Skip to content
Ask Jim Miller

Ask Jim Miller

  • Home
  • Ask Jim Miller
  • Take Flight
    • My Reading List
    • Take Flight
    • Podcast
    • Video
  • The Course
  • Success Stories
  • About Jim
  • Contact Jim

Your Q3 Audit: 7 Sections to Realign and Reignite

July 6, 2025 jennypalmer
Click here to print the mid-year analysis that will help you realign and reignite your priorities. 

Share this:

  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook
  • Click to share on X (Opens in new window) X
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window) LinkedIn
  • Click to print (Opens in new window) Print
Posted in: Pep Talks

Post navigation

← Halfway Home: Your Mid-Year Check-In
From Clarity to Results: What to Do With Your Q3 Audit →

Blog Categories

  • Coaching & Conversations
  • Jim's Favorites
  • Pep Talks
  • Reading List
  • Success Stories
  • Take Flight Weekly

The Latest from Jim’s Blog

  • The TEN Characteristics of Super Achievers
  • Gratitude is a High Performance Strategy
  • The Science Behind Handwritten Notes
  • A Simple System to Qualify Clients Before You Commit
  • Rightsize Your 2026
  • Win the Week: The Power of a Weekly Planning Session
  • You Have Earned the Right to Want and Achieve Things
  • 5 High Performance Strategies That You Cannot Ignore

askjimmiller

Winning Is Meeting Your Goals, Not Somebody Else’s Winning Is Meeting Your Goals, Not Somebody Else’s

Super achievers are not chasing someone else’s scoreboard. They are clear on what a great life and business look like for them and they build a path that matches it.

The danger is letting comparison, social media and industry noise define what “success” should look like. When that happens, you end up busy, burned out and off course.

Your job is to define your own vision, set goals that align with it and build the habits that move you there. When your calendar and your energy match your goals, you are already winning, regardless of what anyone else is posting.

Use this season to get honest about what you want 2026 to look and feel like and what needs to change in January to move you there.

📩 DM for Take Flight Weekly emails
🎧 Apple Podcasts or Spotify
📺 Watch on YouTube
🔗 Link in bio
AI Prompt of the Week | Reflect On Your Year A st AI Prompt of the Week | Reflect On Your Year

A strong year begins with clarity.

Before you set new goals, take a moment to look backward and recognize the progress you already made. This guided reflection helps you see the wins, improvements, and breakthroughs that should shape your path forward.

Copy and paste this prompt into ChatGPT:

“Help me review my year using Dan Sullivan’s concept of The Gain. Guide me to measure backward by identifying the wins, progress points, improvements, and breakthroughs I created this year, regardless of size. Ask me clear questions to help me recognize my progress and turn it into fuel for my future goals.”

📩 DM for Take Flight Weekly emails / 🎧 Apple Podcasts or Spotify / 📺 Watch on YouTube / 🔗 Link in bio.
"You are 100 percent disciplined to the habits you "You are 100 percent disciplined to the habits you keep."
— Dan Sullivan, The Gap and The Gain

Your habits are writing the story of your results.
Most people think they lack discipline. They do not. They are disciplined to routines that no longer help them grow.

If you want different results in Q3 and Q4, start by upgrading one habit today. Continuous improvement is better than delayed perfection.
🛫 The 10 Patterns That Separate the 3 Percent From 🛫 The 10 Patterns That Separate the 3 Percent From the 97 Percent 

I recorded this week’s episode by pulling back the curtain on the ten patterns I saw over and over this year. These patterns came from coaching conversations, real operational work, and the lessons that shaped me throughout 2025.

My goal is to help you build a life and business that are predictable and enjoyable. These patterns are not theories. They are the truths that show up every time an advisor grows, gains momentum, or steps into the next level.

As you head into 2026, ask yourself which one of these ten patterns applies directly to where you are today and where you want to go. Rightsize is my word for the year because the future belongs to those who simplify and align their inputs with their emotional destination.

Episode 305 is now live. Listen as if we are sitting together one on one.

📩 DM for Take Flight Weekly emails / 🎧 Apple Podcasts or Spotify / 📺 Watch on YouTube / 🔗 Link in bio
The 10 Patterns That Separate the 3% From the 97% The 10 Patterns That Separate the 3% From the 97%

Most advisors chase tactics. Elite producers engineer systems.
In Take Flight Weekly #305, I break down the 10 lessons that shaped me the most in 2025—patterns I've witnessed coaching elite producers nationally while running JSIR and building my own business.

The reality:
→ Vision is an emotional destination, not a revenue target
→ 0.25% basis points = $25K per $10M in production
→ Planning without execution is procrastination
→ The 3% fail in public to grow
→ The basics will always work. Less is more.
→ Hyper-local marketing is the next frontier
→ Only 4% receive 2+ handwritten notes per year
→ If you don't plant, you won't harvest
→ The top 1% are obsessed, not committed
→ Rightsize is my word for 2026

Elite performance isn't accidental. It's engineered.

📩 DM for Take Flight Weekly in your inbox
🎧 Listen on Apple Podcasts or Spotify | @askjimmiller
Gratitude is not soft. It is a high performance st Gratitude is not soft. It is a high performance strategy.

When life feels chaotic, gratitude is what pulls you back to center and keeps your emotional frequency above fifty one percent. That is why my affirmation starts with “I am so happy and grateful” and why I have repeated it thousands of times.

This week on Take Flight Weekly, I break down the anatomy of that affirmation, the science behind why it works, and three habits you can use in five minutes a day.

Take Flight Weekly Episode #304 | Gratitude is a High Performance Strategy

🎧 Listen on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Link in bio.
DM me to sign up for my Take Flight Weekly email.
THE POWER OF A PLANNED WEEK One of the simplest, THE POWER OF A PLANNED WEEK

One of the simplest, most effective habits for running your business like a professional is the weekly planning session.

If you’ve ever wondered how elite advisors and entrepreneurs stay calm in chaos, it’s not luck — it’s structure.
It’s rhythm.
It’s planning.
The best don’t wing it.

They meet with themselves before they meet with anyone else.

That one hour defines everything that follows.
👉 Review last week.
👉 Prepare for the next.
👉 Reconnect to your 3-Year Vision.

Before you look at your numbers, look at your meetings.
They’ll tell you everything about your priorities.
When you control your week, you control your results.

🎧 Listen on Apple Podcasts and Spotify @askjimmiller
AI Prompt of the Week Title: Find the Perfect Clie AI Prompt of the Week
Title: Find the Perfect Client Gift

Copy and paste this prompt into ChatGPT:

I’m a real estate advisor choosing a holiday or milestone gift for a client.
Please act as a concierge-level gifting strategist.

Ask me about:

• My client’s personality and interests
• Our relationship stage (new, past buyer, referral partner, etc.)
• My budget range and compliance limits
• Whether I want the gift to be personal, practical, experiential, or branded

Then recommend 5 thoughtful gift ideas that:

• Feel authentic and high-touch
• Fit within my brand and budget
• Can pair with a handwritten note
• Are easy to deliver

Finish with a short “Do Not Send” list — items that might feel impersonal or off-brand for a full-service advisor.
“THE QUALITY OF YOUR LIFE IS THE QUALITY OF YOUR R “THE QUALITY OF YOUR LIFE IS THE QUALITY OF YOUR RELATIONSHIPS.” — TONY ROBBINS

In this business, who you choose to work with matters.

Your standards shape your experience. Your boundaries protect your energy.
And the people you allow into your professional world determine the results you create.

When you work with clients who respect your process, communicate clearly and value your expertise, your work becomes more productive and your life becomes more enjoyable.

Great businesses are built on great relationships.

Protect the quality of those relationships and you protect the quality of your results.

#AskJimMiller
💙 Why Top Advisors Choose Jameson Sotheby’s Intern 💙 Why Top Advisors Choose Jameson Sotheby’s International Realty

Extraordinary listings deserve extraordinary visibility. At Jameson Sotheby’s International Realty, every property enters a global ecosystem designed to attract the right buyers through extensive syndication, high-resolution media, and targeted advertising supported by the Sotheby’s International Realty network.

Our advisors benefit from a brand that elevates their business, amplifies their listings, and connects them with motivated buyers across Chicago, the North Shore, and around the world.

Explore how we support advisor success at the highest level at 🔗 JSIRENGAGE.com — link in bio.
What You Do Every Day Matters More Than What You C What You Do Every Day Matters More Than What You Close

Success in this business is shaped by what you do consistently.
Your conversations. Your connections. Your follow through.

Those are the lead indicators that create momentum and build a business you can trust. Closed deals are the result, not the driver.

Protect the work that moves you forward and stay committed to the habits that build your future.

DM to sign up for my Take Flight Weekly emails.
The Best Marketing You Can't Buy: Handwritten Note The Best Marketing You Can't Buy: Handwritten Notes & Strategic Gifting

Elite advisors don't send holiday cards—they orchestrate intentional touchpoints. In Take Flight Weekly #303, I break down the science, timing, and ROI behind handwritten notes and strategic gifting.

The reality: A 90-99% open rate vs. 20-30% for email. A 10-15% response rate vs. 1-3% for printed mail. 2x the ROI. Double the conversions.

The playbook:

Send November 29–December 8 to beat the clutter
3-5 sentences. Personal. Specific. Memorable.
4 minutes per card = 4 months on their desk

The truth: Only 4% of Americans receive more than two handwritten notes a year. Your note doesn't compete—it dominates.

This isn't sentimental. It's strategic.

A $5 card outperforms a $500 digital campaign when it's authentic, timely, and intentional.
Elite producers don't market louder. They connect deeper.

📩 DM for Take Flight Weekly in your inbox
🎧 Listen on Apple Podcasts or Spotify | @askjimmiller
Qualifying Buyers Like a Pro** This week’s Take F Qualifying Buyers Like a Pro**

This week’s Take Flight Weekly focuses on qualifying buyers with the same discipline you use for listings. Your time, energy, and reputation matter. When you identify fit early, you operate proactively instead of reactively.

Use this AI prompt to deepen the lesson and build a professional, repeatable intake system for your business.

Copy and paste the full prompt below into ChatGPT:

“Act as a high-performance real estate coach and help me build a buyer qualification framework modeled after Jim Miller’s Take Flight Weekly episode on client selection.
I want to qualify my buyers with the same discipline I use for listings — protecting my time, energy, and reputation while ensuring fit.

Help me create a conversational, three-strike buyer qualification process that includes:

• Questions that uncover motivation, timeline, and financial readiness
• Red flags that tell me when to step back or pause engagement
• A professional walk-away script for buyers who are not aligned with my standards or process

End the framework with reminders on how to move from reactive to proactive when managing buyers, and how to focus on working only with clients who truly fit my business model.”

Save this post.
DM “Take Flight Weekly” to sign up for my weekly email.
Listen on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.
Link in bio.
New annual tradition: Fly to NYC to do “The Toast” New annual tradition: Fly to NYC to do “The Toast” for my coaching clients celebrating @sothebysrealty Top 100. I got a few minutes of their time before they enjoyed a night with their colleagues around the country. Congratulations to @breck.overall @ashevillerealtormwright @denniscarvajalgroup @krissyblakegreenwich @barbaragardnervail @dangutfreundrealtygroup @malia_nobrega @joesabehsothebys for their fantastic results in 2024 that earned the seat at this years Top 100 dinner.
💙 Jameson Sotheby’s International Realty is a best 💙 Jameson Sotheby’s International Realty is a best-in-class luxury real estate brokerage serving Chicago and the surrounding suburbs.

As a leading luxury real estate brand with a storied history and strong lifestyle influence, we offer unparalleled access to qualified clients and distinctive properties around the world.

By the Numbers
• Expansive service across more than 200 cities and municipalities
• Seven Chicagoland office locations
• 450+ advisors
• #1 highest average sales price in Chicagoland
• Represented the top four residential sales in Chicago in 2024

If you are buying or selling in Chicagoland, connect with one of our advisors to experience the difference of true local expertise.

Visit jsirengage.com – link in bio.
QUALIFY BEFORE YOU COMMIT Too many advisors say y QUALIFY BEFORE YOU COMMIT

Too many advisors say yes to every opportunity that hits their inbox.
That’s not strategy. That’s exhaustion.

Elite producers know that every listing isn’t worth taking.
They lead with standards, protect their time, and commit only to clients who align with their process.

Before you take a meeting, ask three simple questions:
1️⃣ How did they hear about me?
2️⃣ How many agents are they interviewing?
3️⃣ Are they seeking full service or just a price?

When the answers don’t align, walk away with professionalism and clarity.
That’s not rejection. That’s leadership.

You’re not chasing listings. You’re building a championship roster.

🎧 Listen on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. @askjimmiller
A Simple System to Qualify Clients Before You Comm A Simple System to Qualify Clients Before You Commit

Do you know what separates elite-level producers from everyone else?
They don’t chase every opportunity that hits their inbox.
They qualify — and they select.

Too many advisors say yes to clients who were never the right fit.
Here’s the truth: having no listings is better than having listings that never sell because of unrealistic expectations. And we all know that about 20% of clients steal 80% of our joy.

That’s why you need a qualification and selection process — one that protects your time, energy, and reputation.
It’s not about ego.
It’s about efficiency and alignment.

When you operate like a true fiduciary — qualifying before you commit — you attract better clients, run a cleaner business, and create more freedom for yourself.

🎧 Watch or listen to Episode #302: A Simple System to Qualify Clients Before You Commit
🔗 Link in bio
A Simple System to Qualify Clients Before You Comm A Simple System to Qualify Clients Before You Commit

Elite advisors don't chase every lead. They curate fit.

In Take Flight Weekly #302, I share my three-strike qualification framework—a simple system to protect your time, energy, and standards before you commit.

The reality: 20% of your clients steal 80% of your joy. No listings are better than listings that drain your resources and never close.

The Three Strikes:

Strike One: Source (referral vs. cold lead)
Strike Two: Competition (exclusive vs. shopping)
Strike Three: Motivation (market value vs. net number fixation)

Three strikes? Walk away professionally. It's not rejection—it's disciplined leadership.

Your time is your most valuable asset. Stop saying yes to everything. Start building a championship roster of clients who value your process.

Elite producers aren't order takers. They're fiduciaries who lead with boundaries.

📩 DM for Take Flight Weekly in your inbox
🎧 Listen on Apple Podcasts or Spotify | @askjimmiller
“YOU DON’T NEED MORE TIME, YOU JUST NEED TO DECIDE “YOU DON’T NEED MORE TIME, YOU JUST NEED TO DECIDE.”
Brian P. Moran and Michael Lennington, The 12 Week Year

RightSizing is about alignment between who you are, what you want, and how you operate. It is the discipline of deciding what fits and what does not, so your life and business move with intention instead of inertia.

You do not need more hours in your day. You need clarity on what deserves them.
When you decide what stays and what goes, you reclaim control of your time, your energy, and your results. That is RightSizing.

TFW #301: RightSize Your 2026
Listen on Apple Podcast @AskJimMIller
Exposure creates opportunity. At Jameson Sotheby’ Exposure creates opportunity.

At Jameson Sotheby’s International Realty, we combine local expertise with global reach—backed by collaboration, innovation, and technology—to expand your influence and drive success across every market.

Discover more at jsirengage.com
 | Link in bio
Follow on Instagram

CONNECT

Instagram
Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
YouTube
  • YouTube
  • Soundcloud
  • RSS Feed
  • Spotify

CONTACT JIM MILLER

425 W North Avenue
Chicago, Illinois 60610
United States
773.617.6638
askjimmiller@gmail.com

ENGAGE

To engage with Jameson Sotheby’s, click here or visit www.jsirengage.com.

SUBSCRIBE

Enter your email to subscribe to regular Pep Talks and get proven tips on business success.

Website by Four Leaf Advocacy Group, LLC. Copyright © 2024 Ask Jim Miller.

Download the 2025 Take Flight Manual

Please complete this short form in order to access the manual.