by andrew | Oct 22, 2018 | BluePrint Of Success, Habits, Mindset For Success, Priorities and My Time
Do you enjoy the Facebook memories feature as much as I do? Recently a memory came up for me from a time when I was really into the sport of golf… at that time I had hired a “Master PGA professional” as a coach and my handicap dropped in half. Coaching works. The picture I posted was a golf ball inside the cup with the caption: “The main thing… get the ball in the cup in the fewest strokes possible. No need to make it more complicated than that!”
The main thing… get the ball in the cup in the fewest strokes possible.
For me, I learn by analogies… how one thing is just like another. Sports, music, and theater have great analogies for business. This memory reminded me that real estate sales has one main thing too…setting appointments. The more appointments you have in your schedule each week the more successful you will be. The objective of all real estate marketing and prospecting is to create more appointments!
Every time I meet one on one with someone seeking coaching on their real estate practice, I enjoy listening to the stories of why they don’t have time to do the little things they already KNOW will make a difference.
“Mark, I don’t have time to prospect consistently; I don’t have time to eat properly during the day; I don’t have time for a date night with my partner; I don’t have time to work out.” And the list of excuses goes on and on and on. Think about it, the most unprofitable item ever manufactured is an excuse.
So, what does any of this have to do with making more real estate appointments? You see here’s what I know, from working with peak performers and highly successful people all over the world… keystone habits matter. Some habits are more important than others. Keystone habits don’t create a direct cause-and-effect relationship, but they can spark chain reactions that help other good habits take hold. Examples would be exercising… exercising can help you eat better; family dinners can create greater bonds outside of meals; planning your days and time blocking can lead to stronger focus throughout the day.
If you don’t have time for the small things you won’t have time for the big things.
Taking action: Start by making ONE adjustment to your daily routine immediately. You KNOW what it is… write it down right now. Text it to your partner with a commitment and ask them to hold you accountable.
You might struggle a bit the first day, or the second day… yet one day you’ll master it. And then you can add the next keystone habit to your arsenal. You see it’s about keeping the main thing the main thing.
“Typically, people who exercise, start eating better and becoming more productive at work. They smoke less and show more patience with colleagues and family. They use their credit cards less frequently and say they feel less stressed. Exercise is a keystone habit that triggers widespread change.” ~ Charles Duhigg, The Power of Habit
#WinTheDay
by andrew | Oct 17, 2018 | Best Practice, BluePrint Of Success, Coaching, Don't Settle, Goal Setting, Mindset For Success, Real Estate, Success, Success From Scratch, Sucess Goals, Top Agent, Top Producer
Kristine Edens and Nita Advani our my guest this week on Success From Scratch. Both are newer agents to the industry who share how having a mentor was critical to their success. Kristine and Nita each have different approaches to the market, yet both explain how an experienced mentor – who helped them build confidence – enabled them to achieve their first transactions in less than 90 days.
“Don’t look back and say I should have.” – Nita Advani, JP and Associates REALTORS®
“Just keep moving forward.” -Kristine Edens, JP and Associates REALTORS®
Need a coach? Take advantage of our free consult at JPARCoaching.com
by andrew | Oct 15, 2018 | Best Practice, BluePrint Of Success, Coaching, Don't Settle, Dreams, Goal Setting, JPAR, Priorities and My Time, Real Estate, Sucess Goals
We are on a mission… a mission to create the most productive brokerage network in the world. That requires transformation… I was thinking, wouldn’t it be cool if it was as easy as the type of transformation Clark Kent goes through when he becomes Superman, or when Diana became Wonder Woman?
Here’s what I know, to achieve all of our dreams some type of transformation is required. And unless you are blessed with superpowers, transformations don’t happen in isolation. If you’re stuck, get in a small group. If you’re on track get in a small group. If you’re crushing it I suspect you’re already in a small group. None of us will transform without the power of being in a like-minded mastermind group where you can share, discuss, challenge and get some accountability.
Consider starting or joining a group this week. Don’t know what to discuss? Consider these possible themes:
Possible Topics:
6 guidelines for business transformation. 1. Let the consumer drive your direction; 2. Decide what type of transformation you need; 3. How to involve your team, vendors and support network; 4. How to say NO to the comfort zone; 5. Being open, listen to others and be prepared to change as conditions dictate and 6. Best practices to never stop… never stop with a continuous improvement mindset (make it better, make it better, always make it better).
Possible Topic:
The JPAR quarterly review or business planning templates and how you plan to close the year strong, fully prepared for 2019.
Possible Topic About Marketing:
As you think about closing the year strong and starting the year fast I’d ask you to consider content-based marketing.
Content-based marketing is about marketing your real estate services based on the consumers intent to engage.
Marketing to the consumer’s intent is expected to produce a better ROI over more traditional methods, mostly due to specific targeting and higher quality responses.
One idea you could execute would be white papers that you hire out Fiverr or write yourself along with an associated “push and target” distribution campaign to drive leads. Examples:
4 reasons to sell and buy in Flower Mound
6 ways to increase the value of your home in Frisco
7 things I bet your real estate agent never taught you about Austin real estate market
Many social media companies allow you to target a likely seller or buyer by way of geographic area (ex. 10 mile radius from a property), age (ex. 35-50), income (ex. at least $50,000 and less than $80,000), and even credit score (cool, right?). And others like SmartZip offer predictive intent based tools for the modern real estate agent.
So there you have it – at least 3 major topics to get started on in your small group. When will you begin?
by andrew | Oct 8, 2018 | Best Practice, Coaching, Dreams, Goal Setting, Mindset For Success, No Regrets, Real Estate, Sucess Goals
Every picture tells a story, and that’s true of today’s blog post photo. Take a look… that image just may have hit home for you as it did for me.
I have few regrets… yet recently I happened to be in a business meeting where we moved the chess prices around the board yet did not address the true underlying issue. Instead, I chose the path of least resistance… the path of comfort instead of the harder truth. Conflict was avoided yet so was the real growth opportunity. Can you relate to a similar situation in your business or life?
While comforting lies can be, well, comforting, they won’t help us get through a challenging situation in a way that serves our mutual best interests. Comforting lies won’t help you grow. So, if your desire is to be the best version of you, switch the line you’re in. Move from the easy line of comfort to the more challenging line. The unpleasant truth will equip you with the feedback to make the best next step. The next best course of action given your circumstances, desires, and dreams.
As a mentor, coach and consultant here’s what I know: “a coach is someone who tells you what you don’t want to hear, who has you see what you don’t want to see, so you can be who you have always known you could be.” Let’s be that person this week for all the people we influence.
#WinTheDay
by andrew | May 28, 2018 | Best Practice, Goal Setting, Mindset For Success, Priorities and My Time, Success, Sucess Goals
Stephen Covey’s book proves it and Googles research reinforces it… there is ONE thing in common to every individual, relationship, family, organization, and government throughout the world. The one thing which when removed will destroy the most powerful army, the most successful business, the greatest friendship and the deepest love.
The ONE thing is: TRUST!
- TRUST is the most significant predictor of an individuals’ satisfaction within their team.
- TRUST, not a brand is the number #1 factor consumers use in selecting an agent according to Google research.
So, what is trust? Jack Welch, legendary CEO of General Electric said about trust, “You know it when you feel it!” The truth is, in any relationship, what you do has a far greater impact than what you say. Thus, trust is established through ACTION and action is driven by your behaviors.
In his book The Speed of Trust, Stephen Covey outlines 13 behaviors that drive trust. The first five behaviors relate to character and the second five behaviors relate to competence and the remainder are a mix of the two.
The 13 behaviors are:
- Talk straight
- Demonstrate respect
- Create transparency
- Right wrongs
- Show loyalty
- Deliver RESULTS
- Get better every day (continuous improvement)
- Confront reality
- Clarify expectations
- Practice Accountability
- Listen first
- Keep commitments
- Trust others… extend trust to others as part of your DNA
Covey believes the quickest way to decrease trust is to violate a behavior of character while the fastest way to build trust is to demonstrate a behavior of competence.
In the end, in today’s modern fast-paced economy trust is essential to our mutual prosperity. We can create it, we can restore it and we can extend it.
Trusting this post will prompt you toward a more powerful week. How will you practice trust this week?
