Spokane Real Estate Voice

Are you focused on your goals and dreams?

Here is an acronym I created:

F.O.C.U.S.
Forward.
Optimistic.
Centered.
Uncompromising.
Steps of Action

I would like to go through each of these and share my experience.

Forward:Too often I see people with regrets. More damaging I see how the woulda coulda shoulda mentality is like a vice on their soul. It has a grip on them and the insidious thing is that they are creating a present much like their past by regretting it. In order to achieve tangible results, we must use the past as a springboard, not at anchor.

Optimistic: This may sound like an obvious trait for someone to have who wants to remain focused. However, there are scores of things in our daily routines that can derail an optimistic attitude. Sick kids, bad traffic, transaction complications, are a few things we face that can threaten to turn us into a mental detour. Find the bright side, take the high road. The only thing we can control in any given situation is our attitude.

Centered: Being centered is all about knowing who you are, your core values and convictions. Those who stand for nothing, fall for anything. Stand your ground. Be comfortable in your own skin. Feed your soul and spirit with things that build up your spiritual foundation.

Uncompromising:   Don't settle for things that are not good for you. Know your boundaries and limitations.When you feel you might be wavering- take your time. Pause, reflect, wait. Above all- pray.

Steps of Action:None of the above matter if you are not willing to ACT. This might mean planning better, changing your routine, sticking to your exercise plan, making those calls, attending or not attending meetings, ect. But measurable action is the thing that defines leaders. Live intentionally. Action separates those who are participating in life from the spectators.

God has given us one life, this is not a dress rehearsal. Make the most of it! I had the distinct pleasure of hearing Jack Canfield live. He shared that the first step in living a full successful life is taking 100% responsibility for where you are today. I agree. FOCUS.

It has been a difficult week for some of my friends and family.

I won't get into the details, but it involves 2 unexpected deaths, and some hard relationship realities, and throw in some additional issues and it ends up as some tragic times for some people connected to those I love.

Wouldn't it be nice if every day was a good one? A happy one?... or would we be less thankful for the little blessings we encounter. Does the rain help you appreciate the sun? Does the dark help you appreciate the light? Does noise help you appreciate the quiet?

Life is a mix. Sometimes it is almost unbearable to watch when the tragedy strikes close by. We want to run the other way. We want to think it can never happen to us.

I would like to challenge you to embrace the rain. To run toward your faith, your family and friends during turbulent times. Express your gratitude's, your sorrows, and be honest.

Life is fragile. Embrace the Rain, fully experience the ordinary. Be present in your own life by acknowledging the little things. Say so. I am not taking anything for granted. I want to continually give Thanks to God for the smallest blessings.

A wildflower, a hug. A song, a meal.

The difficult things seem to make me highlight the wonders of life as if they were yellow and jumping off a page at me.

Embracing the Rain, even through tears will allow us to more deeply enjoy the blue skies when the clouds part way...And they will.

Written by: BethAnn Long 5/18/2010

My kids and I play a game.

It's called "REMEMBER WHEN..." and then we fill in  the blank.

It can be done anywhere, for any length of time.

They revel in funny childhood memories, goofy quotes, family vacations, precious moments, and even pet stories.

It makes me realize, every day- we are creating memories.

Each moment is a memorial stone. When I grasp this- it makes me want to live DIFFERENTLY.

Make an impact, be an influence, respect the ordinary.

I want to look back on 2010 and say...Remember When...

Time is precious, and I want to truly make the most of it this year.

I intend to have amazing family time, serve in my church and community, build my marriage and friendships, and take my business to the next level.

HAPPY NEW YEAR, AND MAKE 2010 YOUR "REMEMBER WHEN!"...

photo: I took this picture when I was in SanFransisco. It reminds me of one of my long term (bucket list) goals:

to visit Ireland where both sides of my family originated (my maiden name is O'Neill, my moms maiden name is O'Brien). Someday I will say, Remember When ... I went to Ireland!

My dad is a huge inspiration for me. He was a very successful real estate broker, and when he speaks, I listen. He is 83 years old, and has a wealth of wisdom to offer me as a Realtor.

One thing he says to me almost everytime we talk about business is:

KEEP YOUR NOSE TO THE GRINDSTONE KID!

This saying, or idiom has been passed dowm for centurys, and was probably derived from early knife sharpeners.

Because there are so many variables in the real estate industry, the lack of control we have over the "market", intrest rates, the economy...the list goes on...it is particularly important for us as real estate agents to keep our nose to the grindstone.

There is not alot of imposed structure on us an independant contractors. We don't for the most part have a " boss" / or a "schedule". So it is up to us to be self motivated, self disciplined, and create a system that we stick to. This can be very difficult in lean times, as discouragement can set in. It can be equally hard in busy times because we can let our business run us, rather than running our business.

I am going to say something BOLD. This business is not for everyone. As for me, I LOVE what I do and it shows!

However, there are no salaries, no medical benefits*, we have to withold/pay our own taxes, and it is CONSTANTLY changing. There may be exceptions for some of the brokerages, so I am just speaking from my own personal standpoint*.

This is not a "normal job". Rather,it is a hugely rewarding career that take constant diligence, vision and alot of risk.

When I am not quite sure what to do, I reflect back on my dads borrowed words which  always apply: Keep your nose to the grindstone! Keep working hard. Keep on keepin' on.

              I would love to hear some of your tried and true favorite sayings that help keep you motivated!

March 2009 ~

Hello to every eye who can see this post, who has an ear to hear!

Times are tough for alot of folks right now. I was thinking, for all of you who read this, lets take a few moments today to practice simple acts of kindness.

I was thinking since people will read this at all different times, for who knows how long...it could help create a small kindness wave. I would love for you to share what you did by commenting on this post. It will be uplifting to hear your stories!

Remember...keep it simple. Most things can be FREE.

A phone call to someone who is lonely.

Hand me down clothes to someone in need.

Bake your family cookies and tell them you love them.

Send a hand written note! People love this. :)

Give a big tip.

Stick a love note in your kids lunch.

BRING ON THE IDEAS!

LET THE KINDNESS BEGIN!

Suggestion...do it right away to keep this going!

SHARE YOUR STORY: BE SPECIFIC!

My grandmother was an incredibly wise woman. She died at age 94 with her wit and spirit in full tact. She said some of the funniest things! Please excuse my frankness, but here goes:

" This too shall pass"

"Isn't that something"

"I believe in sex till your dying day"

" Always say I love you"

" I say my prayers every night and you are in them!"

" We ain't nothin' without the Lord"

.............some of those may seem contradictory, but hey- she was truly one of a kind.

Before she died, I told her I was pregnant. She said " That's what you get for messing areound!". Mind you I had been married for many years and had 3 kids and a husband.

So I was thinking of her today, how she often said "This too shall pass" and relaized that it did not just mean a hardship will pass, or a bad day. But life passes us by. Each moment is valuable.

I am so reminded of this when I am tossing out clothes that no longer fit my children. So bittersweet. This too shall pass...the opportunity to tell someone that you love them, that they are important to you, or that you miss them.

Nanny is long gone, but her spirit lives on in the legacy she left behind. What kind of legacy am I leaving? How about you? What is passing you by?

I was thinking of a difficult situation I am facing, when her words came to mind. It made me realize there was far more wisdom behind those words than I had realized.

*HUG YOUR KIDS TODAY*BAKE COOKIES FOR AN ELDERLY NEIGHBOR*WRITE A HAND WRITTEN NOTE* CALL AN OLD FRIEND*MAKE AN AMENDS*GIVE SOMETHING AWAY*TAKE A WALK WITH SOMEONE WHO IS LONELY*READ A BOOK TO SOMEONE*PRAY*LAUGH*LOVE*LEARN*LIVE*SING*DANCE*DRAW*NAP*BE*

You will never, ever have this moment back again.

In this hyper -technological, overly busy, over stimultated world, I often find myself longing for the simplicity of days gone by...

Golly gee I sometimes wish I was June Cleaver. Or even a cave-person. Did they have it better or does it just seem like their lives were simpler? How can we create simplicity in our 2008 crazy lifestyles?

              Sometimes, I feel like this: "Stop the world, I want to get OFF!!!"

But rarely do I really slow down. I love life, and I thrive on being busy and engaged. But I do long for a time when people were not staring at a screen half the time. I do wonder what it would be like to go back in time to when things seem to move at even a slightly less rapid pace.

I bet June Cleaver would argue that OUR lives are simpler with technology. Hmmm...

I guess that leaves me to make some choices to unplug, unwind, and embrace some good old fashioned down time.

Take a moment today to embrace a little simplicity. To truly notice a child. To read a good book. To take a breathe of outdoor fresh air. I don't really want to go back in time. I just want to remember some good old fashioned values of family, faith, and friends.

Life is precious, Time is not a given, and simplicity is a choice, and a skill we can learn.