Colin's Motivational Mondays

We have many things that call out for our attention and it's up to us to prioritize them. It's not usually the loudest thing calling that is the most important. Sometimes we can get distracted with things that seem urgent and they get in the way of what's most important and necessary for us to achieve our goals. It's the side distractions that we don't think about that get us, not the big distractions most of the time; we recognize those. Check out the graphic above and think as you come across things to do today "Where does this activity fall?" and prioritize accordingly. We all can be in control of our days and schedules when we are purposeful about it. The more we control our schedules (especially before 10am) really helps our days soar.  Create a great one today!

I was reading a blog late last week and came across this info below that I wanted to share. These are some great reminders of things that are easily actionable today that don't need a grand strategic plan or anything like that in order to enact. All they really need is a willingness to do. Look at them below and think about one that you can focus on today and make it happen. This is something that we all can do and growth is a natural byproduct of.   #1   They create and pursue focused goals. #2   They take decisive and immediate action. #3   They focus on Being productive, not being busy. #4   They make logical, informed decisions. #5.  They avoid the trap of trying to make things perfect. #6   They work outside of their comfort zone. #7   They keep things simple. #8   They focus on making small, continuous improvements. #9   They measure and track their progress. #10...

Sometimes when we are great and many things in life it's harder for us to begin something new because we rarely start at a high level. Our starts with something new are usually a little rocky at first and that may detour us from beginning because it may be a shot to our pride that we aren't immediately excelling at this new thing. My little bit of encouragement or reminder today is that YOU do have the capability to be GREAT at whatever you put your mind and consistent effort behind.  Think back to something that you truly love and are really good at right now...got it? Now think of how it was when you began. There is probably a vast difference. Now think about something that you started but didn't really pursue with intention. For me that's the guitar. I have one and I can play 6-8 chords well, but that is a very small sample of what it takes to master that craft. Because of this I don't play much in front of others. Baseball on the other hand I wold feel just ...

To be consistent means to fully dedicate yourself completely to a task, activity or goal.  To be consistent requires a  commitment  on your part.  It requires that you commit yourself to a sustained effort of action over the long-term.  What this essentially means is that you keep your word to yourself and others that you will follow through with what you set out to do consistently over a period of time up until the moment your objectives are achieved. As such, consistency is all about your ability to be dependable, reliable and responsible for all your choices, decisions and actions. Consistency is about building small empowering habits and rituals that you partake in every single day that keep you focused on your highest priorities and goals.  It therefore essentially comes down to your ability to hold yourself accountable for the daily choices you make with  no excuses  and  no complaints . You and you alone are ac...

I've been reading the book Scrappy by Terri Sjodin and a few items of thought have popped out to me that I wanted to share. As we have been in a more traditional resale market the one thing that really stands out is the lack of inventory. There are more real estate agents and less listings so the "who" we are getting in front of and staying in front of with our value propositions in more important than event. Many of the top people we want to be in front of aren't in the office regularly. They don't attend many industry event (but many times other ones outside of the industry). Or they are "set" with who they are working with. This is when "Scrappy" really comes into play. For me scrappy means relentlessly determined to achieve your goal.  Below are a few excerpts from her book: 

The quickest way to achieving a goal is to focus on it until it's complete. Many times though we are distracted by 'good' things that prevent us from hitting the goal or hitting it when we would like to. It's not usually bad things that distracted us, but things that are still good, just not as important at the time. When it's time to make prospecting calls we may find that we get distracted cleaning our desks, going through emails, etc... still good things, but it's not what what we needed to do at that time.  When we get rid of distractions and focus on that task/goal that we have we get it done feeling accomplished knowing that we made best use of our time. When you are feeling distracted from what you need to get done today, identify it, shake it off and complete your task at hand. If we focus on one at a time and bring it from 0-100% complete and move to the next at the end of the day, week, month we'll be way ahead.  Make today a GREAT o...

We don't get what we want in life & business we get what we tolerate or another way of saying it is we get what we settle for. Putting it that way sounds harsh, but it's 100% true. Think about it. I know it's true for sure. I "want" to be in better shape...great first step in deciding, but if consistent action of a period of time isn't taken to get to that goal, well...you get it. I don't achieve that so I get what I settled for. That rule applies to us in business as well. Think about the goals you have for growth and then look and the steps taken to achieve them, not just the steps planned, but the steps taken. I'm sure we all have some place in our lives that we want to be better...today the charge is to STOP tolerating less than we want and take action to get there using the resources we have. #CrushItToday

Today is for us to remember to reap the harvest. The harvest is only possible if we have planted seeds and watered. If we have done both of those things then the harvest will come. In sales we always need to be planting seeds with prospects as well as current clients. The second part is equally important; the watering of the seeds. We need to stay in front of them with value on a consistent basis for the value and relationship to grow. Today think about who some of the people are that you met with, but the follow up may have slipped. Circle back and reconnect with them purposefully. Have a great day! 

Today is just the simple reminder to go forward. Many times we wait for things to be the 'perfect scenario' for us to move forward. There is no such thing as the perfect scenario, but there is such a thing of a great scenario so lets create them and go for it. Go for it today! You have the talent & ability to succeed in what you pursue in achieving today. Decide to take the step forward and get it. #OwnToday

As we are constantly busy it's important for us to look at what we are busy doing. Our goal isn't to be busy; our goal is to be productive. Are there things in our day that we are doing that we can leverage out to someone or something else? Is there a wiser way of doing something that will save us time and then with that time we can do another productive activity? I've found that protecting time blocks is huge for me so I get done what needs to be done (important) and don't let it slide due to something that may appear urgent (but isn't) and could be less important. It begins with us asking ourselves one simple question: Is there a better way? Have a great one! I'm looking forward to the sales meeting this Thursday as well! Remember we'll have a few of us share branch market share reports & impromptu presentations on a product, tool or service as well.  

Just a simple reminder that when we are prospecting for meetings to acquire new business partners we don't just win if we are the best with our services, products and tools. They have to feel confident & comfortable that the pleasure of the move will ought weigh the pain of the move. Most of that peace of mind come from us (you) connecting with them, where they are at.  As we are out there today keep focused on the connection, hearing what they are saying and being right there.  Make it a GREAT one!

As we are all running our race to win at times we get distracted with what's around us. This was the same case in horse racing, so they started butting blinders on the horses so they didn't look around, but just in front of them. Their focus was on on what was before them and the goals at hand. They couldn't be distracted by what others were doing, they were just focused on running their best race.  What are we focused on: Our goals and how we are going to achieve them -or- what others in the same race are doing which is taking our focus off of us achieving our goal and putting our best out every day.  Have an AWESOME day! Don't get distracted by others instead, keep focused on what your goals are and stay on that path. 

What's your energy level this morning? Where ever it's at we could probably go a few notches higher right? We know that the energy we bring into a room can set the tone. That goes for our meetings today in the office with our escrow partners and outside of the office with our partners and targets. We have the best resources to help our partners grow...are we bringing it to them in a relate-able & connect-able way? The energy, passion & care that we have MUST come through. We are the tone setters for everything that is around us.  What tone are you setting? Does it match your goals? Little things make a BIG difference...smile :) before you answer the phone today and you'll hear a difference in your voice...the cool part is the other person will notice that same difference. 

What are you going to do this week that hurts? Stretching is growing and being stretched is the only way to GROW. To do it once is easy, but creating is as a habit of discipline means growth is constant and I think I'm safe in assuming that we all want growth to be a constant in our lives. If you're with me hop on the bus that leaves behind where we are today (and we aren't going back) and join in the growth journey.  Action: What "thing" or purposeful action(s) are you going to do that brings some pain or uneasiness? Know that tomorrow it'll become easier and then a strength! #BetterEveryday

We need ideas to act on for sure. The most important part is ACTION to make it happen. Making it happen from beginning to end and not just 75% of the way complete. Don't get distracted by the next thing so much that we don't complete what we are currently doing.  This week focus on completion and follow up. That is where the magic happens. We need to have the seeds planted, but the results come in the cultivation in order to harvest.  

Sales Trinity Increase Revenue Expand Market-share Reduce Cost If we bring & connect these above with our clients & prospects the sky is the limit. We can't just bring them products, tools &/or services to achieve these goals though. We must CONNECT it to them, how the can implement it in their business with the least amount of growing or change pain as possible.  For today:  When we are prospecting or in meetings is our goal to bring 1 or more of these above to the person? Do we know the products, tools &/or services enough to know how to connect them? If not, are we investing the time to "sharpen our sword" and grow? Are we closing the circle from the meetings when value is brought and accepted from the client/prospect? Are we connecting them to their escrow team, doing a P.E.P. (if needed) and asking for the order? Let's connect the dots today & remember that you are the most important "dot" in the eq...

I found this article at the gym & wanted to share it as today's Motivational Monday. -Colin The Only Productivity Tip You’ll Ever Need By  James Clear     |     Minimalism ,  Procrastination ,  Productivity Ernest Hemingway woke each morning and began writing straight away. He described his daily routine by saying, “When I am working on a book or a story I write every morning as soon after first light as possible. There is no one to disturb you and it is cool or cold and you come to your work and warm as you write.” Hemingway's routine — along with hundreds of other prolific authors, artists, and scientists mentioned in Mason Currey's book,  Daily Rituals: How Artists Work  ( audiobook ) — hints at the most productive strategy I have found for getting things done and making daily progress in the areas that are important to you. Let's talk about the only productivity strategy you'll ever need, why i...

It's not just about the hours you put in, it's about what you put into the hours. Working out this weekend it really hit me. As I was going from machine to machine I took a break for some water and stretching and looked around. There were many people on their phones, talking or seemingly just standing around. There were also those with their head phones on, in a zone getting it done or people working out in pairs spotting and pushing each other. Both can say they "showed up" at the gym, both could probably even say they were there for the "same amount of time" but they will have vastly different results.  A few words jump at me from this: Focus | Productivity | Drive We all have at the least 8 hours of work a day. Are we getting the most out of it, drawing us closer to our goals daily?  

Recognize that everything that you achieve in life is going to be with the help and support of others. Understanding this concept is a key to success personally and in business. There is not lone wolf success, but through collaboration, partnership, learning and growth. Look at your team in all parts of your life (internally in our firm and externally with your business partners) are we working with them to gain more strength and doing the same back for them? What are you doing to build you 'muscle' to bring more strength to your 'team'? MAKE this week great! Grow. Leverage. Excel. Connect. 

Who has ordered something off Amazon.com in the last week? For many many folks then answer is "I have." When people ask me "Where did you get that?" Many time my response is "Amazon." I love referring out great products & the services that I receive that are great. Amazon is great because they remind me & give me permission to do so. That same premise can be applied in our industry as well. When we give great services &/or tools to our business partners do we give them permission to share it with others? Our best conversion rates are warm leads, so this week focus on leveraging our current partnerships into introductions that will lead to new ones.  Make it a great one! (Jeff Bezos is the Founder, Chairman & CEO of Amazon)

Our words aren’t just important in how they impact someone else but also in shaping who we are as well. Our words reinforce either a positive or negative perspective. Our words subtly echo the story we tell ourselves every single day… a story that after a while becomes what we tend to believe. It was a subtle thing, an unconscious word choice but a choice all the same. Here’s the thing… HAVE TO  frames things in a way that says I am obligated or required.  It’s negative in most cases. GET TO  frames it more from a sense of gratitude and appreciation.  It’s positive.  See the difference?  It’s a simple shift of perspective but it can mean a lot over time as we subtly train our brains to respond out of a place of gratitude and thanksgiving versus an obligatory requirement. The truth is, there’s not much in life that we HAVE TO do but there is a lot in life that we GET TO do. We have to prospect or we get to prosp...

Today's thought & encouragement for all of us to look at our day, or activities to see if they are getting us closer to our growth goals or not. Our goal isn't to just be busy, it's to be productive in the field with our clients for our escrow teams.  Keep rocking it out there team getting better each day, growing & achieving great results!

Lions like to hunt  just as much as they love the prize. A part of being a beast is the hunt; it's the hunt that they are excited about. they love the process For us in sales we love the result, but we also need to love the process of getting to the development & close of new business partners. In the field it can get long, but if we love the process, then the days fly buy, our results grow & we form best practices along the way. This can create a compound effect of getting our desired results quicker increasing our conversion rates and thus our productivity increases. When that happens it creates win-win scenarios for you, your escrow partners & clients.  Make it a great day!

A simple reminder for the day to follow up. We could be very close to reaching on of our goals or getting a new client & it's just one simple action, call, etc... away from being ours.  Speaking of follow up. Let's all get out our trackers from the sales contest we had at the end of last year and see how many of those new clients are still opening with us? If some are not, why? That is someone to follow up with if they are in your market or could be a great one to give as a lead to one of your counterparts in that market. ...I'm looking forward to hearing the results from this.

It's about focusing on the customer and not what others are doing. Followers focus on their competition, while winners focus on the goals. YOU are the best in the industry, that is why the competition is looking at you with a target. They are off on the focus and we can keep growing our gap if we stay focused on our goals.  Make it a great day!  

How are we approaching today? When we love Mondays it's a jump-start to success for the week. Hit the starting line hard, not just showing up, but showing up ready to crush it with a plan to execute goals, grow your client base & move market share for your offices. Our goal every day is to bring value to our clients & prospects, thus earning escrows from those people & teams. I'm proud to be beside each one of you. ...don't forget to check in with your escrow teams*

Waking up this morning I really wanted to hit my snooze button. At 6am I had a choice. Hit it and sleep in or get up and do my am workout. I choose to get up and workout. I didn't really 'want' to, but I did know that the decision was going to have a ripple effect on the rest of my day. I could have slept in and it would have felt good at the moment, and that one act would have had little direct impact right then BUT if you compound it then the impact is profound. If it hit the snooze button today it becomes much easier to do the same tomorrow and I will see no result. The same is true for getting up and doing my 14 min workout. I got up today and did it, so it'll be easier to do tomorrow and over time there will be a noticeable difference for the good.  The same is in business. The discipline to do what we should do is HUGE. The calls made today may not directly turn into a new client, but the discipline of today carried into tomorrow will give you results fro...

Please click the link below to a short video:  http://www.yo utube.com/watch?v=N6D5ykiwSdc

There are 3 areas I think we should all take some time to review to take a real assessment at to see where we soared and where we can focus on for next year. Our best asset to our business' is ourselves and those around us. As we get better, so do our surrounding and results.  How did your team/home branch evolve over the past year? We are only as strong as the team(s) that drives us forward. People have diverse strengths, weaknesses, and motivations that are often unpredictable. Assessing the evolution of your team over the past year can provide you with valuable insight into the dynamics of the office, as well as provide insight into what the future holds. What went well, and what didn’t? Every business has its ups and downs; the important thing is to learn from every situation. We need to be intellectually and emotionally honest about what went well over the past year, and what didn’t. How -or- why did your strategy change over the year? Our ...

...different. At the end of the day the product that we have to sell is title and escrow services which is a commodity. Most are priced fairly the same and provide fairly the same coverage. The difference is our people, products, tools and services. This is how we differentiate ourselves in the marketplace, on a daily basis with those that are partnering with us already and those that we would like to work with in the very near future. When we are talking to targets and they let us know what they like about their current situation we have to not just be better then who they are currently with but different.  Intriguing enough that they are curious about the change and are willing to give you a try.

The small details can make the biggest difference in our days, relationships, presentations & soo much more. The large parts of our days are easy to focus on, but many time its the little details that are the tipping point to winning the meeting, client or day. Much like the rudder of a ship is small in size, the impact it make changes the course of the whole ship. The sail can be full of wind moving the ship, but the rudder dictates the direction to the destination. Let's keep focused on every step on our path to growth and success. That one, seemingly small thing that you do, or not do can make the the largest impact.  Make it a great one! -Colin

The quote above is an illustration of the information below. We've all see the chart below and it motivates us for a short while to make sure we are following up. The key is persistently following up, dependably every time. Having a system of follow up in place helps this to happen. When there are steps laid out all we have to do is follow them. Do you have framework for your follow up? If not, let's develop it. You may be soo close to the conversion from prospect to business partner,  but just didn't make that seemingly insignificant 5th call to the prospect. Don't be the bottom miner....soo close.  We are all great achievers that are truly capable of INCREDIBLE achievements....strategic targeting & execution will help us all get there! Crush it today!

"As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them."  -- John F. Kennedy This is a very simple one this week. Let's remember to approach each day, meeting, moment with gratitude & thanksgiving.  We live in a truly blessed country, work for an incredible company & get to enjoy life with those around us.  Have a truly wonderful Thanksgiving!  The action/challenge for this week is to work & live in a state of thanksgiving; all will be better & we will accomplish more. 

Good Morning! What are we achieving today? Not, what are we doing, but what are we achieving? There is a fundamental difference here. We can 'do' a lot of things that may not get us closer to the goal or achievement that we desire. Our goal is not just the activities of having meetings to share products, tools & services with their best practices. Our goal is at the baseline is to drive revenue through market share growth by growing our business partnerships...getting more escrows for our teams. We achieve this by doing the activities above with those that can move our needle.  Let's crush it today by beginning with the end in mind and pursuing that! You're the best in the biz...it's a privileged. Let's finish 2016 strong and keep the momentum into 2017!

Let's all take TNT to our business. Getting things done now, today instead of tomorrow is key. At times we say "We'll do it tomorrow" and tomorrow becomes next week and so on. The Today Not Tomorrow mindset means you don't put it off, but get it done now.  Action for today: What is one thing that you've been putting off that you need to do? Those prospecting calls, follow up, etc... Act today...do it.  Make it a great day! 

Do you surround yourself with anchors or engines? In life there are engines who propel us forward, believe in us and are supportive. Then there are the anchors who weigh everything down. It's important to stop and think; are you surrounding yourself with anchors or engines? Are you an anchor or an engine? We all have the abilities within us to be a great engine to those around us as well as to ourselves. We can be engines of motivation & inspiration to our families, our co-workers, friends, business partners or even somebody chance puts us in front of once.  Make today GREAT!

This speaks to the limiting believes that we all allow to set up camp in our mind. Our job is to break through those limiting beliefs, grow and conquer what we have out ahead of us. Everything we can do now was one something we couldn't do so breaking through barriers is something we do on a daily basis.  Do we ever think I can't make that call? They won't be responsive? Or I don't know how to do this? If those are questions that we face push through them. Simply make the call. Simply ask. If you don't know how there is someone around you that does or resource that will help you achieve that goal. Let's always look to be highly resourceful and kick some butt this week!