Colin's Motivational Mondays

Every day, we have a choice. Before the emails, the appointments, the challenges & the unexpected interruptions, we get to decide what kind of attitude we will bring into the world. We set the tone. We choose the energy. We determine whether we will simply get through the day or make an impact through it. One of the greatest lessons in life and business is that serving others should never be reserved only for people we think deserve it. It's easy to help the kind client, encourage the supportive coworker, or go the extra mile for someone who appreciates our efforts. The real test of character comes when we encounter difficult people, challenging situations or individuals who may never fully recognize what we've done for them. Serving others isn't about what they deserve. It's about who we choose to be. When we decide that excellence, kindness & service are our standard, we stop allowing other people's attitudes or actions to dictate our own. We stop asking, ...

  The same boiling water that makes an egg hard will make a potato soft. This simple analogy carries a powerful lesson for Title & Escrow Sales. Market conditions may be the same for everyone in our industry, but success is not determined by the market. It is determined by how you respond to it. When transaction counts are down, interest rates are up, or competition is fierce, some sales executives allow those conditions to dictate their results. Others find ways to grow, build relationships, create value, and stand out regardless of what the market is doing. Just as the egg and potato experience the same boiling water but react differently, title & escrow sales professionals face the same market conditions but produce very different outcomes. The difference isn't the market. The difference is the person. Success in title and escrow sales comes down to adaptability, mindset, consistency, relationship-building, creativity, and resilience. The professionals who continue to su...

  We often hear that "consistency is key." While that's true, consistency alone is not enough. If we're consistently headed in the wrong direction, all we're doing is getting further away from the results we want. The real secret to success is consistent action in the right direction. Whether you're building a sales career, growing a business, strengthening relationships, or pursuing personal goals, success is rarely the result of one breakthrough moment. More often, it's the product of small, intentional actions repeated day after day over time. Success Leaves Clues In sales, many people focus on the outcome: the closed deal, the new account, the record-breaking month. What they don't always see are the hundreds of calls, follow-ups, client meetings, handwritten notes, networking events & moments of persistence that happened behind the scenes. Top performers aren't necessarily more talented than everyone else. They're simply more consisten...

One of the most valuable skills a title and escrow sales professional (like us :) ) can develop is not simply knowing what to say, but knowing what to ask. The best professionals understand that every client, Realtor, lender, builder, or investor comes to the table with different goals, unique challenges, and their own vision of what a successful transaction looks like. When you take the time to slow down, listen closely, and ask thoughtful questions, you gain a much deeper understanding of what is truly important to the people you serve. That understanding allows you to provide better support, anticipate potential obstacles, and recommend solutions that align with your clients' business needs and transaction goals. People rarely remember every detail of a sales presentation, but they do remember how you made them feel. Clients and partners want to know they are being heard, that their concerns matter, and that you are focused on helping them succeed, not simply promoting a produc...

  Preparation is one of the most underrated keys to success.  Whether in life, at work, or in meetings, the results we achieve are often determined long before the moment arrives. Confidence doesn't come from luck. It comes from preparation. In life, preparation allows us to navigate challenges with greater clarity and resilience. We cannot predict every circumstance, but we can position ourselves to respond effectively. Preparing through continuous learning, healthy habits, strong relationships & thoughtful planning helps us handle opportunities and obstacles with greater confidence. In the workplace, preparation separates average performers from exceptional ones. Top professionals do not simply react to situations. They anticipate them. They study their clients, understand their market, know their products & think through potential outcomes. When preparation becomes a habit, performance becomes more consistent & opportunities become more abundant. Meetings are an...

  One Small Win Can Change Everything We often believe that changing our lives requires a massive plan, endless motivation, and a long list of goals. The truth is usually much simpler. If you want to create real change, pick one specific thing you want to achieve today. Not ten things. Not a complete life overhaul. Just one. Then decide exactly how you will do it. Want to exercise more? Commit to a 10-minute walk after lunch. Want to grow your business? Make one important phone call before noon. Want to read more? Open a book and read five pages before bed. The magic is not in the size of the action. The magic is in the consistency . When goals are too big, our minds can become overwhelmed before we even begin. Large to-do lists often create stress, while small, clearly defined actions create momentum. Every completed action becomes evidence that you are someone who follows through. Lasting habits are built one decision at a time. A small win today makes it easier to take the next...

  Sitting in the stands watching others is easy. We can have opinions and usually no consequences or benefits either way. We are spectators. That can be really fun when watching our favorite teams play; not so much in life.  We didn't purchase a ticket to watch, but are an active participant. We have the free-will to choose how active of a participant we choose to be though. Do we enter & leave with the same skills each day -or- do we work to improve so we are able to accomplish more each day, becoming personally more developed each day.  I believe we can go through season of growth and a holding pattern. I also believe that a holding pattern can, at times be good to recharge, refresh and reset ourselves.  Today, as you step into the area, lean into being your best for you, your team, your family and even the person you may never meet again. We all leave an impression and the one you leave may be lifting to them on their journey in their own arena.  We are a...

In the world of Title & Escrow sales, everyone has intentions. “I want to grow my book of business.” “I want to get in front of more agents.” “I want to build deeper relationships.” But here’s the truth: Wanting is  not  doing. And talking is  not  progress. 👉 Intention doesn’t close deals. Action does. 👉   Intention says:  “I want to…” 👉   Action says:  “I will.” The Difference You Feel Every Day The graphic says it clearly: Intention: Hopes Plans Talks “Someday” Comfort zone Action: Does Builds Progresses Today Growth mindset Every sales professional lives in that tension. You know what you should be doing: Making the calls Setting the meetings Following up Showing up consistently But the difference between average and elite? 👉 They act anyway. You Are Built for This Let’s bring this home. Title & Escrow sales is not easy. Deals fall apart Markets shift Clients have options Competition is constant And yet...here you are. That’s n...

  There are many distractions around us, some come from the environments we are in, while others come from within us. Those distractions can detour us from what & more importantly WHO we are with. Time is one, if not the most valuable asset we all have & the great equalizer since we all have the same amount each day. We can choose to spend it or invest it.  When we are with others today, take a extra moment to prepare yourself to be present, to listen & not just hear them. Hearing them is the biology that comes with functioning ears. Listening to them takes intention, requiring focus & a bit of curiosity.  We can assist ourselves in being more active listeners rather than hearers, by shifting just a few things.  Lean in with good posture. Our body language sets a tone.  Make eye contact. It is hard to drift away from the conversation when eye contact is there.  Be curious. When we are more interested in being interested, instead of interesti...

  One of the biggest differences between title execs who stay inconsistent and those who consistently grow their book of business is this: Top performers understand that the first meeting is not the finish line. It’s the setup for the second conversation. A lot of title execs unknowingly approach their initial meetings transactionally. They drop off marketing, introduce services, talk about rates or tools… and then hope the agent reaches out when they have a deal. Hope is not a strategy. The highest-performing execs use that first meeting to accomplish three things: Build trust Understand the agent’s business, goals & gaps Position themselves as a strategic partner, not just a vendor The reality is agents aren’t just choosing a title company. They are choosing who they trust to help them grow, protect their business & elevate their client experience. 💡 Trust is built through: Asking better questions Creating clarity around their business Setting expectations Demonstrating ...

  There are a lot of benefits of encouragement for both the giver & receiver.  Encouragement isn't just about being 'nice', it's about adding fuel to the person you are with to give them more energy, confidence, passion & drive forward.  Encouragement doesn't just have short term effect either. The words you may share with someone can stick with them for a long time, even outliving the relationship you may have with them. Do you remember an encouraging word, conversation or experience you had a while ago? See...it's still with you.  When we encourage others we also also putting in-courage to their hearts & minds. Courage is a great thing that we sometimes leave idle instead of using it as the driving force it can be.  Today, remember to encourage others & yourself. When we add in-courage into our daily recipe its enhances the flavor making it sweeter for us & those we are around.   

  Building Resilience & Strength. Perseverance, Perspective & Purpose. What is above are fruits that when developed in us will help equip us for what is on the horizon. Building/developing these traits usually isn't one of those "Yahoo!" moments that excites us; they are usually the moments, the times that bring us to the brink of break. The good thing is when we persevere bas break, we hit breakthrough !  Building strength within us we did not have before. We may have not needed it before either, but it's now upon us because what we are about to embark on will require us to be a different person.  We grow into success, we don't just achieve it. The only reason a butterfly has it's beauty, grace & ability to fly after the cocoon is because of the struggle that it went through. If there was no struggle, or even less struggle the needed internal fluids would have not reached the extremities & without that flow that fly would be a crash. It would ...

  What if we began each day by writing down 3 things that we are grateful for? What effect do you think that would have on you for the next 12 hours of your day? Would it make it better or worse?  I hope each of us smiled at the last question. It would make it better. Beginning the day with thoughts of gratitude is like giving our mind & soul a healthy breakfast. Not just any fuel, but the kind of fuel that we best feed off of. The fuel that is healthy for us. We can run on anger, fear, even doubt, but the best fuel; dare I say the one we are designed to run on is gratitude. Those other types of fuel may work for a little while, but will burn out our internal engine.  Try this week to write down 3 things you are grateful for before you bein your day, take a deep breath or two and then say Thank You...the results from one simple change may be exactly what you are looking for :) *Bonus: End your day the same way :)

  How intentional are we with our time, our talent & our treasures? Regardless of how much we have of any of the three...how intentional are we with them? Time is one of those things that is the great equalizer; we all have 24 hours in each day. If we hit the snooze button, we are taking away some of those minutes. If we just scroll on our social instead of going for that walk, having that conversation or making that connection we have spent it instead of invested it. We also have to be sensitive that every second cannot be maximized, but when we are intentional and viewing life through that lenses our perspective tends to change to a more clearer vision.  Our talent is something that is not stagnant. We grow or we slide back. Maintaining is something that really doesn't happen. Invest in yourself; it will not return void. Then apply/use those talents of yours to help others grow theirs, make impact for good where you & with who you are with.  Our treasures...wher...

  Something that is unexpected that turns the edges of a smile is a beautiful thing right! :)  We can probably each think of a time when we were surprised by someone that lit us up. It may have been recently or a long time ago. The gesture could have been grand or relatively small; either still making an impact that was not just received, but more importantly FELT.   These surprised delights do not have to be a high cost or grand in any way; they do however have to be genuine & specific to them.  This can be professionally for a teammate, client or prospect. This can also be personally for a child, spouse, friend or neighbor.  Look for an opportunity to bring delight today...I promise you that the delight won't just be felt on the receiving end. 

  Each morning we wake up and choose what we are going to pursue. Some may even make that chose that night before. For better, or worse we have many options to choose from. There are may 'races' going on. There are many voices telling each of us what race we should do. When our why is not clear that can not just be distracting, but detouring. Even when our why is clear it can be distracting.  I want to encourage all of us today to choose to run our own race. Do not allow comparison to steal your joy.  Comparing your lap 3 to another's lap 33 isn't fair right?   It is also not enjoyable or edifying for you or who you are running for/with.  Embrace your journey/path; it is unique for you.  Focus on your process, not just the results. As you refine your process, get more dialed in the results will happen. Developing your skills/talents are a part of the race.  Choose yo run YOUR race. Choose not to not let the success of others detour YOU. Choose to becom...

  I can tell you that you are capable of more. That does not matter unless you believe it for yourself. The truth is, we are all capable of more. I'm not just talking about doing more; I am talking about becoming more. Elevating who you are, how you do what you do, where you are at. Pushing our boundaries isn't always about moving on; many times it can be exactly where we are, but elevating the who & how.  For our Mindsets: Shifting from "Why me?" to "Why not me?" Believing that just playing it safe is the scariest place to be.  For Us in Action: It can be saying "Yes!" to trying something new. It can be going back to something that you drifted away from. This part moves us from wanting to grow, to taking the steps to pursue growth.  How this Helps Us: It builds up resilience in our minds & hearts that doesn't allow limiting believes to take root.  I'll bring this back to reawakening a Childlike Curiosity . When we were small, ...

  You may not know this, but I love live theatre. There is just something about the dedication to craft, excellence & entertainment that has always pulled me in.  In case you are not familiar with Hamilton; it's a pretty good one. In 2016 they were nominated for 16 Tony awards & ended up taking home 11 of them, coming up short to tying the record of 12. There is a scene in the play where one of the songs talks about being "In the Room Where it Happens." I want to ask us that question.... Are we in the room or rooms where it happens? With the people that are making it happen?  We need to be. That is something that doesn't just happen, but is curated. It takes strategy, persistence, connection, value, you get where I am going with this. We can also create those rooms & invite others in, but that is for another day. 

  We have both; we should strive to decide, live & act with both.  We are created with both for a reason. If we only us one of them we can be off balanced in life & decision making. Them being in harmony with each other is how we were created to be. Using logic & data are key; paired with empathy & Emotional Intelligence they are a super power.  Most of us would say we lean one way more than the other. Just knowing that is being self aware of our tendencies so we can look to balance ourselves out.  Framing our hearts & minds to look at all sides is a strength since everyone we are around & present with leans different ways as well.  Analyze the data rationally paired with empathy to gain perspective. Then we have a balanced process for decisions which is a asset of strength personally & professionally.  

  One of the most powerful things we can have personally or professionally are quality conversations.  Conversations lead to connections and connections lead to the beginning of establishing and investing in relationships.  They (relationships) don't begin on their own, they need a genesis; a beginning. Us picking up on phone, dialing nine digits and talking are that genesis. At times there can be a fear of vulnerability, unknown, rejection that creep in and prevent us from dialing that final number or doing something else entirely. On the the other side of the coin though there is opportunity. Do not rest on the fear side of the coin, but flip it over the the opportunity side and press on for yourself.  Many times when we think "What if" we follow it up with the negatives, but what we if changed our thinking to follow it up with the positives. Believe in yourself, believe in who you are, believe in what you are doing.  You will be more grateful for the things y...

  Today is an investment you'll never be able to make again; so make it count. There are many things we can do again, but the same day is not one of them. Once those hours are spent or invested they are gone.  Lets treat them with a conscious of how precious these coming hours really are.  Where we choose to go; be there.  Who we choose to be with; be with them.  What we choose to do; do it wonderfully. How we choose to make today count is up to each of us. The goal of the day can simply be when we get ready for bed tonight we are able to breath deep and say to ourselves we invested our time today and did not merely just spend it. When we invest our time we are fuller knowing we are fulfilling purpose & serving others while doing it. 

Rome wasn't built in a day & big goals are not achieved overnight. Many times we feel that we want to goal NOW, but it doesn't happen that way. We are growing into the person to achieve that goal though, by the steps we take becoming.  Embrace the small tasks on the way, they all matter. If motivation isn't overflowing, dig in and begin. It'll come, but begin.  Make segment goals along the way. Kind of like check points on a ling journey. That way you have small victories on the way to the ultimate goal. That will help the motivation from fading.  Progress, not perfection. The last time I tried to walk on water I sank & I believe that to be true for you as well. Perfection is not attainable; really amazing is though. Make it your goal each day to move forward from where you are at. Some days you will cover a lot of ground while others it may be a short jaunt. Progress forward. Small steps add up. Remember this the next time you are at a staircase and it will hit...

  Today I would like to share some words from a prolific coach, leader & much more; Mr. John Wooden.  You can see it next to to the words I type. It's good to look on the horizon, but we cannot live or act in the next. We can live & act in the now though. Each next day is influenced by today though. Don't get overwhelmed with the week or month you may have ahead. Instead focus on what is in front of you now, or who. Make that time the best you are able to. Strive to repeat that and your tomorrows will be better by being present today.  Today I want to encourage us to focus on the present, taking responsibility for making today the best it can be. Find those opportunities and maximize them with the effort you put forward by embracing them. You can make today a masterpiece indeed. 

  Our mind & our day can become cluttered right?  Sometimes, we don't even realize that it has happened until we are sinking in it. The good news is that we don't have to live in the clutter that has been created around & in us (by ourselves &/or others) we have a choice. We can choose to prune back and de-clutter to create room to breath.  Stress & clutter are two different things as well. There can be good stress, that locks us in, bringing focus towards a goal. I have yet to find a positive aspect of clutter :) Tips: Write it down:  If something hits you that you need to address, but you are in the middle of something. Write it down, then get back to finishing what you were doing. Get that thing across the finish line so you then don't have two things half done.  Post-It Note: You can't have a ton of top priorities, but you can have a few. Take a post-it note and write down your top 3 priorities for the day. Do those first. Only 3 on the post-...

  It's not just one or the other, but a blend of choices & chances that lead us to change. My favorite is the choice of preparation. It is my favorite because when the chance or opportunity arises, we are prepared to take it.  Some key choices we can take to prepare ourselves for what chances may lie ahead are taking initiative, taking intentional actions, personal growth & creating a path or gameplan of where & who you want to be. When we do our part, our controllable actions, we are then ready to pursue when chance presents itself.  We don't know when or where those opportunities may be, but we do know when we see them and we are prepared we feel a lot better then we we recognize the opportunity and we are not prepared. Fear & doubt then creep in; we combat those things by being prepared. They will still be present, but they will be muted by how we are prepared.  Keep investing in you, your growth so when opportunity presents itself you can make the...

  The world as a whole is noisy. Online, in person, billboards, radio, offices, etc... It can be overwhelming at times right? Is what we are taking in good for us? Just like what we consume for our bodies has a direct effect on our health, what we consume with our eyes & ears has a direct effect on our mental & emotional health. What we take in will either act as an anchor or as wind in our sails.  I have found more recently that the anchors are abundant & easy to find while the wind can be a bit tougher. The wind shows up more like a whisper. Something we have to choose to tune in to so we can hear it best. It not the loud noises from anchors.  What are your whispers of wind & where do you find them? My encouragement for us this week is to go there & tune in to the whisper. Tune in to the encouragement, the nourishment that your head & heart need to be full. 

  I can. I will. I am.  Potential is a great thing to have, realizing that potential is the goal & can be a gift to yourself & those around you. Not just by what you achieve by realizing your potential, but by also motivating/inspiring them to pursue theirs as well.  Progress towards realization of potential takes place in the small, every day decisions we choose to make or choose not to. Most of the time it is when others are not around for the decision(s). They will be around for the outcomes though.  A few tips on growing from potential into progress & realization of it are below.  Decide...Build...Grow...Achieve to who you can be.  Identify & Cultivate the skills you are capable of. Set Clear Goals. Take Consistent Action.  Embrace Challenges.  Learn from Mistakes.  Your efforts, over time will transform potential into the progress, places & person you want to be. 

  Are we plugging in & if so what are we plugging into?  Plugging in to recharge and be ready for what is ahead of us is of the utmost importance. Being able to recharge is required to have the energy we need to not just survive what is ahead of us, but thrive with what is ahead of us. We need to charge into a source that fills us at a level that will recharge.   What I mean by that is that we can plug into some things that do recharge us, but we can also plug into things that really don't. When it's time to recharge, it's up to us to make sure that we plug into things that give us energy back.  Sometimes we plug into things that don't give us back energy & that hiders us; even more to be watchful of is plugging into things, surroundings or others that actually take away even more energy.  Plug in, recharge in order to reengage with verve. 

  The past in gone, the future has not arrived, but the present is here & now. When we choose to be present, fully present in it we enrich ourselves & those we are with. Don't rob yourself  (or others) by living the present in the rear view mirror or looking through binoculars into the horizon.  The smallest moments we are present in can hold some of the greatest beauty & satisfaction. 

  What if is a question that we probably ask ourselves frequently. My question to that question for us is the conclusion that follows in our thoughts, because that leads to our actions.  When we as ourselves "What if?" does what follows that something positive or something that feeds into doubt? I hope it's all positive and we are pursuing our goals the best ways possible. I do know, at least sometimes what follows "What if?" tends to be the worst case scenario. That may come from a place of preservation, doubt or fear; or a combination of the three.  I want to encourage us today to evaluate our "What if's?" from a place of strength. What if you do and succeed with your goal? What if you do and you don't ger the target you were after...what did you learn? I have found that our worst case scenario typically only lives in our minds and rests in fiction.  What if: we made the call? had the conversation? tried that new thing? did the practice when...

  Hearing & listening are two very different things, though they may look the same. The results of the two can be very different.  When we minimize distractions and hone in on the singular goal of active listening we are one step closer to having a better understanding of the person on the other end of the table & connecting with them. For many us us we listen, hear something we like and then wait for the opportunity to respond. That usually isn't a bad thing, we are excited to connect. Though, when we pause & continue listening we allow that other person to truly share what they have inside, allowing it all to come out. That gives us the better opportunity to understand, empathize & connect.  When we enhance our active listening skills, putting them into action we elevate our conversations no matter what the setting is. It will prove to be valuable at home, in work scenarios, with friends or even at a store. When we listen, digest, paraphrase for clarity ...

  How are you chasing what you want? It is a simple question & a difficult one as well. Pursuit or chase of what we want has to be more of a feeling or soft desire in most cases. Mostly because what is worthwhile to pursue usually takes time, commitment & growth. Our society, for the most part does not elevate those three anymore. What we get from media & the scroll is fast, shortcuts & now. Those things fade. I want to encourage us to write down what we want to chase after, achieve & become. If it's worth it we will choose the pursuit, the chase for it. We may just be surprised who or what may come along side on that path to help us on our chase. We may also be surprised who we may inspire on our chase to begin their own. 

  A simple reminder today that we all know, but do we all listen & then do...probably not.  - There is so much to do.  - I'll do it later...later gets pushed wayyyyy back.  - It's not that important.  Those can be some of the things we tell ourselves that prevent us from becoming charged/refilled again. We make sure many 'things' are charged/refilled in our world, (our phones, gas tanks, etc...) but we at times neglect ourselves. I want to encourage all of us to prioritize well-being. Make time for activities that refresh, recharge & refill you.   Making time for yourself to refill isn't selfish, I would argue that selfish could be draining yourself down to zero. You cannot take care of others unless you take care of yourself to. The time doesn't have to be long to be impactful either, take the time, make the time...because YOU are worth it. 

Stay the course & trust the process. We have all heard this before. It works, it's hard, but it works.  First, we need to have a process to stick to. Then we need to stick to it...daily. It's not a process if we only do it sometimes. It's only a process when it's what we do regularly. Then, we have to choose to do it no matter what. With tail winds, head winds or cross winds. We have to choose it when we don't see the results yet. Just like a seed planted in the ground there is an effect happening below the surface when we are watering it that we don't see until it pops through the surface. Believe & pursue your goals knowing that it will pop through the surface.    

  No matter what the day holds ahead of us, meeting it with the energy of optimism gives each of us an advantage for the day. Looking at each instance as an opportunity to grow & do something good with impact gives us the vantage point that many others miss.  If something happens to us that could be uncomfortable, instead of responding with "Why me" we can respond with "What can I learn/How can I grow" this means nothing is wasted & all things work together for good.  When things come together like every piece of the puzzle is fitting in line, celebrate & share with others.  Whatever we walk through today will be what we walk through; that doesn't change. How we do it changes it though. When we walk with optimism we walk with a quit strength that cannot be taken, only given up....don't give it up...ever :)

  Approach today...act in today knowing that what you choose to do, or not do makes a difference...because it does.  YOU make a difference, whether you what to or not, you do make a difference. The cool part is that we get to choose what difference we make. In our homes, offices, the line at the coffee shop, we can choose to make a difference. All differences don't have to be grand. Sometimes one of the greatest differences we can make is a smile to a stranger, a door held open or giving that compliment that we have held inside. These small things can create a ripple effect for others & in turn for ourselves.  How will you choose to make a difference today?   

This situation is tough. It's here to hurt me. ...not necessarily the case.  When we face hard situations; and I promise you we all will or are facing one or more than one right now. We can be broken by them, or we can be strengthened by them. Either way we go through it, but it's about what we allow it to do and what we do through it.  Protect your mind; thoughts are powerful .  Go forward. At a sprint, walk or inch by inch through it. Motivation in powerful .  Things that are tough, may be the things that are preparing us for what are on the horizon for us and others. Fire can be harmful, it also is thing thing that fortifies and strengthens steel. Pressure is hard. It also is what is needed to transform coal into a diamond. Beauty & strength comes from these. Whenever a hard time comes I want to encourage us to flip it from 'Why is this happening' to 'What can I learn from this...how can I grow' That perspective changes everything. Hard...yes, worth it......