Queen of Bliss, Joeann Fossland

Irene has created a nice, simple (I LOVE SIMPLE!) explanation of how to get started with a Facebook Fan page!
EVERYONE who is wanting to build their business needs a fan page!

The ghost of Byron T. didn't come to our room last night. After reading his legend and the history of the Plaza Hotel in Las Vegas, New Mexico, I was kinda hoping he would wake us up in the middle of the night, but no such luck. Maybe it was because hubby, Bub, was sleeping blissfully next to me; it is said that Byron prefers to visit single women in this historic hotel, built in 1882.

We are halfway through a six day road trip in New Mexico, as I present e-PRO workshops in 6 towns. I am finding a great positive attitude everywhere I go. Maybe the people who come to learn how they can hone their skills and offer a higher level of service, are the people whose attitudes are the positive ones anyway. I have been getting educated to what is really happening in the little towns and cities in this part of the country.

Monday morning we were greeting by a friendly crowd in El Paso (and, yes, I DO understand that is Texas, not New Mexico!). The drive from there to Alamogordo, through the White Sands Missile Range, was a quick one. There isn't much going on in that part of the state. In Alamogordo, I found friendly, positive group and enjoyed being treated so wonderfully. They are excited about military plans to bring more people in. A positive attitude was pervasive, but that may, in part, be a reflection of their EO Marty's attitude. What a nice guy!

Mostly agents are telling me, the buyers are out. The lower price ranges have the most interest, but inventories are decreasing and people are buying. Is it the incentives for first time home buyers? Or the fact that in most areas, the affordability extends to more people? I believe most would agree this is a great time to buy and if things are not at the bottom, they are close and waiting could bring a higher interest rate, even if the prices decrease a little more.

We drove up to Ruidoso from Alamogordo and it was nice to smell the pines and enjoy the cooler weather, since we are still experiencing scorching temperatures in Tucson. A wonderful friend lent me her second home there and we saw deer and relaxed in a beautiful home in the pines. The Texas Club had great steaks and Bub found a new delicacy: Texas Toothpicks which were jalapeno strips, lightly battered and fried, smothered in cheese! Yum!!!!

On Tuesday, we drove back to Las Cruces for a workshop at their Association. They had a good turnout and nine folks from there took the smart step of signing up to get NAR's e-PRO certification. That will add to their skills and professionalism in a time that technology and Social Media are changing the real estate business. I have been telling people that 2009 is the year of the Video, showing them my Flip camera, and exhorting them to get a YouTube account! If you don't believe there are going to be some changes in how we communicate, take a look at this.

The drive from Ruidoso to Roswell was through the part of New Mexico that is sparsely populated with large ranches and open range. Roswell has 50,000 and I'm told there are space aliens there, though none came to the presentation...only smart  agents, four of whom had been in business longer than my 26 years! Talk about survivors! Well, guess it goes to prove there are opportunities in all markets; we just have to be flexible enough to recognize and take action.

From Roswell to Las Vegas, our trip was again on sparsely travelled roads, with lots of miles between ranches and towns. Flat sands and red clay stretched as far as the eye could see with few trees, a couple of bushes and one ridge filled with wind turbines.  As we pulled into Las Vegas, it was dinnertime. Most of the shops had closed, but the Landmark Grill and Byron T's Saloon were hopping with activity. We're glad we got to see this part of New Mexico!

An aside-when we checked in with Granddaughter Lily and her Mom, telling them we were in Las Vegas, New Mexico, Lily said, "No, Grandma, I thought Las Vegas was in California!" 

So if you haven't been here...stay at the Plaza Hotel next time you are in the neighborhood and maybe Byron T will visit you! I'm off to Santa Fe and Taos...if you areinthe neighborhood-come say hi!

One of the most interesting concepts I have learned through my coaching and life training has been that everything IS perfect. As a matter of fact, I have learned that spending any energy on regrets or frustration that I am where I am has always had a negative effect. For years, I wasn't aware of that and let myself dwell on the unfairness or even anger about situations I didn't want in my life. As I shifted from struggling against what I couldn't change to accepting and looking for the gift or lesson or opportunity, I noticed how much better I felt and how things started to go in a better direction. Instead of being at the mercy of how others or life were treating me, I found I had the ability to choose to do something to make it better. And, the more I chose to look to the future and see what steps I COULD take towards my dreams, the better it got.

So, lately...... with the economy the way it is, some of my clients have been expressing fear and/or feelings of uncertainty about their futures. Lacking a crystal ball, my coaching usually takes them to what they can do, what IS working and even the gratitude for what they do have. Sure feels better in this place. I believe, over time, most of us know what will make a difference and when we get into action, we see a momentum towards what we do want and towards the positive.

• So, is your life perfect right now?
• Do you have some things that ARE working?
• Are you grateful for what you DO have?
• Are you taking care of it and enjoying it?
  

Here are a few actions to take that may be useful if you aren't as busy with clients as you'd like to be:

1. Invest in Yourself! Is there a course, a book, a means to expanding your professional skills, or your personal development that you have the time to pursue. Position yourself for the next upturn. Jim Rohn said, "Invest more in yourself than in your career", and agree. Invest in yourself because the most skilled, the most attractive and the most competent people are NEVER unemployed.

2. Invest in Technology. It's ONLINE or the BREADLINE if you haven't learned to maintain a professional practice with efficient tools! Streamline and automate everything! A few dollars and a few days of training to use the right tools will pay dividends for years to come. Be creative. In my GRI Class this week, they did an exercise to spend $1000 to build their businesses (and only $1000). What would you buy? How could you use some freebies? Or partner with some great strategic partners?

3. Invest in Networking. It's a great time to add more strategic partners to your team. Who is interested in the same demographic you are? Create joint marketing, share your influence to expand each other's reach to people who have loyalty and confidence in one of you. Do you have a hobby? Get involved with others who love to do what you love to do and tap into the supplier's or business that make their living from that hobby. You might also find this a reason to have a little more fun! Host a TweetUP!

4. Invest in Customer Care. A few customers well taken-care-of, will provide all the marketing you need! Extreme customer care doesn't cost; it pays! Raise the bar. Surprise your clients with WOW service and they will rave.

5. Invest in Yourself. Upgrade the way you are taking care of yourself. Take time to relax, enjoy and appreciate the little things in life. Even if you can't afford a month in Hawaii, you probably can afford a date with your significant other (even if it is just a picnic in the park). Take bubblebaths. Watch the sunset. We're still above ground, after all.

Life is Good! These investments will give you a phenomenal return!

Many of you know my favorite 4 letter "F" word is.....

FREE

Loved this post and I so agree with the concept! Enjoy!