Staying the Course: Going Down With the Ship
In the nautical world it always seems romantic when a skipper claims to be going down with the ship. Protecting the honor of the ship, but is the cargo and honor worth human life?
That’s a stupid question, I know.
However, how many times do you see agents and companies “stay the course” as their ship takes on water and eventually sinks?
Recently, I was in just that situation. Getting into real estate when the water’s were rough, my ship was never the most sea-worthy; however it was staying afloat. Not always the prettiest boat in the harbor my “ship” was right and heading straight out for deeper waters. Or so I thought.
It didn’t happen overnight, there were signs – potential listing follow-ups missed, sleeping in, etc. – that the ship was taking on water. However, in my view from the bridge, I didn’t see them. The alarms went unheard of until it was almost too late.
Today, my real estate career is safely in a life-raft and getting back to the basics of the business. What have I learned from my time aboard this life boat?
1. Stick with the basics. There are hundreds of ways to tie a knot, but they may not all work in
certain situations. When you find something that works, no matter how simple, stick with it.
2. Be diligent. Some days you want to spend the morning on the poop deck watching the waves roll over the horizon. But it is these days that require the most diligence.
3. Stick to the plan. Say what you are going to do, and do it. Not only what you tell your clients but also what you tell yourself.
The most important thing is to keep your eye on the horizon, but never miss those alarms.
Toby Boyce, MBA, is a real estate practitioner with Keller Williams Consultants Realty in Westerville, Ohio, and he was the 2007 Delaware Board of REALTORS® Rookie of the Year.
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Comments
You just wanted to say poop deck...good article. I was in that same boat my second year in real estate. I was the one on the poop deck waiting for the business to come to me and not getting anything. I farmed sphere, but that hadn't worked as far as referrals. It was until I got a niche that I was doing great!
Posted by: Amy | October 10, 2008 03:36 PM