Ok, you are probably thinking this is an article about overweight women with large thighs. Wrong, oh mustard breath. Good guess though. It is actually a thought or two about preparation by we professionals.
I think this comes from my Scouting roots and that Be Prepared motto we had. How often do you hear of Realtors dashing out the door with a coffee in one hand, nothing to eat, dropping the cell phone, shoes untied, all to meet a client that they've lost the address where they are?
DON'T LEAVE HOME WITHOUT YOUR SADDLEBAGS.
Ok, for illustration purposes I am using a picture of a bike. A woman's bike. Guys, use your imagination for your version.
In being a top notch professional of any kind these days, to stand out from the riff raff, remember a few things.
1. Eat a good breakfast in the morning to fuel you for the day.
2. Have your clothes, keys, cell phone all laid out the night before.
3. Prepare for working with clients the day before, with lists of houses to visit, locations, pertinent info on number of bedrooms/baths/square footage/amenities.
4. Expect the unexpected. If someone cancels or the schedule gets jumbled, in your mind have some Plan B's or Plan C's to be efficient with your time.
5. Have all your relevant contract paperwork handy, in the PC, or paper copies in a folder.
6. Use checklists judiciously to NOT forget key items you need for the day.
7. Have items in your vehicle, which is fueled up and clean, for the conditions, umbrellas, water, flashlights, etc. No one is perfect in this area of course, but work towards the ideal.
8. Above all, prepare for what can always be a trying, hectic, and hard working day with a "good attitude." Be around supportive people you know, read inspirational material, laugh at funny things you see along the way. Don't take yourself too seriously.
By packing your saddlebag on your bike with all the goodies you need for the day (I recommend a tootsie roll stash BTW), life just seems to roll along just a little easier. Hey, you might even meet a friend and put them on the handlebars and create your own bicycle built for two. Share a tootsie roll with them and with the smiles you create you'll know all that preparation ahead of time was well worth it.
Good post and we would add a flashlight (many REO's have no power) and breath mints.
There have been times I was in such a rush I neglected certain things of importance, cell phone. I figured out that the world will not end if I am one minute late because I double checked my list. (My weakness is skittles).
thanks for reminders, flashlight is a must these days.
Hi Gary, great list! I also like to keep a tape measure with me. You never know when a client is going to want to know the dimensions of a room, if their current appliances will fit the space, or if there will be enough room for their RV.
Gary,
I hope I put my pants on before I go to work or I'll be laughed at but sometimes I do forget the wallet and I need that to put all my hard earned cash in!
Gary.. This is a great list.. I truly enjoy your blogs.. They keep me focused on the big picture. Thanks, as always for sharing.
Gary-I am delighted that you responded to my comment on your other blog, so I decided to take a chance that you would be equally as kind to a stranger and do it again for one of your fans. Some how I knew that you were a genuinely caring person. I have a sense about people. Even though we don't each other, some how it feels like I know you through your wonderful voice that radiates hope and goodwill to so many. I think the thing that drew me to your blog was the same thing that you talk about in your blog about reading inspirational material. I love to read and have quite a library, filled with positive and uplifting material. Your blogs are a welcome addition to that. Your blogs I believe speak from your heart. I love that you are so organized,were a boy scout(I myself was a girl scout) and that you love tootsie rolls. One thing 2 strangers have in common. Thank you for sharing your heart,your time and for listening. Bless you.
A forgetten operating procedure in these turbulent times. Consistant preparation generally leads to consistant results. Semms simple, but nice to have a reminder. Especially the comment about not taking yourself too seriously. Gary, your ability as a AR scribe is extrordinary!
Patty: Breath mints. Very cool. For the clients too?? LOL.
Mel: Skittles are good. Do not forget the cell phone. Very invaluable for all of us.
Brad and Angela: With the setting sun, you are right about the flashlight.
Emily: Tape measure is a good one. I have one of those laser kind. Very cool.
Neal: Nothing worse than forgetting your wallet, unless it is your pants : )
Valerie: That's me, Mr. Big Picture.
A Fan: You're baaack! This is cool, but you don't have to remain anonymous you know. I am still trying to guess what s.lee.p stands for? Somehow I am starting to YAWN LOL. Thanks for your kind comments and glad you were a Girl Scout. I ALWAYS buy the cookies : )
Scott: Thanks, sometimes we just need a reminder on the basics to not look so discombobulated all the time.
Prepare, Prepare, Prepare and be Prepared. The recipe for sucess. Great blog Gary!
Only one item I ever forget....That is my D-Key...since I can't pack it the night before. So started putting a sticky note on top of my "Stack to take". I am then off!! Saddle bags flapping in the wind!! (that other set..)
Gary, great checklist. This is similar to what I explain is needed to new agents that I meet. Preparing for appointments the day before is key, including drive bys if needed.
William: You probably can never prepare enough nowadays where we are so time starved.
Pat: Yep, an Eagle scout with an oversupply of the 36 merit badges. Great songs on Boy Scouts, one fun, the other promotional. That old lady coming after the scout with the crow bar was a hoot, and then he outran her with the bear in pursuit. Didn't think I watch them did you Pat? You are trying to wear me out. It is part of your master plan. I guess since it's a girl's bike it will be me riding on the handlebars.
Sherry: Those keys for unlocking those doors are easy to forget and frustrating when we do. Give yourself those reminders and you are good to go with the saddlebags LOL.
Hi Gary,
I liked what you said about "expect the unexpected...".
And you know the saying "Once a scout, always a scout!"
That's a pretty bicycle you got there! And I have to add something to the cell phone thing - I have to remember to plug mine in to recharge it!
Hi Gary, I am writing this in a mellow mode enjoying ColdPlay in Viva La Vida. I am addicted to this darn song. If you would like to take a listen here is a link so you don't have to look it up.
I enjoyed reading this post and for years and years I did exactly as you have laid out in the post. I have a beautiful Valet and used to my clothes ready the night before. That was before I started to home office. Now , it seems even though a very early riser, I have so many ways of distracting myself and by the time I get to bed, I am way to tired to even begin the process. So I have gotten away from the habit. I do have presentations done and any materials I need work wise for appointment done in advance, as for the rest, it just doesn't happen anymore. I have the tools, electronic tape measure, notebook, several bags, signs ,lock boxes all in the truck. Always ready for the unexpected. So I do most of what you suggested here.
Hi Gary... This is great advice and your scouting analogy holds true. The lessons that young people learn from scouting prepare them well for life if they learn to apply what they learn. Being prepared is ALWAYS applicable in life and that includes dealing with life when the unexpected comes up.
Gary,
These are some very good points, I always lay out my clothes for the next day the night before. And I do like the idea of meeting a friend and giving them a rode on the handlebars. Does that bring back memories.
Great post, Gary!
All very good advice. I especially like #8. There are so many out there that lose it when things start to go wrong.
Thanks for the great advice and reminder to everyone!
Brigita
That's a really cool bike--especially the red leather saddlebags--would work wonderfully on Hilton Head's bike paths.
Gary,
So right you are. Nothing beats thorough preparation. It gives you a sense that no matter what kind of surprises spring up later on you are ready to successfully tackle them.
Gary, Great advice! I try to be very organized, otherwise it's a disaster waiting to happen for me! I'm the 'queen of the yellow stickies' - If I don't write it down, it won't happen!
Debi
I'm amazed at how much preparation it takes to get myself out the door. Pre-baby (she's 6 months old) I was the kind of person that had the next morning's clothes laid out before going to bed. I had breakfast prepped for easy fixing in the morning. I could wake up and walk out the door looking pretty darn good in 45 minutes. Now, yikes! It takes me an hour and a half, and the presentable part is a pipe dream! *wink*
Your post brings up a lot of good points. I'm so thankful for my business partners as I would not be doing so well in my business without them. On a personal note - I'm finally getting back into a rythum and routine and that is helping... now if I could just get past the teething/no-sleeping/I-want-mommy-to-hold-me phase I'd be doing great! ~A:)
Linda: The Eagle Scout board said something like you are a marked man now. Very true about that.
Patricia Kennedy: That's so funny about charging the cell phone. Kind of like running out of gas in the car. Very embarassing.
William: Love that Coldplay song. The laying out the clothes can eliminate those decisions in the morning and get you to that first appointment faster.
Steve: Those scouting ways of boyhood or girlhood do carry us well into later life as adults.
Don: You're a kid at heart, I can tell, with the riding on the handlebars.
Brigita: How we think makes the world of diffence many times.
Diane Bell: Yes, this bike and high end leather saddle bags I think is list priced at around $3,400 so it fits right in at Hilton Head.
Esko: Kind of like you always have the answer or the tool or a backup plan. Great sense of feeling best as you can in control.
Debi Boucher: The have this funny photo of this lady at the desk buried in Post It notes. I thought of you.
Alisha: Now with a baby, preparation is really important, and very hard to do as your story says. Cut yourself some slack cause if there ever was an expect the unexpected situation it is with a newborn. I'm sure all the mothers here on Active Rain can sympathize with all the work you are doing there.
Great post of course... but tootsie rolls won't do for me.. It will have to be whole candybars!
Gary, Yes, buried in Post It notes - That would be me! If you find the photo, send it along....I'll have it framed!
Debi