In an old fable, a frog and a scorpion are watching their homes being washed away by a torrential flood. The scorpion, spying a safe haven on dry land across from the raging river, asks the frog for a ride to the other side. As the frog well knows, the scorpion will sting him.
“But you’ll sting me after I give you a ride to the other side!”
“No way,” says the scorpion. “If you do me this life-saving favour, I will not sting you, I promise!”
As the frog and his rider get to the high ground, the scorpion, true to form, stings the frog. “But you said that you’d promise not to sting me,” cried the frog.
“Ah, but my true nature is that I just couldn’t resist!”
That classic fable came to mind as I prepared some ideas to present to my Monday Brown Bag Lunch discussions. As a preamble to the discussion with a dozen plus agents, mostly new with a few seasoned agents sprinkled through the class. I proceeded to draw a picture of my car’s gear selector and my cruise control. I asked what gear of their real estate career they were at this very hour.
The idea of presenting this to the group came to me as I was driving to the office. I wondered how many times I’ve used the cruise, Dl or D2 selections.
The class was somewhat amused by what I was saying. Most replied that they thought they were in “neutral” right now in their careers. Certain things we all teach as trainers were not coming together as they’d hoped they would be. It was suggested by our broker of record, who happened to drop by and pitch in, that they were not tapping into their database often enough and talking about the market with clients. Our guest presenter echoed those remarks.
We get into our cars and head for the office or to an appointment nearly every day. But are we in a “cruise control” mindset? Do we have a planned day of action? Are we researching the market on a daily basis? Do we get to those new condo openings or subdivision openings regularly? Do we get to agents’ open houses? All of the above help you get to your destination.
Last month I talked about offering phenomenal service. Do you believe that by shifting gears, to maybe Dl – overdrive – you’ll make a difference in someone’s life and of course, add to your bank account?
A recent New York Times article by Kevin Delaney, New Grooves for Creature of Habit, quotes Christopher Chabris, a psychology professor at Union College in Schenectady, N.Y.: “The brain has an element of neutral plasticity, which enables the brain to eventually reshape the grooves of behaviour. Like a piece of software stuck in permanent beta, it has its share of bugs, but its plasticity allows for frequent updates.
“Good for rats and people,” Delaney says. “But not for scorpions.”
So are you stuck in neutral or overdrive, or are you on cruise control?
Have a great spring! As I go forward to my 41st year in the business on May 8, I hope I’ve made some difference in your career.
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.
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.
