Holiday Party/January Sales Meeting

Hello all,

"Holiday Party/January Sales Meeting"

We need to get a final head count for the party by the end of today. The site to sign up is currently down but we will reopen it this morning. Hope to see as many of you there as possible.   Here is the link: If you are unable to sign up on the link today please email me directly. 

http://www.eventbrite.com/e/holiday-dinner-dancing-registration-9246704141

We will have the full 2014 event calendar out by the end of the year. However I wanted to let you know the first sales meeting will Friday January 10th, 11:30 at Lakewood Country Club. Please mark your calendar.

This is also the time of year I shut down my Monday emails for a while. I will pick it up the first of the year.

Enjoy the coffee,

Joe

INSPIRATION FOR TODAY:

 

"You cannot do a kindness too soon, for you never know how soon it will be too late." 

 

~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

 

MAKE A WISH! 

 

Remember when, as a kid, you took the wishbone from the Thanksgiving turkey, set it aside, and let it dry for several days? You probably argued with brothers or sisters about who would get to make the wish. Then, finally, you took one end, made your wish, got the bigger piece and . . . nothing happened. 

 

On a recent news interview, someone made the statement that "Hope is not a method." Neither is wishing. On a cold autumn day, you can hope or wish you were warm all day long, but until you turn up the thermostat or build a fire, nothing will change. Action always produces results. 

 

So we just “gave thanks” last week for all our blessings. Chances are good that what you call "blessings" did not occur as a result of wishes and hopes. You probably reached out and worked hard - you took action - to allow them to come into your life. If you did - good for you. 

 

Not everyone can do that. Unfortunately, a great percentage of the population lives only on hope and wishes. They just do not have the ability to comprehend the concept of cause and effect. Nor do they possess the motivation or skills to act on their circumstances. The result? Their blessings are fewer than most. 

 

Since you are blessed with the ability to make things happen, why not reach out this holiday season to those who aren't. Don't expect anything in return, and whatever you do - do it anonymously. You'll be twice blessed!

Commission Plans/Training

 Hello all,

"Commission Plans/Training"

A reminder to everyone that December is the time to review and/or change your commission plans for 2014. Please contact Mark or myself if you would like to set an appointment to get together. We can review your 2013, help you estimate your 2014 and help you pick which plan is best for you.

Attached are the flyers for the Buffini and Ferry trainings we will be doing in January. If you would like more information on the Buffini Training please contact Mark. We must have 12 to sign up for this. Also, on Tuesday at 2 this week Mark will be in Aspen Hill and I will be in the Germantown training center to host a live Buffini webcast. Bounce!  How to respond to the new era of Real Estate. Feel free to join us. The Ferry training will be available to the first 20 that send there sign up sheets back to me, it is attached as well. Please contact me directly if you have any questions about this training.

Enjoy the coffee,

Joe

INSPIRATION FOR TODAY:

 

"You cannot do a kindness too soon, for you never know how soon it will be too late." 

 

~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

 

MAKE A WISH! 

 

Remember when, as a kid, you took the wishbone from the Thanksgiving turkey, set it aside, and let it dry for several days? You probably argued with brothers or sisters about who would get to make the wish. Then, finally, you took one end, made your wish, got the bigger piece and . . . nothing happened. 

 

On a recent news interview, someone made the statement that "Hope is not a method." Neither is wishing. On a cold autumn day, you can hope or wish you were warm all day long, but until you turn up the thermostat or build a fire, nothing will change. Action always produces results. 

 

So we just “gave thanks” last week for all our blessings. Chances are good that what you call "blessings" did not occur as a result of wishes and hopes. You probably reached out and worked hard - you took action - to allow them to come into your life. If you did - good for you. 

 

Not everyone can do that. Unfortunately, a great percentage of the population lives only on hope and wishes. They just do not have the ability to comprehend the concept of cause and effect. Nor do they possess the motivation or skills to act on their circumstances. The result? Their blessings are fewer than most. 

 

Since you are blessed with the ability to make things happen, why not reach out this holiday season to those who aren't. Don't expect anything in return, and whatever you do - do it anonymously. You'll be twice blessed! 

Happy Thanksgiving

Hello all,

"Happy Thanksgiving"

Wanted to wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving! I hope you have the opportunity to spend some time with family and friends. The offices close Wednesday at Noon so staff can start the holiday a bit early. I will have my cell phone with me if anyone has an emergency. Always remember... "You can't pick your sister-in-law" so have fun with everyone else.

Enjoy the coffee,

Joe

INSPIRATION FOR TODAY:

 

"The quality of mercy is not strain'd,

It droppeth as the gentle rain from heaven

Upon the place beneath: it is twice bless'd;

It blesseth him that gives and him that takes." 

- William Shakespeare

 

GOBBLE! GOBBLE!

 

Remember when you were a teenager leaving the house on a date? Your parents' last words as you went out the door were, "We'll leave the light on for you". Think about that. So what if they did or didn't leave the light on? Their words were really more of a verbal hug. They cared about you - wanted you to know it - and applied the hug with kind words.

 

With Thanksgiving in just a few days, why not take the time to "leave the light on" for someone who may not get many hugs? There's still time, and it's easy.

 

First, learn who needs hugs. Check with your local fire, police, or sheriff's department. Ask whether they know of three or four families or individuals who could use a hug. Ask also whether they would consider delivering your hugs at the appropriate time. Two groups stand out as needy - the elderly and families with small children. Of course, we're talking about individuals who are experiencing difficult circumstances in their lives, be they physical or financial.

 

Next, consider what type of hugs you have to offer. Perhaps you might prepare three or four Thanksgiving turkeys with all the trimmings. Live in the country where people heat their homes with a wood stove? Deliver firewood. Live in a cold climate? Add some warm socks or a sweater to your dinner box. It's really not that difficult to come up with ideas that would make a difference to your chosen recipients. If you aren't able to provide "things," consider visiting with some nursing home residents. Brighten their day by listening for a while.

 

It goes without saying that our country is truly blessed. Although practically invisible to most of us, however, there are some individuals who are being challenged. They need a hug, and we can brighten their lives by way of simple gestures. Make a family project out of it - involve your kids. Do it anonymously. Afterwards, when you get home, we'll leave the light on for you!

Contract Coordinator

Hello all,

"Contract Coordinator"

When I was 16 and got my first car my Father taught me how to change the oil. It needed to be done every 3,000 miles or 6 months whichever came first. I found it to be a very unpleasant chore... however Dad was looking over me so it got done. When I turned 18 I moved out of my house and, well, Dad was not looking over me any longer. 3,000 miles past, 6 months past, 5,000 miles past, 9 months past. I knew I needed to do it but I had such a bad taste for the chore that I put it off and off. One day I got an ad in the mail for getting an oil change at the gas station down the street, it also happened to be by a restaurant I liked. So I scheduled to get my oil changed while I went to lunch, it became my system for getting it done and it only cost me a little bit of money. Something unpleasant for me became a pleasant experience. Unnecessary little story but I look back to it when I speak with agents that are "Paperwork Challenged". Some of you look at paperwork as such an unpleasant chore that you put it off and off then spend way to much time agonizing over it.

 We are pleased to announce that we are expanding our contract to close department in the offices. Michelle Gray will be joining Michelle Thrasher to help provide the expanded services. Michelle Gray will be taking over the day to day operations, Michelle Thrasher will be overseeing the process and jumping in to help out when needed. Michelle Gray will be splitting her time between Potomac & Germantown, this is a great opportunity for our Germantown agents to get some help. Megan will continue to handle contract to close in Aspen Hill. Please contact me with any questions and find out how to get started!

Look forward to seeing everyone tomorrow for Thankful Tuesday. There will be a short 10 minute meeting before we eat so please be on time.

Enjoy the coffee,

Joe 

INSPIRATION FOR TODAY:

 

"He was a self-made man who owed his lack of success to nobody." 

 

~ Joseph Heller 

 

THANKS FOR NOTHING! 

 

Who ever heard of an unsuccessful "self-made" man? Does anybody set out to become a failure? Well, of course not, but a lot of people who end up that way often end up finding fault with their circumstances or the people that surround them. 

 

What is so honorable about Joseph Heller's man is that he doesn't blame anyone for his admitted lack of success. And just because he hasn't reached the summit, it doesn't stop him from feeling like a self-made man or taking full responsibility. He's still confident in himself and accepting of his situation. 

 

We should be careful, however, not to confuse acceptance with apathy. Accepting the way things are does not make us weak, because acceptance acknowledges the difference between the things we can change and those over which we have no control. Blame and apathy are the benchmarks of someone who has relinquished their control. 

 

Part of the secret of taking the sour with the sweet is applying your own perspective and coming to grips with your control or lack of control over the circumstances and the results. If you screwed up, well, so be it, as long as you personally accept your responsibility before someone else tries to make you feel incompetent. And if it wasn't your fault, why in the world would you let someone try to convince you otherwise? 

 

Eleanor Roosevelt has been attributed with wisely observing, "No one can make you feel inferior without your consent." This explains the implied confidence of the gentleman in today's quote. He's not "successful," yet by blaming no one but himself, he avoids the contempt and derision of his peers. In other words, as long as you are comfortable with yourself and your decisions, no one can touch you. Follow your bliss! 

Thankful Tuesday & GCAAR

Hello all,

"Thankful Tuesday & GCAAR"

Little housekeeping this week... I will be the first to tell you I cringe a bit when I see the GCAAR dues notice come across. It can be a tough pill to swallow this time of year however we must take it. It is the policy of the office that you must be a member in good standing with GCAAR or another area association. If you have not paid by December 31st I am on the hook as the Broker for your dues. So at the end of December if you have not paid I have to send you license in. Don't kill the messenger...

Thankful Tuesday- This is one of my favorite office events of the year so I would love to see a great showing. We all work hard, we all have things in our life to be thankful for and we should all get together to celebrate our successes for the year! Don't worry if you do not bring anything, happy just to see your smiling faces. Click on the link below to sign up.

http://www.perfectpotluck.com/meals.php?t=SOZV9238

Enjoy the coffee,

Joe

INSPIRATION FOR TODAY:

 

"Set your purse to fattening." 

- George S. Clason ("The Richest Man in Babylon")

 

RISE TO THE OCCASION!

 

In 1926, George Clason introduced a series of pamphlets on thrift and financial success which were widely distributed by banks and insurance companies. He used fables, set in ancient Babylon, to make his points. The most famous of them, "The Richest Man in Babylon," is familiar to millions.

 

In the story was a very rich man named Arkad. Arkad was generous with all and spent liberally, yet he grew wealthier with each passing year. A group of friends from his youth approached him, asking how he had amassed such wealth while they lived a lifestyle of mere subsistence. His answer was, "If you have not acquired more than a bare existence in the years since we were youths, it is because you have either failed to learn the laws that govern the building of wealth, or else you do not observe them." The pamphlet then goes on to explain the "Seven Cures For a Lean Purse."

 

So, who are you most like - Arkad . . . or his friends? If you know and practice Arkad's teachings, your primary obligation now is to teach your children, and their children. If you have not been so fortunate as to learn the "laws" and practice them, take heart. It is not too late.

 

In simple terms, "spend less than you earn" is the critical element that produces wealth. It also requires self-discipline, learned behavior, persistence, wisdom, knowledge, integrity, and more. But, hey, why rewrite the book here when you can just order the paperback online? It's an easy read packed with simple to follow steps to financial independence. If you're tired of the stress, worry, and frustration of never having enough, try giving this book a read!

The Most Important Quarter

Hello all,

"The Most Important Quarter"

Buffini, Ferry, Deluca, Strosnider... they are all reminding us that the 4th quarter is the most important quarter in Real Estate. It is also the reason I push hard this time of year with things like a challenge group, bringing in a speaker, remind you Real Estate is a contact sport... The tone for our entire 2014 will be set in the 4th quarter of this year and, well, time is running out. Here is what happens every year. Around December 15th everything/everyone shuts down for the holidays, around January 5th everyone comes back to work , about a week later the phone starts ringing and your 2014 has begun. The leads keep coming in, the feeling of being overwhelmed starts to creep in. Then all we are doing is working in our business not on our business. After that I usually get some visits in my other office from agents.  

So we have six weeks until the December 15th shut down time, take out Thanksgiving week and that leaves five. This is the most important time to be working on your business. Need to revamp the listing presentation? Buyer presentation? 2014 budget? Business plan? Marketing plan? Systems? The time is now. Mark and I make ourselves available the first two weeks of December to meet with agents one on one to review these items if you would like a second set of eyes on them. Feel free to email either one of us to set up an appointment. Having the proper foundation and systems helps fight the overwhelming feeling of being busy down the road. 

Enjoy the coffee,

Joe 

INSPIRATION FOR TODAY:

"What isn't tried won't work." 

 

~ Claude McDonald 

 

READY TO PLAY FEAR FACTOR? 

 

We're all familiar with the idea that the things we really regret are the things that we never did. Our mistakes are easier to live with because at least we dared to achieve something, even if we failed. So when we fear to try, and fear to succeed or fail, what do we do? We complain. 

 

But have you noticed that folks only complain about things that can actually be changed? How useless is it to complain about the weather, after all? A violent thunderstorm may wreck our plans, but we ultimately just accept it and adjust our plans to accommodate Mother Nature. But our real complaints are based on the belief that there is something better out there. 

 

Believing in something better is different from achieving something better. The difference is risk. We may believe there's a better job out there, but we may risk being unemployed to find it. We may believe there is a better partner for us, but we may risk being alone while we search. We may believe there is a better solution to a problem at work, but we risk ridicule when we share our ideas. 

 

How could it be better to just complain about something, when you can actually risk having everything you desire? Charles Dubois wrote that "the important thing is this. To be able at any moment to sacrifice what we are for what we could become." Why have a problem letting go of mediocrity? Why fear accomplishing your dreams and becoming the person you want to be? 

 

Stop complaining to colleagues about your personal life, stop complaining to your spouse about work! Stop complaining to anyone who cannot help you make a change. Go straight to the source of your unhappiness and start working toward your vision. If you know it can better, make it so, or simply remain where you are. Doing nothing risks nothing, but risking something could give you everything! 

Roll The Goal

Hello all,

"Roll The Goal"

I spent some time with a good friend of mine last week who is a sales manager in another profession. He reminded me that it is that time of the year to let the troops know you might want to "Roll The Goal". You may have started the year with a goal of 3M, 5M, 7M... Guess what, between closed production and your pipeline for the end of the year your at 3M, 5M or 7M. Why not "Roll The Goal", if you wanted 3M why not shoot for 4M, 5M why not 6M... Santa might need to deliver a Playstation 4 this year for the holidays.

Enjoy the coffee,

Joe 

INSPIRATION FOR TODAY:

"Nothing is particularly hard if you divide it into small jobs." 

 

~ Henry Ford 

 

PUZZLED BY THE DETAILS? 

 

Ever felt overwhelmed by the details? Like there are just too many little things to be done on the way to something big? If you haven't tried one recently, think back to the last time you tackled a 1000- or 5000-piece jigsaw puzzle. 

 

Pursuing your goals is like opening up that box and dumping out all the pieces. You concentrate on that picture of the completed puzzle on the front of the box. You start sorting out the pieces according to what part of the puzzle they'll complete. You spend endless hours diligently working, but you know you'll never finish it unless you are enjoying the process of piecing it all together. 

 

Small successes inspire you to continue. Maybe you have a "team" of others who help you put it together, or maybe you enjoy working alone. If you have a lot of responsibility at work, and are expected to run the show and perform without constant supervision, it's easy to feel overwhelmed. But remember as you work that you carefully place one piece at a time, and you know that you are in charge and that you will enjoy the fruits of your labor. 

 

Taking care of the little things can be extremely satisfying, especially when you know that's what it takes to keep the operation going and progressing toward your goals. A study published in Human Kinetics (Orlick, 1998) actually showed that "life satisfaction" is 22 percent more likely for those with a steady stream of minor achievements than those who express interest only in major accomplishments! 

 

So keep at it - one piece at a time - with an eye toward the big picture. Enjoy the pleasure from all of your accomplishments, remembering the unattributed phrase, "True worth is doing each day some little good, not dreaming of great things to do by and by." 

Uncertainty

Hello all,

"Uncertainty" 

We all know to leave politics out of our business unless the politics will have an effect on our business. In that case we need to be ready to discuss the ramifications of how the political climate will affect Real Estate. In my opinion we dodged a very large bullet for the the late fall and early winter Real Estate market. When people are dealing with uncertainty about the future they put things like Real Estate on the back burner. September last year we were dealing with great uncertainty with the election two months away and things came to a grinding halt.  With the Government shutdown and the fear of default the uncertainty was starting to creep back in. If this would have gone on for an extended period of time I think it might have been pretty bad for us. However with the deal being reached pushing everything back 3 months we should have a good end to the year and people will not be worrying about this again until the beginning of next year. The uncertainty is gone for the time being. Which brings me to my point, if this does come up again (I do not believe it will) it will be in the middle of January and the beginning of February which is the start of the spring market. The effect will be far less than it would have been now, bullet dodged. Even through all of the bad years we have been through the one thing in Real Estate that has always been "certain" is the spring market. 

Enjoy the coffee,

Joe

INSPIRATION FOR TODAY:

"Whatever we expect with confidence becomes our own self-fulfilling prophecy." 

 

~ Brian Tracy

 

 PUT IT IN WRITING! 

 

“How do you get there from here?” A common enough question when you don’t know where you’re going. If you were planning a long trip, you would certainly check MapQuest or a road atlas to verify and write down the directions. 

 

But what about your life, your dreams, your expectations? “How do you get there from here?” Have you bothered to write down the directions? Do you even have a starting point and a destination planned? Here it is – the most important journey you face, and you probably haven’t even written down your thoughts or plans on how to travel. 

 

Writing down your goals and ideas helps to make them more concrete, more real. It helps you realize and take the necessary steps toward achievement. By defining what you want, and your ideas for getting it, you increase the chances that you’ll actually pursue and accomplish your goal. 

 

Don’t know what you want to do? How about thinking of what you “need” to do? Most people have even less of an idea of what they need than what they want. But often, our career choices have more to do with necessity than desire. Yet we all hear that we’re happiest when we’re doing what we love. 

 

A study on “journaling” showed that people who keep some kind of written record of their aspirations are 32% more likely to feel they are making progress in their lives. If a daily entry is too much commitment, at least sit down once a week and write something, anything, whatever comes to you. Thoughts about work, family, food, politics, whatever. 

 

You’ll begin to see patterns and discover things you might have forgotten (or not even known) about yourself. The notion of what you “need” to do will begin to show itself, and then you can begin drawing that road map. Happy motoring! 

Ebbs & Flows

Hello all,

"Ebbs & Flows"

Ever take a listing that looks great, priced right and in a good location. Then 10 days later you have one showing and no offers? Phone rings and it is your seller? 20 days later one more showing and no offer? Phone rings again? 30 days later no showings and no offer? Phone rings again? I suggest you be proactive and call your sellers before they call you but either way you need to be ready to have the conversation. Average days on market in Montgomery County right now is 45 so you are going to have some listings that sit a while and you are going to need to have some talk tracks ready for you sellers. A good talk track to have on the 10 day or 20 day phone call is to talk about "Ebbs and Flows" in any market. 

"You never know when things are going to slow down a bit, the market has not given us enough time to evaluate the situation. There are Ebbs and Flows in every market so we really need to see where we are in another 10-15 days. I am keeping a close eye on the activity for your listing and my others as well as activity in the office. Things have slowed down a bit but we need to see if this is a short term issue or long term? Even in hot markets we get unexplained bumps in the road where things slow down for a short time. I believe that is the case and the activity should be picking back up". 

If you have an overpriced listing, in bad shape and in a bad location it would be a different conversation... 

Enjoy the coffee,

Joe 

 

INSPIRATION FOR TODAY:

 

"Success is to be measured not so much by the position that one has reached in life as by the obstacles he has overcome trying to succeed." 

 

~ Booker T. Washington 

 

 

ON-THE-JOB STRAINING? 

 

Ever get that “burned out” feeling? You’re operating at maximum capacity and doing a darn good job of it, but the inspiration and the motivation start to wane. Don’t feel badly about it – after all, you can only really hit a slump when you’ve been experiencing a streak of success! Slumps do not happen to “losers,” because frankly, they’re always in a perpetual slump! 

 

So what can be done when you hit a bump in the road? Dr. Robert H. Schuller once observed that “when you can’t solve the problem, manage it.” Maybe you can’t control whatever outside forces are weighing down on your ability to move forward. You can, however, take a break and take a step back to look at things you actually can control. 

 

If you’re banging your head against a wall, please stop and walk away! If success lies beyond that wall, you’ll have a much better chance of getting there by going around your obstacles and not through them. Walls are not doorways – you need to refresh your perspective and find passage back to your previously winning ways. 

 

Perhaps you’ve just gotten so good at what you do that you’ve forgotten “the basics” of your activities. It’s like you’re operating on “auto-pilot,” and there are a thousand little details that you don’t even think about anymore as you carry on your routine. Take some time to “re-train” yourself. Start by pretending it’s your first day on the job and everything is new. 

 

New employees who have to learn the ropes often bring a fresh perspective that exposes ways to do things more efficiently. Look through your “apprentice” eyes for new ways of working, and it’s a good bet that your performance will improve, and you’ll find yourself operating with renewed enthusiasm. Now, give yourself a bonus! 

Potomac/Rotating Manager

Hello all,

"Potomac/Rotating Manager" 

In an effort to better serve the agents in Potomac we are going to implement a rotating manager system in the Potomac office. Mark, Al, Paulette and myself will each be taking one day a week for 4-5 hours in the middle of the day. I will still oversee the operations of the office with Michelle and Gladys but I believe a little more agent support would be welcome. I have full confidence in the management team, they will be there to help answer any questions for agents or handle situations that come up in the office. This will start Monday the 13th. I often tell people there is not a manual on how to handle a growing Real Estate Company... I believe this will serve the needs of the Potomac office however if we need to move in a different direction in the future we will. As always your feedback is welcome.

For my challenge group please remember to keep up with your activities!

Enjoy the coffee,

Joe  

INSPIRATION FOR TODAY:

 

"It is time I stepped aside for a less experienced and less able man." 

 

~ Professor Scott Elledge on his retirement from Cornell

 

MASTER OF THE UNIVERSE? 

 

Today's quote has got to make you laugh. Professor Elledge had a clear concept of his intelligence and qualifications, but also a sense of humor about his confidence in himself (or lack of confidence in others!). Then his words make us start to think about how we perceive our own talents, and how unwilling we might be to "let go" of some of our control, meaning our control over our responsibilities and tasks - what we are expected to do and how well we are expected to do it. 

 

What happens when the time comes to relinquish some of that control? Perhaps you have finally gotten to the point of needing an assistant or - horrors - to train someone else to perform your duties. Personal confidence is a superb trait, to be sure, but what happens when that confidence makes you feel like you're the only person in the world who can handle what you do? Maybe it's time for a reality check. 

 

If you have these feelings, it's possible that you've already got too much responsibility in the first place. Sometimes it is very difficult to give up some of your responsibilities out of the fear that someone else will just "screw it up." Did you know how to do everything your job involves on the first day you started? A time always comes to let someone else learn how to do things, and allow them to help you if necessary. 

 

Chances are that we all started out as "less experienced and less able," and along the way we surely made our own mistakes, learned and coped and ended up where we are today - Masters of the Universe! So don't worry about relinquishing some control - in the end it often proves to be better for you and for whomever needs to develop the experience that led to your own success!