Dennis Giannetti

I was doing my continuous improvement thing and I came across information that on a base level explains why today, agents may find themseves stuggling or challeneged as compared to a few years back. The thought:

"You cannot grow with what you already know. Breakthoughs require tapping into new wisdom, additional information, and getting out of your own head. Otherwise, you will find yourself recycling the same level of knowldege and insight you already possess."

Now, here is the catch....is this is true....then when markets change, as this one has, we can be in for a very bumby ride, should we allow ourselves to not to grow and obtain such breakthroughs. Continuous improvement then is not really an option, but an obligation to those who choose to do anything they do, the best they can do it and with the best results they may get.

In my day, I have seen some crazy large checks earned by agents. I have seen lifestlyes created in this business not often if ever afforded to even those most educated. And, I have seen the freedom and flexibility provided to those who learn how to do and to be with synergy and success.

The world is gloom with their projections of negative information. We must be the ambassadors of greatness and the messengers of a a better day. As we grow, we can and will do more than survive in the industry, we can and will change it.

The reason most people fail has nothing to do with intelligence, ability, desire, or need. No, the reason most people fail is most often the result of their perpetuation of the same old habits and the rationalization that it is OK to keep doing them.

Success happens with failure, but only through the commitment to change in the face of it. Change may be a sacrifice, but most sacrifice is for a greater cause.

We have a choice. stay the course and see what happens. Or, chart the course and make happen that which we say we want.

Look at your life...which choice are you making? How do you know.

Have a great week.

Best,

Dennis J. Giannetti, MS

Director of Continuous Improvement, Mediator, Life Coach

Illustrated Properties

www.ninjacoach.com

'Behavior Never Lies'
--Richard Flint

Commentary: We have to realize that while talk isn't necessarily cheap, it's value dimnished when what we say is contradicted by what we do, or in many cases, don't do. Perhaps common exmpales of this might be:

• People who say they want to make more money, but continue to do things that they know, have brought them little result in the goal of making money
• People who say they want a better relationship, but continue to fight about the smallest of things and rarely seem to create moments that will strengthen their bond
• People who come to a training, but do not use the things they leanred to make their life or business better

I am sure everyone can give their own examples. The question is, who can do something about these realities. When what we say is contradicted by what we do, we lie to ourselves and everyone we spoke to. So, talk isn't necessarily cheap, but inaction can be very expensive.

Success is to be measured not so much by the position that one has reached in life as by the obstacles which he has overcome."
-- Booker T. Washington, Educator

Consider this....

It was once said that opportunity and fortune were brilliantly disguised
as problems and challenges.

Here is what I know. Too many times we judge our success on what we have
achieved. We look at our scorecard and not our effort. We look at the end
result and not the means to get there.

Too many people define themselves by what title they hold, the car they drive or
the things they have. But while such things are admirable and desirable, the success
one achieves has more to do with how they are obtained rather than if they are obtained.

Illustrated Properties knows this and that is why over time they have proven to be one of
the most durable, and respected real estate companies around. They understand there will
be challenges, obstacles, and because they have seen and been through these areas of concern
they have the confidence, knowledge, and wisdom to get through it.

What about you? Do see your obstacles as opportunities? Do you see your challenges faced today
as choices that will lead to success tomorrow? Or, are you simply focusing on what you have or don't have now?

Life knocks you down. Take your hit and get up. Life will knock you down again. So what? Get up. Don't give up.
You have value to offer, and greatness to give and the biggest obstacle you will ever have is truly understanding and embracing
that fact when things seem worst.

Look for those obstacles my friends...they make you who you are...they help you become who you will be. You getting through
them IS the true measure of your success. Handle it.

Best,

Dennis

www.ninjacoach.com

With Wall Street and Main Street facing more economic turmoil in the coming months, what approach should each of us take NOW with respect to our own personal and professional lives? Whether your financial portfolio is in stocks, bonds, real estate or cash in your sock drawer, the answer is still simple. Keep moving forward, work hard, and focus on those things that have produced results for you in the past. DON'T LET FEAR IMMOBILIZE YOU!!! Limit the amount of time you spend listening to and watching the media as they tend to dramatize every situation (we know this from our hurricane experiences!). There's nothing wrong with the media giving us perspective and information on world events, but you won't be moving forward if you are tuned 24/7 to Chicken Little's station.

There is, for sure, a crisis of credit and confidence that needs to be fixed! But, make no mistake, we'll figure out appropriate long-term solutions because that's what we Americans do best! We collectively survived crossing the Atlantic, we migrated south and west, we fought off Indians and each other over slavery, flew into outer space and rose to be a world power after two world wars because of our collective strength. Let's not forget who we are - $300+ million smart hard-working Americans who thrive on tough challenges and live in the best country in the world!

The blame game is a lose-lose proposition. Learning from mistakes makes winners. It's easy to focus the blame on Wall Street, CEO's of corporations, our elected officials and other "bad" people who obviously made some very poor decisions. Spending time casting blame only wastes the time that we could be moving forward. If Americans aren't feeling good about the future and spending money, then businesses aren't selling products and services and workers are losing jobs. It's a downward spiral that CAN be turned around by a positive outlook. No matter how you feel about the bail-out, we have to revitalize ourselves and get money flowing again. Unfortunately, we are as addicted to credit as we are to oil and a 12-step program for either in nowhere in sight. One thing we long-time real estate professionals know in our hearts - there will not be an economic recovery without a housing recovery. So, start moving forward by embracing the following.

In our personal life, we need to go back to what our moms and dads taught us:

1) Stop borrowing.

2) Pay off credit cards and other debt if possible.

3) Save.

4) Live simply.

5) Enjoy and appreciate what we do have.

6) Practice our faith.

7) Vote for the candidates you feel are the most trustworthy.

In our professional life, we need to go back to basics to generate income:

1) Differentiate ourselves from other agents by focusing on our own expertise, knowledge and specialty ("brand").

2) Spend our precious marketing dollars ONLY on ways that will advertise our unique brand to people who want and need what we offer NOW.

3) Only work with sellers, buyers and renters who are ready to sign on the dotted line.

4) Practice time management and business planning to make the most of your time and life.

5) Don't spend any time dwelling in the negative - keep moving forward.

6) Support local businesses as much as you can - they're our neighbors.

7) Buy American!

Above all, inspire and motivate those around you by being positive. It does indeed "go around and come around." If each of us does our best to create excitement about our home state, home town, and the local real estate market, we'll create demand and get our markets and people moving forward! We'll also feel a lot better!

We are offering a wide array of classes this Fall to help our agents with moving forward. Check the Calendar on www.ipre.net (it's in the tool bar at the TOP of the homepage) and then select Training Calendar. For information about a particular class, contact the instructor. We're all in this together and with teamwork and a positive approach, we'll be just fine!

Cheryl Reynolds Linck, JD, CRS, GRI

Director of Business Development/Corporate Counsel

Illustrated Properties Real Estate, Inc.

clinck@comcast.net

561-626-7000