Link: http://alanplager.com

“Nothing can stop the man with the right mental attitude from achieving his goal; nothing on earth can help the man with the wrong mental attitude.”     Thomas Jefferson

Each week I strive to bring you encouraging news that will inspire and motivate you to keep your business moving forward as you list, sell, and prospect throughout the week.  We review several news articles and research various sources of information and quite honestly can always find something to cheer about.  A short recap of some of today’s positive highlights include the following:

• More than 80 percent of economists believe the recession is over and expansion has begun
• Pending home sales are showing promising numbers, as recent index reports show that sales have increased nationally for the last seven months
• Mortgage rates dip below 5 percent
• Consumer confidence is on the rise
• Housing prices in many areas of Florida have bottomed out
• Foreclosure rate is declining
• Inflation remains low
• Forecasters are expecting a 3 percent gain in the U.S. economy next year.

Furthermore, studies show that housing consumers still prefer to use real estate professionals to assist in their home search or to help sell their home.  Even with comprehensive access to housing information, consumers still prefer traditional real estate brokerage services.  They look to real estate professionals to provide advice and counsel, to establish trust, and to communicate with them in the manner of their own choosing.

All things considered, now is a great time to be a real estate professional, right?  Right!  So why do some people continue to spread doom and gloom about the housing market?  Why is it that neighbors, friends, even colleagues feel compelled to share their negative outlook with you?  More importantly, what can you do to keep focused, stay on track to achieving your year-end goals, and remain positive when others around you are not?

An article in RIS Media suggests the following “8 Ways to Stay Positive in Today’s Market”.

1. Avoid toxic people. Toxic people can be well-meaning people—friends, relatives, colleagues—but when they talk to you, they are coming from a negative attitude about money, finances, and especially about the current real estate situation.  Here’s what you do: either change the subject or walk away. Better yet, speak up for yourself and mention that you want to think positively about yourself and about your business.

2. Set an internal boundary. When all else fails, set up an internal boundary. You can do this very simply by having your own inner conversation if someone is saying something negative to you on the outside.  A great example of an inner conversation when someone is complaining about his or her business or about the marketplace is to say to yourself, “that may be true for you but it’s not true for me.”

3. Avoid the media. Remember that the intention of the media is to sell newspapers and magazines. The more they can paint a negative and fearful picture, the more their sales go up. Why subject yourself to negative spins on the economy when you can find just as much information to point to the positive?

4. Successful real estate professionals do well in any market. Knowing this fact, none of us can continue to use the excuse about the market being bad. There are actually real estate professionals who are having their best year ever.  In addition to the right marketing strategies and regular lead generation activities, you could help yourself with this empowered belief:  “I now draw clients to me who are ready, willing and able to make a transaction in the next 30 days.”

5. Look for the opportunity in today’s marketplace. There are many opportunities in today’s market and successful real estate professionals are taking advantage of them.  Did you know that Donald Trump is buying up as much property as he can? He knows that this is the best time to buy.

6. Remember that your success depends on your mindset, not on the outer conditions of the market. “If you believe you can or you can’t, either way you are right,” Henry Ford. Your beliefs create your reality so whatever you choose to believe will become true for you.

7. Remember to engage the Law of Attraction as one of your most powerful tools. The law of attraction states that you get what you focus your attention on. Instead of saying “I can’t possibly succeed in today’s market,” choose instead to focus one of these beliefs:

- “I achieve whatever I set my mind to”
- “I am a money magnet in any situation”
- “I attract clients who appreciate and respect my expertise”
- “My success depends on my attitude, not on any outer circumstances”

8. Be proactive. In any marketplace there are always people wanting to buy and sell homes. They need your help and they need your expertise. Your job is to become visible to them. In today’s market, they are not likely to fall in your lap.
However with a good system of lead generation, you can contact them and use your intention to attract your ideal clients.  Clear out any self-limiting beliefs that stop you from picking up the phone.

Stay positive and make it a great week!