Oct. 29, 2008 - How’s the Stinkin’ Thinkin’ Affecting You??

I hear John Denver’s old song “Blow up the TV” in my head and laugh. Are you old enough to remember that one??? It goes back to my hippie years of living in the tipi and traveling in the school bus…but that’s a completely other post!

At my house we don’t have a TV. Many think we are weird. And they are probably right, but it works fine for us. When the last one bit the dust, we decided it wasn’t something we needed. I do feel out of the loop when people are discussing who should win on Dancing With The Stars. LOL And, we do have a radio and a computer to stay tuned in, but I find the tuning out is much more helpful. I don’t want to hear the hours of commentary about the “crisis”. I want to be part of the solution. I think the best way I can do that is to avoid worry, fear and participation in awfulizing. If I can look around me and make a difference with the people I know, with what is right in front of me…I am happier and contributing more to the good than spending time and energy trying to be “informed”! I have found that when something big happens-people will tell me about it.This gives me lots more time to focus on things that CAN make the world a better place.

I wonder what would happen if each of us just focused today on

• making our own environment a little nicer
• on helping one other person in some way-not the co-dependent rescuing, but, rather, a nice pay it forward
• in finding what there is to be happy about and smiling
• in doing something we have passion about and love doing without feeling selfish
• letting the universe, or God, or whatever higher power you believe in take care of all the things you really can’t do anything about
• connecting with someone we haven’t spoken with in a while
• forgiving anyone who we are wasting our energy on (this set of interviews with Byron Katie should give you some ideas)

You can make a difference in the world and in your own quality of life and enjoyment of it. Too much attention to what you can’t do anything about or the unnecessary anesthetizing yourself with TV, or alcohol or whatever you use to take yourself away from living in the present and finding the joy dulls and wastes your precious time. And, since that precious time is limited and, sometimes, way shorter than we figured on, isn’t every day to be enjoyed?????

Is there some Stinkin’ Thinkin’ you should remove from your life????
And, last but certainly not least, please vote and make sure everyone else you know does too! This IS the way we can impact what we get!!!!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Tuesday’s Tech Tip: Social Networking Profiles

It amazes me how many profiles I see on the social networking sites that are woefully incomplete. It is sort of like handing someone your business card and not having what business you are in. Your name and a phone number! What impact do you suppose that makes.

So…today’s tip is that you should visit each of your social networking sites and take a look at your profile to really give people good(translate valuable to THEM) information about you. An east way to do this is to make a Word Document when you do the first one and copy the categories and your answers. Each site asks slightly different questions but many are the same. So save yourself time with a master document you can copy from for each new site you join.

(WHAT?????you have none??? Oh, my! Pick one and get started. Then add a new one each week!)

Sites you should be on:
Facebook
LinkedIn
Plaxo
Twitter
And MySpace.com, if it fits your target market.

And then there is:

Trulia

Active Rain

Real Town

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Tuesday’s Quote

“It is not the strongest of the species that survive, nor the most intelligent, but the one most responsive to change.”
--Charles Darwin—

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Have an amazing week filled with LOTS of JOY!!!! It IS up to YOU!!!!!

There are also more opportunities to play in different ways on my website

Oct. 21, 2008 - Kick Ass in 2009!

Happy Fall

I just love the crisp morning air! Life is good here in my universe and I have LOTS of cool information in today’s Tips! Choose what suits you and enjoy

Tuesday’s GoodMorningRealEstate Goodie

Have you been having fun with the freebies that Justin Zimmerman has been feeding you this month? I hope so. I feel there has been great value each and every week. This week is no exception and I am excited to say my good friend and partner in  The Real Estate Game®, Coach Patti and I will be the interviewee for a special call The Realtor Mind Revealed, this Wednesday evening at 8 PM EDT.

Here’s a message from Justin and an invitation to join tomorrow’s call and to enter a contest:

“I was reading some blog posts this weekend on a number of different sites, and from agents across the world a common theme stuck out: More leads, more sales, more time with the family

This was universal! It's amazing...

"The three things I would enjoy are: time - to relax and enjoy more; travel to see friends and family; money to invest in my community and give back from a place of plenty." -Norma from Ohio.

"The biggest constraints in my business generally involve having adequate staffing at the same time that we have surges in the amount of work to be accomplished."-Bob from California.

So to combat the negativity and boost bottom lines out there, there's a live free teleseminar call Wednesday at

8pm EDT that's jumping: "INSIDE REALTOR MIND"

Joeann Fossland and Patti Kouri, two of gifted coaches, will be setting the record straight and helping you get

rid of that "Stinking Thinking".

I’ll be hosting the call: Justin from GoodMorningRealEstate and I want to share two things...

1) Next week I’ll be launching my much anticipated WebVideosite featuring 33+ and growing NAR speakers plus dozens

of top agents who weekly reveal their secrets.

So if you've been getting lots of business boosting emails and insights from me, you can think of them as little treats before the big dessert.

2) In appreciation for all support I’ve received from everyone, I’m hosting a contest to for you to win a 365 day pass that lets you "Virtually" sit next to all those

speakers and top agents for an entire year.

To enter the contest it's easy as 1,2,3:

1.      click this link to register for the call

2.      you'll be redirected to my blog to answer 3 questions

3.      Share your thoughts on the blog

These are exciting times in real estate, new markets, new technology, new leaders, and new ways to become better!

I'm excited to be fortunate enough to bring your this type of exciting stuff and 2009 is looking to be fine!”  Justin Zimmerman, www.GoodMorningRealEstate.com

Will 2009 Be an Awesome Year? 10 Tips To Get Ready

"Reduce your workload by 30% and increase your fun load by 30% and you will increase your revenues by 100%.

More fun, less struggle--more results on all fronts."  ---Abraham-Hicks

That sounds good to me. How about you?  

Here are 10 areas to include when you do your planning for 2009

1.      Get to know yourself

Actually, I have a confession to make. I have been accused of being a control freak. I was surprised when some friends and family members all agreed to this. It’s not how I see myself at all. Do you ever have that happen-someone shares how they see you and it isn’t at all your own self-perception? It’s good to check in by asking others what they see as your strengths (this is much more fun and ultimately more helpful than asking for the negatives!). As part of the work we do in my annual business planning retreat, participants are asked to send at least 10 letters or emails to folks that know them pretty well to ask a few questions so they can get a sense of what people appreciate about them (that’s always nice to know, isn’t it?) and what they see as their unique strengths. Some traits will be ones you already know but some might surprise you. Use this information as you do your business planning to see how you can EXPAND the things you already do well.

2.      Make some lists

My good friend Dr. Philip Humbert has a great, free tool called Goals-Setting 101 ™.  He also has a wonderful weekly newsletter. Check him out, I think you’ll enjoy this thinking.

3.      Schedule the time

Yes, I KNOW you already don’t have enough time. Or, maybe your one of the smart ones who has taken control here. Time Blocking is your tool to ensuring the important stuff gets done. It can move you from busy to effective. Put everything on the calendar. Yesterday I was speaking with one of my clients who had a goal to exercise this week. I asked her specifically when? You see, until it is on the calendar, the chances of you actually saying to yourself, ”Ah, this is the perfect time to (fill in the blank-exercise,prospect,learn some technology)” are slim to none. But if you have it scheduled on the calendar for Thursday at 10-you just do it! Become like Nike! My favorite book on this subject is by David Allen, Getting Things Done.

4.      Give Up The Unessential

Each year I look at what I am not enjoying any more or what I should give to someone else. Life is too short to perfect your weaknesses! Let someone else use their strengths to do the things you should not be spending your time on. Get a virtual assistant (or two) or here’s a site to help with just about anything. As you plan 2009, step back and question EVERYTHING you are doing. Do LESS and you’ll achieve MORE (reread the quote that I began with!)

5.      Say No

This probably falls within that control freak category I (and maybe you) know so well. I have learned I am NOT the only one who can do what needs  to be done and more enlightening, my way isn’t necessarily the ONLY way or the BEST way! Say yes only to the things that make your heart sing! Note: They will still like you even if you say no. You can even be helpful and suggest who else they might ask. Practice this…..No. No thanks. I’m flattered you asked, but I am not the person for this job. Say NO to the jerks who will turn into high maintenance whiners. Life is too short to work with jerks!

6.      Look For The Opportunities

The rules have changed, along with the results for doing the same old thing. But then, you’ve noticed that, haven’t you? What do the consumers you want to serve need right now? What are those needs accentuating that could lead to a new business model or a new way of serving the public. My friend, Mollie Wasserman wrote the book Ripping The Roof Off Real Estate a couple of years ago and is one of the forces behind the Accredited Consultant in Real Estate - ACRE™ Designation. Read the book. Sign up for the course *. It will give you an edge in this environment!

* Use the code win-win and save $25 on the course

7.      Build Your Strategic Partner Network

Masterminding is a key concept that really came to the fore with Napoleon Hill’s book, Think and Grow Rich. This is one of the back to basics ideas that always helps. Expand your network of others who are interested in the same demographic you are. Expand the number of positive people in your life. Expand the number of mentors you have. Expand the number of people you are mentoring. Join or start a BNI Group. Or A Red Hat Society Group.

Life is too short to play alone!

8.      Focus Your Energy

Think about the power of the sun through a magnifying glass. Focused energy has power. I ask my coaching clients to identify the 3 most important things to do each day. Most people have a long to do list that isn’t prioritized (if that doesn’t describe you-congratulations!) By focusing on the 3 most important actions you could take, you leverage and increase the results instead of dissipating your energy in 20 directions. A corollary to this is to stop multi-tasking. You will actually be able to get better results when you aren’t doing 2 or 3 things at once (and make fewer mistakes).

9.      Be Radical

Seth Godin is one of my favorite authors. He is pretty irreverent about doing things with the pack. Here are a list of his FREE Ebooks that you can download:

Knock Knock
Who's There
Everyone's An Expert
The Bootstrapper's Bible

Remember, Warren Buffet sells his stocks when others are buying and buys when others are selling and it has served him quite well. The public doesn’t value the things you do that they can get from anyone. They value how you are different. What are you doing to WOW ???? Don’t be ordinary. Be Extraordinary.

10.  Find Something To Be Happy About

Laugh a lot. Celebrate often. Just smiling increases the serotonin in your system and is a powerful anti-depressant. When you are stressed. Stop. Take a few deep breaths and try smiling for a minute! End your days by writing 5 things that went well today or that you are grateful for. The more time you direct your mind to what you have and what IS working, the more powerfully you’ll attract more of that. The Law of Attraction does work and is simple (but some of the time not easy-be vigilant with letting go and/or redirecting the thoughts of lack or negativity). My Relax and Attract Course would be a great way to end the year and get your thinking going with the flow for 2009.

Shameless Promotion: 4 Choices To Get Ready for an Awesome 2009

4 Ways to be READY! …Something for everyone:

1.      Do it Yourself….the 2009 Awesome Year Plan is ready for you. For only $12…This wonderful workbook is over 25 pages. It will lead you through the planning process based on getting lots of results, joy and bliss next year. Don’t you deserve to have some of that?

2.      Join the 3-session Teleconference that begins November 5 for only $99 and you’ll get a free Awesome Year Plan and be led through the steps of getting it done! If you are a procrastinator-this is the way to go-you’ll have a structure and others to support you in getting it done!

3.      This Year’s Business Re-Invention Retreat  Come to Williams AZ November 16-18

Tuesday Tech Tip : Are you a Trulia Pro yet????

If not, this is a HUGE opportunity to get the spotlight for you and your listings in front of the 5 Million consumers that are visiting their site each month.  84% of consumers start online. Isn’t that where you should be?

Here’s the good news: they have given me the opportunity for you to have a F*REE two month trial. Here’s how it works…use this link and sign up*. Try it for 2 months and if you aren’t thrilled with the results, you can unsubscribe and have paid nothing.

If you do like it, at $29 or $39 a month, it may be the best use of your dollars for marketing next year

 *They will ask for credit card information to make sure you are real. Your card will be charged for one monthly payment and then immediately credited back and then you don’t pay until month 3. You can easily opt out at any time if you choose not to continue after the trial. I have personally checked this out and would never suggest you doing something like this if I didn’t feel confident you would LOVE it!!!!

Next Fossland’s Forum : How to win more listings and impress buyers with single property websites

Thursday  October 29

11 AM EDT, 10 AM CDT, 9 AM MDT, 8 AM AZ & PDT

Sign Up Here

I’ll be joined by the CEO Of Agency Logic Stephen Fells discussing:

·         What are the key advantages to creating a Website for every property listing?

·         What kind of details does a single listing Website contain that a typical listing presentation doesn’t have?

·         How does syndication work?  How are these Websites posted to MLS, Realtor.com, Google, craigslist, Trulia, etc.

·         What is the SEO benefit to using a Website for each listing? 

·         How do PowerSites work with print and existing agent or broker Websites?

Learn more about PowerSites here

Supercharge Your Business: Play The Real Estate Game®

To start 2009 off right, you need to create some business in this last quarter. Play  The Real Estate Game® to stay focused,get new ideas, be in action (does this sound like a bit of a repeat of my 10 tips???) :>)

Register Today for Upcoming Games:

Note: We have extended our 25% discount to these games to give you an opportunity to save money!

Wow! I hope you found some ideas and resources that will support you being the best that you can be.

Have a marvelous week! It IS up to you!!!

Oct. 14, 2008 - What To Do To Stay Sane During This Wild Ride!!!

1. Look at your weekly calendar and insert as a recurring appointment, at least three energy replenishing items (yoga class, a walk, a massage, etc)
2. Schedule at least 1 appointment a week with the most positive person or people you know(lunch, a walk, or even just a phone call, etc)
3. Monitor your speaking. QUIT awfulizing and worrying. You have the ability to notice when there is negativity and reframe it. Believe me, it FEELS lots better when you do this. And, even if a situation doesn’t change, isn’t it a relief to feel better?
4. Make a list today of 50 things you are grateful for. Read it in the morning and add to this every day (can be as simple as being above ground today! Or food in the fridge)
5. Make a list of 20 simple pleasures (getting an ice cream cone, listening to the sound of a child’s laughter, getting or giving hugs). Do some every day and keep the list posted and keep adding to it.
6. Plan your next vacation! I love the anticipation. Even if you don’t know when or how you will afford it, envision it and start seeing yourself on that beach or climbing that mountain (gotta confess—beach with a boat drink is my choice here!!!) Great rates for travel are here.
7. What do you love to do and have been neglecting? GO HAVE FUN!!!

Oct. 7, 2008 - I'm PRO Life!!!

• Which of the things that I think I need to do, do I?
• Could someone else do it?
• What would happen if I quit doing it altogether?
• Which things are someone else’s priorities and not mine?
• What have I always wanted to do when…..(I have the time, the $ or whatever) that has gotten put off?

• More GrandMa Time. without worry that I should be working (my work, I see, is to help contribute to and mold these little souls-and have I told you Richard and Marie are expecting again in March?)
• More Travel. I found a travel club that I am very excited about that will be making this easier and will be providing another stream of income so LOTS of trips are being planned.
• Dropping the programs, clients and obligations that aren’t the highest and best use of my time. I’ve created some space here.
• I am saying no more. And I am not feeling guilty or afraid I am disappointing or letting someone down. That goes for serving on positions or going to dinners!
• And, probably one of the biggest choices is to appreciate what I am doing and to give up that I SHOULD be doing more. I have discovered I like the woman I have become and I know there are some who will like me and some that won’t and it will all sort itself out the way that’s best for all. With that knowledge, I can just play at being me fully and have a BLAST!!!!!

Sep. 30, 2008 - What I did on my Summer vacation

My Summer Sabbatical Has Come To An End!

Since June 21st, I have been experimenting and taking a lot of time to play. The purpose of the sabbatical was to step back and take a good look at what I really want in my life and what I am ready to let go of. So, I stopped doing almost everything that I didn’t already had a commitment for and decided to live each day like I was on vacation…or at least filled with the most amount of bliss.

I said I would be back this week and here I am! What a wonderful 3 months it has been. Now, I have to confess that much really wasn’t “different” because over the past 10 years, I have done a good job at living my “dream” life. However, my husband, Bub, retired 2 years ago and I am wanting to create a way for myself to transition to something like retirement. Defining what that looks like is what this summer’s work laid a foundation for.

Perhaps you also are Baby Boomers thinking about designing “what’s next”? At an ePRO presentation last week, I ran into Grace Hale a Realtor® I had met in southern California. She retired and moved to Phoenix to be near her grandchildren and is now back in the business…she says she was driving her husband nuts! For each of us, how we want our working life to look it is unique and different, but I seem to encounter many people feeling ready to reassess. Perhaps, that’s because I am a coach and people talk to me about their challenges, goals and dreams. But, I believe, making sure our life is our own choice (and we aren’t living a life that other people are designing for us) and truly having passion and fun spill out of those choices is our most important job.

In the week’s to come, I’ll be sharing some of my insights and my journey. And, the Tuesday Tips will continue to deliver a dialogue about living a life you love, no matter what that might look like. And, I hope, offering some alternatives, perhaps, you haven’t thought of.

Sep. 14, 2008 - ePRO Workshops in AZ, NM and CO! PLease come!

If you live in Arizona, New Mexico or Colorado, I'll be traveling near you this month helping real estate agents tweak their technology skills and learn all about NAR's ePRO Certification! I hope you come by and meet me. I promise I'll be sharing some great tips to help your business as well as giving you a $25 discount on the ePRO Certification and a free website!

Here's the schedule:

More Details		09/16/2008	Albuquerque	NM	9:00 AM	10:30 AM
More Details		09/16/2008	Santa Fe	NM	1:30 PM	3:00 PM
More Details		09/17/2008	Cortez	CO	1:30 PM	3:00 PM
More Details		09/18/2008	Phoenix	AZ	9:30 AM	11:00 AM
More Details		09/18/2008	Mesa	AZ	1:30 PM	3:00 PM
More Details		09/19/2008	Tucson	AZ	2:00 PM	4:30 PM
More Details		09/26/2008	Tucson	AZ	9:30 AM	11:00 AM

And if you aren't close by or can't arrange your schedule to come, you can still find out about the course and get a $25 discount by visiting this page.

And, you can still get a free website by going here!

Sep. 4, 2008 - To Blog or Not to Blog….That is the Question!

So what’s this mean to you? NAR has estimated there are only 4% of real estate agents currently blogging. At the two largest real estate related platforms, right here at RealTown and over at  ActiveRain , there are slightly over 100,000 members at each location. Many of these bloggers are using both platforms, so the numbers are quite small when compared with the 1,200,000 members of NAR. As with any new technology that is part of a larger, important trend, the early adapters have an edge.

At their most effective, blogs can give your business some solid benefits:

·         Increase your status as a local expert

·         Increase your website traffic

·         Create interaction with your target market

·         Provide the consumers with current, valuable information and resources

·         Create prospects

But, blogging isn’t for everyone.

To decide if this is what you need to do, ask yourself a few questions:

·         Are you willing to make a commitment to spend time weekly?

·         Do you enjoy writing?

·         Do you want to build some Internet business?

·         Are you willing to invest in the learning curve to get up and running?

If the answer to most of these questions is no, blogging would probably turn into a chore that makes you feel overwhelmed and guilty. One solution would be to outsource it. There are ghost bloggers and ways to have others maintain and create your content. This is not as personal, but does give you a presence, although the costs will be much higher.

If the answer to most of these questions is yes and you haven’t started blogging, you should consider this a part of your overall marketing plan and see where and how it fits. If building Internet business is part of your business plan, blogging makes sense and would be a place to budget time and money that was previously being used in other ways, like print advertising or postcard campaigns. In today’s markets, a realistic appraisal of what is working and what isn’t and some new strategies might be the answer to staying very competitive. Blogs help you inexpensively create that positioning.

To Blog or Not to Blog? That is the question!  I believe gives an agent the differentiation and positioning to be successful with what the public is looking for in 2008 and beyond! What do you think?

For a step by step webinar that will enhance your blogging, join my Fairy BlogMother, Frances Flynn Thorsen and me in NoBloggerLeftBehind

Jul. 13, 2008 - You are perfect!

" Listen

Make a way for yourself inside yourself.

Stop looking in the other way of looking.

You already have the precious mixture

that will make you well.

Use it."

RUMI

I love Rumi! He was so wise and I seem to find quotes from him on the right topic on the right day.

Isn't life perfect? Mine is today. I hope you see yours is too!

Jul. 12, 2008 - Everything You Wanted to Know About Sex

When you're hot, your hot. When you're not, you're not!

Jul. 8, 2008 - Message From The Universe

Every morning The Universe sends me a message. It is even better than reading your horoscope.

This is what I got today. I love it!!!!! Don't you? Which way are you living? I'm a Princess in training for this one.

Tell me, when you think of taking consistent action in the general direction of your dreams, Joeann, do you imagine discipline, stamina, work, sacrifice, monotony, courage, and strategies, or are you thinking adventure, discovery, new friends, excitement at the crack of dawn, magic, surprises, fun, laughter, and, on occasion, the Macarena?   Cool! Me too, "HEY!"     The Universe

If you'd like the Universe to send you messages each day, all you have to do is ask!

May. 15, 2006 - New Real Estate Agent Training

Calling All New Agents!!!

Step To Success Coaching Program
I am excited to be partnering with Kelle Sparta to be offering

a Six Month Long Coaching Program

For agents who are not content to learn and grow slowly but who want it NOW!!!
You Can Get on the Fast Track

for only $99 per month!

...begins August 9th