Local ATX Living!

Give Up or Get Going: What's Your Resolution?

Disclaimer:  This in no way is meant to be a religous post.  There's no way I'm going there.

However, those of us who celebrate Mardi Gras and Fat Tuesday know there is one minor catch lurking around the corner.  That's right... HELLO Ash Wednesday!  I have always tried to make it standard practice to make a resolution for Lent.  Like many, I have usually failed up to this point to implement my New Year's resolutions, so a second round of guilt tripping is in order.  My most successful Lenten season occured during my junior year of high school.  I decided to give up soda for 40 days.  It seemed like an impossibility at the time.  However, I made it those 40 agonizing days without so much as a sip.  I could not wait to get my hands on a Dr. Pepper.  Much to my surprise, the first sip tasted like sh*%!  I felt like I had swallowed a mouthful of battery acid.  It couldn't believe I use to have 4-5 of those bad boys a day!  Needless to say, I never drank sodas consistently ever again.

As I have gotten older, I have tried to shift my mindset from removing a bad habit to implementing a positive one.  Many of us vow to exercise more and give up burgers, pizza, or even beer for those 40 days.  I've done that too.  I decided to mix it up a bit in 2010.  This go-round, I'm stopping one thing AND starting something else.  I removed the TV from my bedroom and placed it in storage.    No longer will I let my mind vegetate on the worthless garage that is late night television.  Instead, I have decided to START reading each and every night!   I have a pile of books that I have been meaning to read for, oh about... a year or two (including fellow AR member Jennifer Allan's book Sell with Soul - just bought it!).  I love reading and always tell myself I need to do more... but just don't have the time.  Well, now I am making it!  It all goes back to mindset. 

So my questions is... are you giving something up or getting something going???

Photo credit:  http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Cb6wfJ1hYMw/R3VGqjUPmnI/AAAAAAAABQA/BjFIQ_Y8vFc/s320/00805-funny-cartoons-resolutions.gif

Will's Weekly's:  Live Music From the Capitol City - Feb. 8-15

I hope everyone had a great weekend.  I was able to see a lot of live music, and it was a great time!  Congrats to the New Orleans Saints (Who Dat!) for winning their first ever Super Bowl.  The Colts played well, but I was very happy for the Saints.  It was a victory for the people of New Orleans.  I hope that it will continue to fuel the recovery of what I consider to be one of the most special places on earth.

You may have noticed the title has changed.  I've realized that the only source of enterainment that I post is live music, so I thought I would provide a more accurate heading.  Here are my picks for the week:

Monday:  Tim Easton @ Cactus Cafe - I really hope the UT Board of Regents does not shut down the Cactus Cafe, so I am recommending as much music there as possible 

Tuesday:  Caspa @ Beauty Bar

Wednesday:  Elisa Ferrari @ Cactus Cafe

Thursday:  Retribution Gospel Choir @ Stubb's (Indoor show)

Friday:  Greyhounds @ La Zona Rosa - this band is a blast to see - highly recommended!

Saturday:  Kat Edmonson @ Elephant Room - great blues & jazz club downtown

Sunday:  Chris Smither @ Cactus Cafe

Go see some music!  This rainy weather gives us a great reason to stay indoors.  Have fun out there - make it a great week!

One of the first things anyone who gets into real estate learns is to leverage their sphere of influence.  It feeds any successful real estate practice.  Every professional speaker, book on tape, and webinar echo the same common theme:  people want to do business with those they know, like and trust.  They all say this because it’s the truth.  Simple logic really – making the single largest financial commitment of one’s life should involve a professional with the above mentioned qualities. 

Why then am I still reluctant to embrace my sphere of influence?  I’ve talked myself out of it time after time.  I don’t want to be “that guy” or “they’ll see right through me.”  Etc, etc, etc.  Don’t get me wrong – I’ve done a good amount of business with friends.  But the reality… it is not nearly as much as I’d like.  But I know what’s really happening here.  It’s “fear” of the sphere. 

What is most surprising is this fear is not based in rejection or what my peers may think of me.  The reality:  I have not worked hard enough to overcome my reluctance in approaching them.  Rather, I have made the decision for these individuals.  I’ve internalized this fear without giving them the opportunity to make their own conclusion.  And that is wrong.  

The lesson I am learning is that it’s not about me.  The only reason we do what we do is to help improve the lives of others.  I want to help my friends, family, and neighbors make the best decisions when it comes to their real estate needs (who wouldn’t!?!).  It’s my obligation.  Change is in the air… and I am excited!

As always, you thoughts and comments are greatly appreciated!

I have been comtemplating my "Rainmaker" status for a month or two.  We've had a drought in Austin, TX all summer and saying it's "bone dry" is an understatement.  Well, now it has been raining all day and I decided to get off the fence (taking my own advice... I've been telling it to buyers for months and months - time to do it myself!).  

What better way to kick off my ActiveRain blog than on a rainy day!?!  I'm looking forward to a long, meaningful existence in the "Rain" community.  I have already benefited from the contributions of other members.  I am ready to learn more and give as much as I can!  

The business of real estate, whatever your role or profession, is rewarding in more ways that I could have realized.  I "found my way" into the business as I neared graduating from college (a friend talked me into getting my license when I had a change of heart about law school).  I tell him I'm in his debt everytime I see him.  I've worked on difficult transactions early in my career.  The ones where people tell you... "it's a great learning experience" (they also make you want to crawl under a rock and hide!).  But the gratitude I receive from my clients is what has kept me in the business during these difficult times.  I look forward to what lies further down the line.

As Willie Nelson might say... the hardest part of writing a blog is the first entry.  Well, now that's over!