Your Personal Economy
Wednesday, January 7, 2009 at 11:10AM
As we start the New Year, I tend to tally up how the past year passed for me. As we all try to balance our checkbooks and budget how much we spent on our secret Santa gifts, I also take an emotional tally. Most of us ask, “How did this economy affect our business?” But I think the better question to ask is, “Who do I want to be as this market continues to transition?” The media has flooded every outlet with gloom and doom, much like the past week of our gloomy Chicago winter weather. At times, you start to ask yourself, is the sun every going to shine again? If you stop a minute and take notice of your personal economy, you just might need to sport your sunglasses again!
When I ask myself who I want to be in this time of transition, the resounding response is Knowledgeable, Positive, and most of all, Truthful. If we put these adjectives in the forefront of our minds and actions, we are inevitably going to find that is in our field of reach; if we are going to choose Gloom and Doom, and negativity, that’s all that will be brought to our table. And I don't know about you, but I like to eat, so we need to think ABUNDANCE!
Rafael Alvarado, Century 21 Salamanca, said “Go back to basics of setting attainable goals, which would give them energy to redefine their purpose, that would clear their focus, and more important have them take action! Do something as opposed to nothing. Read a book, listen to a CD, or go to a seminar and become students of the business again, hang around positive people. We all need some mental reinforcement. We cannot only survive, but thrive in this market place. This is the only market we have, so stop complaining and learn how to become more effective in this market.”
There is great opportunity in this market; why aren't we telling people about the opportunity? There ARE people out there with money who are ready, willing and able. It may take a little more effort to find them, so make it fun! It has taken me most of the year to stop investing in fear, and start investing in my personal economy. I wasn't invited to any of the big CEO spa vacations this year, so I figure, whom better to invest in than in YOU these days? Have a Happy and Prosperous New Year, and here’s to a happier and more productive YOU.
Marissa Lanzito
Immediate Past President, Women's Council of REALTORS--Chicago Chapter
Reader Comments (5)
I intend to take Marissa's lead and invest in fun, optimism and moving forward. The news these days seems to bring us all down. So let's create our own stories, our own economy and ultimately our own mindset. We can own the success we want and need by acting and changing how we think.
Knowledgable, Positve and Truthful are ok with me not only now but all the time.
I'm so sick of the negativity not only in the media, but from the general public and other agents. There are no excuses on why a REALTOR in today's market should not be busy. If we are not out there showing properties we should be educating ourselves on new opportunities, networking and like Marissa said, having fun!
Way to go Marissa! Keep up the great work! We WILL THRIVE!!!!
I couldn't agree more! There are so many opportunities out there, so many great stories to tell about Chicago real estate and definitely no need for anymore gloom & doom! The way we think and the people we surround ourselves with will ultimately determine our actions and success - it is not always easy to do but it is worth the effort. If success came easy it wouldn't be so sweet!
Well put Marissa! When we made a commitment to become real estate professionals, we made the decision to help the public to buy and sell property in any market. Our clients need us the most when the market is tough. They need us to focus on them and their needs and concerns. If we are not willing to do that, then we shouldn't be in this business. Focusing on our clients and what they need is what will make the strong survive!