My professional purpose is to help you, the broker, optimize your productivity and help you become the best version of yourself. Why? Because happy brokers sell more real estate. I do that by helping you handle challenges and opportunities that you face every day. If you can effectively manage certain situations that arise on a daily basis, you'll be more productive, live an optimized life and, in turn, live a life that is the best version of you.
Today, I want to continue my thoughts on some basic, guiding principles that they just don't teach in college. Unfortunately, many of us have to learn through experience and the school of hard knocks. I teach with a hope that I can help you avoid some of the mistakes I've made.
Recently, Aly and I had a discussion about her upcoming college start, and she asked me "Dad, what are your expectations of me?" First, I loved that she asked the question, but it didn't take me long to answer. I said "Aly, get into a routine, stick to it and commit to attending every class you've signed up for. Take this process seriously. I want you to take care of yourself, make sure you eat well, get in that exercise as part of your routine as you've always done and don't forget to have a good time while you're at it. If you do those things, being that you are a super smart kid, you'll have a successful college career.”
That's it.
Sometimes we focus so much on the details that we forget to build and commit to the foundational principles that support our success in every area.
Now having been in the real estate industry for 24+ years and built several businesses, I've learned a few things that I think are paramount and I'd like to add to the list I covered last week:
- You are only as good as your routines, habits, boundaries and rules. Your success will fall to that level. If you have an important habit that needs to be created, track it until it becomes a bio-rhythm.
- Live by your calendar. If you have something that needs to get done, block a time out, schedule it and get it done. If you have it in your calendar, it has a much higher percentage of getting done compared to if it isn't calendared.
- Set up recurring reminders in your calendar (Outlook = Tasks. GMAIL = Reminders). If you do something more than once throughout the week, months or year, set up a reminder. Trust me. You'll thank me later. You never have to think about it again.
- If you win the morning, you will win the day. Once you are winning your mornings, find another 1-2 hour part of your day that you can apply the same strategy.
- This business is tough but remember easy doesn't pay well.
- 20% of your clients and friends will steal 80% of your joy. Set boundaries for how you will operate and stick to it. Do not hesitate to move on from clients and friends that don't respect you. If they don't respect your boundaries, trust me, they do not respect you.
- It takes decades to become an overnight success. Don't think about your current status just worry about being 1% better every day. Be patient because it takes time to be elite.
- My operating process is that which is taught in the "12 Week Year" written by Brian Moran. I spent a lot of time on it on these MMPTs earlier this year but in a nutshell, you've got 12 weeks in a quarter. Put all of your focus on your 1 Big Thing for 12 weeks and do that for 12 straight quarters = 3 years. Your long term vision should be 3 years out but the immediate focus should be on winning 85% of your days within a "12 Week Year."
- Live Clean. Focus on your energy. Know your body and make sure to keep exercise in your daily ritual.
- Document your ideas and thoughts. I use a note pad and translate those notes into Evernote. I've written 250+ MMPTs over the last 6+ years and they are all stored in my Evernote. I can search any word or phrase and go back and get my thoughts. It is so empowering to go back and chart your progress and your evolvement.
Team, you may be listening or reading this thinking that I am some regimented freak, but I've got to let you in on a little secret. Down deep, I'm lazy and not overly inspired. I am motivated by protecting the downside, so I need to keep my habits, routines and boundaries in check. The older I get, stability has become my main driver because all I want peace of mind and limited stress. I've done the whole high risk, high reward thing and I got burnt. What I've discussed today are my operating, guiding principles to protect me from myself and the downside of bad decisions. I was given a talent to lead and develop others, so I have no choice but to go all in. If I don't use my talents, I'm afraid of the alternatives so I live what I discussed today and it seems to be working out okay. (I'm a little superstitious too).
Hopefully you've found today's content a helpful reminder, so until next time, stay safe and productive. I'm here if you need me.
