90 Day Challenge- Day 5 – Thoughts to Live By – Real Estate is Baseball – Are You In the Game?

“The one constant through all the years, Ray, has been baseball. America has rolled by like an army of steamrollers. Its been erased like a blackboard, rebuilt, and erased again. But, baseball has marked the time. This field, this game, is a part of our past, Ray. It reminds us of all that once was good, and could be again.”

Terrance Mann,from the movie Field of Dreams

Ok, it’s a little corny – but this one of my favorite movies. We have all been beat up by the market, time for some thoughts to send us back in the game!

Build it and they will come – Think of all the preparation that goes into making a field ready for play.  What are you doing to build your business?  So far in the challenge we have spent some time examining our environment.  Look around your office- what does it say about you and your business?   Have you addressed the clutter?  Is there a computer at your desk or do you rely on the research rooms?  What about that picture on your business card ?  Is it professional? Up to date?  Are you recognizable or is it your Glamour Shot from the 1980’s? Stage your business like you would stage a listing – everyday is a showing.

Ease their pain – Yes, today’s market is full of pain for your clients.  Like it or not, a big part of your job is to listen to the pain and then make it better.  Do you spend time looking at the world from your client’s perspective or are you too caught up in your own  world to pay attention?   Especially in today’s challenging market your clients are looking for your guidance and solutions.  Are you helping them with pricing?  Or are you still telling them what they want to hear?

Go the Distance – Today’s real estate market is a marathon and not a sprint, even when the hectic days leave you breathless.   Make sure your day to day activities don’t overtake your vision of your overall goals for your business.  Are you finding that your listings are expiring only to have them relisted by someone else at the right price? There is still an army of relief pitchers in this game who will  come in and save the game only to leave you on the bench. Do you have enough good stuff for extra innings?

Some other great baseball quotes…

“There is no crying in baseball” –  Tom Hanks in A League of Their Own

“Baseball is the only field of endeavor where a man can succeed three times out of ten and be considered a good performer.”  ~Ted Williams

“That’s baseball, and it’s my game.  Y’ know, you take your worries to the game, and you leave ’em there.  You yell like crazy for your guys.  It’s good for your lungs, gives you a lift, and nobody calls the cops.  Pretty girls, lots of ’em.” ~Humphrey Bogart

“Things could be worse.  Suppose your errors were counted and published every day, like those of a baseball player.” ~Author Unknown

“Progress always involves risks.  You can’t steal second base and keep your foot on first.”  ~Frederick B. Wilcox

Put on your game face, ready your field and get into the game!  Keep reading the 90 Day Challenge – it’s all about making sure you stay in the game and learn to hit it out of the park.