I was listening to a Dave Ramsey podcast today and he was preaching about NOT whining - just get out there and get the job done - don't participate in the "bad economy," etc. etc. etc. Good stuff. I agree 100%.
Then he said something that really caught my attention - he said that if you're in sales and your market is tighter than it used to be, then you'll just have to work twice as hard. Simple as that.
My first reaction was, predictably (envision fist pumping in the air), "Yeah! I've got what it takes! I'll just double my effort and I shall survive!"
Then I said to myself... "Hmmmmm. I don't really wanna work twice as hard. What if I work the same amount and cut my lifestyle for awhile?"
I like the sound of that, frankly. It'll do me good to learn a little restraint and discipline!
I think Dave would approve.
Restraint and discipline are important in both good and bad times. If you use systems that are already established then you should be able to focus on using more leverage to get more done.
I'm sure Dave would approve. In fact, we need to do both, work harder and reduce expenses.
Jennifer....i think its a combination of working harder and smarter....time management. The business is out there...i always say how hungry are you to go get it. Love Dave Ramsey
Patti Herrington
Herrington Realty Co.
Jennier - I like the way Dave Ramsey thinks and communicates - direct and candid. "It is what it is" basically. I still think these market conditions could not be better for good agents as it is the best time to gain market share and position oneself to be in that much better of a position when the market turns. ~ Chris
If you work harder you will find you do cut your expenses because you don't have time to spend on spending. :) Now is the time to increase your efforts with the number of agents falling off in most parts of the country, if will position you in a better spot when the market does cycle again, it is a continous cycle so it WILL return.
I actually work pretty darn hard as it is - no kids, no husband, so my world is 100% real estate. Sigh...
Back before all this crisis stuff, I came to the conclusion that in the Denver market, things slow waaaay down in the Fall... so I decided I wouldn't fret about it and burn myself out. When the market picked back up (as it always did in February/March), I'd jump back in, raring to go and full of energy and enthusiasm. I guess that's how I'm approaching this market - I'm not gonna burn myself out chasing business that may not be there. I'll do what I've always done, with a smile on my face, and yes, I Shall Survive!
Good point Gail!
I think it's a great opportunity to enjoy some downtime, do all those things we SAY we are going to do when we can "find the time." A great time to tweak systems, maybe get in touch with previous clients for a leisurely cup of offee or lunch, drop off batches of homemade cookies, visit, get out and just do all those things we sometimes do not have as much time for when we're crazy busy.
Good stuff here. I think that during this "slower" time we need to work harder, but I think the extra time can be used to implement systems and get deeper with your referral base.
Thats funny I find myself working harder and smarter all the time?
But it is hard to keep motivated. But you know working harder does give you less time to worry about the market!!!
Jennifer,
Great point. I do think that Dave would approve. For some of us working twice as hard is just not an option. After all there are only 24 hour in a day :-).
For AR members out there who are Dave Ramsey fans - Dave Ramsey FANS join the group!
Jennifer,
I think a little cut in the lifestyle would do us all some good. You really have no idea how spoiled you become in some aspects until you take a step back and look what you have. But I am very thankful the Lord has blessed us with an abundance and that we all have our health. That I am truly thankful for!
So nice to see you write about a post about Dave Ramsey here. As you already know, I'm already a big fan. I can see your point. Cut spending and we might just net more. We SHALL survive!
We're all in the same boat!
Jennifer, you make an excellent point. Working twice as hard won't always fix your situation. Do what is best for you. You know yourself and your market better than anyone, hopefully! Good Luck!
Jennifer - I like that frame of mind too.
For the newborn baby Realtors, I think there are some positives to be found when looking at coming into this profession in "today's" market. We will learn the importance of spending money wisely, managing our time well, and we will probably only survive if we uphold ourselves to the highest standards, take not good care of our clients, but GREAT care, and of course, continue to be RCHBs to our friends and family.
Hi Jennifer. I am working twice as hard. Maybe more. Consistently too. Tough times. But they will pass.
Ken
Hi Jennifer,
I firmly agree.
Pam
Kurtcares of Tucson
Jennifer,There you go again using common sense! That's why I don't listen to pod-cast in the car anymore, all that fist pumping can be misconstrued as road rage...
Dave always has great advice and you are right, He'll approve. It's important to do both in a tough market. Cut expenses and work hard. In the end, we'll be ahead.
Jennifer as a student of Dave "University of Fianacial Peace" I know he approves! If sales are down then we should cut back on our life style. One of my associates said he was going on a winter vacation and not going back to work until June 2009. Now thats living!! Cutting back on every day living and just relaxing on a beach in a third would country.. WOW.. I should have saved some money. If you know any one moving down to Pueblo Colorado to slow down there life.. they can go to www.HomesPueblo.com and see our low home prices. Thanks, Larry D. Thompson Century 21 Holt
I would say that now is notthe time to work harder, it's the time to work smarter. I have refocused my efforts from the streets to the computer. I use to spend a lot of time and gas checking out leads but now I try to spend the same amount of time I usually spend doing face-to-face to now building online marketing strategies that reach out even further. So I say let's not work harder because I too work very hard let's just work smarter by utilizing the technology before us.
It always seems that when things slow down, I always work twice as hard and make half of the money. I like your way better but I don't know if I can afford it!
I have the Money Makeover CD in my car right now. Cutting expenses is always a good idea. Why pay money for things that don't work.
Jennifer:
But it is soooo hard to cut your life style, and takes too long to make that adjusment.... How about a little of both? And I agree with the "stop whining and work" if people would stop complaining and focus on work for 1/2 the amount of time they are complaining, they would be busy! Simple "Little engine that could" theory!!! STOP THAT STINKING THINKING!!
On an entirely different note: Where the heck have you been? More than 2 weeks w/o a post? I am about to send out some of your "stuff" to some agents in my area, hopefully they call and order your book!
Wow - has it been that long? I just haven't been in the mood to blog, but I have been writing my heart out - working on my next book. I guess all my energy is flowing that direction! Thanks for noticing!!
What is in the next book? do you have a title yet?
So far working harder has been my approach to it all. It paying off some and its getting better. I wont just lay down and quit.
Hi Jennifer, I am a big fan of Dave Ramsey. But I agree with you, I don't want to work twice as hard either!
Good job, Jennifer! People don't always think to scale back on the lifestyle in fear of the Jones' finding out there's trouble. For 2009, I think the trend will be Less is More!
Everyone is trimming down their lifestyle and working twice as hard.
I like your motto Amanda. Less is More.
Focus on the number one clients and let the 2's and 3's work a little harder to get your attention. Have a great day.
Jen,
You'd be proud of me!
Spent the last week and a half hand-writing notes in very nice Thanksgiving cards, sending them to all clients and past clients. Bought them at the Dollar Store for 50 cents each (That's where I buy all my cards).
I then hand-wrote a personalized message, something like this:
Gary & Beth,
Hope all is well. Just touching bases to say, again, THANK YOU for being a valued client and good friend. Hope the house is still treating you well...and hope you have a blessed holiday season.
If you ever hear of anyone looking to buy or sell, please mention my name.
(I then enclosed a card and a magnet card and hand addressed the envelope...no tacky computer labels for me).
Got three calls from past clients so far this week, thanking me and each said they had NEVER gotten a Thanksgiving card, let alone, a personalized note in it, too.
Think I'm on to something here!
Dave
Or do both and get the best of both worlds!!
Dave - funny you bring this up - another one of my cyber friends did just this and said she got a fantastic response, too! Hmmmmmmm!
James - yeah - I think that's probably what's happening, no matter what I claim to the contrary!