Blog
Being truly present is not simply a decision
Just seeing something as a learnable skill...What I'm Reading, Re-Reading & My Mindset & Habits Behind The Practice
Here are a few notes on my reading practice that might be of value to some while looking through this update/spreadsheet (see attached graphic/screenshot below):
- I am always much more focused on and excited about the re-reads than I am about diving into anything new... My goal is always to find the books that truly IMPACT me, and then the goal is to go back to it over and over again to see what else I can get out of it and what else I can APPLY both personally and professionally (I'm ALL about the understanding and application - That is WHY I read).
- I am aware that I will need to read certain books that might be considered industry standards, but my real focus for reading is pretty consistently going to revolve around peace, contentment, joy, gratitude and compassion... Those are the areas that I get the...
I SEE THE CLOUD IN EVERYTHING - Living life in complete wonder
Warning: This is a long one
As some are aware I have five general areas that consume much of my thought and study, and those would include peace, contentment, joy, gratitude and compassion.
Og Mandino's 10 Scrolls
I have never seen this book as a "sales" book - I see it as one of the greatest "love stories" ever written - It is about a "boy" who LOVES a "girl", and to ask her fathers permission to marry he must show that he can truly provide for her and their future family - And this is at the root of is WHY. The application of the 10 principles shared within these 10 scrolls are just as likely to help him become a better man, human and husband as they are to help him to become a truly great salesman. The first scroll shares a formula of how to read...You are a FREAK OF NATURE and CRAZY AMAZING!!
Chapter 9, otherwise known as The God Memorandum, is a very blunt message all about just how INCREDIBLY AMAZING YOU ARE
And if you have not read it, and do not have this perspective about yourself, then something needs to change, and your perspective is WRONG You are a FREAK OF NATURE AND CRAZY AMAZING… And I KNOW that I’m hard core right on this one… You ARE The Greatest Miracle In The World 
So if you don’t already have this book, BUY IT and read chapter 9, The God Memorandum every quarter until it is so engrained in your spirit that KNOW just how true it is. And if you have not bought, and will not read it to yourself, I’m happy to read...
The Art of Getting More Reviews
The "secret" is to create a CULTURE around GIVING reviews
A video lesson around this topic of reviews can be found in your membership library
1) Create a practice of leaving at least 2 reviews per week for those within your industry. We will provide a script for this below, but it's not about leaving them a review IF they leave you one... That "bartering", not giving.
2) Commit to leaving a minimum of 2 professional reviews after EVERY transaction
For example, we have lenders, the agent on the other side of the transaction, the TC on the other side of the transaction, closers on both sides of the transaction, title and/or...
How do you define success?
Today's journaling topic...
How do you define success?
And how do you define failure?
I'll provide some context below from the words of one of my hero's, Og Mandino. And I hope his perspective helps to stir something in you for today's journal entry.
At this point in my life my "BIG WHY" very much revolves around things such as peace, contentment, joy and gratitude. And so with those in mind the following words from Og Mandino resonate LOUD in my soul.
Underlining & “HEARTING” While Reading
Underlining and “HEARTING” While Reading
Q: So what the heck is “HEARTING”?
A: Many of us are used to underlining and “staring,” or using asterisks, to mark up our books. I do this ALL the time (along with writing in the margins). I’m just suggesting that we get a bit more intentional, purposeful and passionate when we put ink to paper. I’m suggesting that if you read something that truly moves you or stirs some kind of genuine PASSION in you that you replace your typical “star” with a HEART. Yup, HEART that baby!!!
I have two very basic reasons that I have gone to using a HEART rather than a simple star or asterisk:
2) It creates a completely ...
An Active vs. Passive Reading Practice
First Question: How much does your mind wander when you read?
...and please note that you are superhuman, and I am jealous if this in not a problem for you.
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We get less out of our reading… Sometimes it seems like we get nothing at all out of our reading sessions.
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We start to feel that we are wasting our time and then reduce the amount and frequency that we are reading… Assuming that we don’t just give up on the practice all together.
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We decide to give audio books a shot just to find out that our minds are no more focused while listening then when reading… Man we’re messed up…
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Then based on the above points we begin to unjustly judge ourselves, and assume that we’re just not cut out or all that interested in this “reading-thing”.
Second Question: Is there hope for us?
Gratitude Journaling - All the cool kids are doing it!
Let’s dig right in and define the practice of journaling. More specifically Gratitude Journaling.
It’s simple:
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Get out there and buy a basic notebook or journal. Don’t get too caught up on what kind of journal this time around. You’re going to fill this baby up anyways, and each time you do you’ll have a better idea of what you’d prefer the next time around… and yes, this will change over time… We can talk more about that another time.
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Actively and intentionally LOOK FOR at least three things that you are grateful for each and every day.
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Then simply document those in your journal. This can be done with a single word, sentence or full blown short essay. Regardless of how you do it, just be sure to do it.
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Extra Credit: Read what you’ve written out loud at least once before you go to bed. There is something truly magical about hearing yourself speak words of gratitude.
