Lori Bee

Well it was just announced - I am a finalist for the Center for REALTOR Technology's Spotlight Award in the Pioneer Category.  I am very honored to be listed amongst such a fine group of tech saavy REALTORS.

I have worked hard throughout my real estate career, to not only further educate myself about all forms of technology, but to share my knowledge. What? What's in THAT for me?  A lot...

I take joy in serving. I firmly believe in the Golden Rule, and that if I help others, they will in return, help me, when the time comes. The personal satisfaction of seeing someone "get it" and succeed, is an immense reward for me. And then seeing those same REALTORS "paying it forward," and helping others... Hmmm....Honestly, no award could ever overshadow that.

I have so enjoyed helping REALTORS throughout the years, including my involvement in the Union County Association of REALTORS, Charlotte Regional REALTOR Association, and the North Carolina Association of REALTORS. I love sharing how technology can not only boost your business, but how it can lead you to form new relationships, or reconnect you with others from the past. [ I will soon write a blog about that specifically, that is VERY near and dear to my heart.  ;-) ]

These are tough times, and we are all in this battle to survive together. I know that if I help equip a few of you with some new tools to do battle, that our army will win!

I sincerely hope that I will be able to attend the upcoming NAR Convention in San Diego. I know that the competition to win the Spotlight Award itself will be very stiff, so I shamelessly admit, I am doing all I can to have that reunion with my REALTOR Family! In fact, I am using my technology skills now to try and win a trip there. Click on the logo below for more info.

I also especially would love to meet some of the other Spotlight finalists especially at the cocktail reception in conjunction with the YPN Reception. And hey if I don't win either way, I truly hope one of my friends do! But even if I don't make it to San Diego, I hope you know that I am always here for my REALTOR family, online, and also always keeping you near and dear to my heart, wishing you all the best.

CLICK THE LOGO ABOVE TO FIND OUT HOW YOU CAN WIN A TRIP TO NAR 2009!

Yes, I have been Missing In Action from the blog world for a bit. Hard to be positive and uplifiting and informative all the time. Hey it happens to the best of us. But don't y'all worry... I am tying a knot and hanging in there.

The amazing thing is I am busier than I ever have been answering customer calls and leads, but just not making much money. From what I hear, that is a common complaint that isn't often verbalized online, for fear people might not think we are "good at our biz." I disagree, some of us are just dang honest. ;-) I do believe that my trying to be genuinely helpful now to those who need help, the karma will come back around eventually. I just know it.

Couple some of that busy-ness with some personal struggles (it should be called DIE-vorce) and then maybe you might understand my abscence now and then.

Yes, real estate is my career. And yes, I do it well. And yes, I work DANG hard and serve my customers to the utmost of my ability. But yes, I have a life and every once in a while it gets in the way. It's called priorities and I refuse to be ashamed of them. I love my children with all my heart, and they will ALWAYS come first.

SO, I just wanted to drop a line, and say I miss y'all... I haven't dropped off the planet, and yes, I appreciate your prayers. I know I am not alone and many of the rest of you are struggling too. My prayers for you as well.

((GROUP HUGS)) ALL AROUND. The best things in life, NEVER come EASY. Just remember that...

:-)

This is less of a blog, than a survey. I am beginning to teach classes on Twitter. My experience with this application has been very positive. However, I know many of you have "hurdles" to overcome, including "just not getting it," "seems self effacing," "who cares what I eat for dinner?" And many more....

What questions/concerns do you have that if answered would help you overcome these obstacles? Also if you have suggestions or answers, feel free to elaborate.

Consider this post an "interaction" on Twitter. I would love to hear what you think.....

“Variety's the very spice of life, That gives it all its flavor." ...William Cowper

Have really found myself fascinated by the flurry of activity around Chris Brogan, Social Media Rockstar Extraordinaire, deleting his Facebook Fan Page & Tweeting that he did so because it's "NOT ABOUT ME!"

The message in and of itself, is thought provoking and does make me consider thinking about the quality of my tweets, posts, blogs, and messages on Facebook. I do want to offer value to the online community. However, I think some people also take this somewhat "robotic" stance a little too far as well. Social Media is "Social." You do need to be, or "Bee" as I often joke online.

As someone who is recovering from trying to be, who everyone else wanted me to be, I now take joy in this quote from Virginia Satir, American & Psychologist (1916-1988).

“I am Me. In all the world, there is no one else exactly like me. Everything that comes out of me is authentically mine, because I alone chose it -- I own everything about me: my body, my feelings, my mouth, my voice, all my actions, whether they be to others or myself."

So yes, social media is about providing value to your community, but you do need to be "you." I won't let anyone ever again tell me, who I should or should not be, online or otherwise.

By sharing who I authentically "I" am, in essence, it is about me, and attracting people who have personalities, thoughts, issues, desires, like mine. That's how we bond. I want to hear about you. And hopefully you want to hear about me. That is what makes it a "community" and not just a broadcast system. As Jeff Turner (@ResPres) always says, it is about YEO = "You engaging others." But I do believe you need to share who you are in that.....

The Law of Attraction is out there Chris Brogan, whether or not, you have a Facebook "Fan" page or not. So my analysis is you want to attract people who stir controversy, are critical deep thinkers, and who ruffles feathers. Hey, I am not criticizing you, it's who you are. And I applaud you for making us all think about that a little more.But I CHOOSE to attract people who share their love of life, animals, and family, like "I" do.

I say, celebrate our differences, and make our own choices. I respect your right to be more "closed off" and not make it about yourself, but I celebrate who I am and the things that matter most to me. That is the spice of life afterall. We all just all gotta "bee..."

;-)