There were times when I would talk to my mom while she was busy doing other things. I would ask her to stop and to listen to me, and this was a common response: "Honey, I can listen to you and do these other things. I'm a mom. I used to breast-feed you, drive stick shift, drink coffee and put on my makeup all at the same time."
Were traffic laws loose in the 1970s, or what!?!
The pace in Hemet may be slower than other cities in California, but modern life is simply fast-paced. You have to be careful or you'll miss it.
Have you heard or participated in this conversation:
"How are you?"
"I'm busy."
Somehow, being busy became a badge of honor. It says "I'm an important person with things to do and people to see."
Or maybe it just says, "I'm stressing out and missing out on what's good in life."
I can't think of anyone that, lying on their deathbed, says "I wish I had been busier!" Instead, they wish they enjoyed their family more, made more of a contribution or lived a life more in tune with God and nature.
I'm making a commitment to stop being busy. Busy, to me, means that I'm spinning a lot of plates but not getting a lot done.
Here are some things I would rather be than busy:
Here are some ideas of things to do in Hemet to get a little less busy and to enjoy life a little more.
Joey Aszterbaum is the Hemet Home Loan Guy and a member of the Active Rain social network since 11/06. He lives in Hemet with his wife Jolynne and his four children, Kyler, Josie, Ethan and Ellie.
ActiveRain Corp. is not responsible for the accuracy of the site's content (which is written by members of the ActiveRain Real Estate Network) and does not endorse the views of the real estate agents, mortgage brokers, and others listed here.
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Shhhh: I am having trouble picturing Joey doing all of those things he mentioned above. Hmmm... something doesn't fit. Hmmmm.
Joey - I loved this post. Even if you aren't a Cowboys fan. Actually, I was recently thinking about the traffic laws from when were kids. No seatbelts required!
There is more to life than the next listing or closing and when the chips are down, its too late to make a change.
I am wondering how you market pace is doing in this area. I watch properties all across the united states.
Karen: Just look me up on You Tube. Just kidding.
Jason: My father-in-law still needs my kids to remind him to buckle up. Stubborn!
Darrel: That's right. There's also Blogging. :) Seriously, step away from the business sometime. Even God took a day off. Thanks for visiting!
Gary: Homes are on the market for a long time all of a sudden...and prices have dropped dramatically. Buyers market, for sure. I have a post on getting less busy and you comment about business!? Still, it's a fair question. You might want to check the market reports from the Realtors, because I'm too focused on making the next deal happen to worry about the news. Thanks.
I remember riding in my mom's car in the floorboard, and also in the area behind the seat where the windshield slants down and forms a cool and futuristic triangular bunk area for a small child.
TOTALLY remember that stuff. Thanks for bringing me back (as Billy Joel's Zanzibar plays on the 8-track)
I remember my stepdad used to love to listen to Heart ("Barracuda" era) while driving, and often when I was trying to fall asleep at home.
I remember me and my sisters going for rides in the back of my grandfathers open pickup , only after i had a child did I realize why my father wasn't crazy about those rides.
Joey, so many people use the excuse these days that they are "busy." That's not an excuse any more -- everyone is BUSY! But somehow the busiest end up being able to fit everything in. Being busy doesn't mean being good or productive. Most people are busy with NOTHING!
Joey, great post - it's nice to have the reminder that we need to slow down a little and relax. BTW, I love the picture above of the mom. I feel like her sometimes! :)
JOEY: I know that I've said this before, but it's great to have you as a part of this group. Another great lesson in perspective, and one that we should all aspire to. I like the way that you use humor to highlight the message that you're delivering. Nice post!
Hey Joey - I just gave you a gold star in the "Family Ties" group. Keep up the good work!
Ok....that title is misleading. I thought maybe your were living double or triple lives. :) This is a great post and something I have been focusing on for myself. Not working such long hours and focusing on quality...getting things done, but not burning out. When I am rested and relaxed I get more done in a shorter period of time. Nice way to put a message in your blog, but also incorporate things to do in your area. :)
Joey, this is the second post of yours I've read, and I'm subsscribing to your blog right now. You write very well and command attention to your key points through humor. That's my kind of blog! Keep up the good work.
Great Post Joey! Way to bring in the comments with that title :)) You described me perfectly with the line about what I'm missing out on. You have NO idea! Though I am thankful for the business right now.
I LOVED riding in that back window! And my Dad always had a Doors tape in and the song "Riders On The Storm" would vibrate the back window. It was heaven! I feel so sorry for kids today.
Hugh: Kids really change our perspective, don't they? It's amazing. I used to walk to school in a bad neighborhood when I was 7. I wouldn't let my 7 year-old leave my site in my own good neighborhood today. Is it age? Or have the times changed? Am I too protective? Thanks for swinging by, bro.
Brian: Hear, hear! You just demonstrated the skills necessary to write my next 4 blog posts instead of me. :)
Kelly: Enjoy yourself a little. And be careful ironing with that leash around your leg and the baby in your hands.
Adam: Very kind. Thank you. About humor...as my great-aunt Mary said: A spoonfull of sugar helps the medicine go down. Then again, she was a magical nanny, so I'm not sure if I can trust that advice.
Jason: Thanks a bunch, my friend. That star is worth a lot to me, because I know it will get in front of your friends and there seems to be a real good group of folks around you. I'm glad you let me in!
Pamela: Great compliment from you...you do a great job of keeping your local posts current. Thanks for doing a great job of staying in touch!
Paul: That is a high compliment indeed. I spent about an hour on my Palm Treo reading through your blog and you are a great writer. Stay tuned...I'll be subscribing to your blog. I'm honored to have you as a regular guest!
Jennifer: Off topic...the bass player in my band gave me this awesome mash-up of Riders on the Storm and Blondie's Rapture. Find it...it's awesome. I wish you more balance and enjoyment in life. Take care of yo'self.
Joey - You are welcome. I like the group that I "hang around" with a lot, too. This one was more than worthy of the star. It is about priorities.
Joey, this is a terrific post with a really excellent title. And the cartoon graphic is perfect. Very cool.
Joey, I would laugh at those "important business people" who would walk around talking obnoxiously loud on a cell phone in the middle of a store or restaurant about 8 years ago or so because it almost seemed to say "I"M IMPORTANT" Sometimes we all need to slow down though.
Lexa
Gary: It took me hours to get the cartoon just right. I mean it took me minutes to google that image. Thank you for swinging by...I appreciate your visits.
Lexa: I know I need to slow down. And it doesn't happen by accident. Thank you for visiting!
Joey, great list of what to do. I agree we use that cliche too much. Enjoy the family, they grow up so fast.
Hi Joey,
Great post. I feel I am too busy most of the time too but I have been making a tremendous effort to make time for family.
Joey, it is all about balance! You are right we are not going to be on our deathbed wishing we were busier. I'm all about working smarter not harder! I also think it is important in our business to take the time AWAY for vacations! It is totally rejuvenating.
It's a wonder that us 70s kids even survived without seat belts. lol. I have 6 kids so I know what your mother means. If I listed here just what I did today it would seem like I was two people. It doesn't make me feel important, it makes me feel exhausted!! I rarely tell people I am too busy but I really am usually busy! Tell me I am not...
woke up, took out dogs, did a load of dishes, started a load of laundry, put the 3 youngest kids on the bus at 7:30, took a shower, made some biscuits, got my 16 year old to the cardiologist at 8:30, stopped by the office to pick up faxes, came home fed chickens and took out the trash, did another load of laundry, talked to a lawyer, a paralegal and two customers, sent 3 faxes, replied to emails and sent listings to prospect, answered more calls, printed a listing agreement and made up a file, did the breakfast dishes, finished earlier laundry, cleaned off deck, watered plants, woke up 18 year old son, took him to radio shack then to Target to pick up his check, then to bank to cash check, then to eat lunch. Took him back to work, went to office and checked email and box. Sent more listings to a rental customer. Took 3 more phone calls. Made appt to show tonight. Came home to meet kids as they got off bus. Took dogs out. Talked to neighbor about listing his empty house. Called and found someone who wants his house and will meet them at 10:30 tomorow. Took daughter to friend's hosue for sleep over, took son to high school for football game, met customer at his house and drove him to look at rental. Showed property, took customer home. Stopped by house to pick up hubby and we went to eat chicken with 2 youngest kids. Fed dogs. I am now checking emails and blogging, etc. I will have to pick up son from football in about an hour. Then other son from work at 11. I will go do another load of laundry in a minute. I will get to bed by maybe 1am. Hows that for being truly busy? lol.
Missy: Thank you very much. I really appreciate you taking the time to visit and comment...would that go on the list? Come back soon.
Cynthia: Often times the life we have is the one we're attracting. Sometimes it helps me to ask, "What is it about this that I'm attracted to? Is there some part of the busyness or overwhelm that I don't want to let go of?" If you get to the bottom of that, you can sometimes make a change. Thanks for your great comment.
Marchel: I had a Realtor ridicule me for not being available on my family vacation. I won't apologize...I bust my tail day after day for the people I serve, but when I'm on vacation the cell phone is OFF. Thanks!
Cheri: Thank you for visiting my comment and leaving your blog. :) Seriously, parenting is the thing that really makes us 'busy'. The bass player in my band spent a day with me and all my kids and gave up saying he was busy. He said, "Busy is when you have 4 kids." Nice to be noticed! Come back soon.
Joey: Take a drive to Idyllwild in the afternoon is a good one. Talk about stress relief. Curise the mountain road...the change in scenery and the smells of pine. The only thing that could make that one better is Lunch at Cafe Aroma. There is so much more that I would like to comment on here but....Have to go....too:
BUSY to finish. Have a great day Joey. B and M are on the hunt again! Call me later.
Chris: Thanks for writing. And for taking me on a cruise to Idyllwild that day in the sports car...which inspired that advice in the post. Good luck with M&B.
As always, great post.....from the woman who showed real estate for 9 hours straight yesterday......(man, I did put my makeup on in the car on the way to work...lol.......
Julie: Were you drinking coffee at the same time? :) A 9 hour day ain't so bad...just so long as you don't do it everyday.
I love it Joey!!! Very nice BLOG!!! Great reminder...I'm enjoying the Fusons and taking the time to enjoy everyone I work with. Thank you so much!!!!
Casie Eaddy
Really, wasn't there a woman somewhere who was pulled over while breast feeding and driving at the same time? I know it happened but remember where!
I am getting much better about turning off the cellphone! I don't turn it back on every few minutes to check for messages any more. I wish we had a BMX track here locally in Columbia. My kids would love it! I spent many of summer evenings at Chandler BMX in Arizona with an ex boyfriend. He was 25 at the time and still racing away. Actually, I think he's 42 now and still racing in the Senior Division! It becomes a lifestyle doesn't it!