Why Reviewing Your Stats For 2019 Is A Bad Idea
This post goes against pretty much every business plan ever written. You know the ones – the first 5 pages are spent disecting the current year, and from there you are supposed to spend the next 5-10 pages mapping out the next year?
Have you ever actually filled out those first 5 pages? I mean really filled them out where you analyze your business down to the last detail? I haven’t. At best I’ve made up some numbers so that I can say I filled it out.
For me, business plans like that are overwhelming, and start me off feeling less than. Since I can’t / won’t take the time to figure out the details of the current year, then by the time I get to planning the upcoming year I’m feeling defeated and like I don’t want to do this anymore.
Assuming we are setting goals because we want next year to be somehow different than this year, why don’t we listen to Einstein to said:
“We can’t solve problems by using the same kind of thinking that created them.”
Now maybe your business isn’t a problem. I may have over exaggerated on that one. But if Einstein can get me out of filling out those 5 pages and dissecting my business, I’m going to run with it.
What if we let all of those stats go? What if – instead of focusing on what your average price point was last year and you focused all of your energy and actions on what you want it to be this year?
What if you didn’t base your identity as a listing agent or a buyers agent based on last years numbers and instead focused your actions solely on what you want to create for next year?
I realize that in theory that is what all business plans do, but I would argue that we spend too much time looking at the past and it makes it harder to create a new future.
Here are 5 things you can do to create the business you want for next year:
- Look at where your business came from last year: This is a 2 minute exercise. You don’t have to figure out what marketing worked, or anything super detailed. Just look at your closings and see where they came from – referals, a networking group, open houses, other agents, etc.
- Do more of that – Whatever your best source was, figure out how you can do more of that in 2020. What if you doubled your FORD calls or you time spent with an organization? How would that affect your business?
- Decide what your ideal price point and location is for your business – Commit to being in 10 properties a week that fit that criteria. It can take time to build, but it will work, especially if you do open houses here too.
- What didn’t work this year – Look at what you did that didn’t work. Did it take too much time or cost too much money? What’s one thing you can let go of to free up time next year?
- What one thing will you do differently – You don’t need a list of 15 new things to make next year great. You need one thing, done consistently. Make your commitment, and in a perfect world, start it now to get the momentum going.
To your success!
Nicole
Signup to receive Nicole's blog posts via email weekly:
Other Posts
The #1 Reason Clients Don’t Choose You
Don Miguel Ruiz said it best in his book – The 4 Agreements: Don’t Make Assumptions Find the courage to ask questions Communicate with others as clearly as you can This one agreement can completely transform your life Beautifully said. Assumptions are the #1 reason your clients don’t choose you. As agents we assume many…
Read More
Letter to My Younger Self
Today is my birthday. For me, birthdays are a beautiful mix of celebration, anticipation and reflection. This post is dedicated to reflections. Things I wish I could tell my younger self. Imposter syndrome is normal! You’ve spent so much time doubting yourself. Feeling like everyone else knows what they are doing while you’re still trying…
Read More
Managing the Adrenaline / Emotional Roller Coaster of Real Estate
Closings, getting mutual on a contract, receiving a referral – there are lots of wins in real estate. Each one brings a shot of adrenaline that feels amazing. However, those moments are often short lived, with a lot of space in between. If you aren’t careful that space can fill with self doubt, insecurity or…
Read More
Why Proving Yourself Is A Bad Idea
I competed on a listing this week that I didn’t get. It was a great one too – awesome house, great clients. It was one I really wanted. When I got done pouting I took a few minutes to ask myself, ‘where did it go wrong’? Our first appointment was amazing! The second one, not…
Read More
The Secret To Success: How Awareness Transforms Everything
‘The first step towards change is awareness. The second step is acceptance. Let us not look back in anger, nor forward in fear, but around in awareness.’ – Source Unknown Last week focused on letting go of the need to play catch up. The only thing that matters is focusing on the present moment. The…
Read More
Don’t Try To Catch Up – Just Start Where You Are
I’ve spent the last few days in Virginia at my favorite real estate conference, Genuine Hustle, where I had the honor of presenting a session on asking powerful questions. It’s the most authentic, vulnerable, supportive and all around amazing group of agents that I’ve ever spent time with. They haven’t released the location or dates…
Read More
This Phone Call Brings In The Most Referrals
Can calls really translate into referrals? Are some more effective than others? When we work with clients it’s easy to go into ‘get it done’ mode. We focus on getting from contract to closing as quickly and smoothly as possible. And to be fair, that’s a big part of what our clients hire us to…
Read More
What if EVERYTHING is Working Out For You?
What happens when you have a ‘set back’ ? Does it send you into a tail spin of fear and insecurity? Do you brush it off and move on? Or – Do you view it as confirmation that you ARE on the right path, realize it wasn’t the right opportunity or situation for you, and…
Read More
Don’t Do This Alone
I was lucky enough to be invited to mastermind with these amazing agents for a few days this week. We talked business, but it was so much more than that. We talked about being intentional with our lives, the hours we worked, the struggles we face, our investment strategies (owning rental real estate of one…
Read More
Collaboration Over Competition, This Is Your Chance To Learn From The Best
What if you could stop over thinking how to run your business? What if you knew exactly what other agents do to attract clients? This is your chance! Season 2 of Secrets of Attracting Clients starts January 27th and I’m super excited for this years line up! We have 12 amazing sessions, all with ideas…
Read More