Has your inspiration gone into hiding? This has been a rough, tough couple of years for real estate professionals. For you newer agents, you’ve really had to master the basics (which is a good thing). It’s been never more important, too, to get your ‘inspiration props’ in place to shore up your attitude when things don’t go just right.
Inspiration can come from unlikely places. I just got back from a reunion with my sorority sisters….no, don’t ask the number of years since I graduated from college. Let’s just say it’s more than a few! I thought it then and I think it now: I was really lucky to pledge the DG (Delta Gamma) sorority at the University of Oregon. (Especially because I told the college alumni magazine shortly before I started college that I didn’t intend to join a sorority–and threw in several outspoken comments about it, too! Any of you that know me know that I’ve never been afraid to express my opinion……). The girls I knew and regarded as accomplished so many years ago have attained wonderful things in a wide variety of areas. One, though, stands out to me.
It’s What You Become When You Weren’t Looking
How many of you reading this intended to do exactly what you’re doing as a little child or teenager? Probably not many. The woman I’m going to introduce you to started as a music major, as did I. She graduated to a teaching career, and took the opportunity to work with educating children through a religious organization all over the world. As I listened to her tell of her trials, tribulations, and adventures, I thought, how inspiring, how gifting, how critical her contributions are to the less fortunate. She truly inspired me, and started me asking myself, “What inspires others?”
Your ‘Inspiration Props’
Every one of us needs ‘props’–those things and people that provide impetus, motivation, and inspiration when the going gets tough. My observation is that, the more successful the person, the more apt that person is to have gained several ‘props’:
- People they can count on that will remind them of their uniqueness (includes your manager, your family, your co-workers, your friends)
- Inspirational quotes (keep a notebook with your favorites)
- Inspirational books (re-read your favorites frequently)
- Inspirational CDs and DVDs
Your Inspirational List
Do you have your arsenal of inspiration? Are you careful to read and put yourself around positive, inspirational people, people who encourage, not discourage you?
In Up and Running in 30 Days, I advise new agents to keep a journal of inspiring sayings and stories.
Where does your inspiration come from? Start building your ‘inspiration fortress’ now to help achieve your lofty goals. The bonus: You may become the one regarded ‘most inspirational’ by your peers–what an honor! (and, your inspiration won’t be hidden, it will be shared!).
