A Word from Michael J. Maher

It's been a busy week. I thought you might benefit from Michael Maher's latest message: 

Hello Ambassadors!

Let’s FIRE up our FOCUS…

One of the most common challenges I see with sales professionals is Focus.

My acronym for FOCUS is:
FINISH
ONE
CHALLENGE
UNTIL
SUCCESS

Now, let’s use the acronym to ignite action – and I’ll use another acronym here to make it easy to remember.

The acronym is FIRE.
FOCUS
IMMERSE
RECUPERATE
EVALUATE

 

 

It’s common sense, but definitely not common practice (though my coaching clients are definitely loving this as a tool in their tool belt). Here’s how to use it…

1. Identify a challenge in your business or a system or ritual that needs to be created or improved (don’t all our systems need constant improvement?)
2. Schedule yourself a FIRE Session. Block off 90 minutes to 3 hours – depending on the challenge.
3. Prepare – gather all best practices of that system, notes you’ve taken from conferences or Webinars, use Facebook groups to get ideas (post a question about the topic and ask those who have the system or ritual to post theirs), and do at least one Google search for whatever system you want (and here’s a cool hint, use “.pdf” in your search and you will get ready-made systems J ).
4. Gather all relevant people into the FIRE Session (all relevant people may just be yourself if you are a solopreneur, but if you have a team or staff, you will want them in on this session. They will add value and buy-in to the system, which is now OURS instead of YOURS).
5. Have the session following this formula:
   1.        Identify the FOCUS: 5 minutes. Just really get clear on WHY the system is necessary and say a small blessing that you may not have the best of the best in front of you, but when you are done, what you have is better than what you had.
   2.       IMMERSE: 80% of the time. So if doing 2 hours, you’ll spent a little over 1.5 hours on the work.
   3.        RECUPERATE: DO NOT SKIP THIS! Take a 10 – 20-minute walk. While the material is fresh in your mind, get out and just let it marinate. Some of the best ideas I’ve ever had have been during these “getting some air” walks. And it makes sense, haven’t you ever been in a conversation or appointment and then as soon as you were finished, wished you had said something different? Same concept here. Let your brain relax and let the brilliance flow.
   4.       EVALUATE: 5 minutes: schedule a time to re-visit the system or strategy. Remember, you’ve done the hard work during this FIRE Session, so the EVALUATE and maintenance sessions can be as easy as monthly 30-minute meetings to tweak. But SCHEDULE THEM and make these follow-up sessions happen. Remember, big doors swing on small hinges. It’s the little things that make a difference.

A quick example, from a real estate point of view, would be your contract-to-close process. You could easily do what we did and gather together all the best transaction coordination systems, take the best of the best from Transaction Coordinators and other agents around the world, create your own system, and then sprinkle in some of your uniquely-you tweaks and BOOM! You have an excellent system.

Other systems, strategies, and rituals you could use a FIRE Session are: Listing Presentation, Pre-Listing Packets, Buyer Consultations, New Construction Client System, Housewarming Party System, Lead to Conversion System, Referral Follow-up System, Morning Ritual, Pre-Leave Ritual, etc.

So, tell me, what other Challenges we face could use a FIRE Session?

Hope this FIRES you up and ignites you to new heights in your business.

Blessings,

Michael

 

 

Did you miss our first LIVE Google OnAir Hangout?  No worries.....REPLAY info is below:  ***************************************************************************************************************
FULL REPLAY: How to Build Your Business Through Giving Click here to watch the on-demand replay   Friends,  As promised, here is the full replay of our "Generosity Generation Hangout" Live OnAir event on How to Build Your Business Through Giving.  Click here to watch the full replay

 

Michael Maher
Author, Speaker, Realtor

(7L) / Generosity Generation

On May 7, 2014 I posted a blog that has been read over and over. Today, I simply want to repost it. Experience has taught me that change is hard. Really hard and only 5% of people will succeed in making implementing the small changes in their life that have major impact. 

Here is the post: 

Daily quiet time enables me to stay grounded and grow personally.  I am so very lucky I have a spouse, family, and staff who understand that.

This year I added reading to my five year daily “quiet time” habit. Right  now I am digesting a book my son, Cory recommended entitled, “Myths to Live By”.

The classic work is a look at Joseph Campbell’s personal life philosophy. His work actually intensifies for me just how dramatically my personal faith has grown and how much  has changed in the past 15 years.

Everything has changed for me.  The way I look, the way I process  information, my emotional stamina even my relationship with others.  Ask anyone who really “knows me” and they will tell you, “there are some huge changes.” 

When I think about it, you know, I’d love others to be wiser than me.

That being said, listen to the words of “The Teacher”,  King Solomon, a very wise man from the Bible.  In chapter 12 of Ecclesiastes he says:

1 Don't let the excitement of youth cause you to forget your Creator. Honor him in your youth before you grow old and no longer enjoy living. 
2 It will be too late then to remember him, when the light of the sun and moon and stars is dim to your old eyes, and there is no silver lining left among the clouds. 
3 Your limbs will tremble with age, and your strong legs will grow weak. Your teeth will be too few to do their work, and you will be blind, too. 
4 And remember Him before the door of life’s opportunities is closed and the sound of work fades.  Now you rise at the first chirping of the birds, but then all their sounds will grow faint.
5 You will be afraid of heights and of falling, white-haired and withered, dragging along without any sexual desire. You will be standing at death's door. And as you near your everlasting home, the mourners will walk along the streets. 
6 Yes, remember your Creator now while you are young, before the silver cord of life snaps and the golden bowl is broken. Don't wait until the water jar is smashed at the spring and the pulley is broken at the well. 
7 For then the dust will return to the earth, and the spirit will return to God who gave it.  

Personal change is huge! It takes commitment and time.

Attached to today’s blog are two pictures. The first was taken in San Francisco, I believe the  year was 2002.  This is the woman my children called Mom.  The second was taken at the office this week. She’s  the one I want my grandchildren to remember. 



San Francisco 2002



May 2014

Are you willing to work at change? Let me know and I'll work with you!

Life's Not Easy

Sometimes life is unexpected and it is not easy.

Recently a number of deaths have reminded me how unexpected and not easy it is.

A co-worker lost his daughter to drugs, two young women lost their Mom to an automobile accident, a set of grandparents lost their son - he simply died overnight, twenty year old children lost their dad to suicide - it’s been a tough month.

Death is a difficult season in life.

Saturday, February 28^th I was asked to speak at a memorial for the two young women who lost their Mom, Merilee Brinson. In speaking with the family here’s what I learned:

In the year 2000, Merilee knew she was in trouble with life - she wanted an immediate fix.

Like many of us Merilee thought she could simply say the words, “I’m done” and instantly she would be living a perfect life.

She learned the principle “Change is very simple, stop what you’re doing and do different.  However change is never easy.”  However she was determined to figure this out!

Here’s a look at her back-story: 

As a junior in high school Merilee was uprooted and moved from CA to AZ. 

Her Aunt Anne shared that Merilee always welcomed her with a smile - and to her it appeared that Merilee was open and loved to welcome new friends into her life. 

Aunt Anne’s memory of Merilee’s smile goes back to Merilee’s toddler days. 

The story goes the day Aunt Anne met the toddler Merilee, Merilee ran over and just crawled into Aunt Anne’s lap - she then  immediately burst forth with that smile. 

You can spend a minute with Merilee’s granddaughter Madison and see that same smile.

Smile or no smile, in high school Merilee felt that life wasn’t fair.

You see Merilee’s Mom had died when Merilee was a kid.  

Now granted that’s not fair.  In Merilee’s mind she’d been uprooted and now she was expected to be happy about it! NO WAY!  God had not forgotten Merilee and He was guiding/providing as he does in all of our lives. 

In stepped two Godly people, her maternal grandparents, Bill and Dixie Matthies - God promises he will never fail us or forsake us; He will always provide, always guide. Bill and Dixie moved from retirement in CA to AZ to minister to three children in need (Merilee, Mike, and Martin). The children mattered to God and the children mattered to Bill and Dixie. 

Life moved on. Merilee met and married her first husband Robert, where two special daughters were born. 

Amber and Ashley.

These two gifts from God began to grow and Merilee became aware - she wanted different for the girls. 

With this in mind, the imperfect Merilee reached out to Central Christian Church of the East Valley, because as she would later say, she felt a hope and she believed that things could be better. 

Merilee accepted the Lord as her personal Lord and Savior.

Merilee and I shared a favorite Bible verse, Proverbs 3:5, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, lean not on your own understanding.  In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your path”. 

Over the years we would revisit this verse often.

In meeting with the girls this past week, we talked a lot.

Ashley loved her trip with her Mom to San Francisco;

on another day a special hiking trip. Ashley has the text message Merilee sent her on Thanksgiving Day --- “Happy thanksgiving, I love you very much you are my special baby girl I miss you a lot have a great day I can’t wait to see you”

Amber remembers when she was pregnant with Madison. 

Merilee was here, on a one week’s vacation - that baby needed to get here right now. Amber just needed to understand.  That was Merilee.  Amber said Merilee had her climb stairs, eat spicy food, anything she could think of.  Merilee told me, “Doesn’t God understand!”

Laughingly we would simply go back to Proverbs 5:3.  By the way, Madison was born on Merilee’s last day in the valley.

A real highlight for me in talking with family this past week came from Merilee’s sister in law, Nicky. 

It seems that at the funeral in Orlando people walked up to the family to say “thank you for Merilee’s ministry”. Merilee was helping others learn to cope with life. 

For you see Merilee had reached a life dream. She had become a licensed nurse.  Her co-workers, acquaintances, people who we may never meet were being ministered to by our Merilee. They simply wanted the family to know how remarkable Merilee was. 

This person who fifteen years ago said “Life’s not fair, you just don’t understand, I can’t simply let go” was now ministering to others.

I am proud of Merilee. 

Yes we will miss her - the random phone calls, strange text messages in the middle of the night - her complaining about how we simply did not understand -Yes - we will miss Merilee.

Today, however, I believe Merilee is saying to all of us, “You can experience God’s grace.” 

Yes, there were changes in Merilee’s life over time.  God gave her joy as she learned to love her family, and blessed her as she impacted those around her. 

I’ve learned little changes over time have major impact in life.

Life is short, and we do not know who, how, or when we impact another person’s life.  We do not know when it will be our time to die. All we know is to live this day to its fullest. Use what you have and love those around you!

Have You Considered?

Stop to consider the “Serenity (Alcoholics)  Prayer”? It’s not just for AA meetings:

There is a copy of this hanging on the wall of my office---visible every time I’m in there. 

I am not an alcoholic, neither was my Mom, who originally owned the hanging. 

The principles, however, apply to all of us. Some days, life is simply insane.

Consider some of the key words:

Peace: 

Calm; tranquility; quietness; stillness; still; composed; unruffled; serene; relaxed; cool; silent; soft; discreet; unobtrusive; uninterrupted; undisturbed; halcyon; private; intimate

Accept:

Receive; admit; consent; accede; shoulder; believe; admit; acknowledge; understand; consent; permit; grant; acknowledge; real; authentic; valid; genuine

Courage:

Nerve; daring; guts; fearlessness; spirit; lionheartedness; gallantry; boldness; brave; heroism; audacity; bravado; face; brace; steel; prepare

Wisdom:

Understanding; knowledge; sense; insight; perception; astuteness; intelligence; acumen; prudence; good judgment; judiciousness; prudence; suitability

Difference:

Change; alteration; variance; modification; transformation; metamorphosis; consistence; divergence; variance; contrast; modification; adjustment; alternation

Ok. February of the year 2015 is gone, never to return!  New Year’s resolutions are long past and change is hard, really, really HARD. 

Today’s question however is simple, “Will you implement the “Serenity Prayer”?” 

It has been said the best time to implement change was ten years ago. The next best time is today!

Change is not easy; possible - yes, easy - no. But then as my Mom would say, “Nothing in life worth the time, effort, and energy is easy--- profitable yes, easy no!”

Last week’s blog, “Life’s Little Messes” was a look at a Dad and peas.  I heard this story years ago as an illustration of accepting personal responsibility. 

Why is accepting responsibility so difficult for adults.  I often hear, “It’s not my fault”;  “Carolyn, you just don’t understand how difficult that person is to get along with” And my all-time favorite “But …”

There’s a famous poem by Robert Fulghum, 

Life then was so easy:

“Most of what I really need
To know about how to live
And what to do and how to be
I learned in kindergarten.
Wisdom was not at the top
Of the graduate school mountain,
But there in the sand pile at Sunday school.

These are the things I learned:

Share everything.
Play fair.
Don't hit people.
Put things back where you found them.
Clean up your own mess.
Don't take things that aren't yours.
Say you're sorry when you hurt somebody.
Wash your hands before you eat.
Flush.
Warm cookies and cold milk are good for you.
Live a balanced life -
Learn some and think some
And draw and paint and sing and dance
And play and work every day some.
Take a nap every afternoon.
When you go out into the world,
Watch out for traffic,
Hold hands and stick together.
Be aware of wonder.”

I’d say let’s practice this week, what we learned in kindergarten.  Remember what Mom would say “Do unto others as you would have them do to you.  It’s not, Do to others before they do to you.”

Our world will be a much better for it!

Life's Little Messes #1

Life is full of little messes.

Here’s a little mess that’s interesting:

It was Saturday morning and Dad’s in charge.  Mom was out with girl friends at a movie, Dad approved!

Alan (4 years old) wanted, demanded juice.  

Dad, desirous to simply keep peace and not have a complaint filed with Mom when she got home, ran to the refrigerator to grab the OJ.  

Oh, he noticed the OJ was behind something—BUT he didn’t realize it was an open gallon of milk.  He thought, “I’ll just reach around and …”  

YOU got it, the milk spilled as the OJ bumped a stack of  leftovers (a large bowl of English peas stacked precariously on top of last night’s mashed potatoes. Back story:  Mom was tired the night before and really meant to go back and put the food in storage containers, she simply forgot).  

The white liquid and peas quickly covered  pudding cups, a bowl of Jell-O, today’s sandwich makings (sliced cheese and ham) which Mom had carefully prepared to make Dad’s day fun!

As Dad watched the milk run down the top wire rack he caught eye of the open jar of strawberry jam as it became a red milk shake.  Meanwhile the margarine tub became a  perfect lakeside resort complete with yellow mountains and green beach balls.  It was real mess.  

Dad said, “THIS IS NOT MY FAULT!” and slammed the refrigerator door.   

Alan, now crying, could not figure out what he had done wrong.

Oh a small fact:  There are six people (three teenagers) in this house and they all put STUFF in the refrigerator.

I agree,  the responsible thing would be to cheerfully clean it up, and Dad is cleaning it up, but his day wasn’t the same!

So here’s today’s question.  Who is responsible, Dad, Mom, or both?  Alan?  

Mom for not storing the peas, or Dad for being in a hurry.  

Let’s take a couple of weeks and simply unpack the dynamics of this little story as we consider “Life’s little messes!”

There is a Difference

Here are three words to consider.  Rights, responsibilities and privilege.  Is there any differentiation in your mind?

According to the dictionary: rights are legal, social, or ethical principles of freedom or entitlement; that is, rights are the fundamental normative rules about what is allowed of people or owed to people, according to some legal system, social convention, or ethical theory.

While responsibilities are an obligation to carry forward an assigned task to a successful conclusion. With responsibility goes authority to direct and take the necessary action to ensure success.

And  privilege  is a special advantage: immunity, permission, right or benefit granted to someone.  

Unfortunately, many of us do not understand there is a difference in the meaning of these words.

                                          

There are rights spelled out in our constitution:  “We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America….” The words in the constitution of the United States set forth my constitutional rights as a United States Citizen.

                                              

When raising children, Saturday mornings spelled out family responsibilities.  Over breakfast we would collectively consider the laundry, vacuuming, dusting, mopping, and yard work.  The motto was, “Everyone worked at our house!”  We were collectively responsible.

                                                        

There have also been privileged times in my life.  As a child it was a privilege  to go to the movie with my friends. Mother or Dad would drop me off in front of the movie theatre and I was allowed to walk in with my friends to see an afternoon show.  I was aware that if I failed to be at the pick up spot on time, it would be a long time before I was offered the opportunity again.

When our oldest son, Kevin turned 13 we posted a sign on the refrigerator door.  It  read, “Young adults and teenagers, if you are tired of being hassled by your unreasonable parents, leave home and pay your own way while you still know everything.”  The sign stayed there until Karen and Misty moved out.

As I look back on that phrase it is full of  rights, responsibilities and privileges.  

Again, sometimes I believe we forget there is a difference between a right (the constitution), a responsibility (we all work), and a privilege (an opportunity).