WELCOME TO 2012…..

By John Mangas, Real Estate Broker Toledo, Ohio

It’s early November…

The pumpkins and Halloween decorations are still being displayed at my house. The weekend was sunny & in the 60’s and I was even thinking about one more boat ride on Lake Erie. Then it happened; I got in the car Saturday morning and as I started to back out of the garage and there it was – CHRISTMAS MUSIC playing on the radio! NO!

Quickly, I hit play on an iPad music mix and went about my day. That momentary sound bite of the Christmas Season nagged at me all day. It was a not so subtle reminder that 2011 is rapidly winding down.

More importantly it was a jolt of awareness that 2012 is upon us. The old adage, “how you start is how you finish” couldn’t be more true. And the time to start is now, by thinking of these next 7 weeks as a jump start for 2012. Let’s ask ourselves some tough questions about working “IN” the business:

1.  How is my attitude?

2.  What am I good at (& remind yourself how good you really are)?

3.  What can I improve upon?

4.  Have I changed with the market?

5.  What can I learn from my business in 2011?

6.  What about the business gets me inspired and excited?

7.  When I am at my best, what do others see in me?

8.  Are my current systems giving me the return on investment that I deserve?

9.  Where can I give back and build up others?

10. What new streams of activities should I add to build my business?

11. Have I thanked those who have gotten me this far lately?

If you notice, I did not ask about number of contacts being made; cold calls, expireds & FSBO’s. Or about social media programs, distressed sales, data bases, HUD sales etc. You see, the business naturally occurs when we are in sync with the 11 points listed above. The real estate business in metro Toledo, Perrysburg, Sylvania and elsewhere is ever changing and evolving. The business plan for 2012 may look very different from other years. That’s OK. We’ve all heard it and perhaps even said it, “if it’s going to be it’s up to me”.  It begins and ends with each of us. You see, if we are not in the right frame of mind and positioning ourselves properly to thrive in any market, the business plan is worthless. When we are working in the business, working on the business occurs as an extension of our daily activities. Yes, there will be prospecting, hand written notes, listing presentations, showings, purchase contracts, inspections, appraisal issues…and that’s what working on the business is all about. Working in the business goes to the purpose and the passion that we have for our profession, so let it show in all you do!

Welcome to 2012! It has the possibility to be your greatest year ever, and it begins today!