In the past 8 years I have been enjoying a steady and sucsessful real estate career. I have had all kinds of buyers and sellers, closers and lenders.
I have worked with some really stressed out people, and I must say, those crab apples are missing out!
I enjoy the journey, not just the rewards. I get involved in a fair amount of messy details in people's lives which could be an opportunity to be crabby.
I make a conscious effort to be fun to work with. Now what does this mean?
Take it easy. Get your ego out of the way. Don't get your panties in a bundle. Shine it on. Let go and let God.
Stop trying to be the general manager of the universe. Respond instead of reacting. Never lose your sense of humor. Listen. Be affirming and empathic. Be gracious and kind. Be truthful without being rude.
Laugh out Loud. Realize the only person you have control over is yourself. Walk a mile in someones shoes.
Don't assume things. Accept the limitations of the day. Get your beauty sleep. Practice the golden rule.
Don't be stingy. Don't take things personally. Gratitude goes a long way. Attitudes are chosen, if you are fun to work with, you will use less mental and physical energy, and preserve more for yourself and your family.
Life is short. Lighten up, and have some FUN! Yes, even while working. I love what I do, and it shows. :)
*Don't worry, Be HAPPY!*
BethAnn Long- Tomlison South Inc. www.BethAnnHomes.com
BethAnn Long ~ Spokane Realtor- Coldwell Banker Tomlinson South Inc.
509-362-4607
...there's no place like your home!
Love it! Absolutely make each transaction a fun adventure for all involved!
BethAnn- Thanks for reminding me that I am human. I sometimes get wrapped up in my business, I forget to take time for myself. I, as well as many others, need to step back once in awhile to smell the roses and relish what we have accomplished each day. We do need to have a sense of humor and have fun at work to. It makes it much easier.
Laxon : Amen!
Terry: Yes, be good to yourself!
Gee, I surely hope I'm fun to work with. It's my nature to enjoy what I'm doing. Otherwide I DON'T DO IT.
If a buyer ceases to be fun to work with, they are history.
I agree; life should be fun & if you can't enjoy you might as well be dead :) Great reminder!
BethAnn -- what a great post! Love, love, love it! Such simple thoughts -- yet so very important. You are being re-blogged! Have a great evening!
Nice post, I make every effort to make transactions enjoyable for all. On the other hand if dealing with egos, incompetence or unethical behavior I have a tendency to work more by the book. Business is not always a "social engagement"
Amen to that. I am very well trained and professional but I also have an outgoing fun loving personality and laugh often. Comedy helps break the ice in a stressful real estate transaction and I try to enjoy myself and others as much as possible.~~~Kelly
BTW...I love your photo you seem to have a hearty laugh and enjoy life~~~God bless
Nice post today, thanks for getting this out to us here on AR. I think I'm fun to be with, work or play!
Patricia/Seacoast NH
Your smile is contagious. Very good post and thank you for the reminder. HAVE FUN!!
I hope I stay positive through every transaction. (I think I do!) Sometimes its hard, but we get through it! Great post, thank you.
Great reminder. Life is a jorney not a destination, and we choose what to do with the jorney.
Beth
I have the same attitude too bad our markets are so far apart would love to do a deal with you - I think that working with an agent who is upbeat makes a big difference in a transaction too!
Yes, even while working. I love what I do, and it shows.
Great point. My most successful clients have *FUN* selling real estate! :)
I couldn't agree more Beth Ann! I make everyone laugh in the office especially when things get tense around here :)
Beth Ann:
If this job can't be fun then what do we do? You do look like you are having a great time.
BethAnn,
This is one of the best posts I have ever read! It says it all......With your permission (or without it)
I am copying this, putting it in my planner and reading it every morning!
You are a Blessing!
Thank You............
Beth,
Love this post, you are so right particularly about "beauty sleep". It is a wonderful reminder of enjoying life and remembering the joy is in the journey. Thank you for this nice reminder. All the best, Happy Thanksgiving!
Don't sweat the small stuff and tell everybody you're fun at parties! Good, light post.
Excellent Post! People buy people before they buy whatever they are selling and being yourself is the best way to success
My clients are fun. So it's usually pretty fun for me. But if I can't have a good time, I'm not going anyway...
Note to self...stop to smell the roses, and play with the kids, and everything else that makes you feel alive.
It's a fine line to combine fun with knowledge and expertise .... I'm not trying to be my client's next best friend, but I sure try to make them laugh every time we are out :)
And it starts with a smile. You have a great smile.
BethAnn ! Oh this post made me all fuzzy !!!!
I love it, and this is another one that I try to abide by too :o)
I try hard to make all my client communications fun - always.
... it seems to have served me well so far.
Love your picture !!! Great post !
What a great post to read ..... especially after a difficult Monday.
Every transaction is an experience. The good and the bad. Often times, when things get a little difficult, and your clients see you remain calm, it helps them calm down. You are their reassurance, and you are helping them with one of the most important transactions that they will ever make. Keep smiling! I always say allow your attitude to change your circumstance, not your circumstance change your attitude.
Terrylynn, Yes it does! :) !!!
Susanne -Yes, a fine line indeedy.
Nathan: I would be lost without the note to self concept!
Candace: Me too!
Jason: why, thanks !
Micheal: If you don't sweat you don't need any deo :)
Ron and Alexandra: zzzzzzzzzzzz and back at ya!
GREG: That is a huge compliment! THANK YOU!
Carol: for sure!
Jackie keep up the good (at) work!
Patricia: me too!!!
Russel: agreed. I remain very professional, I promise.
Peggy, thank you for the re-blog!
Lenn: you go girl, sometimes you have to show them the door.
Bruce: laugh or leave is what I've seen.
Noah: There's always referrals!
Tere: Amen!
Trisha: Yes it can be challenging, thats ok :)
Jared and Amanda: it's better than spreading the flu huh!
This is great advice. There are days that are stressful, and there are days that are full of joy. Still, I try to make it fun.
Okay, Lenn's comment cracked me up. Not only is she concerned about whether or not she's fun to work with, she wants her clients to be too! LOL I love it!
Cute pic! I couldn't agree more -- I know there are some really tough days, but I do everything I can to keep it light and make the process fun... especially for all the first time home buyers!
Beth Ann,
Loved this post.
Real Estate agents are so serious, trying to be everything to everybody.
We only have one life, and it is not a dress rehersal.
Deborah, Thats right, this is the real deal.
Kerry: thanks and gotta love those 1st timers !
Lina: yes I thought that was funny too!
Thanks Christine :)
Sheldon: theres more warm fuzzies where that came from!
Stewart: Hope tuesday is better. Do you remeber meeting my referral guy Joe?
Renee: yes...having a calming effect is essential when things get high stress, great point!
I am so glad that Lenn picks her clients based on whether they are fun - I try to help my clients get a good house and feel good about the transaction. In a time like this when no one is sure where the market is going, many of my clients are scared, and confused, and I think it is my job to make them feel relaxed and confident in their decisions. When I want fun, I stay home with my family.
BethAnn!
I LOVE LOVE LOVE people with a sense of humor. Laughter is good medicine and keeps one sane during crazy moments!! When my seller was mulling over an offer...she said, "It's a crapshoot. They could accept our counter, or they could walk." I replied, "you are right. It is a crapshoot. We just don't want to be saying a week from now ...'CRAP' 'SHOOT, I wish we'd accepted that offer!"
That's a good attitude BethAnn. The alternative is unhealthy. Well worth the feature.
Beth Ann - what a cool post! Congratulations on the feature : ) I often wonder how crabby people make it in this business. I was hearing about one of those realtors from a referral realtor I work with and I told her that I kind of feel sorry for people like this. maybe they lack the social skills and as a result their bad attitude nets them other peoples bad attitudes. So there they are round and round...sucks to be them. But it could be worse...I could be twins.
BethAnn, FUN is mandatory in my life, and if I ever stray too far from that I have to immediately change my ways. Glad you are on the same page with me...Congratulations on your feature.
Beth Ann, I have a lot of fun with many of my transactions, but I also find that I am often called to be a problem solver.
Beth Ann,
Great post and great reminder to all of us. In a tough market it's easy to take things too seriously. I committ to joining you in insuring clients (and myself) enjoy the ride!
BethAnn - In a word, yes. I try to keep things laid-back and fun. Otherwise, I wouldn't have been doing this for so long.
Love it! Even when a situation gets serious, there is still there is still a way to respond, rather than react to every situation. I couldn't agree with you more.
It looks like you are having a great time. Enjoy life it passes us by quick.
This was a fun post. I live for fun. I don't do anything that isn't fun. I think I am really fun to work with, in fact, I'm usually the class clown.
Lise, I think you misunderstand my point. I am speaking of people who don't have a sense of humor and seem to bring their unfinished personal business to work and spread misery.
I keep myself poised and professional, but I will not ever let go of my sense of humor and use it when needed.
I fought cancer this way, and raised 5 kids including two sets of twins. I am foremost, responsible.
Sonja, the crap shoot story is GREAT!
Tigard, THANK YOU!
Nevin, TWINS? Just don't be the eveil twin!
Gary ~ I love your blog!
Sybil. I agree, a problem solver often has a sense of humor- it creates great reserve.
Cindy: don't forget the seatbelt!
Jason:Longevity, yes. Pacing and humor help!
Aja, humor has to be appropriate. I am glad you saw my other important keys!
Russ, yes too fast...
Jean ~ woo whoo!
Bethann,
I know that when we have talked on the phone you always seem upbeat! :) I think that is a great attitude....and I love all the short but sweet sentences in your blog that are right to the point!
As far as fun to work with... I have been told that :)
Hi Lori!
I would love to meet you sometime. Maybe we can! Thanks
You are SO right!
Your attitude has so much influence on the attitude of the people you deal with - When you're upbeat, calm when things get crazy, and always looking for solutions instead of problems, then others can allow themselves to follow suit. And so much more can be accomplished when people let go of the stress.
And having fun - I doubt that there is any activity more physically and mentally health-giving than a good laugh.
I'm glad to know Spokane has an agent with your attitude - since I'm only an hour away from there, maybe we'll run into each other some day.
I'm still smiling about your closing line... "Don't worry, be happy." That's the song my son and his wife chose to accompany them as they left the altar after their wedding ceremony. I'm quite sure the sour-pusses in the crowd were horrified when my son danced his way down the aisle and out the door. But then, they probably didn't approve of their dog being part of the wedding party.
Some folks just have no sense of humor.
People who can't loosen up and enjoy the search for a new home are missing out, that's for sure. It's fun to visualize yourself in a new place, walk through others with, shall we say, unique decor, and have a few laughs on the way.
People that see property as a cold asset to be procured and not as a place where they'll call home should have bolts in their neck.
BethAnn,
While I'm serious about my business and taking great care of clients, I refuse to be too serious about me. Humor and lightheartedness are part of my toolbox.
Some clients are obviously more fun than others, but we make the process as fun and natural as possible. Most become friends for life. It is not a job but a lifestyle.
Fun is important. And you can still be serious. Sometimes my blog posts hopefully shows I am fun!
Bethanne,
What a great post!! Don't worry be happy is my ring tone on my phone....life is way to short, not to enjoy it!!
Tinker
I make it a point to ensure that what Im doing is fun....the day my job stops being fun is the day I look for another job. :-) Keep up the good work!
Bethanne, definitely I have fun! I think my buyers have a fun and rewarding experience with me. We do become friends as well. Closing is sort of a sad day for me in a way because I'm not going to be in touch as often. With Sellers it's different, since we don't talk as often until the contract, but still we try to keep it fun with them as well :)
I really believe that the buying experience should be FUN. This is an exciting time for buyers and a "sullen" agent can really "deflate the balloon" quickly and turn what should be a pleasant experience into a depressing exercise.
I've always said that if you aren't having fun doing what you do then your not doing what you should. Yes, there are good clients and well lets just say not so good but at the end of the day those who have fun and love what they do go home with a smile on their face.
Marte! Let's meet half way for COFFEE! A dog in the wedding party, that is the BEST!
J. Phillip: first of all, this was my grandfather's name on my dads side. John Phillip. Second of all: Seeing the upside in life makes you live longer!
LIGHTHEARTED, UPBEAT, VISUALIZE, LOOSEN UP, DANCING ,FRIENDS FOR LIFE, these are all great additions to my post!
Irene:love the toolbox!
Missy: I think there's a blog in your comment! Love it!
Gary: I will read your blog and let you know! hahaa!
Tinker: what a cute name. I will get that ring tone:)
Clint: good point!
Beth Ann. I would hope so. I try not to sweat things too much. Most of the time the deals we do take care of that! Congratulations on your featured post!
I apologize if I missed somebody in responding. Between my kids, dogs, and having *FUN* I tried to catch you all!
Paul: thanks!
I agree you need to be light hearted in these stressful situations. It makes everyone's life easier. Often the agent is the one who sets the tone.
Fun is important for us and for our health. So go have fun and be fun to be with. It's catchy!
Patricia
Most of my clients became close friends. Im not sure If I'm fun, but im good at creating relationships!
Good points! Way too many people take themselves way to seriously!
Great post BethAnn! Such simple acts that can make the world of difference to yourself and others around you!
What a good reminder. One of the best testimonials I ever received was that I made the process fun...thanks for the refresher!
Good advice. Reminds me of the Always Wear Sunscreen song. Thanks for sharing.
I love this! What a great post! Thank you for sharing this.
Having fun is actually in my mission statement! I am known for my sense of humor and my fun personality, so it keeps me sane in this crazy business to always make sure everyone around me is having fun. Case in point...after a really long, hot day of showing waterfront vacation homes to some clients (a couple with two kids in tow), we got to the last house and they were loving it. We walked down to the water and I kicked of my sandles, jumped into the lake knee deep and said, you could be doing this here every weekend! The kids screamed with delight and joined me and the wife said, "I think we better make an offer on this one!" I love my job!!!
Jeani: You go girl!
Veronica~ you are welcome :)
Shannon- I have not heard that song...better google it NOW!
Stephanie: my pleasure
Damon: for SURE!
Derek: that is the very KEY to this business!
Patricia: Here's to HEALTH!
Mary: yes, we are tone-setters!
Real Estate can be so stressful and yes.. Mundane.. It is always nice to let the clients know that this can be and really is an exciting process.. The rewards way outweigh the steps..
I like the idea that we are tone-setters! I enjoy all my clients and learn something from every transaction!
Really not sure. I can only be myself. If usually clicks. And then it works.
I am sure the range of people we can go along with is very wide. Chances of running into a person, who would immediately cause a strong negative chemistry is not great. With them nothing would help. It would end on a bitter note no matter how you try.
With others just being yourself and honest, is what works for me. If there is a comfortable setting and everyone feels good, it makes it fun.
Just jokes, even the best of them, would not compensate for lack of professionalism
Hi Jon, I am not talking about being goofey or unprofessional with clients.
I agree, just being yourself and honest is KEY!
Sharon and Ted, thanks for stopping by! :)
I just found you through Kerrie Greenhalgh, what a gal. I like to be fun to work with. Sometimes the agents on the other side are not knowledgeable and work their butts off to be difficult to get the deal done for their clients and mine. So I try to lighten them up. Their clients and my clients want the same end. We need to facilitate and get out of the way. Make it happen. Keep your ego for the big things like little league hockey or whatever.