When times are lean, it is very easy to grow dark, bitter, fearful, and/or discouraged. We must find an effective way to stay sharp, positive, and productive. King David wrote a Psalm about the notion of remaining steadfast when even "a thousand fall on the right of me and ten thousand fall on the left of me." Here are four internal choices to avoid:
1. The choice to envy: The ability to celebrate others' successes (that are achieved honestly and ethically) or the result of pure luck, is an internal decision. We must refuse to grow jealous, think critically out of envy, and assume the worst of others that do achieve. When another person achieves something great during these hard times, it is a fantastic opportunity to congratulate, buy them lunch, pick their brain, and repeat what they did. Instead of a chance to envy, we overcome the negative temptation by learning and working.
2. The choice to quit: When we are doing all the right things, and have already redoubled our efforts, and have already networked out the wazooo, refuse the temptation to give up. Instead of quitting, begin quizzing your actions, habits, circumstances, and attitude. Take new looks at yourself. Ask others for feedback. Be willing to try something new. Work harder. Never, ever give up. Never quit. Change tactics? Yes. Improve attitude? Yes. Learn new techniques? Absolutely. Refuse to cheat yourself and guarantee a ZERO return on your investment.
3. The choice to grow cynical and negative: Attitudes and personalities develop over time. They can also change in difficult circumstances. A once bright and productive person can be dark and slow. Tough times, traumas, major letdowns, poor results, betrayal, and more can lead us to negativity and cynicism before we realize it. When we work very hard and see little or no positive result, the temptation is to think that things will never work out, that fate is bent against us. Choose to examine the current market and environment, assess your own activities, and seek counsel. But, refuse to criticize yourself needlessly and believe in some faceless power that is set against you.
4. The choice to cheat: This may be the strongest and most frequent temptation. Bending the truth, cutting corners, using manipulation, and deception are easy to rationalize when we tell ourselves that "everybody else is doing it." Those beliefs that we choose to believe have dramatic effects on the ways in which we feel and thus behave. We fool ourselves into feeling good about wrongdoing. "It's not that bad." "Everybody does it." "Everybody lies." It's all one road to cheating and rationalization. Choose character and integrity always. Dignity matters.
I hope these thoughts are helpful and encouraging to you. God bless you in your work.
Rich Barbee
Richard D Barbee, M.Ed., GRI, CRS
Real Estate Broker - Residential and Commercial
Rich - Great post. Perfect reminder in this tough time when people are so down and worried about the future.
Attitude is everything. In the best of times and the worst of times, attitude is everything.
Rich,Thanks for the post. Remaining grounded in principle, will be the buoy that keeps us afloat!
Well said Rich. Tough times usually reveal people's true character.
Great points Richard. Easy in today's market to slip into temptation but we will feel a lot better down the road if we hang in there.
Rich,
Very inspiring and right to the heart of the situation. I always say that the opposite of fear is faith. Fear happens when you look too far ahead instead of focusing on what you can do today. Faith allows you to stay in the moment and enjoy every day. God Bless!
1Cor 4 :2 Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful...
As real estate agents we are chosen by our clients as stewards over transactions which involve what is usually their most expensive asset...it is essential that we are faithful over all that we do...in so doing, we will avoid those four temptations you mentioned! Blessings!
Thanks for this Rich. I always go to the bible first when I need an answer about life...and it never disappoints. We all need to remain steadfast during the tough times or we have no hope. It's easy to take the high road when everything is going your way. It's your actions during tough times that shows those around you your true character.
It is hard and all four can be tempations. However, I just keep trying harder and getting better at what I do.
Great post! I've seen some "shady" practices, lately, around my small town. When you give in and compromise your integrity, you've got nothing left. It's at the end of the day, when you look yourself in the mirror, you see the reflection of someone you're proud to be. Never give that away...
Great post Richard. Thank you for sharing your thoughts.
Very inspiring post.Everything you said has so much meaning.Great post Richard.
Terrific post Richard! Your thoughts are very true and it is essential that agents take them to heart.
Amen!!! So refreshing, Richard. Glad to know there are people out there who think like I do. Great post. Surprized at the lack of follow-ups here.
Christine C, you hit the nail on the head.
And Carol T, my sentiments exactly. I always tell my grand daughter when she is leaving the house, remember, "You're leaving here with a good name. How are you going to bring it back?" And, Carol, you are so right when you mention looking in the mirror. No one can take your integrity unless you give it away. Your character is really all you have in the end. If you compromise it to make a buck, you'll not enjoy the spending of it.
Great post and comments!!!
Well said! It's good to know there are still folks out there in this profession that feel this way. While temptaions exist, especially in this economy, as long as you keep your head up, do it the right way--things will work out as they are supposed to. The current times may even take some of our fellow members down but if they stay true to themselves they will come out on the other side and rebuild better & stronger than before. Just never sell yourself short and ALWAYS try to do it the right way.
Rick, great post, and yes... great comments. But... to start off a post with a quote from "King David..." some king he was. There are so many "kings and leaders" in the Old Testament who, when you really read up on them, really were not very nice people.
Other than that... great post. Funny how I can let something like that... color my attitude. Must be getting old, I guess.
Great post ... I hope more people read it ...
Great post...focus on the positive and not the negative.
Great Post Rich!
Rich: A timely post and all the reason why we have to check our attitude at the door.
Ty
Richard, - very timeley advice and especially in today's world where some peoples' attitude and behavior are questioanable I find your post very inspiring and refreshing.
While points 1, 2 and 4 don't enter my mind, I do sometimes succumb to #3 - when the money flow is lacking I can get depressed and become negative in my thoughts and mood. So thank you for lifting my spirits and reminding me that it's my choice in how I react.
God Bless.
Thanks for sharing the positive optimistic strengths that I know are necessary for all of us.
You hit the nail right on the head with this post, Richard. Thanks for setting it straight. I feel better already!
Thanks for the well-written and well-thought-out post! I think #3 is especially challenging. As the old saying goes, if you expect the worst then you won't be disappointed! Optimism is a better bet; it's often contagious!
Thanks for the well-written and well-thought-out post! I think #3 is especially challenging. As the old saying goes, if you expect the worst then you won't be disappointed! Optimism is a better bet; it's often contagious!
Richard, it was so refreshing to see your post. Your suggestions are so inspiring and should be taken to heart in both our professional and personal daily lives. The world would be a much better place if we all remembered and lived by your post. Thanks
Funny... I was just thinking about your point #4 this morning. Seems like there are so many people who are cheating in both small and large ways. And what is the excuse? "Everybody else does it."
I realize that many of our "leaders" in government are leading the charge to dishonesty - we read about them or see the reports on line or on TV almost every day. But their lack of conscience should not give us a similar lack of conscience.
After all, we're the ones who have to look at our own faces in the mirror each day - and either respect or disrespect the person we see there.
As for the rest... I'm a firm believer in the Law of Attraction. You get what you honestly, deep down in your heart expect to get. I don't think it's magic - I think our true feelings simply affect the way we think, the way we talk, and the actions we take, and those lead to the results we get.
Thank you for all the comments!! So many of you had valuable feedback and similar feelings. It is comforting, in some meaningful way, to know that we are not in this effort alone.
Sometimes, I just post informational or update blogs. But, from time to time, my inner thought life bursts out into one of these significant notions.
I appreciate you all taking time to read.
When business is slow, I think it is best to analyze my business practices, reflect on what is going on in the market and see if my actions best take advantage of the market. I try not to be a victim of circumastance.
Great post, thank you for the reminders.
Thank you Richard. Your post couldn't have come at a better time. Although I would not cheat, I have felt myself getting negative and wanting to just give up. How did you know that this is just what I needed to see. :)
Comment # 8 has the best advice!
I had started to read all the gloom and doom stuff in the Wall Street Journal about the economy. Next thing you know I felt like nobody could buy anything. I made the decision to ask Jesus for help and to stop reading the gloom and doom. Stop watching it on TV. I was just going to do my job and sell stuff. Last month I closed five deals and rented 3 homes. I have already closed two this month and am expecting to go to contract Monday on another home.
Great post Richard. If we could just get everyone to read it. It is our positve choices that will always pull us out of a hole.
Richard, it is such an encouraging post! Many of us need these reminders to keep us going.
Very well said Richard, I try to keep the positive attitude as well.
Hello Richard,
Great post! Thank you!
Appreciate such an uplifting post this morning. Thank you for sharing your insights.
Great inspiration and thoughts to ponder for those who are down....and even great reminders for all.
You could have done this post without quoting Psalms. Yeah for your courage to quote exactly where these thoughts came from. It does give them credibility :)
Thanks. This is just what I needed today.
Thanks! Great Post. It's difficult to remember the grounding principles that we all have sometimes, and it's a breath of fresh air when we can begin our day with them in mind.
Thanks David.
Yup have been tempted by all 4 but never succumbed :)
..thanks for the great post.
Good stuff Richard. These are important points well worth remembering.