3 things you can do now to ensure you have an epic 2020

It’s hard to believe 2020 is already here, but New Year’s Eve officially lead us into a brand new decade.

Before the whole world officially gets back to work (and the New Year's hangovers fade), I encourage you to use this time to clarify your business goals for 2020. Take stock of what worked well in 2019, what aspects you need to improve upon, and also, the most inefficient and time-wasting elements that you can cut out (or outsource) in 2020.

I’m going to give you the gift of three pieces of advice as you recount, recalibrate, and reload your business plan for 2020. I hope you’ll keep these in mind, as I promise they will lead to an epically-successful 2020:

1. Follow your passion. 
The real estate and mortgage business is too-often all about numbers and dollars, especially in our growingly-impersonal world of technology. 

However, there is still room for passion. In fact, that’s exactly where you’ll find the most success, feel the most fulfilled, and find meaning in your work and your life. 

Always think in terms of adding more value because that’s what drives you, but have a little fun and don’t be afraid to get personal - I promise you that your clients will love you for it!

2. Think long-term and big picture.
I get it. Your mortgage is due. The car just broke down. And the your kids need braces. The financial pressure to close the next deal is HUGE for anyone in sales or self-employed, but especially for Realtors and lenders. But instead of being reactionary and chasing every deal like a dog chasing its tail, try to think big-picture. 

You have 365 days in 2020. Make them count by prioritizing the most fruitful activities to the best of your ability with sustained energy. 

Take the time to put systems in place, get organized, build your brand, train staff, and schedule everything. Think in terms of the average of all of these efforts and measures paying off throughout those 365 days, not just the next closing check.

3. Work on yourself.
This may be the most important piece of advice I can ever give you, but it’s certainly nothing new or original.

My favorite quote is that go legendary motivational guru (before they were a dime a dozen) Jim Rohn, who said, 

"Your level of success will seldom exceed your level of personal development, because success is something you attract by the person you become." 

In fact, you should work on yourself MORE than you work on your business, although that could also mean working on education, communications skills, new ways to add value, giving back in the community, reinforcing relationships, and more.

Break down those old barriers, emotional constraints, bad narratives, and limiting mindsets that keep sabotaging your business.

Read books, exercise, practice your faith or spirituality, help others, and always strive to be a better person today than you were yesterday. 

Once you commit to that, your success will come, I promise you - and not just incrementally but with massive shifts that will be around long after 2020 comes to pass, too.

Happy New Year and I’m rooting for you in 2020!

Your friend,
-Norm  :-)