i recently spent time in an instructor development workshop presented by tom martin of the instructor training institute (iti). it was some of the best training i’ve attended in my 19+ years in the real estate industry, and certainly took effort. for 3.5 days we pushed the envelope and went outside of our comfort zones. it was intense. we had plenty of homework, lots of classroom exercises and presentations to design and deliver. it wasn’t an easy education, but it was well worth the effort.
while i was sitting in class, mind wandering to all the emails, phone calls and work that i needed to attend to, it struck me that in order to grow i needed to push myself. and i was pushing myself: little sleep, added stress and less time to do my normal workload. all for the opportunity to learn. but the realization came that if i wanted to better myself – to become a better broker, instr
uctor, coach and mentor – i’d need to devote time and stretch my abilities. if i wanted to become better, there was no magic pill, no short cut, no silver bullet, to get me to that level.
i’ve found in these challenging markets most of us face that there are a lot of people looking for that magic formula – the one gizmo, gadget or whirlygig that will bring us success. maybe the key phrase that’ll turn lookers to buyers, or the prop that will get us every listing we set out after. we’re looking for the quick fix, the magic elixir that we can drink with the promise it will deliver a deal tomorrow or next week. but it ain’t out there. there ain’t no magic potion, and there ain’t no silver bullet.
in times like these, there’s only the realization that we have to expand our thinking and try new things. ‘cuz the old things ain’t working. as soon as we recognize that and stop chasing the quick fix for our business, we’ll be ready to move forward.
and if we’re not going to move forward, we’re gonna take a bullet.
19/01/2009 at 4:56 pm Permalink
Brad,
Nice article and spot on. There is, however, one old thing that does work and that is service to the client. Our original purpose as brokers was to help the buyer or seller broker a transaction for which we get a commission. It is certainly easy to get caught up in all the technology and forever present cyber-activity…which can be helpful…but helping the client to achieve their goal should remain forefront for us. How we get it done will vary with the times and our inclinations.
Well done!
Mal
19/01/2009 at 11:57 pm Permalink
Dude,
First, it’s “elixir”, not elixar.
But no matter how you spell it, we all still gotta drink from a fire hose before we know we are drowning, and then, finally, we may begin to swim.
Mal has a great point. No matter how you do it, serving the client means facing them directly and meeting their needs: with great information, being transparent and available. I know you got that kung-fu under your belt, because you know it’s not the silver bullet that will create success-
…it’s the golden buckshot.
…and of course, being able to dance on a floor covered with it.
So, what does the left half of your brain do when the right half is busy?
I gotta go. Bear the wunderdachshund is chewing on my wingtips.
Steve
20/01/2009 at 5:05 am Permalink
Good catch on the spelling. And thanks for the comment. I especially like the dancing on a floor covered with golden buckshot. It underscores the need to be fleet of foot in our business as it changes rapidly.
What does the left half of my brain do when the right half is busy? Watches in wonder…
Tell Bear the wunderschnitzel dog to chew your tassled loafers. Wingtips don’t taste as good.
13/02/2010 at 10:25 am Permalink
Hi Brad,
How did you fiind the ITI class with Tom Martin?
I would like to take that class and I can’t find the information.
Sue Nagel