Melissa Devitt "Your Right-Hand Girl"

So, the election is over, you can move on...

Stop discussing the hypotheticals and start focusing on the reality of today.

What I am most impressed with is the record number of voters who cared enough (for whatever reason) to get out and vote. I hope that our country never forgets the passion it felt yesterday. I pray that our country can heal and move on.

I challenge everyone who voted yesterday to vote in every election in the future. It doesn't matter that you voted yersterday if you don't honor your civic duty every time you are called to vote. I will be very disappointed if the turnout numbers are not as high in future elections.

I have voted in every election that I have been qualified to vote in since I turned 18. Can you say the same thing? I know many of you can... but for those who felt compelled to vote yesterday, remember that you should always feel obligated to do your duty, regardless of the candidates or the office they are running for.

Thank you and have a great day!

In case you have not heard about the Army of Women founded by the renowned Dr. Susan Love, please check it out.

Many of you know that October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Breast cancer awareness has been my "pet" cause for the past 17 years.

I am the only child of a single mom. In the month following my graduation from high school, 17 years ago, my Mom was diagnosed with breast cancer. As a matter of fact, she went in for an out-patient lumpectomy and while I sat in the waiting room, the surgeon came out to speak with me. Mind you... this was 17 years ago and I was only 18 years old. Her surgeon and all of his wonderful bedside manner came out to tell me that my Mom had CANCER. Yes, he told me this in a waiting room with other people listening. I fainted and woke up crying hysterically. Back then, and at my age, I thought cancer meant death...

My mom underwent a radical mastectomy and had reconstructive surgery to follow. It was a very tough summer for both of us, to say the least.

My Mom is now a 17-year breast cancer survivor. She survived because she HAD to. She was strong and scared at the same time. But she knew she couldn't teach me to be anything less than strong in the face of adversity.

It is because of this that my life had forever changed.I began having mammograms at the age of 29 and have them every year. I am diligent about my monthly BSE's.

I have joined the Army of Women in hopes of preventing other children from experiencing what I did. And to save the lives of all the wonderful moms and women afflicted with this disease.

PLEASE consider visiting the website. They are not asking for monetary donations. They are simply asking for you to donate your time. They are seeking healthy women of all ages and races, to join a study and work toward a cure for breast cancer.

Good Monday Morning ActiveRain! How was your weekend? I hope you had a relaxing weekend and feel re-energized and ready to go at it this week!

Do you have a plan of attack for this week, or are you just going to fly by the seat of your pants?

Sit down with that yummy cup of hot coffee, tea, or hot cocoa this morning and sketch out a plan of action. You are not going to sit by and watch the so-called "news" unravel with the upcoming election and economic crisis. You will make something happen this week. You will be successful and productive. You will prove the media wrong. This is a great time to be in real estate!

Have you ever heard of the 20-point day or week plan for sales calls?

Here's my take on it... Each day, your goal is to earn 20 points as a measure of success or productivity. Here is how you earn points: 10 points for a closing, 5 points per networking event, 5 points for a lunch appointment with a prospect or client, 2 points per sales call or contact made with a prospect or client (can be via email, phone or visit). Of course, you can tailor this to your current goals, but make sure you keep track of your appointments and contacts made. If you try this for the week, I bet you will see results!

Working off of this system, develop a plan for events to attend, appointments to set, and visits to make. Get away from the computer, the television, and the negativity. Get out and meet new people and spread the positivity! You can do it! Now go make it a great week!

So, I have a new analogy for you that I am sure all the realtors can appreciate:

"A marketing rep/AE/director is to a promotional products salesperson what a realtor is to a title company..."

The other day, I got another cold call via telelphone  from a promotional products salesperson (one with whom I have never done business) asking me if I would like to receive their catalog and whether I was in the market (ha!) to buy any items right now.

They stressed to me that NOW is the time to buy items for the holidays, calendars for next year, holiday cards, holiday gifts, realtor gifts, etc... I politely replied that I was not interested in purchasing those items right now, but that they were more than welcome to send me their catalog and I would keep it in the event my budget/needs/desires changed.

The person then asked me what I was currently using for marketing trinkets/goodies... I said, "Honestly, my best marketing tools are my business card and my personality!". It's the TRUTH!

Every single one of you reading this has what it takes to market effectively in any situation. In the current market, everyone is so worried about pinching pennies and how best to spend advertising and marketing dollars.

Get to know people, build relationships, friendships, and then the business will come.

You don't become a successful salesperson (no matter what your product) by handing out the same old desk calendar or keychain flashlight... You become the best by being the best that you can be!

People buy into you, not your free giveaways!

It's almost Halloween and you can certainly tell when you walk into your local retailers... They already have the Christmas stuff out. Of course!

Here in Central Florida, we don't have the color-changing leaves, the crisp fall air, the real patches of pumpkins... We do have a few fun things for families and kids of all ages to enjoy though.

Of course, there are the obvious events, like Walt Disney World's Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party, and Sea World's Halloween Spooktacular...

There are other venues that host fun events for everyone...

If you are in the Central Florida area, you must check out The Orlando Science Center's Spooktacular Science Extravaganza, where they will have gross science activites, magic shows, potion demonstrations, face-painting, and more. Also, be sure to check out the Green Meadows Petting Farm, where in addition to their normal petting zoo and hayrides for kids, they have a pumpkin patch and everyone gets to pick their own pumpkin!

A few other great places to visit are: The Central Florida Zoo Boo Bash, Orlando Harley East Halloween Biker Bash, and Festival Calle Orange just to name a few. You can certainly find a pumpkin patch and fall festival at your local school or church as well!

Take time to get out of the house and enjoy this time of year with your family! There are so many options!

Enjoy!