We all know it: change is difficult! It's much easier to stick with the familiar and comfortable than to put ourselves out there and risk taking a chance at something new. Human beings are hard-wired for safety.This predilection for staying safe might explain why less than 5% of real estate agents across the country actively phone prospect. As we've written extensively in this blog, the fear of rejection can be paralyzing. But the thing that might be even more paralyzing is our fear of changing the habits and practices that we know aren't working for us.We've heard the saying "the only constant in your life is change." Everything changes. But sometimes we have to initiate our own change to move forward, to find success and fulfillment.If you're in real estate and feel stuck or frustrated because you're business is not where you want it to be, here are 10 tips to help you get in a "change frame of mind."
- Figure out what needs to change the most. Assess your skills, strengths, and weaknesses. Be honest. If you fear calling prospects, decide that you need to change this attitude.
- Determine the measurable results of your change. Or put another way, you don't need to change the world overnight. You might decide that you want to commit to making 5 contacts a day for the next month. That's a reasonable change of attitude.
- Tell someone what you want to change. We've written a lot about accountability partners in this blog. In order to change, you must announce it to the world, or at least to one person you trust. Being accountable to someone is a huge part of making positive change.
- Reward yourself for making positive changes. It might be something as simple as buying yourself an ice cream cone for making those 5 contacts. Small wins are big steps.
- Understand that change might mean failure. We fear change because we fear failure. Instead of wallowing in this fear, just tell yourself that you'll likely fall flat along the way. Just get up, dust yourself off and move forward.
- STOP COMPARISONS. Many of us have a natural tendency to compare ourselves, our progress, our success to others in our world. DON'T! You're on your own journey. But more importantly, when you look at another and think that they seem to have everything together, you're not seeing what's happening inside their head. Keep your head down and focus on what's best for your life.
- Manifest positive change. Stay away from negative self-talk. Instead, tell yourself that the change you want to make will be easy, exciting, and fun. A slight shift in your perspective can go a long way.
- Continue to build upon your successes. If you make some small changes that yield positive results, don't lapse back into comfortable mode. Keep pushing yourself to change. What do you want to change in the next month or week or day?
- Stick to it. You can't change a bad habit overnight. If you want to change (i.e. making 5 contacts a day), commit to at least 30 days of prospecting until you begin to feel comfortable that you're starting to reach your goals.
- Believe in yourself. Change takes time and is not easy. To be the kind of salesperson you want to be, it's critical that you look yourself in the mirror each morning and BELIEVE that you have what it takes to be prosperous and fulfilled.
Accept that change is not easy. Then, imagine what can be possible if you start making the kinds of small changes that can transform your business. And your life. Or, in the words of the late Wayne Dyer:
"Change the way you look at things and the things you look at change."
