Jeremy Williams

By Jeremy Williams

“A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest – and poverty will come to you like a bandit and scarcity like an armed man.” Proverbs 6:10-11

When you read these words initially, especially early in the morning without hot coffee flowing through your veins and ZZ Top blowing out your computer speakers, they may seem not so encouraging at first.  You think to yourself, you are working harder than ever before in a market environment that has softened over the last couple of years.  The results of your closed production are similar or less when compared to the previous year in which you worked less.  It won’t hurt for you to take a little rest; kick back in your chair and take a break.  Your tired and feeling beat down.

I believe the words from Proverbs warn us from becoming complacent in our businesses.  Now is the time to take control and prosper from the hard work and long hours we put into our businesses on a daily basis.  Now is the time to wake up from our slumber.

Remember the following things that should help in refocusing your mindset today.

1.  The real estate market is cyclical. If you are in a down or soft market, what you do today will benefit you when the market makes an upswing.

2.  Learn to work smarter not harder. I recommend taking a few moments to evaluate what you do on a daily basis.  Trim the fat.  Get rid of things that are not producing results.

3.  Get help. May this be a time to hire a part-time or full-time assistant to help you lessen your work load?  This may be an investment that you see a significant return on when the market becomes favorable.  Look into getting a virtual assistant to reduce costs.

4. People can recognize someone who works hard. Your clients, customers, friends and family can recognize when you are working hard in your business.  Everyone that chooses someone to provide a service wants the person they choose to be a hard worker.  Working hard will keep your clients with you in tough markets, and it will turn customers, friends and family into clients when the time is right because of their recognizing your dedication to the business.

5.  People depend on you. People choose you as their real estate practitioner to get a job done.  Their lives are on hold as well until they either have purchased or sold a home.  Remember that for our clients, making a move is one of the most stressful life events encountered.  Taking a break, or getting in a rut because times may get tough is not fair to those who have entrusted us to handle their real estate matters.  You are also in a business that financially supports your family, and gives you the ability to be financially charitable to organizations that you believe in.  So wake up and remember who people depend on you.

Though the passage in Proverbs is rather direct, it is encouraging when you look at the flip side: “Wake up, wake up from your slumber, stand to your feet – you will achieve prosperity in abundance from all your hard work and commitment no matter the condition of the real estate market in which you work.” — JPW

And always remember that prosperity in abundance does not always equate to money, though it does happen to be a byproduct of hardwork in our profession.

Have a great day and may you have much success in your business.

Jeremy Williams of Keller Williams Realty NE in Kingwood, Texas specializes in the residential real estate market of Kingwood, Atascocita, and Humble, Texas.  Visit his Web site at www.williams4yourhome.com.