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How many different grocery stores do you frequent because one doesn't carry something the other does? I'm curious...my number is two!

Pay It Forward

Did you know that 85 percent of consumers say that they have a more positive image of a product or company when it supports a cause they care about? And nearly 80 percent would switch to a brand that supports a charity, according to the 2008 Cone Cause Evolution Study (Cone Study).

The following are just a few of the multiple testimonials that have been said about what Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals do for kids in need:

"In a down market, kids still get sick. Imagine if your child was ill and you couldn't afford a lifesaving transplant or treatment. Regardless of the market conditions, we are better off than most. We have the ability to do something, and it wouldn't be right if we didn't."
– Stuart Thomas (ABR, QSC), RE/MAX Select One in Huntington Beach, Calif.

"I'm so thankful for my children's health, and I've known people whose children have passed away – I've seen their pain. I want other agents to know how easy it is to help. They don't have to give up anything to change someone's life."
– Vic Powers, RE/MAX Island Realty, Hilton Head Island, S.C.

RE/MAX associates have helped raise over $100 Million for the Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals since the partnership began in 1992.  We would like you to help us achieve the next $100 Million!

A Little Wednesday Inspiration!

Embrace Failure!

As I worked on my personal blog this weekend (I'm a closet journalist), it occurred to me that the things I wrote about this weekend would apply to each and everyone of us in the RE community.  My blog was about strength...but as I began answering the question "What does strength mean to me?"  It occurred to me that all of my failures and triumphs...is exactly where my strength comes from.  Which brought me to the statement that "The strength you get from your failures is what points you into the direction of your destination.  We've heard our entire life that "experience is the best teacher"...if that's true...each one of you should embrace failure.  Why do we try to avoid it?  Failure should become our friend.  It's a brief bump in the road that gives you the strength to move on or take a different path.  A friend of mine posted "Learn from your failures and you'll be able to teach others to succeed.  Failure than becomes the gift that keeps on giving!"  

Simplify for 2012

Happy New Year Everyone!  I'm slow on the start up for the new years for numerous reasons...mostly because I wanted to get to this week and ask a very important question.  How many of you are still going strong on your resolutions?  The average person will break their new year's resolution by 1/13.  That's this Friday.  Maybe there is some sort of correlation between Friday the 13th and dooms day for resolutions!  If it takes 21 days for something to become a habit...why aren't we all just hanging in there for another week?  

I came out of 2011 not feeling much like myself.  A good friend of mine posted a blog of someone she knew on Facebook and something made me stop to read it.  It was about a man who has spent most of his real estate career trying to climb the next mountain...till one day he realized...what was he climbing for.  He then spent 2011...simplifying his life and he managed to climb the biggest mountain of all.  After reading his blog, I knew it was time I start to simplify things for myself.  So beginning 2012...I started doing a better job of taking care of myself physically.  Not necessarily to lose weight (although it wouldn't hurt), but to just feel healthier.  I'm 9 days in and still hitting my targets...gym, healthy eating, vitamins.  I also am looking at 2012 to start throwing stuff out/or selling it.  It's amazing how things build up over the years.  I'm by NO means a packrat...but the purses at the top of my closet that I haven't carried in five years need to find new homes.  It's amazing at how refreshing purging feels.  

I've taken quite a bit onto my plate for 2012 (new career position, various boards, committees, team mom roles, homeroom Mom, PTO).  I plan to see all those things through, but part of my simplifying means that I'm not going to be so quick to volunteer for everything under the sun.  As 2012 comes to a close, I hope to have a stronger grip on all the things I love; less stuff and a whole lot more control over my time/actions.  

One thing I learned from reading that blog.  As he simplified his life and focused on the things that mattered most...his career soared to new heights.  Which in turn gives you more time and freedom for the more important things.  

I hope everyone is still seeing his or her resolutions through.  If not, I hope this provides a little inspiration to get back on track.