Sheila Moran, SanAntonioSheila.com RE/MAX Access, Broker, At your service!

Changing my habits, one by one, Week 6

Week 1, check it out here

Week 2 And part 2 is here

Week 3- check it out here

Week 4- and again

and Week 5

This week's lesson is Mastering Intentional Communication.

I thought okay, whatever, this part of the class will be easy. It's just talking, right? No, not necessarily for it to be effective.

What I think I may have communicated to someone they might not have understood exactly what my point was and vice verse.

My coach, Dane Bauerle started off the class by discussing what exactly would be effectiveness of communication. He said that the quality of the message and delivery, minus the amount of interference = the effectiveness.

I really had to think about this.

Was I doing everything that I possibly could to communicate to others? To my co-team members, my clients, my husband and my children? Probably not well enough. If fact when I did a little question and answer session I found out that I really mess up the communication between others, why?

My biggest obstacle that I need to overcome is rushing. I'm always in a rush. I hurry here, I hurry there. HURRY, HURRY, HURRY, can't we get there sooner? or faster? Can't we just not have this conversation and you can read my brain (oh, how I wish this could happen sometimes!). But, let's just slow down a bit and see where I allow the communication to fail.

First thing, I'm constantly allowing other things to distract me. My phone rings, e-mails pop up on my computer screen, the office phone buzzing that someone down the hall wants to talk, instant messenger on our desktops so that's always popping up and then there is TweetDeck (where I get my twitter @sheilamoran) which is constantly tweeting this little annoying noise all of the time!

After I thought of all of these little things that go on in front of my CONSTANTLY I can see why I don't pay attention. You add this constant stimulation to the fact that I'm already in a RUSH....well, there is no time to actually have a normal conversation!

When I actually realized this I went back to the office and turned off the volume on everything. Yes, visually I can still see them, but I told myself that when someone came to my door to talk that I was going to at least look them in the eye and have a conversation. If I could close the door and have that conversation, then even better! I tried to implement the first couple of days and what do you know, it made a difference. The next thing that I did was to SCHEDULE time for chatting. This way it was written down that at this moment this is WHAT I'M SUPPOSED TO BE DOING!

The other obstacle that I had to overcome was my lack of concentration as well as not having my listening ears on. I was hindering the conversations that I was having because either I was too busy to focus or I wasn't properly listening.

Dane pointed out in our book by Rex C. Houze, Improving Performance & Results mentioned that the 6 things that people fail to hear is because:

1. Too busy preparing what they are going to say.

2. Letting their mind wander. (listening rates are faster than speaking rates.)

3. Lazy (it takes effort)

4. Faking attention (how many people do you know do this?)

5. Egotistical or mental set (they lack interest in what others are saying)

6. Impatient

There is so much more that was in this lesson that I wont go into CAUSE I'M IN A RUSH (no, I'm teasing).

If you want to learn and participate too, I suggest you call Dane and see what he can do for you.

From what I have learned, communication involves so much more than 2 people just throwing words at each other. There are different levels of listening, questions that need to be asked and you have to think about what are the motives of the other and how can you help. The lesson even goes into dealing with negative people and resistance.

The biggest miscommunication is to assume communication has taken place.

What will you do this week to improve your communication skills?

Good things coming together at Gruene Hall in Gruene, Texas    

I wrote about this great place August 20th of last year (it just happened to be my very first post!)  You can read it here, It's Green in Gruene, Texas  

Today, one of my good friends, Jim Flynn, who is outstanding commercial photographer posted a link on FACEBOOK that reminded me that I needed to write again about Gruene Hall.  Now, I've know Jim and his family since they moved from Boston to "live on the range" in Texas!  They have totally immersed themselves into our great town of New Braunfels, Texas and I like how they just jumped in with two feet and haven't stopped participating since!    

I know, I know...it sounds like I have really gotten off my topic right?  Not so.   

See everybody in New Braunfels loves Gruene Hall, tourist love the place too!  It touts itself as "the oldest dance hall in Texas".....it is still standing, the beer still flows and most nights bands are busy rockin' out to all kinds of music.  

So occasionally my family and Jims' family will meet up at Gruene Hall to listen to some great local music!  Last week we all met to go see Two Tons of Steel.  The vibe in the room is crazy with swing dancers old and young kicking up their heels!  

For fun, Jim created this little video, I just had to share:  

So, go to Gruene Hall. and look up the play list for the rest of August.

Hope to see you there!

The Fork and Spoon in New Braunfels, Texas is located at 651 North Business IH 35.

I went to this delightful place that is located in the MARKPLACE shopping center right smack in the middle of New Braunfels right off of IH 35. I have passed it many times and always wondered what is like, but didn't make it in until a friend suggested it.

Oh my word, the place is darling!

We got there a little early, but by the time we left the place was packed (sorry, hardly any interior photos cause I didn't want to disrupt the other patrons enjoying their lunch!) You will have to see for yourself!

I started out by ordering the pecan crusted, chicken quiche. Actually, there was some really fancy name for it (can't remember) cause I was already eyeing the dessert menu! But, I digress. The chicken quiche came with this great spinach strawberry salad. You would think "what a combination", but very tasty and enjoyable. It also came with a Tomato Bisque that wasn't your regular smooth Bisque it was loaded with chunks of tomatoes and was equally delicious.

We were served by a young man named Brazos (like the river), he was very attentive and didn't have to do a hard sale for the dessert menu. He actually mentioned that he was secretly "in love" with the dessert lady (didn't get her name) who was actually in her bakery busy making the days newest batches of cupcakes. They hand make all pies, cheesecake, cookies and such. We ordered the Black Forest Cheesecake (Brazos' favorite) and he was correct, it was scrumptious!

I snapped a few photos of the dessert bar, the cupcakes she had just finished as well as my quiche. As well as Brazos serving up the Black Forest Cheesecake..... Enjoy!

Need I say more? If your looking for delicious lunch and treats then the Fork and Spoon in New Braunfels, Texas is the place for you! Delish!

An office that plays together ~ works well together!

How long have large corporations known this? Years upon years. You hear the stories of "bonding" adventures, classes, retreats and the such. It's no different in any other environment where there needs to be cohesiveness and teamwork.

I didn't always see this "bonding", working as a team effort so much in my 22 years of real estate. I have been at offices where you were on your own (unless you worked on making relationships in your office) as well as the "cut throat" attitude. Every man for himself.

When Kristin and I started the SistersThatSell team our idea was to be a highly producing, productive, FUN team. This worked well. We implemented fun things that we did daily or weekly (the happy dance when we got a funding!...yes, it's true!) and other different things that would wake you up, energize you and then make you focus on the task at hand.

When we bought RE/MAX Access we wanted it to be the same way as the Team...we just needed to expand upon the idea. We are constantly thinking of different ways to get our group together to encourage interaction, learning, bonding, and fun all at the same time! Cause you know what happens to an office that plays well together...

Our local Alamo CRS (Certified Residential Specialist) chapter provided the right venue to do just that. They were hosting a GALA where there was dinner at Maggiano's, live music, silent auction and such. All of the funds raised would benefit the Wounded Warrior's stationed here in San Antonio at Fort Sam Houston Base. Our office bought a table and 1/2 (well, our numbers are growing). It was so much fun! The best part is that everyone enjoyed a wonderful 4 course meal, shared in wine and danced the night away.

We had a great time and were helping to raise money for such a good cause. At the end of the evening my local CRS Chapter realized that they had raised over $9300.00 for the Wounded Warrior's. For it being a first time GALA I was excited that the numbers rolled in so high! Then the chapter went and purchased items that the Warrior's Home need to keep the house running smoothly.

What could be better? Our office enjoying themselves, bonding, laughing and raising money all at the same time. Will there be residual from this evening? Absolutely.

(L-R) Kristin Moran, Pat O'Brien, Jeanna Martinez, Nadine Berger, Jeff Berger and myself.

Matt Stigliano and his beautiful wife, Vicky.

Leslee Martz & Scott Lange (not sure if it's blurry from the operator or the camera?)

Manny & Jeanna Martinez

and here is most of the people that I rely on day in and day out: (not pictured, Amy Moody and Rosie Minor)

(L-R) Carol Arthur, Kristin Moran, Pat O'Brien and of course me.

We are missing a few folks in these photos, but the important part is the friendships that were either made or cemented that night.

Like I said before, an office that plays together works well together!

I sincerely hope yours does too!

Plumbing in San Antonio and Texas ~ All Pro Plumbing

This is Eric with All Pro Plumbing. Eric is a great coordinator. He does PR for All Pro Plumbing and takes our property management calls. He knows a lot about plumbing, but most important he's honest and fair. Oh, did I mention patient. Yes, patient to answer all of my silly questions!

At any rate when you are dealing with a large organization such as All Pro Plumbing and A/C I always tend to think that you could get lost in the shuffle. Not so at All Pro. Keep in mind that they service a lot of different areas in Texas. Here is an example.

Did I also mention that it's just not plumbing with them. Water Heaters, Softeners and Air Conditioning and Heating also.

So, need someone that is reliable and knowledgable? This is the company for you.

In San Antonio, Eric can be reached at 210-734-8400, or go online and put in a request at www.AllProTexas.com