Quiet before the tornado strikes
As I know many of you are gearing up for the NAR Conference and Expo, I suspect things will begin to get a little quiet in the real estate world until you all return. I personally look forward to conference time for the simple reason that when agents get back, they are pumped up and ready to go and always have some new wisdom they’ve gleaned from someone else. When they start posting to their blogs and AgentGenius, you can bet I will be there, my arms a whirlwind of mouse clicking, comment writing, and head scratching as I ponder the nuggets I receive through them.
There is a yellow brick road
The streets are paved with gold in the real estate online-world. And I’m not talking about literal gold (ie, money – although when times are good it may seem that way). No, what I’m envisioning is all the ideas, wisdom, and tips I have picked up from the real estate community both through being an avid reader and an active participant. And although I may not always be able to attend a conference, camp, or expo, I can rest assured that I will learn more by listening and discussing, then I would by crying about how I can’t afford to go. Each little piece of knowledge I gain, is one more step I can take toward Oz.
Of course the wisdom an agent learns is not just for my consumption. Or yours. At the end of the day, all that great knowledge will benefit the consumer. If I can benefit my clients from knowledge learned through the real estate online-community, then I’m halfway to Oz before I’ve even attended my first conference.
Don’t take a nap in the poppy field
Of course, all my time online reading and learning can lead to a dangerous place. The dreaded poppy field of finding myself online and not in the real world; doing, experiencing, and practicing what I’ve learned. Sometimes, I take a moment and suddenly realize I haven’t left my computer screen for hours, haven’t picked up the phone to make a call, haven’t stopped by to say hello to a client, or done much more than learn.
Knowledge is key, but application of that knowledge with clients leads to success.
I had a wonderful dream Auntie Em…
…And you were there, and you were there… You will all be there and I look forward to being there with you some day and putting faces and personalities to the many names I now know. In the meantime, I hope you all have fun, meet new people, and come back with a ton of new ideas to share. The greatest thing I’ve learned in the real estate online-world is that there is a friendly, helpful, sharing spirit amongst us that in the long run benefits us all. I thank you for it and can’t wait to hear your stories.
*Clicks his ruby red slippers and disappears*
P.S. If you are heading to NAR in Orlando, hit up the Peabody Hotel pool if you get a chance. One of my favorite hotel pools of all time.
Katie Minkus
October 30, 2008 at 2:27 pm
Aloha, Matt… I especially like the section about not sleeping in the poppy field… I live and work in Hawaii on the Big Island – it’s a fairly remote place, so I often find myself hours and hours and hours in front of the computer as it’s the fastest and most economical way for me to connect with the world – and of course, my clients. However, I agree that it’s necessary to learn, then step away from the technology and practice! Question for you – how do you structure your time? Do you give yourself daily limits for computer work? Any suggestions are greatly appreciated! Best of luck and warmest aloha to you. Katie Minkus, R(B)
Matt Stigliano
October 30, 2008 at 3:50 pm
Katie – First off, you’re my new favorite friend. I’m obsessed by Hawaii. Its my favorite place on earth that I’ve ever been to (and that’s saying a lot).
Don’t get me wrong, I am guilty of taking more than a few naps in the poppy field.
For me, I’m still working out structure to my days. I’ve always been a computer nerd, so being at the computer seems natural to me. Of course, this is where I am learning and growing the most, as I’ve had to rethink my time management skills when it comes to computer time. I do try and get away from it every evening, so I can spend time with my wife. My days are an up and down experience of how I spend my time – a lot of that has to do with my attempt to create a new site, so more time is spent looking at computer screens than I’d like.
I guess its a lot different on an island as well…as your potential local client base is more limited than some places. But of course, since many Hawaii buyers are probably from other places, I would think you could spend more time in front of a computer and “work” than most.
My suggestion for your schedule:
7am-8am: Wake up and drink Kona coffee on the lanai
8am-noon: Sit by pool with fruity drink in hand
Noon-5pm: Watch waves roll by with fruity drink in hand
6pm-7pm: Luau!
7pm-11pm: Watch waves roll by on moonlit beach with fruity drink in hand
Oh and try and fit real estate in there somewhere.
Haha.
Missy Caulk
October 30, 2008 at 3:59 pm
I’m going for the parties, LOL…
Paula Henry
November 1, 2008 at 8:30 am
I’m not going this year, but will absorb all the information posted as others post.
I am definitely going to adopt Matt’s daily schedule 🙂
Bill Lublin
November 3, 2008 at 7:49 am
Matt; I’ve been at the Peabody a few times (and will be there this week) but I’ve never even seen the pool (does that mean I spend too much time in meetings?)
NAR is well worth the trip – try to make it next year- I’ll buy lunch.
Bill