Sometimes we can’t see the forest for the trees. In those moments, I find it helpful to gain some perspective.

For example – what if I’m frustrated because my son isn’t focusing in school and getting his homework done? I was a straight-A student (except for gym class… more on that another day) and I always did my homework without prompting. So how do I genetically produce a kid who could care less about his homework, right? :)

Yesterday I had the opportunity to visit by phone with a dear friend who’s in the hospital recovering from a full hysterectomy, and who is now facing months of chemo to kill what the surgery couldn’t get. She’s been in the hospital a week because of complications. She was full of energy, very positive, and ready for the next step.

I have no problems. I am blessed. My temporary frustrations are opportunities to grow and expand. Thank you, God and the Universe, for such powerful reminders.

Want some less dramatic perspective? Check out a fun site a friend recently shared:

http://www.infoplease.com/yearbyyear.html

Click on the year you were born, and be reminded of what was going on in the world. Stamps were only 6 cents when I was born… and the median household income was only $8,000.

Today, focus on your blessings and minimize your frustrations. Then make it your best day yet!

Do you find you're answering a lot of the same questions for prospective buyers and sellers? Why not create a video or write an answer to these topics, then post them on your site?

If you're going to video, make sure you have a high-quality Webcam with great audio. Michael Krisa (That Interview Guy) of RealEstateUnplugged recommended to me the Logitech 9000 and I love it - not only is it easy to use, but it's also very affordable!

So an example - lots of sellers are now asking you, "How does a short sale work?" Write yourself a quick script, record the video, and post it on your site. Write a blog about it (keyword rich for the search engines) and embed the video. If you don't like doing video, then write an article on it, post it on your blog, and then add it to a resources section on your site content.

Many of you have recently been to a regional convention, a Mastermind, or the NAR Convention in San Diego. And it seems a lot of people are still seeking that magic pill that will blow open their business.

Earth-shattering news: THERE IS NO MAGIC PILL.

If you want to get more business, you've got to engage in more lead-generating activities. As I work with people across the country, I am hearing some of the very same things I have always heard, with a couple of caveats.

1. Get on the phone.
Every day, for at least an hour, and preferably two. You have to be talking to people! I tell my coaching clients, "Mail monthly and call quarterly." I even tell agents I don't coach, if you do nothing else, at minimum get something in front of your sphere and your past clients and customers every month that (a) reminds them you're still in real estate, and (b) lets them know you care. This can be an e-newsletter, a postcard, anything. Then quarterly, be in contact by phone with those same people! If you have 500 in your sphere/past clients list, take 10 weeks to call and then take 3 weeks off. That means you're calling 50 a week, or 10 a day. Use your contact manager to schedule your next call (in 90 days) and keep some notes from the call.

2. Handwritten notes.
In this disconnected, automated world, handwritten notes are increasingly more appreciated! Think about the last time you received one - did you feel special? Every day, set a goal to write two to five handwritten notes. Whoever you're interacting with - the bank teller, the dry cleaner, a prospect you met at an open house - will appreciate a note. Be sincere and concise with your message.

3. Facebook.
This is a new one, a feared one, for some of you. And guess what? It's here whether you want to embrace it or not. People are living on Facebook. Now here's the thing: you can't just put up a page about you, post updates about how you wrote another contract or are watching Grey's Anatomy, and expect business to come. Get a personal page, and then create a Fan Page for your business. Put your business updates on your business page and your personal on... your personal! You can invite your friends to become fans of your business page, and encourage them to invite anyone they know to share the link with their own SOI. Then be consistent with posting updates of value to your followers.

It's all over the news (read one of the articles here). President Obama signed into effect the extension and expansion of the homebuyer tax credit.

I know no one has asked my opinion of this. Frankly, it's a double-edged sword. For the sake of all real estate professionals hoping to generate more business during what is traditionally a slow time for many, this is very good news. Not only do first-time homebuyers get to keep taking advantage of the $8,000 credit through ratified contracts dated on or before April 30, 2010, but now homeowners of at least five years can get up to a $6,500 credit for making a purchase in the same timeframe.

The other edge of the sword: will we perpetuate the issue of people buying homes who really shouldn't be, and thus create more distressed property owners three to five years down the road? And further, will we as a country be lulled into thinking that increases in home purchases will solve the economic crisis?

Bottom line: we need more jobs in this country. With unemployment officially topping 10%, the highest rate since 1983, I believe job creation has to happen if we're going to recover.

Looking to market to your real estate clients through email?

David Riklan, the Founder of SelfGrowth.com, shared a very useful list of tips this morning to help you make your efforts the best they can be. Enjoy!

One of the most effective ways to do this is through email marketing. Today, I would like to share with you the top 12.5 email marketing mistakes that small businesses make. Please use this info to help you continue to grow your business.

Here they are:

1) You do not have a permission-based email or opt-in email list. Never compile a list in an unethical way, or else you'll be accused of spam.

2) Your subject line is poorly chosen. If you subject line is ineffective, no one will ever read your email.

3) Your email or newsletter is full of errors. The content should be organized, with proper grammar and no typos. Your subscribers will not take you seriously if you send out sloppy and unprofessional emails.

4) Unsubscribing is difficult. If people can't unsubscribe, they will complain.

5) Only putting an unsubscribe link at the bottom of your email. The best thing to do is have a "Manage Your Subscription" link that takes subscribers to a page where they can unsubscribe, change their email address, and even change which lists they subscribe to.

6) Your content is poor or nonexistent. If you are not providing good content, people won't be interested in what you have to say.

7) Your emails are filled with too many ads. Make sure you provide a balance of good, useful content and advertising.

8) You are sending messages to your email lists from your personal email address. Don't send out a message to a large number of people with your own personal email.

9) NOT unsubscribing when someone requests unsubscribing. If somebody wants to get off your list, make sure you take them off.

10) You do not test the emails before sending them. Make sure you test your emails and they look good in all of the major email readers.

11) Too many emails. Make sure you don't inundate subscribers with emails.

12) Not enough emails. If you email them 4 times a year, they won't remember who you are.

12.5) NO call to action. You need to tell people what you want them to do. If it's not clear, they won't do it.

That 40 days came and went quickly, didn't it?

Thanks to all of you who committed to 20 minutes of movement daily, and 80 ounces of water daily. Journaling daily was the biggest challenge for me.

What I consistently hear when people take on three steps toward a goal is that it's easy to verbally commit and hard to take on as a new habit.

I am no different - committing to a healthy lifestyle is an ongoing challenge with frequent recommits to a positive outcome. Rather than beat yourself up for what you didn't do, celebrate what you did get accomplished and recommit.

I love to watch The Biggest Loser - these folks have nurtured every excuse in the book prior to coming to the show. They occasionally fall off the wagon during the show. And, they recommit, and over time they establish phenomenal new habits.

What are you willing to commit to now? How can I best support you?

Someone recently emailed me a fun little mathematical formula that might shed some light:

If,
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

Is represented as,
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26.

Then,
K-N-O-W-L-E-D-G-E

11+14+15+23+12+5+4+7+5 = 96%

And,
H-A-R-D-W-O-R-K

8+1+18+4+23+15+18+11 = 98%

But,
A-T-T-I-T-U-D-E
1+20+20+9+20+21+4+5 = 100%

 

Once again proving that Attitude is Everything. Beyond how much you know, beyond how hard you work, if you don’t adjust your attitude, you won’t reach your 100%.

Don't just take this formula, or my word, for it. Seems others share the Attitude belief. Check out Seth Godin's blog on The Heirarchy of Success. He references six levels of heirarchy on the success platform, and notes that we spend the bulk of our time in the least important one - execution.

Much as I hate to admit it, I am guilty as charged. Time to re-evaluate my mode of operation!

Recently an old college buddy of mine emailed me through Facebook and asked this question. It got me to thinking. Here is part of my response:

A lot depends on how you personally define success, doesn't it? Do you measure by revenue generated, by people helped? Here are some initial thoughts: 1. Servant's heart. This is a relationship business. One must have a commitment to doing what's best for the client, without attachment to their choices or outcome. Advise and empower - give people the information to make an informed decision, and then get out of their way.
2. Drive. This business is not for the faint of heart. One must be committed for the long haul, not looking for a short-term cash generator. It will take investments of time and resources to be successful.
3. Business acumen. Run this as a business. Have an annual plan. Set goals. Put together a budget. Do quarterly check-ins and adjustments. Resist impulse expenditures.
4. Market knowledge. Know the market inside and out. Understand absorption rates, valuation trends, IRV's, patterns over years and decades.
5. Great caretaker. Successful real estate businesses are a balance of repeat/referral business and new customers. The former necessitates a strong, consistent lifelong follow-up campaign that gives value to the recipient and reminds them who their trusted advisor in real estate is.
6. Prospecting mindset. The latter in #5 requires creativity and determination. Whether it's calling For Sale By Owners and Expireds, expanding Web presence to generate Internet leads, or working the leads generated from an interactive voice response (IVR) system on listings, prompt and effective service to new business is important enough to be part of daily routine for a successful agent.
7. Strong alliances. Seek out the best in all ancillary businesses (mortgage, title, inspection, repairs, etc.) and make them easily accessible to your clients.