Samantha Jones

By Samantha Jones

It’s the end of another year. Nearly 365 days of memories, decisions, transactions, milestones, love, heartbreak, and more. Yet we’re truly on the precipice of the newest of beginnings.

I encourage you to treat this year-end differently. We’re facing the culmination of another decade in our lives. The skies the limit, and in my eyes, a new decade calls for a reverence of sorts. I challenge you to spend more time consciously entering 2020, reflecting on where you are in life and where you’d like to be. Outline your one-year, two-year, and five-year goals, both personally and professionally.

As we approach January 1, many are nostalgic to leave the beauty of 2019 behind, while others are clinging to the possibility of a clean slate. For the first time in my life, I am in the latter category. A role reversal for this eternal optimist.

I don’t know about you, but 2019 was the year of curveballs. My market stalled about halfway through the year. The homes I expected to sell in days with multiple offers simply did not. The buyers who planned to purchase didn’t mind waiting to move until 2020. Personally, we found out a close relative was diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer in January, and we lost the twin girls I was expecting at 14 weeks this fall. As the old adage goes, when it rains, it pours.

Image by PublicDomainArchive from Pixabay

Yet this isn’t a woe is me post; this is one of resiliency. I want you to know you can go through hell and back in your life and still stand at the end of it. If anyone needs to know you’re strong enough to face what life sends your way, this is your sign. If I can still strive to find the beauty in each day, so can you.

Join me as we embark on this new journey together. I believe 2020 will be our best year yet. Why? Because to me, there is no alternative. And you know what they say about the power of positive thinking. Let’s start the New Year and decade with these conscious goals in mind.

1. Gratitude. No matter the struggles we face, I have faith the universe has some greater reason for bringing us to them. Oftentimes, with an even better end result planned than we could’ve expected. Even when you’re on your knees amidst life’s struggles, find your silver linings. Count your blessings, even if they’ve felt few and far between. Before you know it, you’ve shifted your outlook on life to one of optimism. Believe me, it beats any other mindset.

2. Self Care. As real estate professionals, it’s crucial that we be our strongest selves to better serve our clients. Take the time now to reinvest in yourself and your business and it’ll pay off in dividends. For most of us, this is the calm before the storm that is the robust spring market. It’s impeccable timing to create new routines, mindsets, and plans to implement the whole decade long. Meditate, pray, workout, schedule regular massages, and see friends or family. Whatever self-care looks like to you, lean into it.

3. Support System. I’m incredibly fortunate to have a strong tribe by my side—close God-given family and friends who have become like family. I knew this before, but boy did they surpass expectations while carrying me through life’s bumps this year. If you have a support system, reinvest time and love into them. If not, create or find your village and love them endlessly. Always help others when they’re down. It’s the right thing to do, but on the flip side, you never know when you’ll need their support yourself.

4. Giving Back. What charities and causes are you passionate about? Give your time, money, or talents to them. We’re always stronger together. After all, we know it is better to give than receive, otherwise, we probably wouldn’t be in real estate.

5. Business Planning. Take this lull in the year as an opportunity to plan your 2020 business. Where did your deals come from this year? What strategies did or did not work for you? As most of our markets shift, it’s more important than ever to reduce spending and focus on avenues that work best for your business model. Meet with your managing broker or coach for another perspective and find your best chances to thrive.

6. Reflecting. Reflect on how this past year or decade passed in your life. Journal, pray, meditate—however you process best. Are you happy? I sure hope so. But if you’re not, there’s no shame in that. That’s what New Year’s resolutions are for! Find what lights you up and embrace it on all fronts. Write out goals for the coming months and years and manifest them into your life.

Where do you see yourself in six months, at the end of 2020, in 2030, and beyond? I’d love to hear it!

I hope to continue living a life I can be proud: Continuing to grow my business with record years, providing for my family while making my clients’ dreams come true. All while hopefully embarking on the parenthood journey and making my corner of the world a better place.

If you take away nothing else from this, know I believe in you and know your hopes will come to fruition! The end of another year calls for all the quotes and feels these days. Sometimes it’s best to fall back on the classics and trust in the magic of new beginnings. As C.S. Lewis said, “There are far better things ahead than any we leave behind.”

Samantha Jones is an award-winning real estate broker with Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage in the Chicagoland area. She is a top producer who specializes in residential sales. Connect with Samantha on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.