“In the final analysis, what we are communicates far more eloquently than anything we say or do.” — Stephen Covey
Let’s talk about commitment and/or dedication for a moment or two.
The year is about over – just a few more months and we ring up another year in the books. It’s time to reflect on what we’ve accomplished over the past 10 months and see what we’ve left our stamp on in 2009 thus far.
I remember in one of the late Ann Landers’ columns, she said: “At the end of the day, will someone remember what you did and think positively about you?”
Those of us of the Hebrew faith recently celebrated the Jewish New Year 5770, the holiest of the Hebrew faith’s observances. Over these many years, I’ve tried to set an example for my children of being committed to those observances, by not working on those High Holy Days.
I guess in many ways, I’ve been committed to this noble task not only out of reverence to my late Dad and his commitment, but to this anecdotal story that occurred 42 years ago.
The Los Angeles Dodgers were in the World Series versus the Minnesota Twins and Sandy Koufax, the Dodger’s fire-balling pitching ace, was due to start the first game. Sandy is Jewish and decided to sit out the first game as it fell on Yom Kippur (the Day of Atonement). The Dodgers got whipped in the first game without their ace pitcher. Where was Koufax? Sitting in the Conservative Temple of Aaron in St. Paul in his suit and tie.
Even though Koufax wasn’t religious, he’d told contemporary reporters that: “I wanted to set a good example for the rest of the Jewish youth.”
He promised somehow to make it up to the Dodgers in the best of seven series for the World Championship. It seemed unlikely that this unhittable pitcher would get enough games in to help his mates. But that he did, winning the second and fifth games and with only two days rest, with an aching elbow, pitching and winning the seventh game for the Dodgers. Koufax became the youngest player ever to be inducted into the Hall of Fame in later years.
But honouring commitments doesn’t mean observing holidays and winning the World Series. No, it’s what you believe in every day that will make a difference in someone’s life and life style.
Make each day meaningful. Make every morning as great as those mornings you play golf or spend with your family on weekends.
The commitments you make on those days should be the same every day that you are in the greatest profession in the world.
At least, that’s the way I see it from my desk this month.
Stan Albert, broker/manager, ABR, ASA at Re/Max Premier in Vaughan, Ont. can be reached for consultation at stanalb@rogers.com. Stan is now celebrating 40 years as an active real estate professional. He was recently approved to teach three of the Real Estate Training Institute’s CEU courses.
Stan Albert, ABR, ASA is a consultant with Re/Max Premier in Vaughan, Ont. He can be reached for consultation by email. Stan is now celebrating his 45th year as an active real estate professional.
