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A Consistent Plan? Why?

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

The real estate industry is loaded with training courses, gurus and the next 'latest and greatest' way to make your practice profitable. If I were to ask you how many times have you actually gone home and put the tools to work - what are the odds the answer would be 'slim to none?' I know what I'm talking about, here - I was one of those folks who turned into a seminar junkie my first few years in the business, and I had all the tapes, CDs, and massive books to prove it! Very rarely did I actually follow a specific plan consistently. And then I got IT.

 

Stop this craziness, pick a plan, and just do IT consistently and methodically!

 

I liked parts of several plans, so I made up my own plan of action, and I've been following that plan for years. From time to time, I discover other valuable tidbits that I add, and there are always a few ideas that need to be released, as they're outdated or just don't produce good results.

 

"Most people do not really want freedom, because freedom involves responsibility, and most people are frightened of responsibility." 
                                                      ~Sigmund Freud

 

So why do so many agents keep buying into program after program, yet never get anywhere? Because the ads tell them they will learn the secrets of success - and it's EASY.  So they go to the next seminar,  pay them more money, only to find, once again, that it's up to them to do the work.

But who wants to do actual work?! That sounds hard ... like it might take effort and energy. So they buy into the next greatest and latest program, hoping the real secret to their business success is just around the corner - and effortlessly it will all come together for them - and of course with little or no consistent work.

No matter how much they spend, how many programs they amass, how many videos they watch ... the bottom line is that they're still responsible for making it happen and doing the work consistently. They still need to figure out what they want, make a plan, create a vision, and work it out. No guru can do that for them.

But agents don't like that. So they jump back in to another new course ... again and again and again. Are you seeing the picture here?

If you are willing to take 100% responsibility and work consistently, you can have anything you want.

It's that simple! Now Just Do IT!

 

 

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Comments(17)

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George Souto
George Souto NMLS #65149 - Middletown, CT
Your Connecticut Mortgage Expert

Anna "Banana" Kruchten I was the opposite of you.  I hated going to seminars and only went when the lender I worked for made it mandatory.

Jan 17, 2025 03:22 PM
Anna "Banana" Kruchten

Well that is interesting George Souto I never would have thought that you wouldn't like seminars.  You're on the zoom calls all the time but then again that's not really a seminar.....it's more fun learning and networking with fellow rainers.

Jan 18, 2025 11:31 AM
Dr. Paula McDonald
Beam & Branch Realty - Granbury, TX
Granbury, TX 936-203-0279

I love this for many reasons. !. The hawk picture is fantastic. I saw a golden hawk just yesterday. 2. I love the "simplicity" you mention. And yes, it is that simple! Hugs to you.

Jan 17, 2025 05:10 PM
Anna "Banana" Kruchten

Hi Dr. Paula McDonald the hawk picture was taken totally by chance by Gary. A lot of birds that love our backyard and Gary was going out to make sure water was in fountain etc. Out of the corner of his eye he saw this Coopers Hawk eying the birds and he scared him after (after getting a good shot). We never saw him back here again.  Thankfully!

And yes, it really is that simple!!

Jan 18, 2025 11:35 AM
Aura Alex
Seattle, WA
Retired Real Estate Pro

Hi Anna,

Embarking on a journey in real estate can be overwhelming, especially for newcomers. We each have our own unique path to follow, and there is no one-size-fits-all approach. The essential tools and strategies may vary from agent to agent.

Your key points are well-taken. The key is to find what works best for you, choose a strategy or tool, and take action.

Jan 17, 2025 05:55 PM
Anna "Banana" Kruchten

Hi Aura Alex over the years I saw many brokers that just said, get out there and do it with no direction or training.  I was the opposite in giving them a foundation first and then setting them free......some got it, some did not.  Motivation is a key factor.  We called it "fire in your belly"...😎

Jan 18, 2025 11:39 AM
Kathy Streib
Cypress, TX
Home Stager/Redesign

Hi Anna- it's like taking the latest diet or "health' pill or trying a new diet and hoping for wonders. Being consistent and doing the work are the tools you need. 

Jan 17, 2025 06:30 PM
Anna "Banana" Kruchten

Hi Kathy Streib sure is like that!  I wonder what will happen with all those folks that took that popular pill we hear about constantly once they stop it?  You gotta put in the work and dedication!

Jan 18, 2025 11:41 AM
Endre Barath, Jr.
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties - Beverly Hills, CA
Realtor - Los Angeles Home Sales 310.486.1002

When I was a new agent I went to the seminars, Zig, Tony and a few others... got home and never opened the Cassetts or the CD's and I knew I graduated and did not need it.... every time the market changes I know because I get 15 to 20 motivational guys with solutions emailing and texting me daily...Endre

Jan 17, 2025 10:33 PM
Anna "Banana" Kruchten

Ha Ha Endre Barath, Jr. I know that one!  And man are they pulling out all their shots lately.  Delete......but we know to expect that after all these years, right!!

Jan 18, 2025 11:43 AM
Laura Cerrano
Feng Shui Manhattan Long Island - Locust Valley, NY
Certified Feng Shui Expert, Speaker & Researcher

Yes, indeed, They really do say that failing to plan is like planning to fail And they are definitely 100% right. 

Jan 17, 2025 11:50 PM
Anna "Banana" Kruchten

100% spot on Laura Cerrano !!

Jan 18, 2025 12:03 PM
Laura Cerrano
Feng Shui Manhattan Long Island - Locust Valley, NY
Certified Feng Shui Expert, Speaker & Researcher

Thank you again for posting! This has so much meaning that could be taken as Evergreen so to speak..

Jan 17, 2025 11:51 PM
Anna "Banana" Kruchten

Hi Laura Cerrano good to see you!  Happy New Year!  And yes, it's as evergreen as evergreen gets no matter what biz one is in!

Jan 18, 2025 12:01 PM
Bill Salvatore - East Valley
Arizona Elite Properties - Chandler, AZ
Realtor - 602-999-0952 / em: golfArizona@cox.net

I am so glad to be at the end of this career than just starting in this business. I agree with you, it is all about the work you put. in Bill 

Jan 18, 2025 04:54 AM
Anna "Banana" Kruchten

Hi Bill Salvatore - East Valley trust me you are going to like being retired!

Jan 18, 2025 12:04 PM
Kat Palmiotti
eXp Commercial, Referral Divison - Kalispell, MT
Helping your Montana dreams take root

Having a plan that makes sense for us, and using it consistently is the key to success! Great post!

Jan 18, 2025 04:59 AM
Anna "Banana" Kruchten

Sure is Kat Palmiotti !  Common Sense!

Jan 18, 2025 12:04 PM
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
Pasadena And Southern California 818.516.4393

Hello Anna - a thoughtful post.  Of course, so many thoughts get stuck in the process of implementing them into action.   Life goes on.  Hopefully.  

Jan 18, 2025 05:08 AM
Michael Jacobs

Anna "Banana" Kruchten - makes you wonder about the saying of those with pants on fire.  🕴🔥🧨

Jan 18, 2025 12:32 PM
Anna "Banana" Kruchten

Hi Michael Jacobs sure life goes on no matter what but it's more fun having a sense of direction and a clear plan in business...rather than just flying by the seat of ones pants.  How's that for a play on words today!!! 🍌

Jan 18, 2025 12:06 PM
Dorie Dillard Austin TX
Coldwell Banker Realty ~ 512.750.6899 - Austin, TX
NW Austin ~ Canyon Creek and Spicewood/Balcones

Good morning Anna,

Oh you make so much sense if only agents would read this and take it to heart. Making a decision to join the real estate industry can be overwhelming, and many just think its easy so jump in. The courses do promise to tell you the secrets! But guess what there is no secret! When I was a new agent I took the Floy Wickman course and was the best money I ever spent! He taught us we were all different, would attract our own peeps but we had to decide who we wanted to work with, have a plan on how to accomplish it and be consistent. I never took courses after that. I made a decision that would work for me, stuck with it and have enjoyed 33 years now in real estate! The one phrase he often said was that stuck with me "you have to list to last" determined I wanted to work with more sellers and create an experience that would be exceptional!

Jan 18, 2025 05:24 AM
Anna "Banana" Kruchten

Hi Dorie Dillard Austin TX I knew of Floy but never took any of his seminars as there were none in my area. It sounds very similiar to what I learned early on and followed.   And you are our Austin ROCK STAR!!

Jan 18, 2025 12:08 PM
Nina Hollander, Broker
Coldwell Banker Realty - Charlotte, NC
Your Greater Charlotte Real Estate Broker

Good morning, Anna... you've made such an important point! When I trained new agents I used to tell them to stop agonizing over the options... just pick an option and stick with it and do it! Most things will work if you just do them.

Jan 18, 2025 05:30 AM
Anna "Banana" Kruchten

Funny how it's' that simple, right Nina Hollander, Broker !  If they would only just do it!!

Jan 18, 2025 12:09 PM
Will Hamm
Hamm Homes - Aurora, CO
"Where There's a Will, There's a Way!"

Hello Anna, I have tapes I listen to when I first got in the business and I even go to some zoom meeting like Tony Robbins for 3 days the end of the month.

 

Jan 18, 2025 09:47 AM
Jeff Dowler, CRS
eXp Realty of California, Inc. - Carlsbad, CA
The Southern California Relocation Dude

Hi Anna:

This is such sound advice. What works is picking the activities that DO work - and there are plenty - and doing them consistently and not doing the things that don't yield results. There are no magic bullets.

Likely many, I certainly spent time, and money, in the early years on seminars and tools that did not yield much in the way of business. No more!

Jeff

Jan 19, 2025 01:30 PM
Doug Rogers
RE/MAX Coastal Properties - Destin, FL
Your Real Estate Resource!

Excellent post. Real estate in its base form is pretty easy, match buyers and sellers. Most of the rest is followup and asking questions.

Jan 21, 2025 05:16 AM
John Juarez
The Medford Real Estate Team - Fremont, CA
ePRO, SRES, GRI, PMN

I tend to get distracted. Next thing I know, time has gone by and I have accomplished nothing. I know that I heed to refine my focus.

Jan 24, 2025 10:52 AM