Monday Morning Match is a quick post – maybe a quote, inspirational story or idea – intended to spark some motivation inside each of you so your week gets off to a fantastic start on Monday morning.
Riding Shotgun
I’ve been a passenger in my own car quite a few times in the last few weeks. It’s not because I lost my driver’s license. It’s actually because we gained a driver’s license in the family. At least a temporary one.
My daughter Riley is six months shy of her 16th birthday and in the state of Ohio, teenagers can take a written test to earn their temporary driver’s license. This allows them to begin to drive with parental supervision and start practicing for the driving test they can take once they turn sixteen. They will need at least 50 hours of supervised driving practice before they can apply to take the written exam and pass the In-Car driving test that every grown-up had to pass to achieve one of the signatures of adult life.
Riley is doing a wonderful job and working very hard to learn all of the things a safe driver needs to know. As I’ve been sitting beside her as we drive up and down the streets up our hometown practicing turning and merging and all of the small details of driving a car, it got me thinking of all the things that new drivers do that are very similar to our industry
11 Things Realtors Can Learn from a New Teenage Driver
1. Adjust your seat – The more comfortable you are in the driver seat, the easier it will be to operate
2. Adjust your mirrors – Don’t start moving forward until you can see all around you. Looking backwards can give you lots of insights and understanding of where you’ve been but the rearview mirror is always smaller than the windshield. Learn what you can from the past but stay focused on what’s in front of you.
3. Buckle up – How can you ensure that you’re staying safe in your business. This could be always being aware of your surroundings on showings, at open houses or when you are in the office late at night or early in the morning. Are you meeting all of your potential buyer clients at the office before you begin working with them? Do you let people know where you are and who your with when you’re on appointments?
4. Plan your route – When you put a new driver behind the wheel, the number one question you’ll hear is “where do I go next?” Isn’t that something you should be asking yourself every day? The 4 P’s for pleasure in your day are: Plan, Prioritize, Perform and Play. Create your list of tasks, rank them in order of importance (ask yourself this question – “Which one of the tasks will get me closer to a closing?”), do the things you need to do and if you accomplish this, you’ll have time to enjoy time each day doing what you love.
5. Change directions slowly but confidently. There is a subtle “touch” a driver develops as they learn to turn corners. When you decide that you’re going to make a turn, start planning in advance and be secure that where you’re going is the right way (Signals should be made at least 100 yards in advance of any turn according to Riley)
6. Accelerate w confidence; Brake w caution – As you start moving, be steadfast in your direction. Accelerate slowly but surely and allow the momentum of the engine to pull you forward. If you have to slow down, use your brakes in the same way – ease on them until you are in control again. Try to avoid sudden changes of directions or skidding out of control as it can cause anxiety and fear among all in your care.
7. Be aware of others but not in awe of others – A good driver watches everything that happens around them but never gets intimidated by others. It’s not selfish to worry about yourself first because if you’re not in control, someone else is.
8. Check your gauges (fuel, speed, lights) – When you’re behind the wheel, do you know how to monitor your speed so you don’t get out of control? Do you pay attention to your fuel levels so you don’t have to slow down when you’re making good time? Do your lights work so when you’re working late you can still see what’s happening around you?
9. Look for the signs and start understanding what they mean – New drivers need to understand what all those signs and signals mean so they can operate their car smoothly on the roads. Experienced drivers often take many of the signs for granted and react subconsciously to them but should always be aware of what the world around them is saying so as to remain safe and secure.
10. Relax – New drivers are taught to hold the steering wheel with both hands. We all remember the 10 & 2 hand placement that takes it’s name from a clock if it’s hands were facing 2:00 & 10:00. While this is always a smart way to drive, the arms should remain loose and relaxed so sudden movements aren’t overemphasized. The calmer a person is when in a deliberate situation, the better they will be able to make the right decisions and next movements.
11. You can get a lot farther when you harness the power you have inside – The rev of a car engine allows those in it (and near it) to hear and feel the power it has inside. Many cars have hundreds of horse power built-in to the man-made engine and accompanying pieces and parts. When you get behind the wheel of your business, what are the powerful engines and motivators that will allow you to accelerate to your goal?
It’s time to start building relationships, solving problems and having fun.
Go on…grab the keys. I’ll be in the co-pilot seat.
Photo Credit: Derek Gavey
Photo Credit: Ben Gooder
Photo Credit: Alistair Gollop