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January 2005
Index of all
messages
from the Association President
Are you lucky?
by Mitch Myers
Happy New Year!
This year promises to be full of opportunities and good fortune for those who are prepared. Success in any endeavor, whether personal or professional, does not just happen with luck.
How to define luck? The best definition I've ever heard is this: "Luck is when opportunity meets preparation." Now is the time to prepare for the opportunities that abound in the upcoming year.
Preparation = passion + persistence
Professional athletes are a perfect example of total preparation. They go over the basics every year with passion and persistence. The competition to get a chance to play professional sports is enormous. Those who make it are very fortunate...or are they? Perhaps their opportunity had a bit of luck in it, but no team would have them if they were not prepared.
So how do you prepare to be lucky? The method is unique for every individual based on our strengths, desires, and - most importantly - our weaknesses. But the one common denominator for all who are good at it is character.
A prominent speaker gave a wonderful definition of character: "Character is the ability to carry out a good resolution long after the mood in which it was made in has left you." How often do we set goals or make New Year's resolutions that fade away with our waning enthusiasm? To be lucky, you have to prepare and be persistent about it.
One bite at a time
Preparation is truly the key. Seventy five percent of a good listing presentation is in the preparation. The same holds true for property showings, prospecting or holding open houses. Since preparation is most of the work, it can sometimes be overwhelming and time consuming. For a great preparation technique with a busy schedule, remember the old joke for children: "How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time."
I have shared that with my children since they were very young, and now when my 19- and 20-year olds come to me when they face a large challenge, all I have to say is, "How do you eat an elephant?" It translates into a great technique for accomplishing a major goal by breaking down all your big tasks into little bites to chomp away at throughout the day. After you have all the little "bites" mapped out, you can leave them in strategic places: areas on your desk, in a folder to carry with you, at home by the phone, in your car. Whenever you get a moment, are put on an extended hold, get caught in traffic or are stuck in line, you have little chunks to knock out that will complete the whole task in no time.
Make your own luck
Preparation actually saves time and pays huge dividends. Resolve to make your own luck in 2005, and the next time someone sees you accomplish your goals and says, "Gosh, aren't you lucky?" you can just smile and think to yourself, "I was prepared for that opportunity."
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