I am tired of hearing news reports recounting how people are scared. They are scared of rising costs, of higher gas prices (even though they are dramatically lower than they were just weeks ago). of losing their jobs or homes, of paying their bills, of going to the doctor, of getting older, of ____________(fill in the blank).
This type of fear is paralyzing. It is the exact opposite of enabling and empowering.
In sales, some people are scared of making a presentation, of cold calling, of making phone calls, of failing.
This won't do.
There are things we can change. There are things we can't.
Nothing wrong in having a healthy respect for something. I'm not "scared" of skydiving, but I can't imagine myself ever doing it and I certainly can go my entire life without ever doing it.
Sometimes, fear comes from the unknown - of not being able to see a way to cope with a situation or resolve it. It doesn't need to be paralyzing, gripping, or all-consuming, however.
Sometimes, fear comes from having a victim mentality - that people are unable to rise above what is happening to them.
We have the power to change our circumstances and most importantly how we respond (not "react") to what is happening, what we are going through, or what we are facing.
They say that knowledge is power, so let's work on those areas where we feel a little weak.
Let's be bold and show the way for others who need our example and the ability to draw off our strength.
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For more information on my coaching services or sales tips visit my website stevehoffacker.com or my blog homesalesinsights.com.
Thank you Steve. Fear is a big reason why we're continuing to have issues. As people regain trust in the market and become unafraid, we can see the market stabilize. It's also just a part of what you want to make your market. If you're acting scared, you're not making good business decisions.
Jared,
Thanks for providing insight to investment mentality as it is impacted by fear. It's all related. :)
Steve
Steve, I read your blogs regularly and enjoy them. This one (as usual) is bang on the money. Nothing comes from nothing. Hang your fears and a shelf and go after business like you mean it. It may take a little time but persistance pays off.
David,
Thank you for your loyal support. I appreciate it, as I do your comments on this post. Well said, :)
Steve
"This type of fear is paralyzing. It is the exact opposite of enabling and empowering"
This one sentence of yours says it all.
Anne,
You're exactly right. Thanks for your comments, and show the way. :)
Steve
Hi Steve
We are in challenging times, we need to stay in control of what we can control and be strong in our resolve to do the best we can each and ever day.
Good luck and success
Lou Ludwig
Lou,
"Resolve" is a great word to add to the discussion. Thank you. Great comments. :)
Steve
News s a comilation of just words. It is what we do with them that determines their quality, that being good or bad.
We should all put it in persepctive and simply relax a little. Are thigns different? Sure!, But that does not mean it has to be bad. That is really what we decide. I decide not bad!
Bo
Bo,
I'm with you. Things could be a whole worse, and when you focus on the negative, that's all you see. :)
Steve
Excellent picker-upper! I don't think you could have said it more clearly:
fear is paralyzing. It is the exact opposite of enabling and empowering.
Thanx for this post!
Great post! We learn as children to be scared and we can relearn not to be. You have to push yourself to get beyone those fears. Fear is for those of little faith.
Molly,
Thanks for your great response. I appreciate your comments. Stay positive. :)
Steve
Tammy,
A great explanation that is very well stated. Thanks for your contribution. Lead the way. :)
Steve
The people who are scared are often-times also the ones with the most to lose. It makes little sense in most situations to get out of the market if you're already in it. Nobody wants to take a loss (unless you haven't written any off for the year) so most are waiting and hoping the market won't drop more and rebound at some point. It's been a proven fact that the market has rebounded in the past even from what seems to be graver conditions (9/11), 1987 stock market crash, 1993, etc. Don't forget after 9/11, interest rates were down to 1 percent and the market was even lower than now. We're currently sitting at 1.5 and still above 9000 (knock on wood). As soon as credit starts freeing up, things will return to normal. People who are panic selling are also the ones who have no real understanding of the market and how things work. Soon we'll hit rock bottom and investing opportunites will arise. In the meantime take advantage of gold prices and low oil which as you know will go back up as winter nears. This is a time for opportunity, not a time for dwelling on what is certianly not a depression. (that's the media hyping that up)
Steve, Great post! I think that the FDR quote is very applicable, especially the way that the media is stirring up comparisons to the Depression. The quote is "We have nothing to fear, but fear itself." or something of that nature. Fear will get us into a lot deeper trouble than we're already in. Thanks for pointing this out!
Hey Steve thanks for the pep-talk! Congrats on the feature as well....
Castellum Realty,
Great explanation of the financial markets. Certainly people are fearing that. Even people with little to no money in it seem to be fearing the market because of the way the media reports it and the importance they place just on 30 stocks (the Dow). There just is a major climate of fear - if you listen to or read media reports. :)
Steve
Tony and Darcy,
Wasn't thinking of that quote when I wrote the post, but you're right. I'm concerned about this victim mentality that is spreading like a virus in our society. As entrepreneurs and salespeople we have a chance to face the market head-on with a positive attitude and to confront and help eliminate any thoughts of fear from people we meet. :)
Steve
Teresa,
You are very welcome. Thanks for your continued support. I really appreciate it. Lead the way in your market. :)
Steve
Steve,
Great Points and support like Steve mentioned. The negativity out there is aweful.
Thanks
Tom Davis
World Class Delaware Realtor
I believe in caution or challenges, but can't think of the last time I was scared. If we are talking about the economy, was just need to be prepared and plan a little.
Let's be bold! I absolutely loved those 3 words. Think I'm going to put a sticky note on my monitor with those words. Thanks!
Steve, You've hit the nail on the head. We are our own worst enemies. We need to believe in ourselves and move forward. Money doesn't have to be tight for everyone... if you spend it wisely, you will not loose. For me (being a realtor) money is tight, but I'm still moving forward and getting new windows in my home. Why? Not only would it improve the value of my home, but it will help the person who installs them.. he will probably get some of this money.. so maybe his worries will be less. In turn he might spend some money, which will help someone else. This is what we all need to do to get out from under this gloom and doom.
BTW.. I have gone skydiving...twice.
Steve...
I think "Paralyzed" with fear is an apt expression. Everyone seems afraid to do anything, and it is a downward spiral. Congrats on the feature, well done! -Richard Weisser
Yes, there is a lot of fear out there and it's keeping the buyers on the fence. Out darn fear, out!
is indeed paralyzing and as you point out there is a huge difference between a healthy respect for something and just freezing up! I recently wrote a post on the same subject about "Waiting for the other shoe to drop".
Steve,
It's almost to the point where I can't bear to watch the television reporters anymore. I prefer to focus on making money.
Do you coach real estate professional outside of your area? There is too much fear in this world. But that shoudn't stop you from living. Great post.
It is important to hear some positive messages. We must support and empower each other.
To me, this is a time to be adventurous. To look to myself for answers to my every day adversities. Creating small positive differences in my life...and to keep that momentum going. Especially in times like these...
Very well written. the emotion of fear really is a game changer. Those who live in fear are left behind. Those who challenge fear and overcome it are the movers and shakers of the world.
If we conquer our mind and our fears, there really is nothing to stop us from our goals.
Kind Regards,
Manolis
Tom,
We certainly can't allow ourselves to focus on the negavity. See my post yesterday on Home Sales Insights about negativity. Stay positive - for yourself and those around you. :)
Steve
Randy,
Just remember that the media does not like business - especially small businesses. They want us to fail. They talk up anything that erodes or challenges consumer confidence. :)
Steve
Kris,
I am so pleased that you found inspiration in those three words. Let them guide you, and and be bold for those around you who don't have your strength. :)
Steve
Valerie,
Thanks for your very well written comments. That's just the way our attitude can impact others and how we can make a difference. Kudos on the skydiving, but it's still not for me. :)
Steve
Steve, FANTASTIC post! I hate when people have the 'sky is falling' attitude. We all make our own destiny and there is opportunity even in the worst situations. We are our own self fulfilling prophesies - if you believe you can do it, you probably can and if you don't believe it, then you probably can't. Where there is a will, there is a way. Its as simple as that, sort of.
Richard,
Thank you. With people paralyzed by their fear, they are not acting. They are not helping the economy to grow, and they're not improving their own position. Keep writing your your great inspirational posts. They're very important right now. :)
Steve
Cathleen,
It's that easy for us to just dismiss it. Oh, were it that easy for us to apply it to others. We'll have to rely on our positive attitudes helping out. :)
Steve
Tim,
You're confident, I'm confident, many other Rainers are confident. Just maybe we can impact those gloomy-guses out there. :)
Steve
Russell,
I actually think some people enjoy wallowing in the negative news of the day. Don't ask me why, but they sure seem to. :)
Steve
Diane,
I already reached that point and hardly watch the cable news at all. I look at the local news just for the weather and then switch it off. :)
Steve
Lanre,
Thanks for your comments. Yes. I coach around the country. Give me a call, I'd love to talk with you about what I do. Stay positive - for yourself and others. :)
Steve
Joan,
You are so right that we need to support each other. We can build and feed off the positive energy that we create. :)
Steve
123 Happy Street,
If we all are intentionally positive and upbeat - even when it's not convenient - we will make a difference to those around us. :)
Steve
I like your attitude Steve. I need pep talks like this. Thanks.
Manolis,
Great comments and well stated. Fear will keep us from realizing our potential. Our attitude will enable us. :)
Steve
Lisa,
Really appreciate your comments. Attitude is so important. Determination, will, resolve. Very important. Thanks. :)
Steve
Marlene,
I like your attitude also. We need to remain positive to charge the world with success orientation rather than failure. :)
Steve
This is great information! It's definitely something I'll keep around for reference in the future!
DM
Hi Steve, Great Blog, I am not SCARED of anything after what I have gone thru in my life. I do respect snakes. Yes, we all have to get out there and seize the moment.
Good morning Steve,
Can you get this word out to all the frightened buyers in Jacksonville for me? Thanks a bunch!
Steve,
It's vital to turn away from fear to survive and thrive. It's not the circumstances- economy, slow market, etc. that do people in- it's succombing to the fear. Thanks for posting this.
The only person we can control is ourselves...knowing this empowers us to take control of our fears and face them head on...often once you deal with them, they are not mountains but rather molehills...
If we are like the deer in the headlights, we'll freeze and unpleasant things could happen as a result. ~ Evelyn
Steve, I don't feel scared, but I do find myself worring for my children's future (don't we all?) Everything goes in waves and we can't stop the cycle of spending but we will need to start spending in a different manner than we're used to and some just don't like change......Realtors are workers it will come back around if we're consistant.
Good post -- fear only makes things worse--- so we all need to get beyond that. All the best.
Steve - EXCELLENT post! I totally agree with all you said, and it was just yesterday that a fellow team member informed us of market statistics that are better NOW than in 2004 -- when everyone in real estate was LOVING it! All of our issues are between the ears! Today began with a zeal like I've not had before. Hey -- I've even started blogging!
Have a GREAT day!
Steve- I hate fear it terrifies me..just kidding. I agree with you. We all need to take a deep breath, be thakful for what we have, and move forward.
That thing about the worst thing to fear is fear itself... a very true statement. This is a great post by the way. Empowering yourself with knowledge is a great thing to do.
Steve: I love this post! Fear leads to inaction. In our business it is important to empower ourselves (as you say) with solutions.
Thank you STEVE ... I can't stand all of the negative media right now!!!!
Thanks for letting us have your insight. We need to just take care of business. We all know the acronym for FEAR and it is so true.
Nice point. Don't know about my using the word scared, but perhaps frustrated. Saw the market dump again today and I come home and get two phone calls from agents who want to make offers on two different homes. Don't know what will happen with it.....but it sure did lift me up.
Thanks for sharing!
Most need a motivational boost right now!
I hope everyone is keeping their high spirit and not watching the news or reading the local papers. If you allow the negative things to wear you down it will be hard to get back up!
My best to you for a sucessful end to 2008!
Joyce Logan, Realtor, Real Living HER Realtors. Columbus, Ohio
Steve - You are always so good at sayng the motivational words that we need to hear. I epecially like the sentance: We have the power to change our circumstances and most importantly how we respond (not "react") to what is happening, what we are going through, or what we are facing. Got to keep working on staying positive and not letting that fear paralize us.
I couldn't agree with you more!!!
"The greater the obstacle, the more glory in overcoming it." - Moliere
The two emotions that drive people are fear and desire... Right now, the world is in a "fear cycle"... that is the best time to present with desire.
Thank you for the words that we all need to hear right now. Choosing to respond rather than react to what is happening around us will mean the difference between success and failure.
I've always felt that when times are slow, we need to be learning new things. Computers, for instance, always have something new about them that we need to learn. Instead of sitting around talking scared, we should be studying for the future good times.
Aloha Steve,
The only thing we have to fear is fear itself- FDR Mahalo for the positive affirmation of human resilience.
Peace,
Marlene,
Thanks for your comments. We all need pep talks like this. :)
Steve
Dan,
I appreciate your fine comments. I'm very glad my ideas meant something to you. :)
Steve
Christine,
I admire your courage, and that's one thing we need to display to people that we come in contact with. :)
Steve
Lynn,
No, but now that you have the message, you can take the word to all those you're working with. Stay bold. :)
Steve
Fear of the unknown is the paralysis for most folks....onward and upward...cop a positive attitude and keep it !
Fear ! Humm that is a word I hear everyday. I try to combat this with fear produces fear postitive produces positive. I talk with my fmaily and husband about the reality of the market and thus our homes income. We have to be aware not fearful. We were fortunate to invest wisely and not putll credit and over charge during the heyday. I watcht the stocks and news and I get so fired up over doom and gloom. On a postive here in Virginia Beach I see gas dropping to 2.99 a gallon and milk prices for 2% almost hit 4.00 a gallon are now at 2.88 at my local kroger. I see some positive I see some prices going down on the items we need daily. I guess no one at the news networks are talking about that. Will the drop in gas and daily consumables help the average family in this crisis. YES I think so. Im taking time to talk positive !
Alison Creamer
www.bzibee.com
RE/MAX Allegiance
Amen and amen..thanks for a great post!
Good Grief Charlie Brown!
We all know that the media thrives on 'If it bleeds, it leads' in the news headlines. You NEVER hear about improvements in any horror stories trumpeted at the top of the news or on the front page of the news paper. CNN Money is very reminiscent of Chicken Little. 'Be affraid. Be very very afraid' is their mantra. It's not responsible journalism to glorify the gloom and doom side of the news and not recognize the improvements or success stories.
We get sellers that lament about not going on the market in 2004-2005 when Mr.Jones across the street got 200K more for the sale of his house. Even if they've lived there 20 years and have never taken out a HELOC. Sometimes you just want to slap these folks!!
Tell your 'woe is me' sellers that unless they wanted to pay $25 for a Big Mac, the prices had to come down. Who can afford to buy your house? Could you / would you buy your own house today?
So as I look out my window of our home office with the sun shinning and the birds singing, I gotta think everything is going to be okay. Just surround yourself with positive people.
Life is way too short to be grumpy.
Rob
Rebecca,
You're right, it's not the outside circumstances but how we respond to them that matters. :)
Steve
Sonja,
So true. We can - and should - control ourselves. Then we can respond to what's going on around us. :)
Steve
Evelyn,
Please, no "deer-in-the-headlights" for any of us. We can be much stronger than that. :)
Steve
Buffy,
You're right that things go in cycles, and we can be concerned (better than "worried") about the future - but there likely will be a whole different set of rules and circumstances then. :)
Steve
Bob and Carolin,
All the best to you to - and to those around you that you are influencing and impacting by your attitudes and actions. :)
Steve
Lisa M.,
Thanks so much for your wonderful comments. I love the zeal you report and the bloggging - that's great. :)
Steve
Good point Steve. Like Jim Rohn says, "we cannot control what happens to us, only what we do about it."
Cherimie,
Good one. You're right about moving on. That's the difference between being bold and confident and in being afraid, :)
Steve
Tammy L.,
Thanks for your great comments. If we are willing to stay positive and courageous, we will make a difference in our own business and in the lives of those around us. :)
Steve
Chris Ann,
Thanks. Glad you liked the post. Empowerment is not something we're given but rather something we take and use. :)
Steve
Pippa,
The negative media is so intense that it can stiffle us. That's why we have to rise above it and set the example. :)
Steve
There is only one time a year when you can dress like a Realtor and run scared and that is Halloween! For the rest of the year, open up your mind and think of the possibilities, the abundance of affordable properties and what a STEAL it is for your buyers in today's market :-)
I still think the news media is causing a large portion of our problem. They are creating panic in the general public. I watch it and just shake my head, if you ever hear anything positive such as home sales actually increased nation wide last month they will say it very quickly and almost always put a but..............on it. Boycotting news channels has come to mind. Hmmmm...... I must say they ENJOY the panic, gives them something to report on the next day.
Lately I turn the news on then change the channel. It is depressing and they will have us all ready to jump out a window. Maybe we should all go to our local news station and do a report on the good things going on in the real estate market. Great time to buy, investors can choose from many reo properties,great inventory for picky buyers, etc....
Charles,
Thanks for your comments. I think the media is definitely providing us - and especially consumers - with false evidence. :)
Steve
Tim M.,
There is such an opportunity for us now. We just need to remain focused on what we can do. :)
Steve
Hello Steve, Thanks for the encouragement. I think we all need to stop whining and start working again.
Joyce,
Thanks for some very positive comments. May you have a great and profitable 2009. Keep strong. :)
Steve
Pam,
Thank you for your bery kind words. I appreciate your support and participation. Check out my post today on "react vs. respond" for a more detailed explanation of my point. Thanks. :)
Steve
Sabrina,
Thanks for your agreement and support. Appreciate your comments. :)
Steve
Lane,
I really like your comments. Now indeed is the time for desire to take over. Well said. :)
Steve
Dawn,
Great to have your comments. Thanks. Check out my post today on "react vs. respond" for a continuation of this discussion. Thanks. :)
Steve
Barbara,
Thanks. That's a very good observation and idea. Get ready for the even better times ahead. :)
Steve
Kimo,
Mahalo for your comments and for adding to the discussion. Stay strong and positive. :)
Steve
Sally and David,
You guys sound like you're just the ones to spread a positive message among your market. :)
Steve
Alison,
Thanks. I like your message and the fact that you're able to see a real some real positive news in your market. Pass it along. :)
Steve
Kimberly,
My pleasure. Thanks for your comments and for your support and participation. :)
Steve
Rob,
Thanks for adding your positive take on how you approach your business. Keep at it, we all need it. :)
Steve
Tyler,
We very definitely can control how we respond. Please see today's post on "react vs. respond." I talk more about this. :)
Steve
Eva,
Good one. Being a Realtor is fun. What better business to be in right now? Thanks. :)
Steve
Linda,
They do seem to enjoy a juicy negative story, don't they. Like they live for it. Just don't pay them any attention. :)
Steve
"Dee Dee,"
I don't think our local station cares whether we watch them or not, so I choose not. Many people still get their news from them so they will continue. We need to be strong. :)
Steve
Marian,
Thanks for the comments. We all can make a positive difference just by refusing to listen to or buy into this nonsense. :)
Steve
Steve, thank you for this positive spin. I will be sure to check out more of your blogs in the future!
Samantha,
I'm so glad you stopped by. Thanks for your great comments. Love to have you as a frequent reader. :)
Steve