Now more than ever you as a REALTOR are being asked by clients to show your value in a transaction. You should have a compelling argument because they still desperately need you to guide them through the real estate transaction. However in a very short span of years that role has dramatically changed from simple keeper of the information to guide through the myriad of data. They need your expertise to sort through, comprehend and advise and council them to protect them from making mistakes in some of the biggest financial decisions of most of their lives.
It was only 18 years ago when the very first listings were being put on the World Wide Web as it was called, and that was only the very early adapters who were online them. Keep in mind the Internet was not available for public, consumer and commercial uses until 1995. Back then we got MLS books each week with current listings available. So REALTORS saw their value in the marketplace tied to being the keeper of information. They are the only ones who knew what was on the market other than by seeing a sign in the yard. As information became readily available to the consumer those agents who failed to adapt and provide deeper and more valuable services fell away into history like those weekly books.
Before the MLS and those books each Broker kept a file of their offices listings, and as an agent you had to go to their office to see what they had in inventory. So the value Brokers provided to agents was a place to find and market their inventory. The Broker was the Information Depository, and the agent was entrusted to market that information. We have all seen the panic that rumbles through our industry every time a new way information slips out of our protection to the public without us, that old information paradigm runs deep in many of our DNAs. Please understand it is your expertise and ability to guide, not your data that gives you value.
As you continue to be asked to explain your value, have you ever thought to ask your Broker to explain theirs to you? Have they evolved into a new service industry serving your business needs, or are they operating the same basic business model they were twenty years ago with just a web presence added? As an agent it is likely that your single largest expense per year is what you pay your broker in splits and fees, likely more than you are paying for your house, your taxes, or any other expense. What are you receiving for your investment?
Last week I was meeting with a very sharp young agent who just got his license and suggested a couple of other Brokers to begin his career since we do not accept brand new agents. He was sitting in our Carmel office and was in love with the culture and excitement he saw all around him and asked who was most like us, and I had to tell him no one. That all the others were in a different business than we. That there are many excellent companies and successful business models out there, but they are all in the Real Estate business, and we are in the Top Producing REALTOR business, it's our clients (our agents) who are in the Real Estate business. Our business is serving them so they can be more effective serving their own clients.
So once again, what business is your Broker in, and what value do they bring to your ever changing world current to today's world? Are they relevant, or are they doing the same things they were during the Mad Men days?
Wednesday, April 16, 2014
Friday, March 14, 2014
What 3 Specific Innovations/Changes Will Impact the Real Estate Business The Most in the Next 3-5 Years?
My favorite time of the year to get my geek on, the "Swanepoel TRENDS Report 2014" is out! In this Real Estate trade magazine they interview the top minds in the industry and ask them a series of questions to help us get a peek into what they anticipate will be our coming attractions. You will likely get a few blogs from me with my thoughts on different parts of this year's book
For today, we will explore this question and the answers:
"Which three specific innovations/changes will, in your opinion, impact the residential real estate brokerage business the most over the next three to five years?"
Gary Keller, Co-Founder of Keller Williams wrote;
"Since looking backwards is a great way to forecast forward, I see three events already underway that I believe will strongly impact the real estate industry for the next three to five years: agents expanding their borders, the expanded use of predictive analytics, and the progressing battle for online listing data."
He went on to say how he believes that the greatest innovation we will see will not come from technologists, but from real estate agents. He believes Top agents will continue to monetize their systems by expanding into new markets. That agents will move their value proposition from "information provider to information interpreter. His third trend is the ongoing battle over who will provide the public with their listing data. This will not go away until the war is won. The outcome isn't decided at all, and brokerages are beginning to realize that if they don't step up and become the solution they will at some point become expendable.
Brad Inman, Founder and Publisher of INMAN news;
"1. New and better products will be created. They sky is the limit on innovation.
2. Smaller tech companies will be gobbled up, as REALTOR.com, Trulia and Zillow square off in heated battle.
3. Brokers who don't innovate or partner will be left in the dust. Old ways are most threatened at times like this.
4. Agents will be offered more and more products and better ways to do their job. Their growing independence will be even more emboldened.
5. New business models will be tried, further challenging the old guard.
Finally and most importantly, the consumer will enjoy a better experience, buying, selling and renting homes."
Curt Beardsley, VP Product Marketing Move, Inc.:
"Today, several complete - or nearly complete - data compilations of nationwide listing data exist. Over the next few years, brokerages, software systems, and agent tools will begin to directly interact with these standardized compilations through APIs and direct interfaces - and not the underlying content providers (MLSs). This single access point for regional and national listing content will render the number or structure of these content providers irrelevant to the users. many of these content provider systems will remain, but some brokerages will begin to directly interact with the aggregated compilations, relying on peer-to-peer and other alternative agreements for cooperation and compensation."
Pam O'Connor, President and CEO of Leading Real Estate Companies of the World:
"Globalization;
The world is shrinking, and as various economies ebb and flow, we have seen investment from foreign buyers increase to represent seven percent of all U.S. sales, and as much as thirty percent in states life Florida and California. Even in interior markets like Iowa's Quad Cities, multi-national companies are bringing in expats, so today's consumer wants to know that his or her home is exposed Globally. Depending on how the U.S. economy grows or stagnates, residents here may also look to other countries to invest. Creating connections to other real estate professionals around the world, and developing platforms to achieve property exposure globally will become more prevalent as time goes on. This trend is already very much a factor in the luxury market."
(Being with RE/MAX, I loved reading her comments on how critical it was for a global reach, no one is as connected globally as is RE/MAX today.)
Jack Miller, CEO T3 Experts:
"Millennials don't care how you're used to doing business. Millennials have grown up with technology that works remarkably well, and the won't suffer the industry's retro technologies - and retro mentalities - either as consumers or practitioners."
The overall tenor of the group was a feeling of optimism and a belief that the industry would continue to evolve into something relevant for tomorrow's consumer. Yet, they believe that those who are not part of the change, are not pushing the envelope will soon not have to worry about it any longer because they will no longer be in the business, be they agents or brokerages.
I guess to put it in an old way of saying, it is up to you to Lead, Follow, or get out of the way.
For today, we will explore this question and the answers:
"Which three specific innovations/changes will, in your opinion, impact the residential real estate brokerage business the most over the next three to five years?"
Gary Keller, Co-Founder of Keller Williams wrote;
"Since looking backwards is a great way to forecast forward, I see three events already underway that I believe will strongly impact the real estate industry for the next three to five years: agents expanding their borders, the expanded use of predictive analytics, and the progressing battle for online listing data."
He went on to say how he believes that the greatest innovation we will see will not come from technologists, but from real estate agents. He believes Top agents will continue to monetize their systems by expanding into new markets. That agents will move their value proposition from "information provider to information interpreter. His third trend is the ongoing battle over who will provide the public with their listing data. This will not go away until the war is won. The outcome isn't decided at all, and brokerages are beginning to realize that if they don't step up and become the solution they will at some point become expendable.
Brad Inman, Founder and Publisher of INMAN news;
"1. New and better products will be created. They sky is the limit on innovation.
2. Smaller tech companies will be gobbled up, as REALTOR.com, Trulia and Zillow square off in heated battle.
3. Brokers who don't innovate or partner will be left in the dust. Old ways are most threatened at times like this.
4. Agents will be offered more and more products and better ways to do their job. Their growing independence will be even more emboldened.
5. New business models will be tried, further challenging the old guard.
Finally and most importantly, the consumer will enjoy a better experience, buying, selling and renting homes."
Curt Beardsley, VP Product Marketing Move, Inc.:
"Today, several complete - or nearly complete - data compilations of nationwide listing data exist. Over the next few years, brokerages, software systems, and agent tools will begin to directly interact with these standardized compilations through APIs and direct interfaces - and not the underlying content providers (MLSs). This single access point for regional and national listing content will render the number or structure of these content providers irrelevant to the users. many of these content provider systems will remain, but some brokerages will begin to directly interact with the aggregated compilations, relying on peer-to-peer and other alternative agreements for cooperation and compensation."
Pam O'Connor, President and CEO of Leading Real Estate Companies of the World:
"Globalization;
The world is shrinking, and as various economies ebb and flow, we have seen investment from foreign buyers increase to represent seven percent of all U.S. sales, and as much as thirty percent in states life Florida and California. Even in interior markets like Iowa's Quad Cities, multi-national companies are bringing in expats, so today's consumer wants to know that his or her home is exposed Globally. Depending on how the U.S. economy grows or stagnates, residents here may also look to other countries to invest. Creating connections to other real estate professionals around the world, and developing platforms to achieve property exposure globally will become more prevalent as time goes on. This trend is already very much a factor in the luxury market."
(Being with RE/MAX, I loved reading her comments on how critical it was for a global reach, no one is as connected globally as is RE/MAX today.)
Jack Miller, CEO T3 Experts:
"Millennials don't care how you're used to doing business. Millennials have grown up with technology that works remarkably well, and the won't suffer the industry's retro technologies - and retro mentalities - either as consumers or practitioners."
The overall tenor of the group was a feeling of optimism and a belief that the industry would continue to evolve into something relevant for tomorrow's consumer. Yet, they believe that those who are not part of the change, are not pushing the envelope will soon not have to worry about it any longer because they will no longer be in the business, be they agents or brokerages.
I guess to put it in an old way of saying, it is up to you to Lead, Follow, or get out of the way.
Monday, February 17, 2014
How Do You Filter Your Choices?
You have to make countless decisions every day, many quickly as you navigate through the different areas of your professional, personal, and family life. How do you filter them to help you to confidently choose your options and move on to the next ones?
There is a very under utilized tool to help you called a Mission Statement. Yeah I know, we all have them at work and have no idea what they say, they are just a dusty plaque in the lobby in most cases. Those, in my opinion are not mission statements, but vanity plates trying to sound good with zero connection to anyone in the organization. If used properly a mission statement is simply a filtering tool to run your choices through to help you make the decision that is in line with your vision.
At RE/MAX Ability Plus we have ours "To Inspire Agents, Create Opportunities, and Support Their Dreams" is part of our DNA. We do not do anything without first running it through this filter to make sure that there is a fit with our Mission. Recently we had a great example of how this works in our agent's best interest. One of our agents who joined us last year, came to realize that Real Estate wasn't her passion after working with the passionate agents here. She sent me this email, we were able to visit later, but I was moved to tears to know that we were exactly who we promised to be in our Mission Statement for her. We did Inspire, Create, and Support her Dreams! I am so proud of her for chasing her dreams. Here is her letter.
I
assume Jimmy has broken the news: I am retiring from real estate. I
wished I could have told you in person, but want to at least send you a note
thanking you for everything.
As I
told Jimmy today, real estate is just not the right fit for me. Working
at (Brand X), the office being what it was, I just assumed everyone was unhappy.
I got to RE/MAX Ability Plus and found a company full of people that were not only
happy in real estate, but truly seem to love what they do, from you and Jimmy,
to the agents, to the staff. You practice what you preach, and encourage us all
to follow our dreams. It made me realize something was missing and real
estate wasn't going to fulfill it. I have a great opportunity to get
back into law, either outright or through a few more credit hours of school,
and I have to take it.
I am
immensely grateful to you and Jimmy for your encouragement and support. I
could have wasted years of my life at (Brand X), never realizing there was an
issue. The first time I met with you this spring, I felt more excited
about work and the future than I had in years. I realize that in the end, the
career choice was not real estate, but you both have instilled a sense of optimism
and drive that has been lacking the past couple of years. Your passion
for your job and your company is contagious and I know that is why your agents
are successful, and why RE/MAX Ability Plus is successful.
I
wish you the best of luck in your future endeavors. I know you and Jimmy
will go far, and I still believe that you are the best real estate company in
the state. I will gladly refer business to you, knowing that past client
and friends will receive the best service around! I hope you will keep in
touch and that our paths will cross again. Jimmy has encouraged me to
come to the Christmas party. I hope to see you there if I can make it!
Best
wishes,
How could we be more successful fulfilling our Mission Statement than that?
Mission Statements help you not beat yourself up struggling with decisions, it makes your day go faster and with much less stress. You simply filter the decisions through your values in the statement, it will either fit or not.
Have a work one, a personal one, another for your marriage and one for your kids, any others that might make your life easier.
For me, my personal mission statement has long been, "Have Fun, Make Money, and Make a Difference." If I am in a job that fits all three, life is good, if not, it's time to look.
When I married Jodi, 30 years ago next June, my Mission Statement was "Make Her Always Feel The Slipper Fit." No matter how our finances were it helped me to find ways to truly make her understand how special she is to me.
For my role as Dad, it is "To Raise Healthy, Happy, Successful Adults." That way when I had to make decisions that didn't make for happy children, I never had to doubt my intentions.
When you make a Mission Statement, be sure that it is short, simple, easily at the tip of your tongue and something that you are truly passionate about. If you do, you won't be so exhausted at the end of the day from fighting and second guessing yourself on they myriad of choices you must make every day.
There is a very under utilized tool to help you called a Mission Statement. Yeah I know, we all have them at work and have no idea what they say, they are just a dusty plaque in the lobby in most cases. Those, in my opinion are not mission statements, but vanity plates trying to sound good with zero connection to anyone in the organization. If used properly a mission statement is simply a filtering tool to run your choices through to help you make the decision that is in line with your vision.
At RE/MAX Ability Plus we have ours "To Inspire Agents, Create Opportunities, and Support Their Dreams" is part of our DNA. We do not do anything without first running it through this filter to make sure that there is a fit with our Mission. Recently we had a great example of how this works in our agent's best interest. One of our agents who joined us last year, came to realize that Real Estate wasn't her passion after working with the passionate agents here. She sent me this email, we were able to visit later, but I was moved to tears to know that we were exactly who we promised to be in our Mission Statement for her. We did Inspire, Create, and Support her Dreams! I am so proud of her for chasing her dreams. Here is her letter.
"Dear
Jim,
How could we be more successful fulfilling our Mission Statement than that?
Mission Statements help you not beat yourself up struggling with decisions, it makes your day go faster and with much less stress. You simply filter the decisions through your values in the statement, it will either fit or not.
Have a work one, a personal one, another for your marriage and one for your kids, any others that might make your life easier.
For me, my personal mission statement has long been, "Have Fun, Make Money, and Make a Difference." If I am in a job that fits all three, life is good, if not, it's time to look.
When I married Jodi, 30 years ago next June, my Mission Statement was "Make Her Always Feel The Slipper Fit." No matter how our finances were it helped me to find ways to truly make her understand how special she is to me.
For my role as Dad, it is "To Raise Healthy, Happy, Successful Adults." That way when I had to make decisions that didn't make for happy children, I never had to doubt my intentions.
When you make a Mission Statement, be sure that it is short, simple, easily at the tip of your tongue and something that you are truly passionate about. If you do, you won't be so exhausted at the end of the day from fighting and second guessing yourself on they myriad of choices you must make every day.
Friday, January 17, 2014
Goal Achieving Steroids
It is early in 2014 you should be just getting started on making your 2014 goals and Dreams come true, or at least I hope you are. Make sure that you don't sabotage yourself by throwing away your power to achieve them.
Our society has stripped most people of the most powerful success tool ever available to everyone by creating a get it now easy credit culture. We can buy most anything we want by making "easy" monthly payments. Beyond being bad for your financial health, it is completely destructive for your ability to set and achieve goals and dreams.
Last night anyone watching "Pawn Stars" was shown how this success strategy works. Chumley has taken on a new healthy lifestyle and has lost a great deal of weight, going from 320 to 241. Nothing has been mentioned as he has been making this change, but last night after reaching this goal, he said why he was doing it. Last year the store bought a personal one person hovercraft that he wanted to ride, but it has a 250 pound weight limit. He lost the weight so he could ride it and did so on last night's show. The point is he had a burning desire to ride this vehicle and it drove him to reach his goal. It makes no difference if ANYONE else thinks your Dream has any value, it only matters that you do.
There is a wonderful story of the power that can come from delayed gratification. Dexter Yager, one of the icons of the Multilevel Marketing industry who has every material thing you can think of, several multi-million dollar homes, collections of cars, jets, what ever you can imagine councils others who are chasing their own dreams. I have heard several people who had counseled with Dexter that part of their evening included going to a marina to go sit in a speed boat Dex wanted. This boat was about 50,000.00, a number that Dex likely carried on him. One of those mentees on the third trip to the boat said to Dex, "Why don't you just buy this boat?" and Dex looked incredulous saying "I can't afford to do that!!" Knowing that Dex could easily buy the marina, he asked what are you talking about. Then Dex gave a piece of wisdom that if you take to heart will completely transform your ability to reach Goals and Dreams. Dexter said, "Do you know how hard it is for me to find something I want? I have to milk all the want out of it before I buy it."
That is very profound. What if we always made ourselves "earn" those things we really want instead of just buying them on impulse? What if we used them as a carrot for us to reward ourselves when we performed activity goals, or accomplished a task?
If you want to put steroids into your goal setting muscles delayed gratification is your answer.
Thursday, December 12, 2013
Compare Or Not To Compare That Is The Question
It is that time of year where we are either crossing the finish line celebrating our newly reached goals, or stretching desperately to put ourselves over the top, at least we hope that is our current experience. Unfortunately there are those who met their goals but still are unhappy as they compare themselves to others doing more than they. Many, if not most, are trying to be quiet and not have attention on them as their goals long ago ran out of sight of their reach. Now what? What do you do if you are celebrating or hiding? Or just feeling down as you compare you and your business to others?
Most unhappiness comes from comparing ourselves to others, comparing looks, businesses, and lives. We tend to compare our weaknesses to the strengths of those who we admire. This isn't fair to us, or them. Far less likely are we to compare our strengths to the weaknesses of someone else.
We each have different personalities, skills, experiences and more. Each of us has strengths others do not, and weaknesses where others are strong. Learn from those you admire, find ways to follow their examples, but don't beat yourself up because you're aren't like them, or at least not yet. You will always be different, but that doesn't mean less, could be better as you continue to develop your skills.
Learn to be comfortable in your own skin, in your own priorities. Is a mom with young children whose focus is on them, who just wants to supplement the families income enough so she doesn't have to go to work full-time and accomplishes that any less successful than the ones walking across stage at awards events? Not at all, she met her goals, who knows that one on stage might have missed the one they were chasing.
The only comparing that anyone should do is how are you comparing to you, your past, your goals, your wants and desires.
You should focus and build on your strengths , put your efforts into the areas you excel, while trying to work on your weaknesses to improve them. If you need more education get it. If you need more skills work to develop them. However, focus on your strengths.
For those that another year where the goals and ends never met. First off, quit beating yourself up! Identify what stopped you. Was it setting a goal too high for your current skill set and available time commitment? Was it outside circumstances, there are some that no matter how positive you are, do make things more challenging? Were you just not motivated? At least identify it so you can adjust for 2014 and don't find yourself here again next year. Here is a link to an earlier blog on how to set goals that you will actually hit.
http://jimmorganindianarealestate.blogspot.com/2012/12/tis-season-for-goals.html
Also this one addresses why we too often fail when we are seeking our goals.
http://jimmorganindianarealestate.blogspot.com/2013/04/the-problem-is-not-problem-never-has.html
If you are crossing the finish line and are truly experiencing that wondrous mountain top feeling, it is now time to Peek across to your next Peak to set your sights on your next Summit to climb. Robert Schuller book, "Peek to Peak Principle" that speaks of how when we reach the Peak of one of our goals and dreams we must then Peek to the next Peak to climb. Remember that there are no mountains that you go from one Peak to the other Peak without first stepping back down into the valley. So set your vision from the Peak!
Most unhappiness comes from comparing ourselves to others, comparing looks, businesses, and lives. We tend to compare our weaknesses to the strengths of those who we admire. This isn't fair to us, or them. Far less likely are we to compare our strengths to the weaknesses of someone else.
We each have different personalities, skills, experiences and more. Each of us has strengths others do not, and weaknesses where others are strong. Learn from those you admire, find ways to follow their examples, but don't beat yourself up because you're aren't like them, or at least not yet. You will always be different, but that doesn't mean less, could be better as you continue to develop your skills.
Learn to be comfortable in your own skin, in your own priorities. Is a mom with young children whose focus is on them, who just wants to supplement the families income enough so she doesn't have to go to work full-time and accomplishes that any less successful than the ones walking across stage at awards events? Not at all, she met her goals, who knows that one on stage might have missed the one they were chasing.
The only comparing that anyone should do is how are you comparing to you, your past, your goals, your wants and desires.
You should focus and build on your strengths , put your efforts into the areas you excel, while trying to work on your weaknesses to improve them. If you need more education get it. If you need more skills work to develop them. However, focus on your strengths.
For those that another year where the goals and ends never met. First off, quit beating yourself up! Identify what stopped you. Was it setting a goal too high for your current skill set and available time commitment? Was it outside circumstances, there are some that no matter how positive you are, do make things more challenging? Were you just not motivated? At least identify it so you can adjust for 2014 and don't find yourself here again next year. Here is a link to an earlier blog on how to set goals that you will actually hit.
http://jimmorganindianarealestate.blogspot.com/2012/12/tis-season-for-goals.html
Also this one addresses why we too often fail when we are seeking our goals.
http://jimmorganindianarealestate.blogspot.com/2013/04/the-problem-is-not-problem-never-has.html
If you are crossing the finish line and are truly experiencing that wondrous mountain top feeling, it is now time to Peek across to your next Peak to set your sights on your next Summit to climb. Robert Schuller book, "Peek to Peak Principle" that speaks of how when we reach the Peak of one of our goals and dreams we must then Peek to the next Peak to climb. Remember that there are no mountains that you go from one Peak to the other Peak without first stepping back down into the valley. So set your vision from the Peak!
Saturday, November 16, 2013
Congratulations You Survived The Real Estate Market Change! Guess What, More Change Is Coming!
If you have been in the Real Estate business since before 2006 and you are still here, congratulations! You have navigated through massive change and survived and hopefully thrived. That is only part of the story though, buckle up your seatbelt, more change is coming. The only thing I can promise you won't change is that things are going to keep changing, and changing faster and faster.
For the last few years I cannot begin to tell you how many times I have heard from REALTORS, "the business just isn't any fun any more." Or "It is just so hard now." However, it had been a while as the market has heated up and agents have been so busy. A couple weeks ago, I was reminded that there are still those who are struggling with that change. Those struggling are stuck in a 2006 business model, and rather than searching for where the cheese has moved, are waiting until someone puts it back where it was. Let me assure you it isn't coming back, it is simply getting ready to move again. There is a real danger in fighting change.
Change is always coming, it simply keeps speeding up. This is what one of my favorite economists Paul Pilzer wrote on the topic. For years the historic age was known by the technology of the age, The Stone Age, the Iron Age, Bronze Age all lasted for generations, you were born, lived, and died under that same age, but as technology has advanced, the speed of change has moved to light speed. We once were taught to "Be the Best" at a given skill to be successful, today, that could be a recipe for disaster if the need for that skill evaporates. Those who are most adaptable to change are the winners in today's and into tomorrow's economy, those who not only adapt, but work to stay in front of it.
Look to history to see the future:
In 1930 there were 30 million American farmers who were barely able to grow enough food for the 123 million Americans at that time. By 1980 there were only 3 million American farmers who were producing so much food that even after feeding the 227 million Americans, and exporting around the world, the government paid them to leave land idle to keep too much surplus from depressing the markets. Most didn't see much because it happened over 50 years and people kept moving off the farm to go to work in the cities, many to car manufacturers. In 1980 there were 250,000 Americans working making carburetors in the Mid-West, by 1985 a new technology was created eliminating almost all of those jobs, the fuel injector system. In 1989 there were 150,000 Americans working in Indiana and Ohio pressing vinyl records and their industry had it's best year in history, then in 1990 they were almost all out of work due to the Compact Disc.
The economy didn't get them-- technology made them obsolete. Those who waited around looking for another job like they had once had suffered greatly, those who saw that their cheese moved and learned a new skill moved on, and maybe on up. For those who remember Richard LeMieux, who spoke at the IAR convention a couple years ago. His business of publishing Criss Cross Directory type of books was taken down by the Internet. He lost his palatial home, his wife, family and ended up living out of a van with his dog Willow. He showed us the dire consequences of refusing to adapt to change can have. Thankfully, he finally was able to reinvent himself by writing "Breakfast at Sally's" a book on his inspirational comeback from homelessness.
The best skill you can learn is to learn to learn. Learn to embrace change rather than fear it. Why do you fear change? What can you do?
In our schools we are taught, not based on the premise of learning new ideas, big picture thinking, (systems thinking) and decision making, but rather on memorizing history, and classifying people's aptitudes based on one mode of learning. This has had quite a profoundly negative effect on our perception of our capacity to learn. So, very much like understanding why we resist change, this step is critical in order to shed negative reinforcement. Indeed, this understanding and therefore unlearning our bad learning habits is the last preparatory step in the adaptability process.
Fear tells you this: "I can't do it." Remember FEAR is False Evidence Appearing Real.
Continual self doubt is simply the residue of being negatively reinforced for so long. It's part of being afraid of change. You have been told since you were a child, by teachers, parents, grading systems, and certain marketing institutions that sell products by using negative reinforcement, that you are either good or bad at something, that you have aptitude for certain things but not for others, and that you need things you don't have in order to be whole. People who decided as children that elementary math class didn't come easily often believe as adults that they are simply not good at math.
But you can change, it is all a matter of focus, desire and finding the proper learning method and tools for your disposition. Ultimately you should hold imagination in higher regard than knowledge. That means you trust who you are and let your sense of wonder and curiosity guide you. Think of it as a large empty tool box in your mind. Knowledge is simply material - tools - you gather to fill that box. You can attain whatever knowledge you want. Today there is an unlimited ability to gather information on nearly every topic at your fingertips, you can Google any question, or YouTube anything you want to know.
It is equally important that you associate without others who share this constant quest to learn. That is one of the things I most love about RE/MAX Ability Plus, everyone pushes each other forward simply by the atmosphere of learning, sharing, and growing. Surround yourself where others are constantly growing and changing, they will open your eyes to change needed and inspire you to do so.
Albert Einstein put it this way, "If at first a new idea doesn't seem ridiculous, then there is no hope for it."
For the last few years I cannot begin to tell you how many times I have heard from REALTORS, "the business just isn't any fun any more." Or "It is just so hard now." However, it had been a while as the market has heated up and agents have been so busy. A couple weeks ago, I was reminded that there are still those who are struggling with that change. Those struggling are stuck in a 2006 business model, and rather than searching for where the cheese has moved, are waiting until someone puts it back where it was. Let me assure you it isn't coming back, it is simply getting ready to move again. There is a real danger in fighting change.
Change is always coming, it simply keeps speeding up. This is what one of my favorite economists Paul Pilzer wrote on the topic. For years the historic age was known by the technology of the age, The Stone Age, the Iron Age, Bronze Age all lasted for generations, you were born, lived, and died under that same age, but as technology has advanced, the speed of change has moved to light speed. We once were taught to "Be the Best" at a given skill to be successful, today, that could be a recipe for disaster if the need for that skill evaporates. Those who are most adaptable to change are the winners in today's and into tomorrow's economy, those who not only adapt, but work to stay in front of it.
Look to history to see the future:
In 1930 there were 30 million American farmers who were barely able to grow enough food for the 123 million Americans at that time. By 1980 there were only 3 million American farmers who were producing so much food that even after feeding the 227 million Americans, and exporting around the world, the government paid them to leave land idle to keep too much surplus from depressing the markets. Most didn't see much because it happened over 50 years and people kept moving off the farm to go to work in the cities, many to car manufacturers. In 1980 there were 250,000 Americans working making carburetors in the Mid-West, by 1985 a new technology was created eliminating almost all of those jobs, the fuel injector system. In 1989 there were 150,000 Americans working in Indiana and Ohio pressing vinyl records and their industry had it's best year in history, then in 1990 they were almost all out of work due to the Compact Disc.
The economy didn't get them-- technology made them obsolete. Those who waited around looking for another job like they had once had suffered greatly, those who saw that their cheese moved and learned a new skill moved on, and maybe on up. For those who remember Richard LeMieux, who spoke at the IAR convention a couple years ago. His business of publishing Criss Cross Directory type of books was taken down by the Internet. He lost his palatial home, his wife, family and ended up living out of a van with his dog Willow. He showed us the dire consequences of refusing to adapt to change can have. Thankfully, he finally was able to reinvent himself by writing "Breakfast at Sally's" a book on his inspirational comeback from homelessness.
The best skill you can learn is to learn to learn. Learn to embrace change rather than fear it. Why do you fear change? What can you do?
In our schools we are taught, not based on the premise of learning new ideas, big picture thinking, (systems thinking) and decision making, but rather on memorizing history, and classifying people's aptitudes based on one mode of learning. This has had quite a profoundly negative effect on our perception of our capacity to learn. So, very much like understanding why we resist change, this step is critical in order to shed negative reinforcement. Indeed, this understanding and therefore unlearning our bad learning habits is the last preparatory step in the adaptability process.
Fear tells you this: "I can't do it." Remember FEAR is False Evidence Appearing Real.
Continual self doubt is simply the residue of being negatively reinforced for so long. It's part of being afraid of change. You have been told since you were a child, by teachers, parents, grading systems, and certain marketing institutions that sell products by using negative reinforcement, that you are either good or bad at something, that you have aptitude for certain things but not for others, and that you need things you don't have in order to be whole. People who decided as children that elementary math class didn't come easily often believe as adults that they are simply not good at math.
But you can change, it is all a matter of focus, desire and finding the proper learning method and tools for your disposition. Ultimately you should hold imagination in higher regard than knowledge. That means you trust who you are and let your sense of wonder and curiosity guide you. Think of it as a large empty tool box in your mind. Knowledge is simply material - tools - you gather to fill that box. You can attain whatever knowledge you want. Today there is an unlimited ability to gather information on nearly every topic at your fingertips, you can Google any question, or YouTube anything you want to know.
It is equally important that you associate without others who share this constant quest to learn. That is one of the things I most love about RE/MAX Ability Plus, everyone pushes each other forward simply by the atmosphere of learning, sharing, and growing. Surround yourself where others are constantly growing and changing, they will open your eyes to change needed and inspire you to do so.
Albert Einstein put it this way, "If at first a new idea doesn't seem ridiculous, then there is no hope for it."
Monday, October 14, 2013
Have You Transitioned?
Okay, I know that you have heard and heard some more that you MUST do the 24 hour Transition Course from Real Estate Sales Associate to Broker before June 30th, 2014 or you will no longer be able to practice Real Estate. Have you done it? My goal here is to get you to do it sooner than later.
Indiana Association or REALTORS gave us some information you might want to consider.
1. There are only four people who are working at the State to process your paperwork, so if you wait until the last minute next June you might have met your requirements but you might not be able to practice until the State catches up.
2. If you have any issues that could slow up your paperwork you should get started now. If you have any outstanding Indiana Tax bills, Child Support payments, or had any other issue like a DUI. The State will likely not issue your license until resolved. You want to get in front of it and if needed to get in front of the Board you can do so.
If you are a "Legacy Broker" someone who has their Broker's License before July 2012, you will still need your normal 16 hours of CE that would have been due by June 2013 that was extended to June 2014, as well as an additional 8 hours of CE by then as well.
If you need your Broker's Transition Course, or your 8 Hour Legacy Broker course you can take them at our RE/MAX Ability Plus portal on www.recp.com.
I just took the 8 hour course Friday and today, it is very easy. I did the first three modules on my laptop and tried to do the fourth on my iPad but found it very cumbersome and went back to the laptop.
The eight hours consist of:
1. Fair Housing: 2 Hours
2. The New Indiana Licensing Law: 2 Hours
3. Factors in Negotiation: 2 Hours
4. Money, Escrows, E&O, and Earnest Money: 2 Hours
Indiana Association or REALTORS gave us some information you might want to consider.
1. There are only four people who are working at the State to process your paperwork, so if you wait until the last minute next June you might have met your requirements but you might not be able to practice until the State catches up.
2. If you have any issues that could slow up your paperwork you should get started now. If you have any outstanding Indiana Tax bills, Child Support payments, or had any other issue like a DUI. The State will likely not issue your license until resolved. You want to get in front of it and if needed to get in front of the Board you can do so.
If you are a "Legacy Broker" someone who has their Broker's License before July 2012, you will still need your normal 16 hours of CE that would have been due by June 2013 that was extended to June 2014, as well as an additional 8 hours of CE by then as well.
If you need your Broker's Transition Course, or your 8 Hour Legacy Broker course you can take them at our RE/MAX Ability Plus portal on www.recp.com.
I just took the 8 hour course Friday and today, it is very easy. I did the first three modules on my laptop and tried to do the fourth on my iPad but found it very cumbersome and went back to the laptop.
The eight hours consist of:
1. Fair Housing: 2 Hours
2. The New Indiana Licensing Law: 2 Hours
3. Factors in Negotiation: 2 Hours
4. Money, Escrows, E&O, and Earnest Money: 2 Hours
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