 PM
Roy Kelley
Retired - Gaithersburg, MD

Good Sunday morning, Michael. 

Have a great day and an outstanding weekend. 

Jan 26, 2025 09:45 AM
Michael Jacobs

Roy Kelley - another Sunday has turned into a Monday.  Once again.  As this week transitions into introducing a new month on Saturday, reminders of the importance of time remain "constant".  Have an exceptional week ahead as we bid adieu to January.  

Jan 27, 2025 07:11 AM
Roy Kelley
Retired - Gaithersburg, MD

Monday has been a shopping day for me. I got gas for my car and then went shopping for wine and beer to take advantage of a sale at the store. Than, I took a long list from Chef Dolores to do some serious shopping at Costco. 

Jan 27, 2025 11:50 AM
Michael Jacobs

Roy Kelley - a Costco long shopping list could set you back a lot of bucks.  It's likely time for a nap and a sip or two from that adult beverage haul too.  

Jan 27, 2025 03:51 PM
Joan Cox, Retired Broker/Owner
Denver, CO
Enjoying Every Day to Its Fullest!

Michael, I just planned another trip, now across the country, so you know I like to plan.

Jan 27, 2025 03:32 PM
Michael Jacobs

Joan Cox - when does car/kitty packing time commence?   

Jan 27, 2025 03:53 PM
Joan Cox, Retired Broker/Owner

Leaving in mid-June, but this time not taking the kitties.   Too hard with a 2-week road trip, and most days moving.   They are 3 years old, and need to run and get exercise.

Jan 28, 2025 07:56 AM
Debe Maxwell, CRS
Savvy + Company (704) 491-3310 - Charlotte, NC
The RIGHT CHARLOTTE REALTOR!

What a powerful post, whether you meant it to be or not, Michael! We each approach every aspect of our lives (both personal and business) in different ways. I see these changes as well. I'm okay with it too.  

Reading your comment back to Steve above reminds me to share that I'm so very grateful to have met you here. The way you conquered your medical challenges, truly gives members more inspiration than you'll ever know. Thanks for being YOU, Michael!

Feb 01, 2025 09:15 PM
Peter Mohylsky, www.athome30a
Property Management Inc.-Destin - Sandestin, FL
Call me at 850-517-7098

Let me ponder these words. 

"to believe something or have an opinion or idea"

Feb 09, 2025 05:48 AM