Sometimes I take my writing inspiration from the strangest sources. This is yet another one of them.
I can’t get Gena Riede out of my mind. No, it’s not what you think. Gena is a RE blogger in Sacramento, CA. Yesterday Gena asked me the seemingly innocent question, “What are your plans for the holiday season?“.
That sounds simple enough. I’m a Worker Bee. I’ve never taken the holiday season off so my response was going to be quick and simple. Then I started thinking. I’m on the verge of having the busiest December in 14 years. I have buyers to get processed and approved. More than I’ve had in a very long time. I’m busy.
But why?
That’s what has had me thinking all day about Gena, or more accurately about how to answer her. I’ve been thinking and thinking. In between phone calls, meetings, emails, and real work, I’ve been thinking. I’m done.
Gena Riede, a little late, and a little more than what you asked for, here’s your answer.
I’m working. I’m working harder than ever for the Holidays. I now know why. I’ll be working harder because a couple of months ago I started reaching out to the Agents I work with and shared with them different ideas I had that would help them increase their bottom line. Not my business, but their business.
It sounds simple enough. By helping others we help ourselves. Want to be happy? Make someone else happy. Need to be even happier? Make a lot more people happier. Much like the Laughing Baby - what we do to (or for) others is what we do to ourselves.
In a time when so many have the “what’s in it for me?” attitude, maybe we should be asking ourselves, “what’s in it for them?”
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{ 6 comments… read them below or add one }
Please share some of the specifics on what you did to help your agents’ businesses.
Wade - I will. Later post fodder. In short, I used my experiences to better show them where the action is, and how to get in on it.
Are you an Agent or a LO?
I’m a mortgage broker in Denver, CO. I’ll stay tuned for your future posts. I’m always ready to learn.
Mike - You are so on!!!
I’m friends with several of the top producers in the country and they have also told me they are having their best year. Notice I didn’t say this was their easiest year, however they are have wonderful funding year. One of them, Mike Grace out of Athens, GA. felt the market shifting summer of 2006 and started working his tail off to set up 2007 as a good year. Bottom line, his work worked and he is expecting to fund $50,000,000 in 2007. While $50,000,000 in fundings is good anywhere in the country, in his neck of the woods the average loan amount is $160,000…now that’s a lot of loans!
Great post Mike. While many people in the industry are complaining about business, you went out and did something about it.
That’s one of the reasons I love your post!!!
Mike,
Glad to hear that your business is booming. That’s a very positive outlook and you have my congratulations.
Had no idea that such a question would in inspire such a post…thanks for the mention and I’ll be thinking of my next question, for you…
Gena -
I’ve been reading you for the longest time!
I have roughly 20 posts in draft form at anyone time. Some will never make it to the publishing. Some are results of news stories that are more timely in nature.
Once in a while, every now and then, something just sparks that little fire, that leads to that thought, that leads to yet another thought , that ultimately leads to a post that just begs to be written.
I’m looking forward with great anticipation to your next question…
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