Online Newsletter for the Week of August 3, 2012

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO THE

U. S. COAST GUARD – AUGUST 4^TH

(Still one of my favorite video links, click here)

 QUOTE #1:  “Tactical flexibility is the hallmark of many organizations with a reputation for customer service.  That is, within guidelines, associates are empowered to take whatever action is necessary to serve the customer.”  Gerald A. Michaelson & Steven Michaelson, Sun Tzu, The Art of War for Managers, 50 Strategic Rules.  (Important Gymbeaux Note:  This is truly a great book and the 50 strategic rules would apply to each individual agent’s business as you create and build it.  The overall principle is a mainstay of the Keller Williams Realty belief in that KW “empowers” YOU, the agent, to conduct your business as you see fit, no middle man; it is YOU who are “empowered to take whatever action is necessary to serve the customer.  Imagine that!)

QUOTE #2:  Who can put a price on a satisfied customer and who can figure out the cost of a dissatisfied customer?    The process of stroking ourselves with our own convictions and ignorning the signals can be a spiral that ends in disaster.  Gerald A. Michaelson and Steven Michaelson, Sun Tzu, The Art of War for Managers, 50 Strategic Rules (and good ones they are - Gymbeaux) 

MARK YOUR CALENDARS
PLAY BIG!

SPEND THE DAY WITH GENE RIVERS

AUGUST 23

RENAISSANCE HOTEL, MOBILE, AL

9:00 TO 4:00

Gene Rivers is one of the best trainers you will ever hear!  He is very informative, holds your attention and provides you with information that will enhance your business and your life.  It just doesn't get any better than Gene.  Build a Game Plan that gets referrals.  Equip yourself with a new Wealth Building Strategies.  All attendees will receive a first edition of the new book HOLD.  How to Find, Buy and Rent Houses For Wealth.  Cost for the course only $69.00.  To register go to www.kw.com/playbig or call 512-306-6236.  THIS COURSE IS NOT JUST FOR REAL ESTATE AGENTS, it applies to everyone.

YOUR  STAR  POWER, SCRIPTS FOR YOUR SUCCESS FROM HOWARD BRINTON:  www.StarPower.com.  Prospecting – Buyers Want To See Home:  Hi, I’m _______ With Keller Williams Realty Professionals.  I have some buyers in my car we just looed at a home around the neighborhood and they like your neighborhood a lot.  The home we saw didn’t meet their needs.  I was wondering if you would be willing to work with me as a buyer’s agent and let me show your home.  I do need to let you know that my buyers have been pre-qualified for a mortgage.  They need to be in their home within the next six to eight weeks.  Would you be interested in showing your home to a qualified buyer today or are you aware of a neighbor who might be considering selling their home? (Gymbeaux Note:  This is a great script for many reasons (1) it shows that YOU are aggressive in working with your customers; (2), you have a buyer right now, this very minute that has already qualified the neighborhood and is ready to buy; (3) the buyer has already been pre-qualified for a mortgage; (4) you have someone (the owner) that you can add to your database; (5) you might add someone else to your database if the owner gives you a referral to call on; (6) YOU can help the Seller find a new home or refer to agent in another area to work with; and, (7) if the owner is willing to show their home but the buyer is not interested in buying, YOU can show the buyer they need to list with you, because YOU ARE AGGRESSIVE, who wants a non-aggressive agent working for them?  Can you think of any more reasons?  Can you think of any reason you would NOT use this script?  I’ll wait for the answer to that one……) 

WISDOM FROM MICHAEL DUNN, From Page 99:  If I try to build a house without plans, it could get kind of messy.  If I try to build my life without plans, it could get kind of messy.  By the way, did you know that most people, I would guess in the 98% area, spend more time planning their two-week vacation each year then they do planning their whole life?  They do not teach this in school, and you will not hear it on television.  Why is it that some people have all the luck?

THE WORLD OF STEVEN WRIGHT:   He's in a minimum security prison now; he's on a whiffle ball and chain.

SPEAKING OF AMBIGUITY:  Would a fly without wings be called a walk?  (Might have to explain that one to you-know-who.)

DOGS ON HOMEOWNERS POLICY:  Just had my homeowner’s policy reviewed and the issue of dogs came up.  First the policy I was considering excluded damages by any dog.  By asking you can get an Animal Liability Endorsement.  The real question is what kind of dog?  Here is what the policy specifically excludes:  Akitas, American Bulldogs, Beaucerons, Caucasian Mountain Dogs, Chow Chows, Doberman Pinschers, German Shepherds, Great Danes, Pit Bulls, Rottweilers, Staffordshire Terriers and Wolf hybrids.  Any mixed breed make up of one or more of the breeds listed above is also considered a prohibited breed of dog.   I have had my dog Sophie, a Miniature Schnauzer for about 8 years and she has never even snapped at anyone that I am aware of but she is still an animal and is capable of snapping/biting anyone especially you-know-who.  I asked for and received the Animal Liability Endorsement and would highly recommend advising your customers of the same. It is a lot like Flood Insurance.  You are in Southeast Louisiana.  Some homes REQUIRE Flood Insurance some don’t.  Why would you put yourself at risk by not obtaining Flood Insurance even when it is not required or the sale is all cash?  If you never use the insurance it is a total waste of money except for the peace of mind it offers.  If you use it, it is priceless!

THE INVISIBLE ARTHITECTURE OF YOUR ORGANIZATION by Joe Tye.  If you follow the link and read the article which I hope you do, please keep in mind that in YOUR career, you are really looking at TWO organizations; the one you work AT (example Keller Williams Realty Professionals) and the one you work IN; your own business (example, your real estate business).  This article applies to each.  Keller Williams has core values, example, WI4C2TS; do you have similar core values for your own business?  http://tinyurl.com/cb52964

JUST A GREAT VIDEO:  http://www.youtube.com/embed/auSo1MyWf8g?rel=0%20%3C 

COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE:  If you intend to list, sell, lease commercial real estate, you really need to schedule yourself to attend as many commercial real estate courses as you can over the next 12 months.  NOMAR offers them quite often.  Commercial real estate, while it “appears” to “look like” residential sales, it is really very different and when you work with other commercial real estate agents, you need to be able to walk the talk and understand the lingo not to mention the specific differences between commercial and residential real estate.  I would also like to point out that the REALTOR® Code of Ethics states that you should work within your field(s) of expertise.  If you make no attempt to learn the commercial side of the business and you end up in court or before the Real Estate Commission, it will be a difficult task to convince the court or investigator that you know commercial real estate when you have little to no training.  Same with property management. 

OFFER “MY LOWES HOME PROFILE” TO YOUR CLIENT BASE:  The service is free.  Check it out at this short video:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dzFrhPGpMr0&feature=plcp&context=C3e4e121UDOEgsToPDskKvSgpbhA2W3FDAMuTmeXLM

SCAM(S) ALERT:  Periodically I receive an EMAIL “supposedly” from the IRS regarding tax refunds.  The IRS has made it clear that they do not send emails to notify citizens.  I would be extremely careful in responding to any email involving the IRS.  Wish I had a nickel for every email I received over the years from Nigeria and the millions of dollars I am missing out on. J   I also receive email from my bank stating there is an issue and they want me to verify my information; also a fraud.  The most effective scam in this regards has been from PayPal.  Received an email and followed the link and it took me to a page that looked exactly like the PayPal home page but it was not.  Sometimes you have to think this would be a great place to live if it weren’t for people; probably should have put that as Quote #3 to this newsletter. J

FOR LEASE/FORSALE SIGNS:  The Graphics Sign Center made Beth Lemonier a stick on For Lease sign to put over the For Sale sign on her yard sign and the St. Clairs made a separate For Lease sign for Cyn Hadley for use on her rental property(s).  Either solution would suffice for the issue of using a For Sale sign with a For Lease rider on “for lease only” listings.

WHEN TELEVISION WAS FUNNY:  Foster Brooks and Don Rickles.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n57hfv-Zo_A&feature=related

RANDOM ACT OF KINDNESS, SO COOL:  Three bear cubs rescued with a little ingenuity.  Thank you Bob Burg (www.BobBurg.com) for this link:  http://dailypicksandflicks.com/2012/07/26/bear-cubs-rescued-from-dumpster-in-new-mexico-video/

GRATITUDE – UNDER THE STAIRS

By Wes Hopper

"Until you value yourself, you will not value your time.

Until you value your time, you will not do anything with it."

M. Scott Peck

Most of us have an array of things that we could be doing at any particular time. Some of them are easy, some are fun, some of them are complicated and some of them are just plain hard work.  Did I mention that some of them are important and some are not? 

Which ones do you do first? When no one is looking. 

The reason that I write about this is because it's an issue that I have struggled with every day. I'm sitting here in front of my computer connected to the world, and there's no one looking over my shoulder telling me to get to work.  I have to take responsibility for making the right decisions, and deal with the consequences when I don't. 

In Stephen King's great non-fiction book, "On Writing" he shares the secret to getting his writing done even when no one is watching.  He goes into his writing space under the stairs by 9am each day and he doesn't come out until 2,000 words - about 7 pages - are written. 

His family knows that time is sacred, and unless the house is on fire they don't disturb him. In that way he forces himself to do the important work first. 

I've been applying bits of that to my routine. I go to my work and do 3 chapters of the book that's going on Kindle next. I write this Daily Gratitude in the morning instead of at the end of the day.  I'm adding more and more of my to-do list as I go so that more and more gets done first. I'm retraining myself to remember to value myself so I value my time. 

How about you? Are you treating your time with the respect that it deserves? Are you valuing yourself?  You only have a finite amount of time, you know.  Make the most of it. 

All the best, Wes

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The process by which your mind keeps your beliefs and your experience of life in harmony is found on page 12.

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PO Box 2965

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Online Newsletter for the Week Ending July 27, 2012

QUOTE:  “Sadness flies away on the wings of time.”  Jean de la Fontaine (French writer, 1621-1695)

YOUR  ST˜R  POWER, SCRIPTS FOR YOUR SUCCESS FROM HOWARD BRINTON:  www.StarPower.com.  Prospecting – Ask For Testimonials:  “Hi, I’m _____ with Keller Williams Realty Professionals.  (I have been researching the neighborhood.)  Have you given any thoughts to selling your house?  (Wait for answer).  Who do you know that might be thinking of buying or selling at this time?  May I ask you a favor?  Will you take my card (brochure, or whatever you have for a giveaway)?  If you ever have any questions about the neighborhood, or about property values, give me a call.  It was a pleasure meeting you.  (Gymbeaux Note:  If you are going door-to-door, make sure you take a door-hanger with you for the doors where no one is home; why waste the opportunity?) 

WISDOM FROM MICHAEL DUNN, author of What’s The BIG Secret:  (Gymbeaux Note:  This is just too easy; no kidding, on every page there is a lesson, this one covers two pages, bottom of 134 and top of page 135):  “We do not stop playing because we are old, we grow old because we stop playing.  There are only four secrets to staying young, being happy and achieving success.  (1) You have to laugh and (2) find humor every day.  (3) You’ve got to have a dream.  (Gymbeaux Note:  It helps to have a REALLY BIG DREAM!)  When you lose your dreams, you die.  We have so many people walking around who are dead and don’t even know it!  There is a huge difference between growing older and growing up.     If you are 19 years old and lie in bed for one full year and don’t do one productive thing you will turn 20 years old.  If I am 87 years old and stay in bed for a year and never do anything I will turn 88.  Anybody can grow older.  That doesn’t take any talent or ability.  The idea is to grow up by always finding the opportunity in change….(4) Have no regrets.  The elderly usually don’t have regrets for what we did, but rather for things we did not do.  The only people who fear death or those with regrets.”   

THE WORLD OF STEVEN WRIGHT:   My buddy got busted for counterfeiting. He was making pennies. They caught him because he was putting the heads and tails on the wrong sides. 

SPEAKING OF AMBIGUITY:    If a parsley farmer is sued, can they garnish his wages?     

A LESSON IN ADVERTISING:  Amazing computer work all for about 4 seconds of advertising.  There is a lesson here.  You don’t have to drum the product into the consumer’s mind; you just have to be unique and different to be memorable.  http://www.youtube.com/watch_popup?feature=player_embedded&v=341rybZ42vA 

TOO FUNNY; WHAT WOULD YOU HAVE DONE?  http://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&ik=db5ed59e2e&view=att&th=1389f80c7009426e&attid=0.1&disp=safe&zw 

IT’S THE MISSION!  IT’S THE MISSION (OR NOT) by Jeffrey Gitomer.  I would never include this if I did not have a personal mission statement.  I have mentioned in a great many of the classes I have taught over the years but it would be my guess most people who do not have a personal mission statement quickly forgot mine because they apparently do not place a value on a personal mission statement.  How does mine measure up to what Gitomer suggests in this article?  Judge for yourself.  “To help other to do what they do to do it better!”  Then I use Joe Tye’s Direction-Deflection-Question (DDQ), “Is what I am about to say or do going to help someone else do what they do to do it better?”  If yes, say or do it; if no, don’t!  Can’t get any simpler than that!   http://www.gitomer.com/articles/ViewPublicArticle.html?key=ajcdMibak3MWH1SHQRNAdQ%3D%3D 

10 APS YOU’LL USE EVERYDAY from REALTOR® Magazine.  You should have received your magazine this week.  The 10 APS are listed on pages 132/133 and they are very interesting.  They are listed below, with the cost, check them out for yourself, especially GLYMPSE! 

• WUNDERLIST, www.Wunderlist.com, FREE.  To Do Type AP
• DocuSign Ink, www.docusign.com, FREE sign docs
• OpenHome Pro, http://itunes.apple.com, $4.99, lets visitors sign in and receive auto thank you and listing updates
• REALTOR.com, www.realtor.com, FREE, you should know about this already
• Trulia for Agents, www.TruliaCom, FREE, manage incoming leads, etc
• Expensify, www.expensify.com FREE, use camera on phone to photograph receipts and then it puts info into reports for tax purposes and it is FREE
• Virtual Office MLS, www.hillsidesoftware.com FREE.  Access MLS on mobile phones
• iAnnotate PDF, www.itunes.apple.com, $9.99 lets’ you edit, highlight, organize and send PDF files
• GLYMPSE *****, www.glympse.com, FREE.  Tracks your location especially when working with a customer and you can share your location with others like the office.  It does it in real time.  Makes me wonder if you could put this on your children’s iphones to keep track of their whereabouts as well.
• LogMein Ignition, https://secure.logmein.com $39.95 enables you to access your computer from your phone.

(Gymbeaux Note:  Little surprised that none of the above apps included a QR reader.  You can download a QR reader free of charge to your smart phone.  Go to your icon where you can purchase APPS and search for QR; you will find several to choose from.  Everyone encourages agents to create their own QR Codes.  What good would a QR Code be if you did not have a QR reader to link to it?  The answer, NOT GOOD AT ALL!) 

JUDGE RULES:  AGENT NOT LIABLE FOR BUYER’S INJURIES.

(Gymbeaux Note:  As you read this think about an owner, including a bank, who refused to maintain utilities through the closing date of a sale.  Seems like there could be some liability on the part of the owner/bank.)  A home buyer sued his real estate agent after he broke his ankle, wrist and elbow while previewing a home for sale. However, a judge last week ruled that the real estate agent was not liable for home buyer Michael Davies' injuries.)   The case stems from a 2008 home showing. The Associated Press reports that Davies fell four feet in a dark garage when looking at a home that had no electricity.    The court ruled that the agent, Sandra Johnson, and her brokerage, Greenridge Realty, did not contribute in any way to the "hazardous condition." The judge added that the agent had no responsibility to inspect the house to look for possible falls before taking the buyer into the home.   Source: "House Hunter Loses Lawsuit Over Very Painful Visit," The Associated Press (July 2012)    PEOPLE MATH AND REVERSE SHOPLIFTING: By Joe Tye, who else? Earlier this week I was on the phone with my friend Orrin Hudson.  Orrin is a chess master who uses the game as a metaphor to help young people make the right moves in life.  He also has an ability to weave words together into inspirational messages like no one I've ever seen (and I've seen a lot).  At one point he had me laughing so loud that half the crowd at the Spokane Airport was staring at me! Orrin told me that math is also a useful metaphor for understanding human behavior.  He said there are four kinds of people: those who subtract, those who divide, those who add, and those who multiply. The ones who subtract end up in jail.  The ones who divide end up in fights - or in politics. The ones who add work to make their corner of the world a better place through their own efforts.  They contribute, they volunteer, they work hard on behalf of others. He said it's the people who multiply who really change the world.  If you've seen the 3-minute video How to Start a Movement, people who multiply are like the "lone nut" described by Derek Sivers who, by having the courage to stand out and risk being ridiculed, attract the "first followers" who build momentum toward the tipping point for starting a movement. Orrin also told me that he practices "reverse shoplifting" - he'll go into a store and leave behind something that he hopes someone else will pick up and find to be of value.  That is another beautiful metaphor for making a contribution in life. Orrin will be one of the speakers at our Celebration of Values Conference next November 15-16 - watch for details in next week's Spark Plug. Orrin's Website: Be Someone - Helping Kids Make the Right Moves

Online Newsletter for the Week Ending July 20, 2012

QUOTE:  Today may be the first day of the rest of your life, but it is also the day after the last day that you where able to get away with not doing the things you need to be doing.  You know what you need to do.  You need to talk with that inner self to have your inner self hold you accountable to perform the actions that you KNOW you should be doing but may have put aside in the past.  Gymbeaux

LATEST NUGGET FOR THE NOGGIN:  by Jim "Gymbeaux" Brown.   A little bit of "tough love".  You know you might be an Amateur Real Estate Agent when.....   Check it out at www.NuggetsForTheNoggin.com.  See if it applies to you, either way, you are described in the Nugget. :-)

YOUR  ST˜R  POWER, SCRIPTS FOR YOUR SUCCESS FROM HOWARD BRINTON:  www.StarPower.com.  Prospecting – Ask For Testimonials:  Hey, I need a testimonial.  My new customers want to know what we do that’s better or different.  Would you mind if I put a few ideas together and sent them over?  You can select a phrase or two, or write your own, sign it, and send it back.  I’d really appreciate your help.  (Gymbeaux Note:  This of course will only work if you actually do something that is “better or different” and you can only insure that by continuing to learn and you can only do that by attending classes and reading books – imagine that!) 

WISDOM FROM MICHAEL DUNN, author of What’s The BIG Secret:  From page 55.  (Gymbeaux Note:  That is what is so cool about What’s The BIG Secret, you can literally go to any page, put your finger on a paragraph and BAM! There is your quote for the week, geeze this is too easy!)  Television, the media, and our educational institutions teach our children they can participate in any activity their left brain (ego) wants to with no consequences.  People crave happiness and fulfillment.  When we take away communication with God (or if you prefer, the Universe), which is the right brain alpha state and the chemicals that are released into the body that bring clarity, sanity, and emotional fulfillment from that state, people, using their survival instinct, will find a way to substitute the normal process of peace with God (or if you prefer the Universe).  They become addicted to the daily temporary fulfillment of drugs, sex for ego gratification instead of marital relationship building, or obsessive compulsive behavior which is a mental addition to some type of hobby, ritual, or lifestyle causing the person to feel depressed, angry, and/or bitter.  I’m guilty.  Sometimes I just need to get away from it all and fish my brains out.”   http://michaelpdunn.org/Success.html 

THE WORLD OF STEVEN WRIGHT: When I was in high school, I got in trouble with my girlfriend's Dad. He said, "I want my daughter back by 8:15." I said, "The middle of August? Cool!"  

SPEAKING OF AMBIGUITY:  What do you do when you see an endangered animal eating an endangered plant?   

GOOD SAMARITANS SHOULD GO UNREWARDED:  http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/07/09/honesty-unrewarded_n_1659248.html 

STEPHEN COVEY MAY HAVE PASSED BUT HIS WORK WILL REMAIN FOREVER.  If you have not read his Seven Habits of Highly Successful People you should.  It should be required reading for anyone breathing.  Here is a link to the habits and a testimonial by David Frey on The Most Important Habit of all.  Hope you take the time to read this and Covey’s book:  http://www.marketingblogger.com/2012/most-important-habit/

CFPB ISSUES 1,100 PAGE RESPA/TILA PROPOSAL:  Bureau (CFPB) issued the long awaited RESPA/TILA harmonization proposal. The proposal, at 1,100 pages, is far more ambitious than simplifying and combining the Good Faith Estimate (GFE) and Truth in Lending (TIL) disclosures given to consumers upon application for a mortgage as the National Association of REALTORS advocated. The proposal contains many significant changes to the settlement process including combining the HUD-1 Settlement Statement and the final TIL into a single document to be provided by an undetermined party three days before closing. While the CFPB took NAR's advice and provided some exceptions to the mandatory three day waiting period, it remains to be seen if these are adequate to cover the vast majority of last second eventualities that would cause neither buyer nor seller to want to wait three days close but may have to under this proposal. The proposal is extensive and also contains changes to the APR, changes to what and how items are disclosed, when an initial disclosure must be issued, and myriad other issues. NAR will offer extensive comments. Comments on the vast majority of the proposal are due November 7, 2012.  The entire 1,100 pages are available for review if you have a desire to read it.  If so, go to the LRA Newsletter where there is a link to the entire document. 11 WAYS TO BUILD TRUST by Jon Gordon.  It must get tiring to hit the nail on the head in every article; Jon Gordon does just that – again.  Rules to live by, eleven of them.  Use a scale of 1 to 10 with 1 being that you do NOT do it and 10 being you do it all the time and grade yourself.  You will quickly discover where you need to put focus on your career and relationships.  http://www.jongordon.com/positive-tip-buiild-trust.html WANT TO HAVE A GREAT REPUTATION, EARN IT!  It always seems to obvious, at least to me, when Jeffrey Gitomer says or writes something that we all should know but so often put on the back-burner of forgetfulness.  I know you know this but I also know you probably either forgot it or you haven’t given it any serious thought.  If you knew your business depended upon this article you would read it.  Trust me – IT DOES!  http://gitomer.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5167beaf83e83a6dc363c28c9&id=27cdb096b5&e=0d5919d54b WHILE YOUR CUSTOMERS ARE GRILLING OUT; ARE YOU SELLING OUT?  Andy Horner lists 8 steps you could (should) be taking now to increase your opportunity of success.  http://gitomer.us2.list-manage1.com/track/click?u=5167beaf83e83a6dc363c28c9&id=8b924a221f&e=0d5919d54b WHAT’S YOUR BAG?  What does BAG mean?  Excuse the language but it stands for Big Ass Goal.  What is your BAG?  Most people when asked cannot identity the biggest goal in their life.  That is sad.  If you don’t know where you are going, how will you know when you get there?  What will you do in the next minute if the next minute is not being directed toward achieving your life’s Big Ass Goal?   Joe Tye says it best, “Is what I am about to say or do leading me toward achieving my life’s Big Ass Goal; or will it take me away from achieving it?”  It really is that simple.  Want to be debt free?  Is what I am about to spend leading me to being debt free or not?  Want to provide for your children’s college education?  Is that I am about do say or do, right now, helping me to fund my children’s college education?  What is it that you want in life and what are you doing, right now, to achieve it?  I dare say in most cases, nothing.  I am not being critical but in a very famous study of Harvard Graduates, only 3% had written goals.  20 years later the 3% had more wealth accumulated than the 97% COMBINED!  That was COMBINED!  That means “all together” in case you-know-who is reading this.  So, What’s In YOUR Bag?  Inquiring minds (me) want to know.  When I see you in the hall and I ask you, are you prepared with an answer other than a smart ($%^ answer?  Remember, if you do nothing else than what you are doing now, you probably will be at the same stage in your life five years from now that you are now.  Want to change your future, change what you are doing now.  AN EXTREMELY VALUALBE LESSON LEARNED JUST THIS WEEK:  See Old Dogs can learn new tricks.  When setting a goal we oftentimes set one that is outside our comfort zone.  The problem is not with the goal but with our mindset towards the goal.  Subconsciously we DO NOT BELIEVE we can achieve the goal even thought we may write it down and repeat it often.  Unless you change the way you talk to yourself, nothing will change and you probably will fall short of achieving the goal you desire. Let’s say for argument purposes, you want to have $1,000,000 (that’s ONE MILLION for you-know-who) in some time of account that is accessible if you so desire and you want to have it in place within 5 years.  In our real estate industry that would mean you would have to earn about $200,000 a year above and beyond what you currently “need” to survive at a level you have been living.  Is that achievable?  Of course it is yet some will say quietly and to them, “I can’t do that.”  So what good is the written goal if your inner self is telling you that you can’t do it?  Not good at all.  So here’s the deal folks.  Say to yourself, “I have $1,000,000 in an accessible account (insert the date) and everything I do leads me to that result.  There is nothing keeping me from achieving my goal, NOTHING!”  The second part of that statement it the secret.  You need to convince yourself using the words you say to yourself that your goal is in fact achievable.  You know it is you just need to convince yourself it is otherwise you will not even start the journey. HAVE TICKETS TO SEE AND HEAR KEIKO MATSUI.  If you have never heard her play, check this out:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D8KMZepj7Ao&feature=related

Online Newsletter for the Week Ending July 13, 2012

QUOTE:  “The ability to learn FASTER than your competitors may soon be the ONLY SUSTAINABLE COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGE,” says Arnie DeGeus, head of planning at Royal Dutch Shell.  Please think about what DeGeus said.  In the near future, the only way YOU will be more successful than your competition will be determined by your ability to learn faster than your competitors.  Therefore there is a question to be asked:  What you doing to first become “learning based” and secondly, how are you working towards learning faster than your competition?  Do you have a Learning Plan?  The brutal truth is that most people do not, of course that does not apply to you.  But if this does not open your eyes, nothing will! 

LATEST NUGGET FOR THE NOGGIN:  As Paul Harvey said, “And now the rest of the story.”  I posted two Nuggets recently.  The first was about the Star Spangled Banner and the flat that forever flew over the fort when Francis Scott Key wrote what eventually became the National Anthem.  The flag flew for reasons that even today people have never heard.  If you read it, you will probably pass it on; it is that impressive.  The second Nugget is kind of personal in nature.  I Earned The Coast Guard Medal by Jim “Gymbeaux” Brown.  Some folks are not going to like this – tuff.  I earned the right to say it as have millions of other veterans.  www.NuggetsForTheNoggin.com If you can’t tell after reading it, I am a bit upset.  There is no accountability for Supreme Court Justices; NONE!  In fact there is NOTHING SUPREME about any one of them especially when you consider they almost always vote on party lines.  How can that be fair and unbiased?  Just asking. 

KELLER WILLIAMS MEGA CAMP:  September 18-21 in Austin Texas.  The BIG news is that John Maxwell will be the featured speaker.  If you have never heard Maxwell speak, you are missing something very special.  Mega Camp is a fabulous 4 day experience where you can both learn things you can immediately use to grow your business and create life-long relationships with other like-minded Keller Williams agents throughout the country.  It is hard for me to imagine attending and not learning something that would bring you a sale you otherwise would not have made thus repaying you for your INVESTMENT (as compared to COST) to attend.  If you want to really grow your profit tree, invite someone other than Keller Williams agent to go with you and pay their way.  It will come back to you more than you can imagine!  To register and I sincerely hope everyone of you do, go to http://www.kw.com/eventReg/secure/user/GetEvent.do?eventId=3135 

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 2, 1945; HISTORY.  It is unfortunate that a great many Americans have very little knowledge of what transpired during and after World War II and how many Americans and its allies gave all and then some.  This video shows the signing of the surrender aboard the battleship Missouri.  Should be watched by everyone.  http://www.youtube.com/watch_popup?v=vcnH_kF1zXc&feature=player_embedded 

IMPORTANT eEDGE INFORMATION:   New checklists.  When you open a loop you have the ability to open the same CheckList that I used to verify compliance.  Each checklist will include a lot more forms that you will probably use but they do contain forms you “may” use.  Some of the forms are marked with an Asterisk (*); these forms are REQUIRED for the specific type of transaction you are creating or continuing.  Your transaction will NOT be 100% completed until all the forms marked with an Asterisk (*) have either been uploaded OR you leave a note indicating why that particular form is not required in this instance. 

When you open a loop, and you also select the checklist, the checklists will remain open throughout the process no matter how many times you or I review the folder.  You can therefore see exactly what has been accepted and what as yet needs work.  When I feel comfortable in doing so I will change the status to Sent to the MCA.  Once the MCA completes the MCA work, the status will be changed again, hopefully to compliance complete.  BUT, if more work is still to be done, example, Buyer/Seller Responses, the MCA will Return the File to the Agent for completion.  When you finish the paperwork you will once again change the status to Submit for Compliance.  Keep watching because more checklists are being developed to cover each type of transaction and separate checklists for Louisiana and Mississippi. 

IMPORTANT NOTE:  Some agents, certainly not you, are uploading blank forms to eEdge.  I think it is because they want to type out the forms but when you upload them I must review them and that is very time consuming.  BEFORE you send off a transaction for Compliance Review, please insure TWO THINGS:  (1) there are no blank forms included in the upload; and (2) the forms have been uploaded in the correct position meaning not upsidedown or sideways because when they are, it complicates the review process and just adds time to review the documents.  This is compounded when some our right side up, some are sideways and some are upsidedown all in the same upload.  You can imagine……. 

YOUR  ST˜R  POWER, SCRIPTS FOR YOUR SUCCESS FROM HOWARD BRINTON:  www.StarPower.com.  Prospecting; Asking for Referrals:  “Your friends are searching for the best service in real estate.  I hope you’ll help them find it by recommending me.  Would you do two things?  Tell your friends about me.  And when one of your friends needs real estate service, pick up the phone and tell me about them.  Would do that for me? 

WISDOM FROM MICHAEL DUNN, author of What’s The BIG Secret:   From page 45:  What’s My Purpose?  Let’s talk about unattainable goals.  Every corporation (except for Keller Williams of course), company, business, club, school, church, or organization teaches us to set attainable goals because, of course, if our goals were unattainable, we would fail.  This is true if you are trying to fulfill other people’s goals.  (Corporations might want to rethink this one – I think Bill Gates already has.)  Everyone has a desire, a thought, or an idea of something that they want to do, but our relatives, friends, schools, television, and the experts have taught us that we can’t do it.  The excuses include, but are not limited to:  not enough money, not enough time, not smart enough, afraid, no one has done it before, too late, I’m too old, I’m too young and on and on.  (How about can’t afford to go to BOLD; when in reality you cannot afford NOT TO.)  Even when we start to think about it, our own minds start to close it out because the thought of maybe being able to have dreams would be too painful if we failed.  Probably the biggest secret and the reason 3% of the people have the wealth and power is they were willing to tap into this area, write it down despite the fears, and supernaturally fulfill their purpose which will always seem unattainable and always, always, always, affect other people.   http://michaelpdunn.org/Success.html 

THE WORLD OF STEVEN WRIGHT: My school colors were clear. 

SPEAKING OF AMBIGUITY:  Where do Forest Rangers go to get away from it all? 

BOOK RECOMMENDATION:  Sun Tzu, The Art of War for Managers; 50 Strategic Rules.  By Gerald A. Michaelson and Steven Michaelson.  The problem with title and real estate agents is that most agents, certainly not you, do not consider themselves as managers but that is exactly what you are – managers of your own business.  Every real estate agent is an independent contractor but also the President, Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, Vice President in charge of Marketing and Advertising, Chief Accounting Officer, etc, etc. etc.  If you think of yourself as managing your business, this book should be considered a MUST READ!  Every book has some meat within its pages, this book has RED MEAT on every page.  Page after page of items to improve your business based on the military strategies of Sun Tzu written some 2300 years ago.  The lead quote on this newsletter was taken from the book. 

VERY INTERESTING SITE WHERE YOU CAN SEE THE TOP TEN OF A LOT OF SUBJECTS; SOME MAY SURPRISE YOU AS TO WHERE AMERICA STANDS (OR NOT)  http://www.slptoac.com/Toptenofeverything.pdf 

THIS WEEK’S HUMOR; WAY TO CLOSE TO THE TRUTH.  http://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/ItXKGyO6cRA?rel=0 

TODAY I WILL MAKE A DIFFERENCE, included in a weekly Ezine by Dr. Tom Hill, Eagle Institute and personal friend and mentor.  MAKE THIS YOUR DAILY PLAN! 

This is a terrific message - read this every morning for 30 days - do it when you first wake up - it will make a difference - Tom) 

Today I will make a difference. I will begin by controlling my thoughts. A person is the product of his thoughts. I want to be happy and hopeful. Therefore, I will have thoughts that are happy and hopeful. I refuse to be victimized by my circumstances. I will not let petty inconveniences such as stoplights, long lines, and traffic jams be my masters. I will avoid negativism and gossip. Optimism will be my companion, and victory will be my hallmark. Today I will make a difference. 

I will be grateful for the twenty-four hours that are before me. Time is a precious commodity. I refuse to allow what little time I have to be contaminated by self-pity, anxiety, or boredom. I will face this day with the joy of a child and the courage of a giant. I will drink each minute as though it is my last. When tomorrow comes, today will be gone forever. While it is here, I will use it for loving and giving. Today I will make a difference. 

I will not let past failures haunt me. Even though my life is scarred with mistakes, I refuse to rummage through my trash heap of failures. I will admit them. I will correct them. I will press on. Victoriously. No failure is fatal. It's OK to stumble... . I will get up. It's OK to fail... . I will rise again. Today I will make a difference. 

I will spend time with those I love. My spouse, my children, my family. A man can own the world but be poor for the lack of love. A man can own nothing and yet be wealthy in relationships. Today I will spend at least five minutes with the significant people in my world. Five quality minutes of talking or hugging or thanking or listening. Five undiluted minutes with my mate, children, and friends. 

Today I will make a difference! 

From Shaped by God (original title: On the Anvil)

Copyright (Tyndale House, 1985, 2002) Max Lucado

BORDER CONTROL:  From John Barada: 

Uhhhh, folks, you MUST watch this.  One world order?  Maybe on the comedy channel.

This is tooooooo much.  Although, they probably are watching MSNBC and CNN thinking the same thing.   Daily border closing. Perhaps this is how we should close our Southern Border. There is a fence, so all we need is a gate.  

This is both fascinating and hysterical.  This Is how the border between India and Pakistan is closed every evening!!

This is not a Monty Python comedy skit, but it does resemble one.

Keep in mind that each of these countries have nuclear weapons... 

http://www.wimp.com/indiapakistan