Colin's Motivational Mondays

Activity does not always equal Productivity Think about when people ask you how you are doing. Do you ever say "Busy" ? It makes us feel good to be busy, but we need to step back and remember that busy isn't the goal. Productive is the goal. Make sure to review your daily, weekly, monthly activities to see which ones equate to productivity and which ones do not. Then take action to improve in those places to help get you closer to your best self. Your best in business growth, retention as well as in your personal life. 360 degrees of success is what we should all be striving for.  Let's get it done today!

This is one of my favorite articles so I wanted to share it with us all today....let's rock it! https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/because-4am-brett-hagler Because of 4AM Brett Hagler Kobe Bryant recently shared an all-time great mindset, manifested into a subtle quote that not many people noticed. It's been three weeks and I can't get it out of my head, so I wanted to share. You can take it literally or (mostly) metaphorically - both work and can be applied to the dream you're chasing.  The quote came from Kobe when he was on stage accepting the 'Icon Award' at the ESPYS.  He was addressing fellow athletes:  “We’re not on this stage just because of talent or ability,” Bryant said. “We’re up here because of 4 a.m . We’re up here because of two-a-days or five-a-days. We’re up here because we had a dream and let nothing stand in our way. If anything tried to bring us down, we used it to make us stronger.” There are thousands of ...

They have 'this', the market did 'that', if I had 'x', the list could go on and on with excuses we could make it we chose to. That's the great part is that it's OUR choice. We can focus on what we choose to.  We can look at the same circumstances with optimism or pessimism as illustrated above with the glasses. We have a ton of advantages in the market, but those only factor in if we are doing the basics great, connecting with people and showing value. Each of us has the skills to get it done at a high level without leveraging the products, tools and services we have. But when we leverage those along with our best attributes (you and our teams) we all win at a higher rate. It's important to remember that when we win our clients do as well. They are teamed up with the best in the business. Always a WIN-WIN.  Believe it. Live it. Repeat it. 

The greatest accomplishments we have are done with others. It is important to stay connected with your team/tribe, because great and long-term success is had by everyone working together towards that one goal. That is true within the company as well as outside of the company. Thing about who you are surrounding ourselves with. Are they pushing us forward or are they pulling us back? It's one or the other. Make sure we are in those that push us for growth to become the best version of ourselves.  Set our or continue the journey today of accomplishing GREAT things, not just things.  Make it a great one team!!

Which column are you in? Wanting it and wishing for it don't matter at all unless you take action to make it happen. The best time to take action in NOW.  Don't put off until tomorrow what you can get done today. What has been sliding back on your priority list that that you know is important? Close off distractions and get it done, take the step and go for it. 

What are our habits?  Write out what your habits are today...the good and the bad and review them.  What are the ones that are getting you closer to where you want to be and what are the ones that are keeping you from or moving you away from where you want to be? It's important the we look and see what's helping and what hurting (it's one or the other...there is no neutral). Cut what is detracting and grow what is working...stick with it and ROCK it!!

As we are meeting with new people and on-boarding them (hopefully systematically with a PEP and intro to their escrow team) it is vitally important to keep it up. Once they are on-boarded there isn't a 1 year contract they sign to stay with us. We need to be consistent in our approach and execution of our plans daily. That is how we sustain growth. That is how we sustain success. Persistence will get us to a level we like, but it WON'T keep us there at all. Only consistency with a high level of service and value will do that.  I want each of us to live in success, not just taste it.  A great measure of this is to look at our overall & branch REM's not just monthly but quarterly, semi-annually & annually and that will be a key indicator of true growth.      

Today is the day.... Competition is great! It's one of the things that drives us to success. When it comes to market share the only way we move it is by our clients growing & growing our clients. That means that we are taking other companies and reps clients by bringing value to them and connecting them with our escrow partners. We do this and we win.  The biggest competition should be with ourselves though. "Everyday is a chance to be better" ...if we can be just a little bit better today than the person we were yesterday we soar above the competition.  Today our goal is to best who we were last week; improvement is a constant in our lives nit just for us but for the people around us as well.  Have a great one team.  

We met with the prospective client....they agreed that we brought them value...did we ask them for their next transaction? If yes.....GREAT. If not, why not? They are in a commission sales position to and know how it is. When they go on a listing appointment and bring value to the prospective seller they ALWAYS ask if they would like to sign a listing agreement. They never walk out and say "I'm glad this brought you value and I look forward to hearing back from you." They let it be know what the end goal is for themselves and we should be doing the same....remember, they do expect us to ask.  The simple reminder for the day "If you never ask the answer is always no." So ASK Bring Value + Ask = Growth Bring Value + No Ask = No Growth for You or Your Escrow Partners

Is it a Wish or a Want for your Life/Business? Wishes are dreams in the air that aren't pursued actively. They just sit and are looked at from afar thinking that they can never be attained. Just a thought to move from a wish list to a want list or event a must list! What do you want? I mean really, really want? Think about it and write it down. Put it as your phone screen saver and on your computer. Activity pursue it DAILY! At the end of the quarter, year, decade & life it's more important to look at what has been achieved for yourself and for those around you then to just reflect on what you always wished you did. Pursue it....you have the skill, talent and resources to achieve it!! 

Just a thought as we get our days going in our minds to we tell ourselves what we "have to" do today -or- what we "Get to" do today? What about when we are talking to others? That one word switched out makes a HUGE difference on our outlook.  Think about it today and on a go-forward. We are blessed to work for a great company and with the resources we earn for doing a great job we "Get to" do and have some incredible things and create great memories. Those all come from what we "Get to" do on a daily basis in bringing value to the real estate space and in turn bringing in revenue through escrows and increasing our market share.   Let's make today a GREAT one!

Seemingly small acts can sometimes be the biggest things that catapult us and our growth. The details of follow up, promptness, checking in, not letting things fall through the cracks with our targets, clients & escrow partners is huge.  Today reflect on what details may have slipped by last week and get them done. For this week, each day look to end each day completed without roll over into the next day.  Let's make it a great one team!

As we move forward today focused on success and growth let's remember all of the ingredients that lead to success and growth. Some aren't always the most fun, but what we get out of it is beneficial for us.  Crush today with optimism going into each meeting and call knowing that you have what it takes to win the day.  

When was that last time you said: "Nice to meet you" That phrase usually follows meeting someone for the first time. Prospecting when at an office meeting, pop-by, industry event, etc... is a key in-person why to grow our businesses. Do we leave it at "Nice to meet you" or do we follow it up with booking an appointment? If we end with nice to meet you there is no risk/reward or chance of rejection, but if we ask for the appt there is a small chance of no. Is no that scary; it really isn't . I once had someone tell me that N.O. Stood for N ext O pportunity.  My challenge for us on a go-forward is to not end at "Nice to meet you" it's to follow through with the ASK. When we do we have a chance. If we don't ask the answer is always no. When they say YES, you & I both know that you can bring true value to them so don't hesitate or let fear creep in......go for it!

We always need to stay hungry for growth; that is a given in our industry. The commission sales person that looses his or her hunger is the one that ends up transitioning out. As we pursue our growth and achievements its important to be thankful for what we have achieved as well. Reflecting on those achievements can help us achieve our next one as well.  Today remember to be grateful for what we have, while we are pursuing what we want. The important is the wholeness of this statement and mindset. Gratefulness with pursuit of next.....crush it today!

Hey Team,  Today remember to be focused on what you MUST get done for your day to be a SUCCESS. Don't get distracted, but complete those high value tasks that yield the ROI not just for you but for your escrow partners and or operation as a whole. We grow by prospecting & on-boarding new clients.  Get office presentations to get appointments to get new clients. Make cold calls to get appointments to get new clients.  Attend an event to get appointments to get new clients.  What we do in the field must have the focus of getting new clients.  

As we are pursuing our goals for achievement this year remember to make sure that that are SMART goals. This way we can track our progress on the journey, make changes if needed and celebrate when achieved. Each one of us is capable of soo much more its a matter of focused pursuit of the goal daily with dedication to it. We only achieve full time BIG results by applying full time BIG actions consistently.  Crush it today!

In life both personal & professional the people around you either lift you up, encourage & admonish you or they can be sharp tongued either overtly or subversively. It's up to us who we give power to in our lives.  Each of us are strong, successful & can be leaders in our spheres. As leaders don't let naysayers words hold you back from crushing your goals. Stay focused, stay determined and take action to achieve those goals. 

This morning I was reminded that there is never a 'perfect time' or 'perfect plan', but we need to have a strategy, act on it and measure our result to improve it and see it's strengths.  Getting out there and trying it out is the BEST way to test new plans or presentations so the simple encouragement for the day is: Lets be a team of action in the marketplace. This is the only way that we can create our own current and not just ride the waves of the market.  

Are we proactive in a high level of service or reactionary? Sometimes we crank it up for a client or target when things didn't go 100% right on a file -or- we find out that they have begun splitting business or have been meeting with a rep from another company. We do need to crank it up for sure in those cases and keep them with us for sure, so keep that rolling.  My though is what proactive, planned out steps could each of us do with our current clients where they would be soo satisfied with us, our service and our proactive approach with business development that they wouldn't even think of taking a meeting with another rep, "spreading their business around", etc... As we approach our 2018 market share growth plans be thinking about how we can stay proactive in retention and the more we retain and grow new partnerships that faster the rate of growth for all of us to win as a team and operation together. 

A key way to continual success is to always be prospecting; always. Not just when you 'feel' you really 'need it' (we always need it), but all the time. It need to be a part of what you do daily as a habit, nut just an initiative that run for a period of time and then is over.  Even after your strike a win prospecting, we need to look for the next place to win again and repeat.  Action for today: Thing of a target client/office or lost client that you have given up on or not focused on the way you know how to. Put into action purposeful steps to gain access to bring them value and ear their business for you, your escrow partners & our team as a whole.  Go get em' team!!

Many of us know of the slide that we use for farming about the 100 watt light bulb and the 100 watt laser. Both have the same output...the one difference is FOCUS. The one that is focused can cut through a wall while the other dimly lights up it's surroundings.    When we are talking to agents about focused farming or really anything else, that all can easily be applied to us. Focused, consistent actions enhanced with best practices towards a very specific goals with measures built in to rate success. Make sure that what we are all doing daily in our actions fall into above and we are doing what it takes to win. Remember, doing what it takes and really liking it are two different things.  - If it takes cold calls on new listings to get it done...we do it.  - If it takes office presentations to get meetings with agents...we do it. - Whatever it takes to get it done, to get more escrows from more business partners for us and our team...we do it....

Today marks 55 days left of 2017. We each have 55 days left to make this year what we wanted out of it. It can be easy to look around at other coasting and hop on the wagon, but finishing strong is where the magic happens! Think about a race....at the home stretch the runner digs down deep and gives it all they have (and it's sometimes even more than they knew they had in them) Starting the race and maintaining throughout is great, but equally as important is the finish!  Lets lean in and make that final push to make a positive impact not just in our lives and business' but remember we have a huge impact on the lives and business of our escrow partners too. 

How have you sharpened your sword today? ...or since it's early in the last couple of days? It's imperative that we are always spending some time each day working on ourselves to grow in knowledge & practice so when it's time to meet with or cold call a prospect/client we are on point, prepared and CONFIDENT. This can be done in a variety of ways. Here are a few ideas below. Practice a presentation while driving Research on ITS Connect Look at the housing statistics in your market (see links below) Look at our best practices scripts and make them your own http://www.pcaor.com/downloads/home-sales-statistics/ https://www.sacrealtor.org/consumers/housing-statistics The key takeaway from this is really the follow up after you "sharpen the sword" is to put it into action! If we just sharpen the sword to improve, but do not put into use it become a waste of time. So let's sharpen the sword today & then put it into action to win the day! ...

This morning when you woke up from bed how did you feel? When you got up and got going did you think at all that you wanted to just 'get through' the day ~ average? I don't think any of us did. Our default for each day should be impact and fullness. The hours in our day is something that we all have an equal amount of, but we know how to get more out of our than most; it's just about applying that knowledge and walking it out.  Today: How are each of us going to be ABOVE average....maybe even WAY above average? Some don't have it in them, but each of us does. Let's crush today, build momentum and growth.  

Happy Monday Team!  Today's is short, simple & to the point.  What opportunities are YOU going to create for YOU and your escrow partners?

Choosing to not breeze past the small thing can make a huge impact in our business' and in life as a whole. Instead of just focusing on the big things, if we also focus on being great at the little things it breeds the discipline of awareness, thoughtfulness and finishing strong. Many times we focus on the huge goal, but forget that it was the small achievements over a period of time that compounded and prepared us for the large victory.  Today think about how you can be great at the details of your day and you'll see that the larger things will be come easier to grasp.  Have an awesome day team!

We have all heard the parable of going the extra mile & it's as true when written as it is today. One thing that always stuck out to me about the story is that it was a given to go the first mile. I use to always remind myself that in order to go the extra mile & MUST go the first mile (what's required) in order to go the extra mile (the extra effort/time). This was a big take away for me.  Today many phone it in, cruising to the end of the day on cruise control instead of finishing strong; not us. We strive to finish strong not just for us, but for all of those that depend on us daily to win. Our families, spouses, children to our escrow, title, customer service & other business partners. I believe it's our drive to not just compete, but to create big opportunities for us to soar is what motivates us to not just go the firs mile, but to CRUSH the extra mile as well.  It's my privlidge to go the extra mile with each of you. 

We all have the 'time' to get done what we need to, it usually boils down to how we are spending our time. Its a good exercise to audit how we all spend our time and see if it lines up with we we say is most important to us personally and professionally. It's important not just how we spend our time, but the velocity we use our time as well. I have found time blocking works wonders on this to create efficiency (when held to) of course.  Candidly I was struggling a few months ago with losing my mornings and not getting some of my in office work done. I had to look at it and now I'm in the office between 7-7:30am each day now, which has to start the night before going to bed early so I'm ready for it. Now when my phone starts ringing and emails start coming in around 8:30-9am I have already accomplished a lot and don't feel like I'm behind the eight ball.  Make sure you are setting yourself to win the day, each day; and that most likely starts t...

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...