Richard Barbee

No, literally, stretch yourself. We have this image of big muscles or extreme cardio as benefitting our health in the long run. Certainly, most all exercise is better than nothing. But stretching has specific benefits that other forms of exercise do not have.

I take time every morning and every afternoon to stretch my neck, my back, and my legs. It's all about bloodflow and the prevention of injury.

1. Bloodflow - Blood carries nutrients to our muscles and cells. Additionally, blood takes away waster and other negative materials from our muscles and cells. Cells need oxygen and nutrients to function most effectively. The more blood flowing freely to your cells, the better.

Diabetics focus on this intently. My diabetic friends monitor their blood levels several times a day. However, they also tell me that they try to maximize blood flow to all areas of their bodies. You see, diabetics are especially susceptible to a lack of adequate blood flow to limbs and eyes. Other than the brain, the eyes consume more oxygen than any other organ in the body. Diabetics attempt to use hot baths, exercise, massage and more to increase blood flow to limbs.

Why is this important to know for non-diabetics? Because most of us live a more sedentary, more tense lifestyle now. We need to move more. We need to address stress more effectively. Many of us are overweight. The more pressure that weight put on our backs and limbs, the less bloodflow we have. Stretching helps increase the flow of blood into our limbs. The neck, the back, the hamstrings, the calves, the forearms, and the abdominals are great areas to stretch.

2. Prevention of Injury - The more flexible we are, the less likely we are to experience injury in sport or everyday life. Those with tense backs / necks, weak legs, tight hamstrings, etc. are more likely to have injuries that require medical intervention. Stay loose!

If you fall, flexible & toned muscles are more able to react well and minimize damage. If you are in a car accident, a flexible spine and conditioned legs can better deal with the blow. In your work, a looser body has more stamina.

It's simple. Research (with Google or a similar search engine) the benefits of stretching.

There are some things that are difficult to say. There are several books that instruct readers how to say difficult things, manage difficult conversations, address difficult topics, and so on. We tend to avoid confrontation or authentic feedback in order to protect our feelings and avoid hurting others' feelings.

Here are 4 Things that need to be said to many of us:

1. Improve Your Language - Language "says" a lot about a person. If you hear someone speaking eloquently, calmly, rationally, and eruditely, your perception of them improves dramatically. On the other hand, if you hear someone speaking erratically while using 50 "uhs" and "ahs", you may see them as less intelligent, less prepared, and less desirable.

The size of our vocabulary and the smooth flow of ideas are key characteristics to "sounding smart." In sales, earning the trust of prospects is a major focus. If we speak authentically but intelligently, we are more likely to be remembered and have a window into closing a deal.

2. Develop a More Professional Appearance - Look, some of us do not put the time into our appearance as we should. There are those that need to dress better. Some need to focus on weight and health. You may need to shine your shoes or buy a new belt. Do you spend the money for a professional haircut / design.

Visual impressions may matter even more than verbal / written impressions. The most successful Realtors I know have a very refined image. They had this BEFORE they made loads of money. Now, we don't have to become James Bond, with ultra-smooth ways. Just ask yourself if you have room for improvement and choose to DO IT.

3. Learn to Write More Effectively and Intelligently - The ability to write comes after much trial and error. It takes time. We must actually WRITE in order to improve this trait. Learn a new word every day. Use that word several times during the day. Remember that word. If you have used the same 3 adjectives to describe your listings for the past 5 years, it may limit your creativity and effectiveness.

Pay attention to spelling. Is the sentence a fragment? Are the thoughts flowing logically and smoothly? Is the topic focused? Or, do the sentences reflect a disjointed, unorganized thought process?

Who would read this? Does the paragraph grab the reader's attention by asking an interesting question or making a fascinating statement.

4. Work Harder - WORK is a four-letter word for some. Maybe we got into real estate to avoid real work. Maybe we see real estate as a country club for those who pretend to have plenty of money. But that's not my experience. My grandfather was a builder. My family was in real estate. I remember all of us working about 8 to 12 hours a day (including my school work).

If times are tough, do more to get the same result as before. Take an active role in your own success. Refuse to blame vague entities like circumstances or the market for your lack of results.

Which writer do you admire the most? James Patterson? John Grisham? Brennan Manning? Ernest Hemingway? Charles Dickens? John Donne? William Shakespeare? or Who?

Writers work their way into our lives by offering us one of two things: Escape or Instruction. Escape can include entertainment, fantasy, romance, suspense or the like. Instruction can include direction, information, statistics, or the like.

We remember hundreds of writers from the past. Many of them carried cultural, political, and even religious influence. Mark Twain commented on his culture, the politics of his time, and the existence / nature of God. He is remembered as one of the wittest, funniest, wisest writers in American history. Some remember Einstein for his mathematical work, but he wrote about a wide range of topics also. The point is: Writing can help one reach the eyes and ears of many people. Writing well can create a sense of expertise and availability for the writer.

If you need to achieve more success or earn more money, consider writing for local newsletters and papers. Yes, it takes time. Yes, it can be intimidating or scary. Much like public speaking, putting our written efforts out for public consumption and perhaps public criticism can bring fear. I gained a lot of confidence in my writing back in elementary school. Vocabulary and prose came easy to me. I joined Toastmaster later in life in order to grow more comfortable and more expert in public speaking.

Here are 3 easy steps to becoming more "at ease" with the idea of writing in order to market your business.

1. Put words on paper - Sit down with a pen & paper or with your keyboard and just begin writing. It doesn't matter what you write about. You can write about your pet, your day, your feelings, the weather, politics, or whatever. YOU DO HAVE SOMETHING TO SAY. I think this may be one of the underlying assumptions that discourage folks from writing. Some of us do not feel that we have anything smart or meaningful to say. I guarantee you that you do. It could be that some of the people in your life have given you the impression that your thoughts don't matter. Let me assure you that you see life from a significant and unique perspective. As a professional, you have training and experience that will be helpful to someone.

But, you've got to get in the habit of putting words on paper / typing words on the screen.

2. Have a trusted friend or colleague read your words - You must seek and encourage feedback on your writing. It will not be as bad as you may fear. I have often thought of beginning an organization similar to ToastMasters that encourages folks to bring their writings to a weekly meeting, to be read and evaluated by friends. Feedback helps you perform better. We feel embarrassment when we feel others read our work out loud. Ask them to read it in their free time and email you feedback if it intimidates you.

You just have to write one paragraph at a time. You don't have to change the landscape of human history with your paragraph. All that is necessary is to put coherent, relevant sentences together on a particular topic. It's not rocket science, and you are very capable of doing it. Let others' feedback instruct and improve you. We often do not see our weaknesses or mistakes. Others do. It's a good thing in the long run.

3. Read your writing out loud into a mirror - This is actually one of the most uncomfortable processes for writers. Many of us do not enjoy looking in a mirror. We are self-critical and self-rejecting. We notice this wrinkle or that imperfection. The same will be true of our writing. We may misspell a word, mispronounce a word, fragment a sentence, or whatever. Allow yourself the right to learning. You don't have to be flawless in anything, at anytime.

If you will take time to try these techniques, your writing skills will improve. It may take a month or a year before you submit the first article to a newsletter or paper, but it will be worth it.

In the movie Shawshank Redemption, Morgan Freeman's character avers, "Get busy living, or get busy dying. That's damn right!"

I love that movie and have seen it at least 30 times. When I find a movie that speaks to me, I tend to watch it over and over for the next few months or years. It's the same with songs, poems, etc.

This quote hold a person accountable. It brings the respondent to the precipice of decision, of immediate decision. I know that I have a tendency to put off difficult decisions for a period of time if I can. I tend to delay, distract, and divert away from unwanted tasks.

A man in prison facing no hope comes to a point of realization. He sheds the shallow concerns of choosing pizza or hamburger, buying the red car or the blue car, going to a movie or playing golf. When we find ourselves in dire straits, it is time for action.

Many of my colleagues and friends in the housing / real estate industry are finding themselves in this situation. There are far fewer invitations for lunch, hallway jokes, and smiling faces. There is real desperation in some offices. Many have abandoned the profession while others have taken full- and part-time jobs to make ends meet. Circumstances have depleted the fun of our industry.

Another of my favorite movies is Anchorman with Will Ferrell. It is the story of the "Golden Era" of local news casting, a day when scotch in the afternoon soothed a weary soul and media professionals were worshipped as gods. (joke) You have to see the movie, but it depicts an office environment of absolute confidence and nonchalance. Be careful or you might get jealous.

The point is, we are not in a free-wheeling, happy-go-lucky time. We have to work now. We have to think and learn and try and conserve and innovate.

From where does the will to change emerge? Though we can use external resources to motivate, change only comes from within. Finding the "Change Point" within ourselves requires asking questions and seeking answers. Those are two very different actions.

Let me suggest something. We are not motivated primarily to escape the bad but rather to pursue the good. We may fear being "broke" but we pursue wealth. We may fear rejection but we pursue acceptance. The mindset provides the motivation.

Take time to think..............then act.

In chemistry and biology and business, catalysts serve the crucial role of bringing two powerful entities together in order to create something even bigger and better. Can you use this metaphor?

A person that chooses to be a catalyst brings people together, thinks creatively, and values others' successes. I am a member of BNI, the largest business networking organization in the world. The philosophy is "Givers Gain!!" We focus on helping each other build our businesses. In return, others help us build our business.

Every Wednesday morning, I meet with 20 other professionals. I am their salesforce, and they are mine. Every member belongs to a different profession. In other words, there are never 2 residential Realtors in one group. I can operate confidently as I help a personal insurance rep, a financial planner, an electrician, and others to make contacts and obtain contracts. I see these folks weekly (sometimes 2-3 times) and trust them.

I choose to serve as a catalyst externally to help these good folks earn more money. But, more importantly, I choose to be an internal catalyst as well. I am always taking in new information, seeking honest feedback from others, analyzing my performance, and trying new ideas. I want to make internal processes more active and more successful. An active mind leads to an active body. An active mind and body gives me the very best chance for success.

I have been a Can'tdoist at times. I have felt that external issues / problems were bigger than me. I have been intimidated by more attractive, wealthier, more experienced people. I have doubted myself. I have assumed that it cannot be done.

Can'tdoists depend on dumb luck, miracles, and even manipulation to succeed. Not that I doubt miracles, but choosing a lifestyle of depending on miracles to solve every problem is a sign of a big problem in me. Can'tdoists do not want the power to change their circumstances because it always comes surgically attached to responsibility and work.

As with most things in life, we have a choice. We have the power to decide and to act.

Which are you?