Coaching Corner: Gearing up for the new year (aka, back to basics)
By "Coach" Marilou Butcher Roth
This is such a great time of year to reorganize and realign, determining what has worked this year and what hasn't. And, more importantly, what you want to see next year, because it is truly right around the corner. It is easy to fall into our old patterns, and this year I want to revisit the basics from a more conscious state of mind. Allow me to tell you a story...
Years ago, there was a contest at the brokerage where I worked that totally shifted how I did my business. Now, I was one of those somewhat cynical people who didn't really buy into contests, as they seemed silly to me. So, for one to impact me in such a favorable way, says a lot for this particular contest. The rules were simple -- you needed one sale and one listing each month for a year, and if achieved you would receive a "Consistency Award" at the annual meeting. Up until this point, I was consistently inconsistent, with great sales one month and perhaps nothing for a couple of months after that. Consistency would indeed be great, so I set out to achieve my desired award. On a small index card which I kept in plain sight I listed the 12 months down the left side and had two headings at the top, one for sales and one for listings -- easy so far, right?
What I found very early on was that my focus changed and I wanted to be able to put a checkmark in each of the appropriate spaces -- and checkmark I did! There were even a couple of times where I got to the very end of the month without my much needed mark and would find myself speaking internally that I must have the listing or the sale for that month. Strangely, something would present itself to allow me the thrill of the mark.
Now, all of this might sound super silly to you, and perhaps you are correct, but it worked! I believe that focus and desire will impact anything you set your mind to. This may or may not be appealing to you, and I say, what do you have to lose? Its not like the set up is strenuous.
This is an exercise that is very basic, and this is a perfect time to get back to the basics. So get to it!
Marilou Butcher Roth
Marilou Butcher Roth is the owner of The MBR Group, a coaching and training company working primarily with REALTORS who have a desire to work and live from a more inspired place. She is also the Broker/Owner of Group REALTORS in Cincinnati.
Marilou is a member of the Ohio REALTORS Board of Directors and past chairman of the organization’s Communications Committee.
