Child Tips for Real Estate Agents

As a parent of young children, I am always reading of ways that I can better raise my children and help them grow.  I was recently reading an article on Parenting.com titled "Teaching your kid not to give up."  It was swimming superstar and Olympic gold medalist, Michael Phelps giving advice on bouncing back from disappointment.  He offered 3 simple pieces of advice that I thought applied to real estate agents as well.

Do some prep work:  Michael stated that before every race, he would visualize everything that could happen, good or bad.  He wanted to be prepared for anything that could happen.  As an agent, you need to do the same thing.  If you are going on a listing appointment, you need to be prepared to answer any question that a seller throws at you.  If you are showing property in a particular neighborhood, know about that neighborhood.

Learn from your mistakes:  Michael stated that he would always look at his failures, and learn what he needed to do so that he didn't repeat them.  This is great advise for a real estate agent.  For example, if you go on a listing appointment, and the seller decides to list with another agent.  Call that seller, thank them for the opportunity and ask them, "I am always trying to improve myself as a real estate agent and the service that I can provide a client, may I ask you why you did not choose me to sell your home?"

Stick with it:  Michael advised to never ever give up, no matter what obstacles are thrown your way.  Again, this is great advice for a real estate agent.  Let's say you have been on 9 listing appointments, and you haven't gotten a single one of them.  Should you give up?  No, because if you have been doing your prep work and learning from your mistakes, the 10th appointment could be the one you get.

Sometimes the simplest of advice is the most powerful!  Thank you Michael Phelps for the words of wisdom.

Brandon L. Penny
bpenny@fmrealty.com
http://www.facebook.com/fonvillemoriseydurham
(919) 402-1201

"Yes I can"

I recently conducted a training session called Facebook 101:  Business Pages.  It is designed to help real estate agents set up their business pages and to provide them with ideas for their business page action plans. 

During this session, I told the class that I make two, value-added posts a day to my Facebook business page (Fonville Morisey Durham).  A student in the front of the room said, "that's a lot!"  My reply to her was "who says that's a lot?"

I responded to her that she had basically already talked herself out of using social media as a part of her marketing plan.  She agreed.

This was a perfect example of self-sabotage.  How many people talk themselves out of things before they give themselves a chance to start?  This really is sad when you think about it.  How many great ideas has someone given up on simply because they thought it would be too hard?

There is enough negativity in the world to keep us down as it is.  Why would we allow ourselves to be another barrier to doing something new and exciting?

Next time you are thinking of doing something, and that little voice in your head says, "that will be difficult" or "you can't do that" stop what you are doing and shout, "YES I CAN!"

Just like a bully that would steal your lunch money, once you stand up for yourself, the bully will usually back down.  Stand up against your own self-sabotaging bully.

Brandon Penny
bpenny@fmrealty.com
http://www.facebook.com/fonvillemoriseydurham
(919) 402-1201

Celebrate Your Successes

As we approach our company-wide Annual Awards Banquet on next Tuesday, it got me to thinking about a coaching excercise. The purpose of the exercise is to conduct a review of the previous year by writing down every success, win, and positive thing that you experienced - both big and small. So, I challenge all readers to Celebrate Your Successes!

In my experience as a coach and manager, I have observed that most driven and success-minded individuals have a tendency to focus on what they haven't achieved yet. They are always moving on to the next goal or challenge without stopping, however briefly, to acknowledge the victory or success of the moment.

So, as you fine-tune your goals and business plan for a successful next year, take some time to look back on the current/previous year with a focus on the positives.

Just write it all down - stream of consciousness - no matter how seemingly insignificant. Just write it down. Once you start writing, you'll be surprised at how much you really have to celebrate!

• List all your accomplishments, wins, victories, successes in the past year.
• List all moment of joy and gratitude.
• What did you do last year that you were really proud of?
• What do other people in your life have to say about what you did, accomplished, contributed?
• What did you do last year that moved you toward your goals?
• What lessons did you gain from any setbacks, challenges or obstacles?
• How are your going to integrate any learnings in to your future goals and the coming year?

Brandon Penny
bpenny@fmrealty.com
http://www.facebook.com/fonvillemoriseydurham
919-402-1201

Skills Pay the Bills

While attending the "Success Seminar" featuring Joe Niego yesterday, I gained a handful of ideas I would like to run past you. 

Having been a part of the great real estate boom from 2000-2006, one thing I have noticed since it's decline has been that great markets create poor habits.  I would like to go over a few skills you can master and poor habits you can overcome, that will help you build a more successful business.

You are a small business owner:   You may work for a broker, but you are an independent, commissioned sales person.  This means you are a small business and must operate like a business.

Embrace a planning attitude:  One thing I have noticed about people is that we typically put more effort into planning a vacation or a holiday shopping trip than we do planning our professional or personal lives.  As a broker, if you don't have a plan, you are likely on the the plan of another successful broker.

Establish sales goals:  Using your strategic plan, establish sales goals.  Be specific in those goals.  Don't just say you want to increase your business from last year.  Set a goal of doing a specific number of transactions.  Write these goals down and have a tracking system.

Create a financial budget:  Budgeting is critical given the up and down of this volatile market.  Your financial budget should be based on your forecasted income, and take into account your marketing costs and any additional costs such as your education or the cost of doing business (dues, fees, license, ect.)

Make managing yourself a priority:  Building a business is hard work.  You must learn to practice good time management, manage your ongoing real estate business training, and manage your personal life.  I know that real estate is a 24/7 business, however, it is important not to lose sight of your personal life including family, friends and physical health.

Find a mentor or a Coach:  Accomplishing all of this alone is not an easy task.  Seek out a mentor who can help you maneuver your way through known obstacles and help your during the "peaks and valleys." 

Be a great real estate agent by creating good habits and living by them.  These are only a few tips to help you build a successful real estate business.  More to come!

Brandon Penny
bpenny@fmrealty.com
http://www.facebook.com/fonvillemoriseydurham
919-402-1201