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.
Do you consider yourself prepared?
When it comes to dotting your i’s and crossing your t’s, do you feel you are pretty organized? How consistent are you at developing your schedule and routine for the upcoming day or week? Are you the kind of person who likes to have their “ducks in a row”?
One of the neatest things about the real estate business is its different every day but at the same time, one of the most difficult things is it’s different every day. Being in sync with your business is critical to your success so finding a system or routine is one of the keys to making sure you’re consistent.
My “Father’s Day Beer” and the Visitors to the Cemetery
Every year since 2001 I have ventured up to Resurrection Cemetery in the northern suburbs of Columbus to have a beer with my Dad. It’s usually just me, my Dad and a cold beer of my choice. I sit by his niche and “talk” to him about life, the family, my goals and anything else that comes to mind. Sometimes it’s sports, sometimes it’s local or world events and sometimes it’s just me thinking. I always pour a little bit of my beer into the flower vase that is affixed to his stone – after all, I don’t want to be selfish.
I know there are other people up there at the cemetery visiting their loved ones but usually I don’t pay much attention to them. I also realize some people might look strangely at a guy sitting in the middle of a cemetery drinking beers by himself but I never really think I’m drinking “by myself”…and anyways, who doesn’t enjoy an opportunity to have a cold beer with their Dad?
This year there is a new section of mausoleum wall that will hold more niches (small sections that hold your loved one’s urn of ashes) located right behind my father’s resting spot. After I had been there a few minutes, another couple approached and sat on one of the dedicated benches that was nearby. I asked them if I was in their way, thinking they may have come to the cemetery that day to honor one of their fathers or another loved one who was located near my father.
“Nope, we just came to see our final resting place,” the wife replied.
“Don’t get us wrong, we’re glad we’re still checking out our spot from the outside instead of from the inside,” joked the husband.
I get it. At some point in your life, it makes sense to plan what will happen when you die. I am pretty sure my parents had chosen their grave sites a few years before Dad passed away. It sure made it easier on Mom when that sad day arrived in February of 2000. I just found it strange that on this sunny summer day these people decided to come out and “walk through” their final resting spot. Maybe they just want to be comfortable with everything when it finally happens – for him or for her. I guess it’s like a Fire Drill at school or work – you never know when it’s going to happen but you want to be as prepared as possible.
What’s on Your “To Do” List This Week?
How organized are you? Or do you pride yourself on taking life as it comes?
It would be wise to lay out a schedule each day and week so you know you’re putting yourself in the best position to be successful. Prioritize the activities on your list so the things that get you closer to a closing are at the top instead of behind some benign activity that really doesn’t impact your bottom line.
For example…
- Even though the new change in the real estate closing process was pushed back last week by the Consumer Protection Finance Bureau from August 1st to October 1st, it doesn’t mean you should be waiting until late September to educate yourself on how this will impact your business and the service aspects of the business.
- Sure, some of your customers may not be looking to take action until later in the year but wouldn’t now be the ideal time to hold a Buyer Counseling Session or preliminary Listing Appointment to make sure all the options ahead of them have been explained and considered?
- Browsing through the purchase contract just might help make some of those first-time buyers you’re working with more comfortable and confident when it’s time to submit an offer.
- When is your continuing education credit due to maintain your real estate license? Will you wait until the last week or identify some openings in your schedule to go sit in a class and learn something while you’re there?
- It’s never to late to tell a loved one you love them. if you wait too long, you might have to say it to a plaque on the wall of a niche in a local cemetery. It’s also never to early to get in control of your schedule. If you don’t control it, someone else will.
What’s on your schedule this week?
…I mean after building relationships, solving problems and having fun. Those should always take priority.