Podcast: Download
It’s naturally a little slower during the holiday time of year, and it’s also pretty natural for the short, dark days & cold weather to take a toll on your positive, optimistic mindset. While this slowing down is natural, it’s not a good way to keep your business on-track for those big end of year goals, is it?
Maybe you feel a little trapped between fewer easy opportunities this time of year, difficulties in the weather, and even distracted from work by the holiday spirit. So for all those tired, cold agents in our programs thinking of holiday cheer during office hours, here are 15 key reminders of crazy-obvious truths that it’s easy to forget in the holiday rush:
1. You have the power to control your own destiny.
Your choices are a reflection of your character. Choose who you want to be and live your daily life according to that choice.
2. You only have so long to live the life of your dreams.
We all have an expiration date. What if you knew what your date actually IS? How would you live your life differently today? What would you be taking action on if you knew that waiting wasn’t an option anymore?
3. Being busy is not the same as being productive.
In real estate, productivity comes from generating leads, following up, prequalifying, presenting, negotiating, and closing. If it’s not on that list, you shouldn’t be doing it. Being purposeful is more powerful than being busy.
4. Success is unlikely without failure.
It’s okay to make mistakes. It’s not okay to not learn from them. Learn the lesson from the mistake the first time, integrate that lesson into your upgraded self and move forward. The difference between a master and a beginner is that the master has simply failed more times. The master only achieves higher levels of success because he or she hasn’t given up. Avoiding failure keeps you stagnant. Embracing it allows you to move forward mentally, emotionally, spiritually, and financially.
5. Ignorance = Fear; Knowledge = Confidence.
Acquire the knowledge you need to live the life you desire. Delaying your education is the same as putting off making your best life possible. “Uncertainty and fear are relieved by authority. Training is authority.” ~ Ryan Holiday (Author of Ego is the Enemy)
6. Get away from judgment and criticism and into curiosity.
Open your mind to new thoughts and integrate those thoughts into inspired action. “We should hunt out the helpful pieces of teaching and the spirited and noble- minded sayings which are capable of immediate practical application – not far far- fetched or archaic expressions or extravagant metaphors and figures of speech – and learn them so well that words become works.” ~ Lucius Annaeus Seneca (Roman Stoic philosopher and later advisor to the emperor Nero)
7. Versatility is the key to emotional, mental, and financial success.
The ability to effectively communicate, be of service to, and associate with a variety of different types of people in a range of situations will serve you well throughout your career as well as life.
8. The Easy Button, short cuts, and work arounds are NOT the solution.
Anything worth doing, seeing, having, or being is going to require sacrifice. Achieving your ambitions requires the concentration of inspired effort. Stop trying to skip steps. “Do not wish it were easier…wish you were better!” ~ Jim Rohn
9. It’s too soon to tell.
Instead of judging everything as it happens as, “good” or “bad,” replace those thoughts with, “It’s too soon to tell.” Why did this or that happen to you? It’s too soon to tell. Think of all of the examples from your life that prove this, and adopt it into your psyche. “Don’t judge each day by the harvest you reap but by the seeds that you plant.” ~ Robert Louis Stevenson
10. Narcissistic Injury (perceived threat to your esteem or self-worth) should not be your theme song, your story or “your thing.”
Stop taking everything so personally. It’s not all about you all the time. 11. Have an attitude of gratitude, even on the worst of days.
12. Purpose is better than passion.
It’s okay not to love your work. Love what the results of your work provide for you and your family.
13. Talking about work is not the same as work.
Getting ready to get started to maybe take action when you finally feel inspired, after posting your thoughts on your blog, Facebook and Pinterest does not count as being purposeful. It’s called work because it requires effort. Know the difference between thinking and doing, then DO something about it!
14. Apologize even if you don’t think you’re wrong.
A proper apology consists of admitting what went wrong, apologizing for stress or hurt feelings caused, and promising not to inflict the same pain in the future.
15. Forgive even if no one has apologized.
Holding grudges expends energy that is better spent producing the results you want instead of the feelings you don’t. Don’t become an eternal victim.
