July 8, 2015

The 'One' Habit of Highly 'Scaredy-Cat' People

I've been given several motivational and self-help books by friends and colleagues over the years.  Rather than feeling insulted ("You think I need improvement??  Pshaw!"), I read them with an open mind.  Well, let me be more specific:  I skim the titles of the chapters and maybe read the first ten pages.  Around page 11, I realize I know everything already and don't need the help.

Most of these books relate to the art of excelling in business and motivation:  How to Win Friends and Influence People, The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People, Awaken the Giant Within, Drive, Don't Sweat the Small Stuff.  I am literally reading the titles off the bookshelf next to me.  There are several more, but I don't want to turn this into a real snooze.

The people who gift me these little gems care about me and are looking out for me.  They know something that I refuse to acknowledge:  to be great in business, any business, change is necessary.  So what do I need to change?  I need to put my tail in between my legs and ask for referrals.  Sigh.

For some reason, this is incredibly difficult for me to do.  I'm not sure why.  I'm very outgoing and real, but I can't udder the words, "Do you know somebody who's looking for a home?" or "Tell all your friends about me!" or "I would really love your business."  It was the same thing when I moved around as a kid.  "Will you be my friend?" would never have been uttered - I would have rather jabbed my eyes out.

In my field, real estate for those of you a day late and a dollar short,  referrals are the heartbeat of success.  Sales just don't fall out of the sky from the Great Listing God.  It is an active pursuit.  This is how business is done in the real world.  It isn't because you saw someone's glamour shot in the newspaper and thought, "Gee, she looks like she really knows how to negotiate."  It's because someone you know and respect gives you a suggestion, or it's because I ask for it.

So, I put myself before you friends, and humbly ask:  Do you know of anyone who wants to buy or sell a home?  Because I can do it.  I can do it like nobody can.  I challenge any other Realtor out there to do a better job or work harder at it than I will.

There.  Deep breath.  Jeez, I may just  have to write my own book now.  I'll let you know if I do, and if so, I may even have the guts to ask you to buy it.



Thank you in advance for telling everybody you've ever met about me,
Carrie


www.TheCarrieHolleGroup.com

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