It’s wonderful to see that there’s still a lot of enthusiasm about the real estate and construction industries. I know it isn’t easy.
When I visit with the veterans, I hear the same thing. The words are almost identical: Hang in there because it’s going to get better.
In other words, this isn’t their first rodeo.
Before I began writing this column, I looked through the proof pages of this edition of Realty/Builder Connection. Before you read on, I’d like you to do the same.
Go through this publication and look at every page. You don’t have to read every word - I want you back here! - but I want you to see what’s on each page.
I’ll wait.
OK, let’s consider what you saw.
• Right on this page, we celebrate one of our own peers getting inducted into the Florida Housing Hall of Fame.
• Right below that, there are people having fun.
• As you browsed through the first section, you saw an announcement of the ‘08 SPIRIT Awards, photos of people who went to the Fashion Show, people who were Top Producers in their offices and a story on Mr. Enthusiasm himself, George Linville.
• In the next section, there is the calendar of Upcoming Events packed with happenings just like it was a year or so ago.
• There are photos from a big WCR meeting, along with the gals of Womanade gathering. Look at how many showed up?
• In the following section there is a lot of interest in a CREW trip to the port, a report on a well-attended Sam Tram, some positive thoughts from Realtors on what they’re doing, along with a page of Fashion Show models.
• Finally, there’s the section on the Realtor Builder Tradeshow.
There is a whole lot going on. That’s what I want you to realize. Even though sales are slow, that hasn’t stopped our industry. The show must go on, and it definitely is going on. Meetings, shows, galas, networking.
Some places, I know, have put things on the shelf until the market changes, but not here.
“We need to show everyone that it’s business as usual,” said an old pal, Richard Dostie. “We’ve been here before. We know what will happen, and it’s going to be positive when it happens.”
When things aren’t going your way, be realistic, but keep a positive attitude.
I ran across a document from The Mayo Clinic on positive thinking and it hit home with me. I don’t sell real estate or build houses, but I sure have moments when negative thoughts attempt to disrupt my positive march forward.
Here’s what Mayo says: “Instead of giving in to these kinds of negative self-talk, weed out misconceptions and irrational thinking and then challenge them with rational, positive thoughts. When you do this, your self-talk will gradually become realistic and self-affirming - you engage in positive thinking.
“Start by following one simple rule: Don’t say anything to yourself that you wouldn’t say to anyone else.”
Here are Mayo’s examples of negative self-talk and how you might apply a positive thinking twist.
• Negative: “I’ve never done it before.”
• Positive: “It’s an opportunity to learn something new.”
• Negative: “It’s too complicated.”
• Positive: “I’ll tackle it from a different angle.”
• Negative: “I don’t have the resources.”
• Positive: “Necessity is the mother of invention.”
• Negative: “There’s not enough time.”
• Positive: “Let’s re-evaluate some priorities.”
• Negative: “There’s no way it will work.”
• Positive: “I can try to make it work.”
• Negative: “It’s too radical a change.’”
• Positive: “Let’s take a chance.”
Fighting off the negative thoughts won’t be easy, according to the Mayo document which goes on to say: “If you tend to have a negative outlook, don’t expect to become an optimist overnight. But with practice, eventually your self-talk will automatically contain less self-criticism and more self-acceptance. You may also become less critical of the world around you.
“Practicing positive self-talk will improve your outlook. When your state of mind is generally optimistic, you’re able to handle everyday stress in a constructive way. That ability may contribute to the widely observed health benefits of positive thinking.”
GREAT advice. It applies to everyone in every business, but it really is needed when business isn’t going the way you’d like.
No one is going to be so positive as to say that business is great (well, George Linville probably will, but it’s likely his business IS great.)
Here’s my message: business is business. It has ups and downs, and being down doesn’t mean it’s going to stay down. Even in these troubling economic times, wiser heads than mine are saying it is going to get much better. Remember, we live in America and we WILL get it done.
Keep the faith. Work hard. Stay positive.
Better times are coming, and your attitude will dictate when they arrive for you.