2008 sucked. Pure and simple. The economy sucked. The real estate market sucked. Many people’s lives were really not good in 2008. We all know that 2008 was a rough one for many of our friends, family and associates. Excuse my lack of eloquence but enough suckiness.
Let’s get positive!
I was tired about hearing about how bad 2008 was, so I put out a call on twitter to asking for feedback on what was positive in 2008. Some of the responses were:
- Met tons of new friends and reconnected w/old ones while making $$ & having tons of fun at same time. Best part, it keeps getting better
- Got great clients, saw many bad agents/lenders get out of the business, met tons of great people from networking
- I made some really great new friends
- Many people found Twitter and can hopefully start turning around their dismal realities with the endless opportunities that abound here
- Learned to love the #mojito (had to include this one, try making a batch for a group of friends. There is happiness in the mojito!)
Over and over, I heard one thing- the best thing about 2008 was the relationships. In my own reality, I saw two friends take relationships and happiness over money, in both cases chooses to leave behind significant financial security for emotional security. While financial security is definitely a huge part of our comfort, the true reality of life is that relationships and people are what make us truly successful in life. Financial security and true happiness do not necessarily go hand in hand.
I will not deny, having financial security makes a lot of things in our lives a lot easier, and often helps relationships. Financial hardship is often a leading cause of divorce. With that being said, I know many, many wealthy people who don’t have true happiness in their lives because they have not nurtured the people in their lives.
My goal for 2009 is to focus on relationships. My belief is that is a successful future will be defined by the relationships I (and we develop)- be it clients, friends, and family. True happiness comes for the relationships we keep, not from the money in our bank accounts.
While this year was difficult for me on a personal level, I am fortunate that 2008 was quite successful for me professionally- far better than most of my peers. Was it blogging? Twitter? Volunteer work? Open houses?
Yes and no. What is really was about was relationships. Online relationships. Offline relationships. People are people regardless of where we meet them. Plant the seed, water it, and watch it grow. Your life and your business will flourish along with the relationships you keep.
Happy New Year!
Kelley Koehler
January 2, 2009 at 10:45 pm
in 2008, i learned to love #wwgwd. i can’t wait to have all my questions answered in 2009! 🙂
Steve Mattison
January 2, 2009 at 11:30 pm
Ginger, you are using a gift you have in a very positive way. Appreciate your honest wisdom and insight into what truly is the most important thing we can do in our personal and business lives. Meeting you online and so many twitter friends was the best part of 2008 for me too.
Ginger Wilcox
January 3, 2009 at 5:41 am
Speaking of people and relationships- new AgentGenius post- https://agentgenius.com/?p=8878
Ken Brand
January 4, 2009 at 7:43 am
It’s too easy to be distracted by life’s blinking lights, beeps, buzzes, shoulder taps and bitch slaps.
Relationships soothe and reward in many ways. For us RE agents, deepening and expanding relationships is the number one goal for health and wealth.
We can’t be reminded enough. Thanks.
Kim Wood
January 4, 2009 at 11:30 am
Interesting that the quote I posted on Twitter this morning was so perfectly intertwined with your post….. “Money can make you wealthy. Friends can make you rich”.
The relationship building is such a great experience…. some you will hold onto forever, some will be real life, some online… and it seems no matter what…. all can help with ones own growth 🙂 !!
So happy to have real relationship with Ginger W. Founded in 2008. A good thing 🙂
Paula Henry
January 4, 2009 at 8:47 pm
Ginger – Wise words from the woman with the answers. This post reminds me of a quote:
Thngs are made to be used and people to be loved – not the other way around – (paraphrased)
Mary Ann
May 25, 2009 at 4:12 pm
Repairing a relationship is always trying. When your relationship is in trouble, it causes anxiety, depression, and can even lead to substance abuse. Possibly you have discovered a need to Fix Your Relationship, but don’t know what you should do. That is why it is important to deal with the conflict quickly to prevent it from getting worse.