On this episode, I will answer the question: "Jim, how do I get out of this rut?" This week I want to make a final attempt to give you some simple steps to create momentum needed to build a business that is predictable and enjoyable and I want to prove it to you using a simple mathematical equation

On this call, I want to define for you the difference between having a real estate business vs. a hobby.

It starts with a mindset shift. Recently, I re-read the book, "The E-Myth Revisited" by Michael Gerber where he "walks you through the steps in the life of a business, from entrepreneurial infancy through adolescent growing pains to a mature entrepreneurial perspective......" If you struggle with where you are on this continuum, I highly recommend you read this book. It re-emphasizes the need for what I do as a coach, mentor and leader. It also pushed me to cover with you again my opinion on where a real estate broker crosses the line from a hobby into the realm of running a real estate business.

Team, on today’s call, I will lay out "My 15 Minute Daily Planning Method" that has helped me stayed organized and consistent as my span of control/responsibilities have grown. This planning method will help you stay in touch with your clients on a regular basis, remind you of the tasks that you do regularly, schedule your day in advance and limit your need to “think” about what you need to do to stay on top of your life and business.

This planning method requires preparation up front (we call this "multiplication method") and effort for it to work as efficiently as I have it set up. If set up properly, it will save you hours upon hours of time over the long haul and will make your daily planning efficient and complete. It also requires a different mindset. If you want to reach a new level in your life and business, you've got to change between the ears first and foremost.

Today, I want to discuss a concept I use to stay focused on my current initiatives and give you the tools that I use to stay consistent in my efforts to run my brokerage offices and coaching business while making my family a priority.

If you know me well, you know I like "simple", I like "boutique" and down deep, I just want to live a peaceful yet productive life. I've put in a lot of boundaries that protect that type of lifestyle and I say "hell no" way more than I say "hell yes".

Today, I want to explain the difference between brokers who are consistent in their effort and those who are not. Those that are consistent execute specifically designed systems, processes, habits and routines.

The reality is that I've seen brokers with less "talent" produce at a high level because they are consistent in their efforts. In every case, that consistency is supported by a system, process, habit or routine. They don't necessarily work harder than others , in fact, in most cases they don't. They put the time in up front and built their systems, processes, habits and routines and they execute them every day. These systems, processes, habits and routines support the most important parts of their business especially as it relates to business development. They don't make client contact just when their pipeline is low and they need to drum up business. They have a process that keeps that flow of activity pulsing through their business.

The powerful thing about being consistent is that it creates an aura around you and your business that you can be trusted, that you will be there when needed and can relied on to handle a transaction. For you, the broker, it takes away stress. When you have systems, processes, habits and routines to support your business, you sleep better at night. You know down deep that if you just execute, the business will be there. You don't worry about the how and if. Getting up and hoping the phone will ring is not a process. Remember, "Hope is not an action plan".

The first week is always a challenging period of time for some. The calendar has just flipped from 2021 to 2022 as a reminder that you have to "climb the mountain" all over again. Your social feeds are full of the accomplishments of your peers not just in your brokerage but other brokerages locally and nationally. All of can allow, if not watched closely, the brain to create negativity. That's what the brain does. Its job is to keep you safe and in the status quo which is code for "safe". It wants you to retreat back to your old way of thinking. Don't do it. You spent a lot of time in the fall creating your 3 year vision and getting excited about it.

So why am I discussing this topic today? Well, I've had so many conversations with agents this week that set off warning bells so I knew I needed to talk about it.

My professional purpose is to help you, the broker, optimize your productivity and help you become the best version of yourself. Why? "Because Happy Brokers Sell More Real Estate". I do that by helping you handle challenges and opportunities that you face every day. If you can effectively manage certain situations that arise on a daily basis in your business, you'll be more productive and live a life that is the best version of you.

Today, I will explain what it will take to create momentum in the first week of the year so you can win the quarter, win 2022 and hit your 3 year vision.

Today, we officially kick off 2022 and despite all of the craziness in our world, I feel a sense of optimism and hopefully you do too. Many of you had a breakout year in 2021! Congratulations! Isn't fun to come off a period of time where you can "see" the possibilities? With that sense of optimism, there should come a dose of reality and a pinch of caution.

In 2021, we saw off the charts demand, super low inventory, historically low interest rates, lots of cash and availability to funds giving us a market that we might only see once of twice in a life time.

On this episode, I will wrap up my 2021 MMPTs by giving you the "Top 10 Guiding Principles" that I have identified over the last decade that have helped guide me and can guide you to become an Elite Level Producer. "Guiding Principles" are defined by the BUSINESS DICTIONARY as any principles or precepts that guide an organization or business owner throughout its life in all circumstances, irrespective of changes in its goals, strategies, type of work. (If "Guiding Principles" is too serious of a phrase, you can also look at they as your "Guard Rails" that "keep the wheels on the road" ).

Last week, I gave you the 10 steps/episodes to build your business out over 3-5 years. As you build out your business, you will be faced with many decision making moments. The guiding principles I will discuss today, if adopted and internalized, will help you make the informed decisions that will keep your business and life headed in the right direction.

Here are my 10 Guiding Principals that I have adopted and live by and that you can use to become and Elite Level Producer.

In today's episode, I want to give you my step by step process on how to build a real estate brokerage business, really any business for that matter. As we wrap up 2021, I want these final 2 MMPTs to be calls you can put on repeat. They will be teaching moments full of strategy. Next week I'll give you my "guiding principals", the guard rails I've identified, developed and used over the years.

...but today, I want to take you through the steps, the episodes, you should use to get to your vision.

On this episode , I want to help you understand different 3 areas where "less is more" in your business and in your life. You should start the "12 Week process" by detoxifying off annualized thinking which can create the agonizing feeling that you have to "start over" every year. By breaking down your year into 4 deadlines instead of 1, you rid your psyche of that painful (for some) transition every year. By concentrating on "less" in a shorter period of time, you will actually help create significantly "more" of what you want. As you are building out your quarterly goals, consider the following areas to focus on for a 12 week initiative: