There is one element in nature that has ALWAYS fascinated me and at the same time taught me a valuable lesson. The iceberg. Why? It reminds us in life that often
THERE IS MORE THAN MEETS THE EYE.
With a chunk of ice that cracks off an ice sheet in the North Atlantic and floats around, nearly 3/4 of the iceberg is below the surface. The lesson is what you see on the surface is not all that's there.
A house on the outside is not what's on the inside or its backyard. An initial impression of a seller or buyer or investor is not often all that they are about. A new partner relationship with a contractor may have got off to a rocky start because they were having a bad day. Sometimes we do only get one chance to make a good impression, but if you allow more time and patience into your life you will see the sum total.
The lesson is to not be too quick to judge. Become a better listener. I know this lesson well because early on, I was a terrible listener. I wanted to be the one to talk. I have learned better as time goes on.
See all of the iceberg, so you don't end up like the RMS Titanic in April 1912, split up in pieces and sunk.
Nature has its' subtle ways of reminding us sometimes to see the big picture.
Gary...It is definitely true when we meet people. We make first impressions but that is often the tip of the iceberg. No rush to judgement.
I'll try to remember to use it when someone is reluctant to look at a house that may be more suitable for them than they realize.
Thanks for the analogy.
Kathleen
Beautiful photo, ugly possibilities. I appreciate your perspective. We do need to envision the big picture for amultiple reasons.
I hope you are enjoying a great week.
If you judge a person by the appearance on the surface, you may miss the depth & breadth of a person's character. It works with people, it works with homes. It works in life. It is up to us to give a good first impression, but it is also up to us to dig a little deeper into the hidden character of the person, the home.
How do you do these inspirations so well, Gary?? You have such a talent!
Gary,
"Become a better listener"...good coaching for most of us.
Norma: That's me, weaving those lessons.
Kathleen: I do think it is all about patience.
Dionne: The ugly possibilities are the consequences of the judgment that "you have it all figured out" all ready. Do Not be like the Titanic!
Elaine: Without seeing the depth I like how you say we are "missing" something. I know I don't want to be left out by missing something. My little inspirational tidbits just pop into my head. They really come from watching the world and other people.
Lynda: I already know YOU are one of the BEST listeners. That's why I never want to "miss" anything you tell us.
That is one of the best pieces of advice an agent can get "be a good listener".
Cynthia: Being a good listener is tough to follow in our "noisy" society. We probably should have listening skills classes as part of real estate training.
Karen: Great point. Go to a Realtor office sometime and observe. Many, many talkers. Kind of like Magpie birds.
Marzena: I like that one chance to hear. In a favorite movie of mine, Forrest Gump, I learn something new every time I watch it. Shows how I'm STILL missing things.
Jan: The photo is hopefully there for people to really get the point.
Carole: "Hearing" between the lines is advanced listening. It's a great ability in reading people.
Gary, I liked this analogy. I find the iceberg fascinating.
I'm of the opinion we do only have once to make a first impression. I do, however, find that I have more patience in my old age and am a bit careful about being too trusting of what people "say." It's more about what they "do." ;-)
Gary, Indeed a picture is worth thousand words... Very suggestive and real how nature works. It is how life works on all levels. Indeed there is always "More than meets your eye". Thanks for a thoughtful post.
Teri: Follow the actions, you are right, and you won't go wrong.
Bonnie: I have to continue to practice to be a good listener. Sometimes it is just a matter of me keeping my mouth shut.
Arina: So much is beneath the surface. But it takes time to discover it. I have gotten better at figuring out the below the surface stuff over time. It takes work, but it's worth it in trying to truly understand people.