Gary Woltal's Blog

You will notice in life that some people are highly visible and others just seem to be

       FLYING UNDER THE RADAR.

If you are a real estate agent, there's nothing worse than being a "secret agent." We need to "not" fly under the radar and promote ourselves to all our contacts.

In the TV game Survivor, often flying under the radar and lying low is a good strategy to survive the first three or four weeks and not draw attention to yourself.

Other areas of life where flying under the radar are a good thing are in humility, and also random acts of kindness. Doing something nice and let the other person shine. There is probably too much puffery as is in the world nowadays anyways.

Deflect the attention from you. They may not even notice the master that you have become at this art.

I have always been a person of high energy. Thankfully so, because it has enabled me to accomplish much, and God willing, I hope to accomplish a lot more. Realtor associates have commented that if I could bottle that energy they would buy it. So here's the secrets I've learned for my "bottled energy" to market and make a better YOU.

Drink Plenty of Water - it is better for your metabolism than diet or sugary drinks

Medical Appointments - Your body is there to carry your head around. Fix it with dental and doctor visits.

Sleep - I joke about not sleeping but do sleep regularly. Know how many hours you need each night.

Vigorous Aerobic Exercise - after knowing from a doctor that it is ok, at least four times a week do vigorous exercise. You don't even start to burn fat until you get past 20 minutes.

Weight lift - this is the "fountain of youth." You need to maintain muscle mass as you get older. It is your fat burning engine while at rest.

Good Nutrition - get rid of sugar, salt, flour, fat and excessive alcohol in the diet. Eat breakfast every day. Eat well. Have cheat meals occasionally.

Check in with your homies - find those that make you laugh like on Active Rain. Stay in touch with them. Laughing gives you an uplift of energy.

Fun and MORE Fun - Find the things that are fun to do and do more of them. It will give you a bigger smile and you will feel so much better which will give you more energy.

That's it folks. I've now turned you into one of these guys.

I knew reading the backs of cereal boxes as a young boy would pay off. I've learned you can read someone's personality by their favorite mashmallow shapes in Lucky Charms. Your secret analysis weapon for clients or for kids.

Pink Hearts - romantic, easily distracted, likes gifts

Yellow Moons - doormat personality, doesn't want to hurt others feelings, always unsatisfied

Orange Shooting Star - center of attention, wants everyone to talk about them

Green Clovers - Happy go lucky type, takes nothing seriously, lots of friends, self-confident

Blue Diamonds - Calculating and conniving, planning next step, always thinking what's in it for me

Purple Horsehoes - Uninhibited, likes variety, changes mind a lot

Cereal shapes only - leads boring life, cruises web picking fights, has unfulfilled needs and desires. Excitement is ordering new set of plain checks for check book

OK, you've been trained on this masterminding in psychoanalysis. Watch your clients and family eat, and figure them out. BTW, which are you? I think I am a Green Clover!

Whatever YOU do always work hard each day to brighten someone else's life!!!  : )

In our relationships they say opposites attract. I think that is true but also similarities endure. With family we are given those people.

On the other hand friends are the FAMILY "we" get to choose, and the best of friends hold similarities to us.

YOU PICK YOUR FRIENDS BY THEIR FEATHERS.

While we are all different and enjoy the differences between ourselves, the similarities are what keeps us coming back for more of the friend.

Think of the things you may have in common: your level of laughter, your not liking the same kind of obnoxious people, your wanting to be understood in the world, your caring or kind ways, a hobby or interest you both share, your ability to relate to each other from similar past experiences, your values with regard to how you lead your life, your core views of what is right and wrong behavior in the world. Sometimes the similarities in friends will line up in just one or two of these. But a friend will not last long term in your life without some sense of the familiar. It will be like oil and water and not mix. It will be an infatuation, a flash in the pan encounter.

Family is with us our whole life. Friends can come and go. The very best ones will stay with you. But remember they are linked to you by feather. Birds of a feather flock together. The feathers are what you two are most about whether it is a good heart, stimulating conversation, a consoling tenderness by them, or just a tenacity that they will stick with you through thick and thin. Double check the feathers of your friends. Make sure they are the ones you want in your life to help you spread your wings and soar.

One of my heroes or role models in life has always been Forrest Gump. The man was so full of unconditional love. He was a friend to all, especially girlfriend Jenny, who would never seem to give him the time of day almost to the end of her life, which did in the end have a happy ending. The question in the movie of life being random or destiny, or a little of both, was also something that always intrigued me. Sometimes I really do think it is a little of both. I also always wanted to be a Shrimp Boat Captain and even though I play a mean game of ping pong, Forrest took it to a new level with his focus. If I had his skills in that game I'd be ready for this week's Beijing, China Olympics.

But in real estate, life, and relationships some things just happen, and as Mama always told Forrest, "Life is like a box of chocolates, you never know what you're going to get."

Case in point. Look at this Yard Sale photo. Now what is going on with these people? Are these the type that live on your block? Aren't you the lucky one? It's all about location. You had an eye for this one.

I am curious to your own theories on the photo. Maybe Uncle Fred didn't die. Maybe they switched to cremation. Maybe they bought a 2 for 1 special and only Mom died. Do you think they want full price for it? Do you think you get to lie in it and try it out before you buy it? You may have strange neighbors where you live, and I am just curious as to how this little scene might have come about. Because in life, what did I (Forrest's Mom) say? Let me know what your explanation for this Huh? moment is.

NOW MATTER WHAT, ALWAYS BLOOM WHERE YOU ARE PLANTED

In life and in our work we can get beaten down with the problems of the day. Whether they be working with clients, the hot summer weather, the unexpected auto or home repairs, the problems that inevitably crop up in our relationships within our families, or even our health. Face it problems will always be there. You just have to navigate around them throughout your day and month for that matter.

But remind yourself of this

           LIFE IS GOOD, PASS IT ON.

I am always reminded of that childhood game sitting around the campfire, and you whisper something into the ear of the person next to you and see how distorted it gets as you pass the message around the circle of twenty people. It always made me laugh.

But be aware with your problems that overall life is good. Everything passes sooner or later and you are on to your next problem or good thing in your life.

What we really need to do with each other is talk things out. Console each other. Let people know that they are not in this world alone with their situations.

It is a bit of encouragement. A kind word in their ear.

Just taking the time for someone to care about you and what you are dealing with makes the world of difference. A little encouragement goes a long way.

So please say to someone today that Life Is Good. Pass it on. And believe it, because it is true.

Hand off that baton of a good spirit to someone. It will make running their race all the better for them today.

In many areas of business and life and even athletics I have always been impressed with an observation about people that I have seen them pull off time after time much to their success. Many people are so unaware of it that I thought I would bring it up for a greater level of visibility. It is

         THE ART OF THE HEAD FAKE.

I will divide it into four broad categories so when you see it you will recognize it.

The Athletic Head Fake - You might see this one in a basketball game, where the player looks one way and then moves another direction. In football they call it a play action fake where the whole team and the eyes of the quarterback go one way but the play runs the other way. It is complete misdirection and fools the opponent most often. In our business competitive world it might be not revealing all your tricks of the trade.

It may be revealing to someone just a little to get them started, meanwhile you are working three steps ahead of them to win more business.

Business is competitive. It does mirror sports often. So even if you are not into something like basketball or football be aware that these athletic head fakes are going on around you all the time. You can play this game against your competition too.

The Mean Head Fake - this is where you flat out take advantage of another person for selfish purposes. You tell them one thing. You whisper sweet nothings into their ears. You promise the moon. You deliver nothing of the kind.

Think of this as Lucy setting up Charlie Brown for that big kick in his life and then pulling the ball out at the last minute. We all have been Charlie Browns victimized "cruelly" by the Lucys in life at one time or another. Beware of getting this head fake pulled on you.

Be a better reader of people. Closely follow their words and then foremost their actions. You won't be so clueless then.

The Distraction Head Fake - This one is an interesting game we can play inside our own minds. Sometimes with us thinking about something too much we can't accomplish it. Visualize something else and you can push through the pain. Take your mind off a broken heart with laughing. In a troubled relationship sometimes for a short period of time it is actually better to stay busy with your work to ease your mind. It is playing games with your mind but it can get you the results or the comfort you need short term.

The Ultimate Head Fake - This is my favorite one, that I learned from dying Carnegie Mellon Last Lecturer professor Randy Pausch. It's about keeping your eyes open to what is really going on. He said in football it was more than just the three point stance or how to read a play. It was about teamwork, sportsmanship and perserverance. That's the head fake. The ultimate head fake.

In life, see the nuts and bolts of what is going on but don't miss the bigger picture of the ultimate head fake. You may be writing back and forth on your blogs but you are finding friends also to love and to love you in your life.

Have fun with the head fakes you see. But work at finding those special ULTIMATE ONES!!

Much has been written of persistence during tougher times in the current real estate market. I sometimes think we can pound the drumbeat on positive attitude till we are sick of the smiley faces.

But there is something to a good attitude, and no quit in this dog, and keeping on keeping on. They say it is always darkest before the dawn. A new day is just around the corner.

Being positive is not about delusion from reality. It is about a mindset that is the best to have in all circumstances. In Viktor Frankl's Man's Search for Meaning his positive attitude during captivity in a WWII concentration camp led him to believe there was meaning no matter the circumstances, and willed him to continue to live.

He had essentially a

    Pocket Full of Sunshine.

We all need that in our lives. It is a great "visual" for a good attitude.

May you always carry with you to help you out on those hard days a

               POCKET FULL OF SUNSHINE

In the Real Estate world we as serving professionals need to "rely" on others around us to get the job done. The word "reliance" needs to stick foremost in your mind. Also, with our friends that we count on think "reliance" as well. So have you stepped back recently and evaluated

             WHO'S ON YOUR A-TEAM???

I know I have, and can go right down the list at work and in the friends department. You know in tennis or golf they sometimes say bring your A game. That means you are top flight. Today you are going to compete and just try to let anyone stop you. You need an A-Team around you to bring your A game. Think Tiger Woods doesn't need his caddy and multiple golf coaches for his A game? Think again!

Tips for identifying and putting together your A-Team:

These people get you excited and hold your interest. Pay attention to how you feel around these people. They are positive, physical feelings around these people. They don't make you feel inferior. Are they using their talents for good in the world? Are they increasing happiness and bringing people together? When you want to give up, who will make you feel better?

Also look to see in their eyes and their lives ones that have been through the battles. They are battle hardened. They have moved through difficulties already to success. Who are the ones that can be gentle and loving but at the same time push you to break barriers, push you hard and get you to your highest potential?

These are the warriors you want to take into battle. They can be relied upon. They are smart and don't have personal issues that drag the team down. Find your A-Team in business and with your friends and bring your A game to the task at hand. And then you'll get to say like Haninibal with that memorable quote

                    " I love it when a plan comes together! "

If someone came up to you and asked if your were "committed" is that a good thing?

If you're headed to the asylum, maybe not so. In Real Estate work, other endeavors, in our family, with our friends, with our goals, commitment is actually a VERY good thing.

With the asylum, your new home might just be a padded cell.

With commitment I harken back to an old story about the bacon and eggs you may have on your breakfast plate on Sunday morning after church.

Now think of those two tasty foods. One comes from a chicken (the eggs) the other from a pig (the bacon).

You might say as far as commitment level the chicken showed interest. Now the pig. The pig is the special one. There was commitment!!

So if anyone ever calls you a pig in your life keep that story in the back of your mind and smile and say thank you very much.

Commitment takes hard work. Some things in life are just that way. There are many things we can be committed to and they may change in the various phases of our life. Parents, children, husband or wife or significant other, friends, family, goals, work, fitness, God, or even a hobby.

People like committed people. You are a person of your word. Your actions go with your words. A committed person is a person of good character. If I were hiring someone to work for me I would want someone who is committed to me. If I want a best friend in my life I want them committed to me. If I were to be a best friend to someone I would commit to them my all. Committed people have unwavering dedication to family, friends, work, God, or a goal. Their head and heart are on the same page. They stay focused on what they are dedicated to.

A music fan came up to the famous pianist Van Cliburn after a magnificent concert once and said, "I would give my life to be able to play piano like that." Van Cliburn replied, "I DID."

Abraham Lincoln said this about commitment: "Commitment is what transforms a promise into reality....It is making time when there is none. Coming through time after time after time....the power to change the face of things."

If you want to be a difference maker in life, be a person of commitment. Single handedly you will change the world.