At this time of year, many think about starting over and doing things differently in work or their personal life. So, this month’s question gives you the opportunity to state your hopes for 2004 for the whole world to see - thus making it more of a conviction.
So, what’s your New Year’s Resolution?
“Make more money. This means less time just playing and more time playing and networking at the same time.”
- Todd Arnold,
Kent and Associates Realty Services
“Good question. My resolution is to spend more time with family and loved ones and take more time to enjoy and appreciate life and try not to live so hectically.”
- Carolyn Minor, Countrywide Home Loans
“To be grateful each day for the blessing that I have each day through prayer and meditation.
“Of course, to lose weight, eat better and exercise each day. Take more time to be with my family including dinner together at least twice a week and scheduled events. Make sure I tell my family I love them at least once a day or more. Make more time for really fun thinks. Business-wise, I will be grateful for each customer I receive and take care of them the best I am able to, increase my business, work smarter with smaller groups or referral and give better service. These are just a few of my goals but the most important ones.”
- Jaqueline Parrillo, SunTrust Bank
“‘Even if you win the rat race, you’re still just a rat,’” by Lili Tomlin. I asked the other attorneys in my office to find a new home, then let go all my office staff except one. I referred out a bunch of cases and now will work just enough to cover the overhead. Life is too short to spent every waking hour at the office. I’d rather have quality time with my kids than buy a 7 series BMW. “
- Tim Rogers, real estate attorney
“My resolution is to remain focused in real estate with the full emphasis towards the customer’s complete satisfaction. To remember that my goal for getting into real estate was to be the best agent and not necessarily the wealthiest and to provide the kind of service to others that I would expect to be provided to me. Happy New Year and many successful transactions to all.”
- Dan Daniel, Prudential Network Realty, Mandarin
“My resolution is to gain more customers through referrals of previous customers, friends, and family, versus, working leads coming from floor time. Leads from floor tend to not pan out, whereas leads from previous satisfied customers are already warm leads that already have a sense of trust because their friend or family member was so satisfied with your services, that they referred them to you as well.”
- Jason Hoffman,
Coldwell Banker Palazzo Realty, Inc.
“I wish I had only one resolution. I have several! Since I’m a believer in sharing ideas, here goes, as you said, for all the world to see. Keep up with my junior-in-high school son’s exciting athletic schedule and work in spring and summer college visits. Get in better physical shape, which will necessitate scheduling some downtime. Build on last year’s level of business, with an eye to continuing to improve customer service and efficiency. Spend time redesigning my back yard, and scheduling time to garden and to enjoy it. Hire an assistant. [In case there’s someone out there who is tired of being a Realtor, call me! Requirements include being energetic, and computer and real estate knowledge are certainly a plus!]”
- Clare Berry, Berry & Co. Real Estate
“When it comes to business, I don’t make resolutions but rather follow my business plan that I finalize during the fourth quarter of the prior year. This early preparation for the upcoming new year has worked very well and hopefully this year will be no exception!”
- Phyllis Staines, Re/Max Coastal Real Estate
“I really haven’t made any ‘new’ New Year’s Resolutions. My plan is simple: get back to the basics, make sales calls, exercise daily, watch the sugar intake, etc. It is not enough to make a resolution that you may or may not stick to. You have to resolve to make New Year ‘habits’. By forming new habits, sticking to the basics, and keeping the high touch customer service in place this New Year will be excellent.”
- David Wakefield,
Pinnacle Financial
“I don’t make resolutions, I make goals. Resolutions can make you feel like you fail...goals allow you to step back, reevaluate and keep moving toward them!”
- Brenda Gee,
Victoria Robbins Realty
“My resolutions are to close 50 houses, walk three or four days a week, work out two to three days a week and read a new book on business and personal growth every two months. That will keep me busy.”
- Judy Hicks,
Re/Max Real estate Professionals
“My resolution is business related. I want to personally originate $20 million in loan volume this year. It would be an increase from $12 million in 2003.”
- Eddie O’Keefe,
Praneta Financial Inc.
“My resolution [which, I’m sure is shared by many, many others] is to make a real effort to start taking better care of myself. This includes a more balanced diet, some exercise and, most importantly, a little less work. Like others in this business, it’s easy to get into the habit of working 24/7. Five days a week turn into six, and, before you know it, it turns into seven. If you’re not working every day and night, you feel like you’re not doing your job. My theory is that, by better balancing my professional and personal life, I’ll be more satisfied and productive in both.”
- Sue Ann Ogden,
Suncastle Properties, Inc.
“Since I plan to retire [again] in a few years, I resolve to make myself more available to our newer agents, hoping that I can help them avoid some of the lessons I learned the hard way.”
- Tom O’Connell,
Watson Realty, Amelia Island
“My resolution is to have peace within myself, friends, family and in the world. And as always, lose weight!”
- Josie Deal, Coldwell Banker Jasinsky and Associates.