Coaching Corner: Keep on learning
By "Coach" Marilou Butcher Roth
“It's what your learn after you know it all that counts†-- John Wooden
Wow! I don't know who John Wooden is but I am deeming him to be a genius!!! I came across this quote in a book I am reading and the power of these words resonated throughout my entire body! It has always been obvious in my own real estate career that there is always something new to learn so quite frankly, I have never felt that I knew it all -- at least about that! :) In giving this quote more thought, curiosity got the best of me and different areas of life came into my awareness.
In what area might we think we have learned everything about a particular subject? Or do we possibly feel that we know everything we need to know about a certain person? Even more importantly, have we shut down our ability to learn about ourselves? By the time we reach a certain age, there is the potential that we decrease, or completely eliminate, our ability to be open to learning about ourselves.
Now, being open to learning might seem off the beaten path in terms of growing your business, however, it plays directly into your productivity and integrity within your real estate career. Here are some questions that may assist you in this direction:
- Are you willing to be open to learning? Take a deep breath before you jump into your answer. And, remember that having willingness does not mean you know. This is just about being willing.
- How well do you receive feedback? Do you want to throttle the person giving the feedback or are you able to go inside and get curious about what you are hearing?
- When you encounter a situation that is not what you want it to be, do you do any of the following: walk out, blame someone or something, become indignant, go silent, act interested but still maintain your “rightness?†If any of these feel familiar, you might want to investigate how you might be more open to learning more about why you respond in those ways.
- Indications of being open to learning include getting curious rather than defensive, maintaining a relaxed and open posture, listening fully, appreciating feedback as it comes.
No matter where you are age wise, it is never too late to begin learning more about yourself and how you relate within your life. The older I get, the more I am realizing the importance of this learning and the depth of benefits that it brings me. Imagine how your business will thrive when you go back to “YOU University.†Enjoy!
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.
