warning signs that your business is falling far short of its potential

How’s your business these days?
 
Is it growing exponentially?
Are you getting commission checks faster than you can cash them?
Have you been absolutely crushing it?
 
For many of us in real estate and mortgage, the answer should be “I’m having the best year of my career,” but probably falls a little short of that in reality.
 
When I asked you that question, your first thought may have been, “It’s pretty good,” but you were really thinking about this winter or next year with a little trepidation.
 
Or, your first reaction may have been to start making excuses about the pandemic and slow spring that was forced upon us. (An excuse may be based in fact, but it’s still an excuse!)
 
Right now, mortgage rates are at record lows (in fact, they hit new record lows EIGHT times already this year!), and the real estate market is booming in many parts of the country.
 
THIS is the year you should be solidifying your career and brining your income to whole new levels, but many of you (ok, many of us) are falling short of that.
 
And money aside, is the love still there? If you’re not absolutely ebullient every morning on your way to the office or when you’re helping clients, something is robbing your joy.
 
Here are some signs that you’re doing this whole business thing wrong:

1. No plan/no system.
2. Burnt out and it feels like a grind.
3. Erratic schedule every day/week.
4. Frequent changes and starting from scratch. 
5. Not reinvesting back into your business.
6. Always focused on the lowest cost. 
7. Transactional instead of focusing on relationships. 
8. Not leveraging other people’s time, energy, and skills.
9. Trying to be a lone wolf instead of building a team. 
10. Being reactionary. 
11. Focusing on external circumstances/conditions. (Remember those excuses I mentioned?)
12. Thinking short-term.
13. Keep changing brokers/companies to try and earn more.
14. Hoping and praying that leads and deals come your way.
15. Thinking that the next trick, hack, trend, or paid service will solve all of your problems.

I know that’s a lot to take in. 
 
You may even be feeling a little defensive right now (after all, what the hell do I know and what makes mequalified to give advice?! You’re the one making big bucks in real estate or mortgage!)
 
Well, I’ve been exactly where you are now, and I’m pretty sure I made all 15 of those mistakes – and probably some more! 
 
I’m also not going to claim that I have it all figured out and my humble marketing firm is running like a well-oiled machine. In fact, I’m actively working on fixing and implementing many of the things on this list right now, and so it’s a perfect time to share our journey.
 
And the good news is that there’s clear path to fixing those mistakes, so you actually build a business that takes care of you instead of always scrambling to take care of your business.
 
Next week, I’m going to break that down for you. 
 
I must confess that a lot of it has to do with the marketing side of the business, as that’s my specialty. (No, I’m not going to suggest you hire me. I’m too damn busy as it is! Haha)
 
My only goal is to bring you a little value and insight, and hopefully help boost your career to new heights – without expending more and more time and energy.
 
Stay tuned for part two or just hit me up if you want to talk before then.
 
Keep smiling and selling!
 
-Norm Schriever