I can not believe it has been 1 year since switching careers to the real estate industry. This transition was one of the scariest times in my life. I was leaving an organization I had helped run for the last 5 years, I was becoming a full-time employee instead of a contract worker and I was entering an industry I knew very little about. All I knew was that I was ready for a change and was going to be working with some pretty awesome people.

Its been a pretty great year of lessons. Ones I’ve learned from mistakes, ones from mentors, a few from my son and even a few from my enemies. But all in all, its made the year fly by and I wouldn’t change a thing.

So I thought I would share a few of those lessons and maybe they will come in handy for you in 2017;

1. Ask questions. If you’re trying to see a situation from another person’s view. If you’re trying to get them to see your view. If you just don’t understand why someone would or would not do something. Repeat their answers back to them, people don’t always communicate what they are really trying to say.
2. Pick your battles. Those that want help will take it, those that don’t won’t. You can’t force yourself on others if they are not ready to allow you in. This includes 9 year old boys that just can’t seem to wrap their head around folding laundry the right way.
3. Be a resource. Be there for people in as many ways as possible. Even if their need is not income producing for you right now, help them find a solution and they will remember you.
4. Approach with caution. Its fun to jump right in and be a part of something, but it may not always be the right something. Do a little digging first and make sure its worth your time. This is helpful when looking at joining organizations, clubs, affiliations, volunteering and even PTOs.
5. Only wear one face. Be you, and only you. Don’t change your morals, opinions and character depending on who you’re trying to please at the time. People will respect you for this.
6. Trust is earned not given. Much like respect, you may have to do a little leg work and prove your loyalty. Even when you think its understood don’t assume. Prove.
7. Less is more. When typing an email. When responding to a situation. When leaving a voicemail. Leave out any words that may be questioned or turned around. Get to the point.
8. Momentum creates momentum. Keep going. Don’t give up. Set a goal…hit it and hit it again and again and again. Use time management systems to work on your goal every single day. Do little things that no one else is doing. Thank those that are helping you hit your goals. Create bigger goals.
9. Clean your sphere. Surround yourself with positive people. Duh, I know. But sometimes you don’t even see the negative blood suckers around you.  Keep out the ones that bring you down, or lie, or don’t add to your success.  Then…embrace your biggest cheerleaders. Lift each other up. Motivate one another. Build you’re own support system.
10. Have Fun. Whatever you do, however you’re doing it, if you’re not having fun its a waste of your short, sweet life. Make a change and move forward.

Well there you go, I narrowed it down to 10. I could go on and on. But looking back now, what I have truly learned is that if you stop learning and having life experiences you may as well roll over and give up. Cuz ain’t no body got time for that.

Happy Networking!

Have you ever looked back on situations/relationships/jobs/friendships in your life and  come to the realization that YOU were the common denominator? Its a harsh concept to accept when you narrow down all the moving parts and pieces to a situation and come to the awakening that YOU are the reason a plan failed, or a friendship ended, or a relationship changed.

Taking that long look in the mirror sometimes sucks. I personally have a really hard time with looking myself in the eyes. It may be insecurities, it may be humility, it may be shame. But no matter what I do, I’m always there. Same goes for you. We will always be our own worst enemy, our own shadow, our own critic, but most of all our own cheerleader!

That’s right…YOU are your own worst enemy AND your own best cheerleader. If you don’t believe in yourself who will?

With 2017 fast approaching, it may be time to gaze a little longer into that mirror. Are you who you want to be? Could you be friendlier to the barista? Could you give a little more at church? Could you be more task oriented? Could you make more time for your family? Could you buckle down and make those 10 cold calls a day? Could you be better at returning emails? Could you be ‘that girl’ that runs all the 5ks? Just because you’ve told yourself “I’m just not that type of person” doesn’t mean you can’t ever be THAT person.

What do you want people to think of when they think of you? Do they smile? Do they cringe? Do they even know who you are?

I challenge you to think of 3 things you want to change about yourself and make that change. This isn’t a resolution. This is a change. A permanent change in YOU. For YOU. Because let’s face it, Everywhere You Go, There You Are.

 

Prospecting and cold calling; two of the most hated terms in the sales industry. Let’s be honest, most of us will make ourselves “busy being busy” just to avoid making cold calls. Myself included. But guess what? Its a necessary evil. Really. Truly. No matter how successful you are, if you don’t spend time prospecting your pipeline will soon dwindle. Its just a part of the business.

So here’s a few tips that may help you buckle down and make prospecting a regular part of your business plan:

• Time blocking. Write it down. Pencil PEN it in. Make it a part of your daily schedule
  • Call for 2 hours, handle work, call for 2 hours, handle work
  • Ask a mentor what their schedule for prospecting is
    • You don’t have to reinvent the wheel
  • Eliminate all other distractions. Close your email. Close Facebook.
• Give yourself a quota. How many calls are you going to make before you can leave your office. And then HOLD YOURSELF ACCOUNTABLE
• Stand up when you make your calls
  • This automatically raises your adrenaline and gives you energy
  • Don’t forget to smile
• How many “no’s” can you get?
  • Make a game out of it. You know you are going to receive some no’s, so don’t stop until you’ve received X# of no’s
• Have a partner make calls at the same time
  • Check in with one another after every 10 calls and compare conversations, responses and results. You’ll learn a lot
• Have your call list printed and in front of you
  • There’s something thrilling about physically crossing off an item on a list
  • Cross off each call after you make it
  • Use colored highlighters and make a game; each color means a different response. See how many yellow you can get, how many pink etc…
• Call your warm leads first
  • This will (hopefully) give you a confidence boost and get the ball rolling.
• Shut your door
  • Distractions are the #1 reason you’ll quit
  • Isolate yourself for an hour
  • Put a sign on your door asking for no disruptions
  • I’ve also seen people go sit in their car and make calls
  • Whatever it takes, create the atmosphere you need to be successful
• JUST DO IT
  • Tell yourself whatever you need to tell yourself to just get it done.

Hope this helps your business today.

Happy Networking!
For more tips visit http://www.networkingwizblog.com

Do me a favor, stop, think back about how you got to where you are today. Who connected you to your current situation? How did you meet that person? Was it a connection you made years ago because of a random introduction? Who has played roles in your life that may have seemed insignificant yet now seem so crucial?

Example: I am in my role today because of an introduction to a fabulous loan officer I met at a referral group that I was literally drug to by a business affiliate I barely knew 6 years ago!

Don’t forget where you came from. Whether that person is still in your life or not, or maybe has changed roles, they still helped you get to where you came from. Don’t forget to stop and be grateful for people who have come into your life, for whatever reasons.

This goes too for your clients. How did you get that last deal? Was it a referral? Was it a connection from a connection? Make sure to reach out and thank people for making that connection for you…even years later. It will mean a lot and could mean even more with them sending you more connections.

Think about it… wouldn’t you LOVE knowing that something you did made a difference in someones’ life? (even years later)

Happy Networking!

For more tips visit http://www.networkingwizblog.com

 

So this week’s post is a little bias, its coming from a gal once known as ‘The Networking Queen’. From someone who built her reputation and business as  the girl who was ‘everywhere’. And someone who LOVES networking. But really people, networking is a necessary evil in today’s business.

The words that make me cringe the most are “I’m too busy to network”. You know why you’re too busy…because you were networking 6 months ago to get that business! If you don’t network today you won’t stay busy 6 months from now. Networking is not about getting a referral today, its about building relationships with those that bring you referrals tomorrow, and next month and next year.

Networking should be a large part of your business plan. No matter how ‘busy’ you get. Keep it up. Its okay to limit it, and focus on your best ROI networking events, but don’t stop or your paychecks will too.

So stay busy to keep staying busy my friends!

Happy Networking

For more networking tips visit http://www.networkingwizblog.com

 

For those of you that know me, you know I’m pretty much an open book. And if you really know me, you know that just a few hours ago I crossed an item off my bucket list!

Tonight I rode the Taco Ride. Its a 20 mile bike ride. People do it every week. To most its not a big deal, but to me it was a huge step. I had been wanting to do the Taco Ride for years but was terrified. I could barely ride 3.5 miles without huffing and puffing and once I started training I could not go farther than 9 miles.

But you want to know my secret to actually crossing that item off my list? I TOLD PEOPLE! I made sure everyone around me knew it was a goal of mine. I recruited people to to go with me. I told people I would document my journey online. And before I knew it, I had people coming up and asking me about when I was doing it and how training was going. Now I HAD to do it. I couldn’t back down because everyone would know if I did. And I did it!

So to get down to it…today’s tip is to SPEAK UP! Share your goals with those around you. Create a circle of motivating, inspiring, encouraging people that got your back and can’t wait to see you succeed.

Do you have a goal of closing 30 loans next quarter? Tell your sphere and ask them to help you reach your goal. Do you have a goal of hiring an amazing team member? Tell those around you and ask who they know.

Whatever your goal…let others know. People want to see you succeed. I almost quit. I almost quit several times. I had every good excuse ready to not even start tonight. Then I almost quit a few times on the trail. I was even given a free way out to not have to ride back. But I had an amazing colleague riding with me who pushed me and encouraged me and I could not have made it without her. Why was she there? Because I had told her my goal and she offered to help. She wanted to see me succeed.

So to recap…Talk To Me Baby! Talk to everyone! Share your goals with your mentors, your sphere of influence, your family and whoever else is willing to listen!

Happy Networking!
For More Tips follow http://www.networkingwizblog.com

I’ve been learning a lot lately about self worth and believing in myself and my abilities. Sometimes we don’t give ourselves enough credit. Sometimes we forget the power that our experience and connections have. Sometimes we forget to give ourselves kudos for even the small accomplishments we’ve achieved. And sometimes, we let those around us minimize our value and we just sit there and accept it.

Do you know what you bring to the table? Do you really know your value? Why did your boss hire you? She obviously saw value in you. Why did your spouse marry you? He saw something very valuable in you. Why do people join and stay within your networking sphere? Because they know the value you can bring to them.

Value is not always something tangible. Sometimes its knowledge and power. Like helping those around you find new careers through your connections. Or being a reference on a job to help someone advance to their new role. Maybe giving a testimonial solidifying someone else’s value. Maybe connecting two professionals to create a powerful referral network.

Maybe your value is the fact that you’ve been in the industry for 13 years and you have all (or most) of the answers. Maybe you’re the one that comes in the office smiling everyday and brightens up the room. Maybe your value is the fact that your reputation always proceeds you (in a good way) and people want to get to know you. Maybe your value is the way you communicate and build trust with your clients.

Whatever your value is, KNOW IT! Write it down. Look at the list in your mirror every day. Don’t let others knock it down because they don’t understand or don’t value it themselves. Don’t let others dismiss your value and make you feel worth less, even if they don’t realize they are doing it. Walk the fine line between confident and cocky. Hold your head high. Know that because of you 5 people found new careers last year, that because of you 2 business connections have flourished, that because of you a deal was able to be made when no one else thought it could be, that because of a referral you passed someone hit their goal this month, that you were put in the position you are today because of the value you bring the company you represent.

Know what you bring to the table and most importantly, believe it yourself.

Happy Networking!
For more tips visit http://www.networkingwizblog.com

 

So often we are operating in starvation mode. Desperate for any clients, sales, projects and income. We are running on fumes chasing every lead and tease that comes our way. We are afraid to say no, terrified to walk away, worried that turning down a client would somehow ruin our business.

But do you ever stop and reflect on how much time you are wasting on chasing those prospects that lead to nowhere…or even worse… sucking the life out of you!

When you say Yes to someone, You are saying No to someone else.

Be careful who you chose to accept as a client. YES! You can accept your clients. This also means, you can turn down clients as well. Seriously consider what saying “yes” to this client means. What else will you be saying “no” to. Will you be turning down the opportunity to work with 3 awesome clients while you’re bending over backwards and busting your hump for this one? Will you be turning down better experiences and resume building contacts while you’re dealing with a fussy, ignorant, inconsiderate client?

Don’t be afraid to ‘just say no’. You do not have to answer every knock that comes to your door. And more importantly, its okay to shut that door even after you opened it. Just as your clients can fire you, you can fire your clients. Your time is worth more than you give yourself credit for. Don’t let others zap your time, and talents.

Its Okay…Fire Your Client!

Happy Networking!
http://www.networkingwizblog.com

 

It sounds silly, of course you wouldn’t turn down a paycheck, but do you REALLY know how often you are non-intentionally doing it?

I often try to remind people that networking happens everywhere; soccer practice, book club, church luncheon, waiting in line at the DMV, birthday parties, backyard BBQs, and anywhere else you mingle with people. Its easy to say “ya ya I know that” but if you can start saying “there’s my next paycheck” I truly believe that can change your whole mindset.

Look at Cathy sitting next to you watching your sons play soccer. Have you talked to her? Do you know what neighborhood she lives in? Do you know if she’s happy where she lives? More importantly, does she even know what you do?! Cathy could be sitting there, right now, glancing down at Zillow listings and wondering how to even get started at making a move. Wouldn’t you kick yourself if you found out at next week’s game she purchased a house with some strange agent she found online?

Letting people know what you do, and staying in front of them doesn’t need to be pushy sales. It can be subtle. Here are some ideas:

• Wear clothing with your logo on it
• Bring a camping chair to the game with your logo on it
• Provide reusable plastic water bottles for all the kids, branded of course
• Provide goodie bags for your women’s retreat
• Become Facebook friends with EVERYONE and make them part of your sphere (they will see you being a successful person and want to know more)
• Sponsor the team BBQ
• Hand out branded towels at the swim tournament
• Carry notepads and/or branded pens to give the guy next to you searching for one
• Take an ACTUAL interest in their lives
• ALWAYS have business cards on you

Don’t miss out on opportunities to earn your next client aka Paycheck.

Happy Networking

We has adult humans, and especially us females, have a very hard time asking for help. We feel that asking for help makes us less, or weak, or incapable, or incompetent. When in fact, asking for help makes us stronger and more successful.

Sometimes I think the road block we hit is actually using the word ‘help’. Here’s some tips to taking that step and getting the support you need.

• Build a support team. Surround yourself with people that you are able to help and that can help you. These can be people in completely different fields that can bring outside knowledge or find those you can trust that are in your same industry that can share knowledge and experiences you have yet to conquer.
• Start using the word ‘Team’. You’ll find find it easier to ask your ‘teammate’ for help than anyone else. Because, well isn’t that what teams do?
• Help others first. If you become a resource to others they will be asking to help you in return. Catch here tho…don’t turn down their help!
• Keep your goals in mind. If you need an assistant, or partner to achieve your goals, do it! There will be learning curves and growth pains and communication struggles but in the long term it will pay off.
• You can’t clone yourself, so don’t expect to find help that is just like you. Find someone that is like minded, but brings other skills to the table. Someone that compliments you but will also put you in your place if needed.
• Let go. Just do it. You can’t help yourself if you don’t learn to delegate. You’re just spinning your wheels and not moving up in the world if you think you can do it all yourself. If you want to grow, you have to let go.
• Help comes in all shapes a sizes. It may not be an assistant at the office, maybe its someone to clean your house, or pick up your kids, or cook for you, or run errands, or watch your kids so you can have date night. Make a list, find out where you really could use an extra hand to achieve your goals.

Hope this helps on your path to growing your success.

Happy Networking!