I have some bad news for you, and, I know, nobody likes bad news.
We all handle the bad things in our lives differently, don’t we? Some of us tackle the hard stuff head-on, dealing with it right away and then moving on. The rest of us are just flat out avoiders. We try to justify our avoidance by telling ourselves we “don’t have time” to deal with that right now, or we “just can’t handle one more thing.” Those excuses are simply a form of avoidance, straight up.
So, if you’re an avoider, keep reading this. Don’t let yourself avoid any longer! Even though you’ve encountered the seemingly bad news that you are an avoider, I am also about to share some great news and useful solutions with you.
Now, I don’t know about you, but I’ve learned that almost 100% of the time, it’s best to just deal with the hard stuff right away, take care of it somehow and then move on as much as you possibly can. (And I’ve avoided with the best of them!)
The bottom line is this, it’s how we choose to deal with the hard stuff in our lives that determines our success, or lack thereof.
And, yes, it is a choice that we all have. I’m sure you can think of sad, negative, or hard things you’ve been faced in your life, and that moment of choice that you faced. I sure can.
For example, when I was 15, and was still classified as “functionally illiterate” with over 12 different learning “disabilities,” I could have chosen to give up right then and there. And, I was close to giving up. But, thanks to hard work, and some key people that were placed in my life, I chose to learn how to read. It wasn’t easy, but I chose to keep going. I chose to figure out how to take that bad, hard stuff and make it work for me. I chose to find a solution. And, because of that choice, I eventually graduated from college, at the top of my class, with a degree in Economics.
Now, what does all of this have to do with YOU? A lot!
Now, it’s time for the bad news I mentioned earlier. Take a look at The Harris Interactive Poll results below from a study conducted in August, 2009.
Just so we’re all on the same page, according to Webster’s New World Dictionary, “prestige” is defined as:
1. The level of respect at which one is regarded by others; standing.
2. A person’s high standing among others; honor or esteem.
3. Widely recognized prominence, distinction, or importance.
It doesn’t look good for those of us who work in real estate, does it? We’re at the bottom of the prestige and respect list. This is not the best news, at all.
At this moment, we’re all faced with a choice.
Rather than avoiding this fact or trying to hide it (or hide from it),
let’s use it to our advantage.
But how? It’s simple, just like we talked about earlier, tackle it head-on, right now!
Follow these steps (I’m serious here, I’m challenging you to choose to do this!):
- Copy this chart into the beginning of your listing presentation or make a copy to give to the buyers you meet with. You can get a copy of the chart and accompanying article here: http://www.harrisinteractive.com/harris_poll/index.asp?PID=685.
- In your listing or buyer presentation script, you need to enter the conversation your prospects are having in their heads, and tackle the fear, doubt, or insecurity they are feeling at that moment.
- Say something to the effect of, “You probably weren’t looking forward to our meeting today, and I can understand why. I know that real estate agents, in general, are not trusted, respected, or held in high esteem – just like the results of this study show. And, there are some bad agents out there, for sure; however, as we get to know each other, you will learn that I don’t fit that preconceived idea people have about agents.
I wouldn’t just be your real estate agent. I am your advocate, your guide, your master negotiator, and your reference tool for all parts of this process. I CAN be trusted and I WILL work hard to earn your respect.
I treat my clients like they are my closest friends or family members – giving them my best and most responsive service – always.”
Now, you’re probably thinking to yourself, “I can’t put that in my presentation! That’s too risky. Why would I show them the negative results of that study?”
Because, no one else will.
And, as the wise Earl Nightingale so aptly stated, “If you want to be successful, find out what everybody else is doing and do the opposite.”
Do you think anyone else has this in their presentation? It’s not likely. All you have to do is choose.
Choose to harness your inner football player … and tackle it!
Choose to make this unfortunate study work for you.
Choose this solution and use it!
Choose to “do the opposite” and experience your most successful, fulfilling year yet!
