Start With A Win

Our guest on this episode of Start with a Win is The Productivity Pro, Laura Stack. Laura’s father was a Colonel in the US military, so she grew up in a very regimented and structured environment, and since her friends were all living in similar households, there was actually peer pressure to be productive so then you could go have fun. By the age of 21, Laura had earned her MBA. Her local Kiwanis club asked her to speak about her motivation to complete her degree so young, and it sparked in her a desire to share with others who had not had productivity engrained in them from birth how they could jumpstart their productivity.

During her years as a consultant and speaker to businesses and entrepreneurs, she has found some common themes about the way people have organized (or not organized) their lives and barriers to productivity. When it comes to distraction, many people know exactly what they need to be doing, but they are looking for any excuse to be distracted. Sometimes they are being lazy, but sometimes distraction creeps in because of the lack of systems and organization to keep them on task. It is a proven fact that it takes 7 minutes for people to gain back their attention after being distracted, and the average person gets one email every 4 minutes, so if you do not have a structure telling you not to check your email every time you hear the ding, you will go through entire days and weeks without being truly productive.

Time blocking is an excellent way to combat this and is very easy to do through an Outlook or Google calendar. Then it will just require the discipline to stick with the times and tasks you have set out for yourself. Perhaps you can’t block every moment of every day for specific things, but at least you can block off 1-2 hours every day that is dedicated to working with no interruptions. You will be amazed what you can accomplish if you are not receiving alerts of any kind. 

Finally, being productive today means preparing for today yesterday. At the end of every work day, take a look at what you didn’t get done. Transfer those tasks to the relevant to-do list – by taking an honest look at your priorities as well as the “soft” time you have in your schedule coming up, you can properly schedule when tasks can be completed. Honestly evaluate which tasks provide you with the highest ROI of your time and do them – even if you don’t want to.

Laura relies heavily on Microsoft Outlook Tasks to keep her organized. This is also a reliable method for maintaining a record of what needs follow up. For more information about Laura’s tips and strategies for productivity, check out the content on her website.

Connect with Laura:

https://theproductivitypro.com/

https://twitter.com/laurastack

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCYlWxFWalwouknQpizSPM6Q 

Connect with Adam:

https://www.startwithawin.com/ 

https://www.facebook.com/adamcontosREMAXCEO/ 

https://twitter.com/REMAXAdamContos 

https://www.instagram.com/REMAXadamcontos/ 

As Adam has talked about before on the podcast, failure is often the key to understanding success in business. During this episode, he outlines the 5 reasons real estate agents (and people in business in general) fail:

1. No System – You likely have a plan or vision for what you want to do, but if you don’t have a system in place, you will not accomplish anything. Think about: What? How? How much? How will I measure?
2. No Accountability – You must be accountable to yourself first. Many people think that if they have a coach, they have accountability. But a coach is only capable of increasing your performance based on the accountability you have set up for yourself and communicated to them. If you are not getting better every day, you are getting worse.
3. Just Watching – If you are not trying to master something by executing habits over time, you are just sitting on the sidelines. Adam has seen this play out many times with people using social media as a business tool, and he provides specific examples of what works and what doesn’t.
4. No Follow-Up – The majority of business comes from repeated customers and referrals, so connect with your customers person-to-person and maintain a relationship with them beyond the initial “transaction.”
5. No Value – People fail in business because they don’t help people with their known or unknown challenges. Meeting customers where they are and anticipating their needs or problems is essential to success.

Links:

“Atomic Habits” by James Clear - https://www.amazon.com/Atomic-Habits-Proven-Build-Break/dp/0735211299 

Connect with Adam:

https://www.startwithawin.com/ 

https://www.facebook.com/adamcontosREMAXCEO/ 

https://twitter.com/REMAXAdamContos 

https://www.instagram.com/REMAXadamcontos/ 

The topic of this episode of the Start with a Win podcast is running a business as opposed to just being a real estate agent. The two might seem unrelated, but Adam explains why the most effective real estate agents actually focus their energy on running their operations like a business.

There are 4 key components of running a business:

1. Constantly building a customer base – Whether by networking or marketing, it is imperative that you always have new leads and prospects in your pipeline.
2. Creating value – Make clients want to do business with you. Use your knowledge and experience to truly get to know what makes your clients tick, then use what you learn to help them overcome challenges they are facing. By serving them in this way, you create top-of-mind awareness that will make clients keep coming back.
3. Repeatable systems and processes – There is an initial time investment involved in setting up these systems, but once you are up and running, you will be able to consistently execute and find success.
4. Scaling – Now you are ready to work on your specialty and organize, outsource, expand, and increase your margins. The more time and effort you put into building your business, the more value you will create and the more success you will achieve.

Links:

Connect with Adam:

https://www.startwithawin.com/ 

https://www.facebook.com/adamcontosREMAXCEO/ 

https://twitter.com/REMAXAdamContos 

https://www.instagram.com/REMAXadamcontos/ 

On this episode of Start with a Win, our guest is Ward Morrison, President of Motto Mortgage. He explains to listeners the difference between traditional banks and mortgage brokerages when it comes to getting home loans and demystifies the mortgage process for those who are considering purchasing their first house. 

The main thing to keep in mind is that mortgage professionals at brokerages such as Motto Mortgage are able to shop around for the best loans for their customers. Gone are the days of a mandatory 20% down payment and only being able to choose between the few loan options presented to you by your bank. Much like independent insurance agencies are able to curate policies from multiple sources for their customers to review, mortgage brokers put in the extra effort to find loans that fit their customers’ specific situations. 

For instance, the typical down payment for conventional loans such as FHA is 5%, but sometimes 3.5% is all that is required. Through VA loans, veterans are able to secure home financing with 0%, and people living in rural areas can take advantage of the 3-5% down payments through USDA loans. If homeowners do not put 20% down, they are subject to monthly mortgage insurance payments, but a loan professional would be able to talk them through that process and ways to avoid these payments with things like piggyback loans.

Overall, Ward wants to encourage potential homebuyers to be aware of their credit scores, take any necessary steps to improve them, and think through their sources of funds before seeking a home loan. But once you are ready to take the first step, a mortgage professional will be right there to meet you and guide you the rest of the way.

Links:

Motto Mortgage: https://www.mottomortgage.com/ 

Connect with Adam:

https://www.startwithawin.com/ 

https://www.facebook.com/adamcontosREMAXCEO/ 

https://twitter.com/REMAXAdamContos 

https://www.instagram.com/REMAXadamcontos/ 

During this episode of the Start with a Win podcast, Adam shares is top 10 quotes, plus Mark’s bonus quote:

1. “People seem to think that they lack motivation when in fact what they lack is clarity.” 
   1. Clarity creates action. Take the time to hone in on your goals, seek counsel, come up with an action plan, and then execute. 
2. “Burn your boats, not your bridges.” 
   1. Find a way to commit to a new thing without ruining your relationships associated with the old thing. Be able to gracefully walk away from an employer so that the door remains open for you to go back in the future. 
3. “The largest decision you will make will be to choose between fear and confidence.” 
   1. When you are faced with a big decision, you will likely have to choose between the known (confidence) and the unknown (fear). Either choice is good; just don’t turn around and go backwards. 
4. “The most important asset you can own in your business is the attention of your customer. If you don’t own it, someone else does.” 
   1. So much of your success depends on your ability to build relationships and provide value to your customers. 
5. “The quietly successful laugh behind the backs of the critics.” 
   1. Critics are noisy, but happy people know how to be quietly successful. 
6. “Do common things uncommonly well.” 
   1. The brain recognizes perfection and sloppiness. The way your customers are greeted and taken care of, the appearance of your facility, and the gratitude your employees express to customers could be the key differentiators between you and your competitors. 
7. “The level of your success will be in direct proportion to the level of discomfort you are willing to tolerate.” 
   1. Learning a new skill is uncomfortable, but you will not earn the benefits without putting in the effort. 
8. “At the end of the day, your priorities should reflect the time that you spent during the day.” 
   1. Intentionally plan your day based on your goals, and then assess how your actual day compared to your plans. 
9. “You really only have three things to choose from in life: give up, give in, or give it everything you’ve got.” 
   1. Giving up is not an option. Giving in is not productive. So giving it everything you’ve got is really the only choice. 
10. “The noise you almost always hear in life and business is the scream of the urgent drowning out the whisper of the important.” 
    1. Important things are those that make the biggest difference. Urgent things get in the way and distract you from the important. Don’t try to make everybody happy by responding to their urgent requests; just stay focused on the important. 
11. “If you’re committed to it, you’ll find a way. If not, you’ll find an excuse.” 
    1. If you want a refresher on this idea, listen to the two previous episodes about commitment. 

Links:

Connect with Adam:

https://www.startwithawin.com/ 

https://www.facebook.com/adamcontosREMAXCEO/ 

https://twitter.com/REMAXAdamContos 

https://www.instagram.com/REMAXadamcontos/ 

The topic of this episode of the Start with a Win podcast is “getting your ass to market.” Adam recounts one of the famous Aesop’s fables about an old man, a young boy, and a donkey. The old man decides to take the donkey to market to sell it, so the three set off walking to the market. Along the way, they encounter several people with opinions about how they should be making the trip, and because the old man takes all of their suggestions, the donkey never makes it to the market to be sold. This results in a large loss in livelihood for the man, but a deep lesson for all those who learned from his misfortune: if you try to please everyone, you never get where you need to go.

In the current business environment, everyone has an opinion, and they are quick to give unsolicited and uneducated advice. There are four types of people who give their opinions:

1. Uninvested, uninterested – These people are the most likely to give unsolicited advice; just say “thanks” and move on.
2. Uninvested, interested
3. Invested, uninterested
4. Invested, interested – You should consider how much of what they are saying is true and what their stake is in the situation.

Even if you don’t take their advice, just listening to them might cause you to doubt or rethink your plan of action and cause unnecessary delays. You don’t make money on things you don’t launch, so just be a “doer” and get things done.

Links:

“The Man, The Boy, and The Donkey”: https://www.bartleby.com/17/1/62.html

Connect with Adam:

https://www.startwithawin.com/ 

https://www.facebook.com/adamcontosREMAXCEO/ 

https://twitter.com/REMAXAdamContos 

https://www.instagram.com/REMAXadamcontos/ 

On this episode of the Start with a Win podcast, Adam is joined by Denver mayor Michael Hancock, who shares with listeners his approach towards leadership. Coming from a challenged background, Mayor Hancock as a prevalent sense of empathy for the people he encounters, and he is also able to keep the right perspective on the privilege of serving the great people of Denver. Waking up every morning with a sense of appreciation and humility allows him to stay focused and grounded not matter the good or bad circumstances that may come his way.

Throughout his life, Mayor Hancock has come to realize that the most important thing in everyone’s lives is their relationships, and the same is certainly true in his role as Mayor. Over the years, his version of being a leader has shifted from conceptual and structural, focused on setting up the right structure and then finding the right team, to practical and focused on the people, forming the structure around the people. This allows for a more organic give and take between him and his team with clearer expectations and goals guiding their mission for the project or broader environment. 

When Mayor Hancock is confronted with challenges, he leans on the people around him and systematically approaches the issue one small step at a time. He does not impulsively jump to conclusions or action, but rather relies on his internal fortitude and awareness of the variables at play to lead him forward. 

Mayor Hancock starts every day by praying for himself and his family to have the strength and grace to approach the day and then having his personal devotions before anything else. He prioritizes touching base with his children – both the human and canine ones – before getting to work. At lunch, he sets aside time to exercise and get geared up for the rest of the afternoon and evening.

Show Notes:

This impromptu conversation between Adam and Mark evolved into a Start with a Win podcast episode about helping others, and we hope that you are able to get a lot out of it to apply to your daily life. Helping people is all about genuinely caring for what is going on in their lives, either long-term or in the moment, and it provides value to you and the person you help. Adam has had a lot of memorable experiences helping people, from his time in law enforcement and now in real estate, and he has always tried to go out of his way to be kind, especially when people least expect it. 

RE/MAX has built this into their company culture by embodying the phrase “everyone carries the boxes”, meaning that no one is above helping out a colleague who is carrying boxes and it is expected that you will lend a hand. This idea of being aware of others’ needs and being 100% committed to those around you creates a cycle of positive human interaction that is contagious. Before you know it, your one small act of kindness could have a butterfly effect on your community, and you could take pride in knowing that you were a part of bringing out the best in humanity. This attitude will build relationships and eventually lead to success in business as well, but you shouldn’t use that as your motivation for doing good.

So this week, be intentional about treating someone to a cup of coffee, letting someone into traffic, and just giving unconditionally. You will be surprised by the outcome.

Links:

(none that were referenced)

Connect with Adam:

https://www.startwithawin.com/ 

https://www.facebook.com/adamcontosREMAXCEO/ 

https://twitter.com/REMAXAdamContos 

https://www.instagram.com/REMAXadamcontos/ 

Geoff McLennan, a highly-esteemed RE/MAX Advantage agent in New Westminster, Canada, joins Adam for this episode of the Start with a Win podcast. Geoff has been recognized as one of the top 10% of real estate agents in the Greater Vancouver area, was named a Bomb Bomb video influencer in 2018, and co-hosts the Multiple Offers podcast. 

Geoff grew up in real estate and got his license at age 25. Just one year later, the left side of his body suddenly went numb, and after a whirlwind of tests, he was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis. He went through a season of depression and has had to adjust his work schedule and processes as he experiences waves of exhaustion, but he experienced a mindset shift after reading the story of Michael J. Fox who chooses to be optimistic in the midst of his battle with Parkinson’s. Geoff has found that success is taking the challenges that come with MS in stride and not letting it define him or hold him back. 

Geoff is well-known for his creative videos posted on social media and integrated into digital communications, which he credits to MS. He was secretive about his diagnosis until he posted a video letting people know that he had MS, that he was raising money for the upcoming MS walk, and he would appreciate financial support for the MS Society. As a result of that video, he raised $6,000 for the cause, and he realized the effectiveness of the powerful tool that is video. He took a 2-day video bootcamp (link below) that further propelled him into using this media, and he has never looked back. He encourages others to do the same and remember that the key to effective videos is transparency and authentically connecting with your audience.

Links:

“Multiple Offers” podcast: https://itunes.apple.com/ca/podcast/multiple-offers/id1380449996?mt=2

“The 4-Hour Work Week” by Timothy Ferriss: https://www.amazon.com/4-Hour-Workweek-Escape-Live-Anywhere/dp/0307465357/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1550192865&sr=8-1&keywords=four+hour+work+week 

“Lucky Man” by Michael J. Fox: https://www.amazon.com/Lucky-Man-Michael-J-Fox/dp/0786888741/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1550192923&sr=8-1&keywords=lucky+man+by+michael+j+fox 

Michael Thorne and Jesse Peters’ Video Bootcamp: http://immichaelthorne.wixsite.com/mysite 

Connect with Adam:

https://www.startwithawin.com/ 

https://www.facebook.com/adamcontosREMAXCEO/ 

https://twitter.com/REMAXAdamContos 

https://www.instagram.com/REMAXadamcontos/ 

Adam finishes up his discussion on commitment by integrating the attitude from last episode with the execution. Many people fall short of total commitment because they believe that they just need the right mindset and things will fall into place. Think about a relationship: if both people had decided to be committed and then they only give 50% effort, the relationship is going to fail. Both people have to give 100% effort in order to be truly committed to each other and the relationship.

So how do you turn your commitment into action?

1. Segmenting your goals into microcommitments – When your alarm goes off, don’t focus on the big goal of making it to the gym or getting to that 9am meeting. Focus instead on putting your feet on the floor, standing up, walking to the kitchen, getting your cup of coffee, and so on. These are microcommitments that are very easy to execute and will give you the momentum to just keep going until you’ve accomplished the main goal without being overwhelmed.
2. Mastering the art of showing up – As we have already discussed, the hardest part of commitment is deciding to do it, so now you are equipped to conquer the last hurdle of showing up. Don’t overcommit early on, and surprise yourself and others by overdelivering.
3. Eliminate distractions – Entertainment is the enemy of execution. Designate time in your day for checking social media and set your devices aside when it is time to get down to business. Don’t be fooled into thinking that you will be more productive if you take a “brain break” by mindlessly scrolling your feed.
4. Create an environment that facilitates success – Set up some ground rules for yourself about what you will do and not do, and be consistent. The intensity of your commitments will have an impact on other people as well, creating a culture that is mutually beneficial and productive.

Links:

“Miracle Morning” by Hal Elrod: https://www.amazon.com/Miracle-Morning-Not-So-Obvious-Guaranteed-Transform/dp/0979019710/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1550070986&sr=8-3&keywords=miracle+morning 

“Atomic Habits” by James Clear: https://www.amazon.com/Atomic-Habits-Proven-Build-Break/dp/0735211299/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1550070966&sr=8-2&keywords=atomic+habits 

Connect with Adam:

https://www.startwithawin.com/

https://www.facebook.com/adamcontosREMAXCEO/

https://twitter.com/REMAXAdamContos

https://www.instagram.com/REMAXadamcontos/