Epworth, GA

In these economically challenging times, I find I want to work harder to compensate for the bad news I get on the market. I am a pro-active sort of fellow, and cannot stand being told "things are bad and there's nothing you can do about it."

I like to work to change the things in my life I don't like, and to a certain extent, I do. I am busy and the market here in Blue Ridge Georgia is picking up, or at worst, it is at least stablizing, but becasue there are fewer of us still in the business... we are indeed busier.

The problem with pouring myself into work is that I also need to remember that I have a family who needs my time and attention, too. As much as I love working to change the economic future "one real estate sale at a time," I also need to live in the present, where my wife misses me, and my kids nag that I'm always working. I have decided to focus on attaining better balance between my work and my personal time for family, after all, that is why we moved our family here to Blue Ridge in the first place.

Yesterday was so beautiful out. It's staying lighter later, so I called my wife and asked her to go with me for a sunset walk on our land. She was really delighted, and I was shocked at what a difference a little time with loved ones can make to the quality of one's life. Between taking time to be with my family more, working out every day, and limiting my "all night work sessions" and it all feels pretty do-able at this point.

I'm realizing that as I get more successful, there will always be work piling up, waiting for my attention, but on the other hand; my son will be leaving for college at the end of next year, and my little girl is not going to be little for much longer. I think balance is still the key for me in my life. Whether dancer or Realtor, I need to have a strong center and live in balance to achieve my highest goals in my career and more importantly, in my life.