Written by: Joeann Fossland
Volunteers
As I watered my garden this morning, I saw several volunteers that I hadn’t planted but that had taken root. I have a compost in the garden and some little seeds and a potato had decided they liked the environment. I moved them to a better place with more sunlight and have some brand new plants that are going to yield goodies for me. Gardening has so many good metaphors for doing business in a “green” way, in tune with the natural (and attractive) ways of nurturing “seedlings.”
Spring comes early to Tucson, of course. We are actually expecting 100 degree temperatures this week, so I planted many seeds about a month ago. My tomato plants are 3 feet high and loaded with ping pong sized tomatoes. I also have loads of wildflowers that I intend to harvest seeds from once they have flowered. It is so satisfying to plant these seeds, and them water and see the results in the future.
But back to the volunteers…… I am not sure a potato plant will thrive in Tucson, but I am going to give it lots of water and see what happens. I also have a couple of tomato plant volunteers. Much of my garden is kinda unstructured, wild and unplanned. I doubt that surprises you given my style. I tend to plant stuff here and there and then see where it thriv es. Since my personality isn’t given to lots of structure, so this fits for me….going with my strengths!
Because of this, I am constantly surprised with my harvest and the volunteers are my favorites. They have started to grow on their own. Now, it just takes nurturing and they will turn into a nice harvest. The analogy for me while I was watering was understanding that there were lots of volunteers or additions to my garden that had shown up but were not going to flourish unless I nurtured them.
In my business life, I find, there are volunteers all around me. I try so hard, sometimes, to prove my self-sufficiency not seeing I am surrounded by wonderful people all around me who can help; who would love to grow in my garden; who could add something unexpected and extra to my life. How often have I tried to do it all myself, instead of looking for the volunteers? In my experience with Women’s Council of REALTORS® (WCR), I often see Presidents try too hard to get it right and instead of letting go and trusting that the volunteers will bring something surprising and unexpected. When I take my eye off perfection and allow the natural flow and abundance take me in a little different direction, my results expand and there’s usually lots more fun and collaboration.
Where are the volunteers in your life? Have you been ignoring the opportunity to find clients that are unexpected because you didn’t plant them? Or you didn’t plant them or expect them there? I bet you also have volunteers all around you that would love to give you business if you’d give them water and attention.
Are you doing things YOUR way, using your strengths instead of trying to find a magic pill outside yourself? Are you assiduously planting the seeds for the future AFTER you close that deal to ensure that there will be a future harvest, remembering to drip on those seeds, even if it is going to be anothe r season for harvest?
This week, look for the volunteers. Water them. Ask them to lunch! Have fun with the process and smell the flowers!
Traveling & Education
You know, if you have been reading long, I am an avid lover of travel. At the end of this post, there is my itinerary for a 5 week road trip Bub, Lily & I are taking in June. I am doing quite a few free e-PRO workshops and would love to see you or do something in your area/office if you are in AZ,UT,OR,ID,MT,ND,SD,NE,CO. Bub, Lily and I are looking forward to connecting with friends, new and old and having fun and smelling the roses along the way.
I have just made my plane reservations for several other upcoming trips. Hope to see many of you at the WCR and NAR MidYear Meetings in DC. The Professional Development Steering Committee that I am Vice-Chair of is presenting my good friend, Amy Chorew, along with four other tech-talented women, Frances Flynn Thorsen, Sylvia Seabolt, Barb Cooper, and Liz Callihan in a content-filled 2 hours on using Google Tools, the Flip Camera, Blogging, Skype, Smartphones, Facebook & Twitter. Come join us from 8:30-10:30 May 15, Friday morning at the Capital Hilton.
And, if you haven’t made your reservations yet, save yourself (or your chapter) time and money on this trip (or any other you have to book in the future) by booking on my travel website. Sign up at no charge as a preferred traveler and you are GUARANTEED lowest Rates!
After DC, Frances and I are going to be joining my friend Margaret Rome to present “Three Top Social Networking Divas Share Secrets!”
If you are in or near Baltimore, come to this complimentary event! You can sign up here. Monday May 18 1-4 PM at the Greater Baltimore Association of Realtors. Come network, learn how to be a social networker who creates business and have fun. Join us after for a fun, dutch treat networking dinner!
If you are in or near Phoenix, a ReBAR Camp event is happening on Thursday, all day at the Scottsdale Stadium. Registration is complimentary and the value is going to be extraordinary!!!!!
AND…….If you’d like to incorporate your own travel site as a client benefit (and be eligible to receive commissions as people book), join in on the teleconference this week or next with me and Frances Flynn Thorsen. Or if the times don’t work, email me and I’d love to talk with you about the benefits of making this an additional stream of income and a source of savings on your own vacations and trips. Are all your trips tax-deductible? They could be. Join us and we’ll share the details. Click below to join the Webinar:
Wednesday April 22 Noon-1PM PDT
Tuesday April 28 10 Am-11 AM PDT
People You Want to be Connected To
I was thinking of how many wonderful people I have the opportunity to be connected with. So in the next few tips, I am going to mention some of them and the resources that they have that I believe you will find valuable.
This week, meet my friend, Susie (The Frog) Hale: Sus ie is one of those people whose infectious attitude heightens the vibe everyplace she shows up. She is one of the best connectors I know and she knows everyone. You can benefit from her networking by reading the interviews and articles in her FrogPond newsletter: You can read last month’s issue here or subscribe here!
Do You Procrastinate?
Speaking of FROGS…….How many do you eat each day?????
Is there an area where you aren’t being responsible (you know IGNORING)? Here is a very cool video on Procrastination.
I believe in the concepts of the Pareto Principle that says 20% of your actions will yield 80% of your results. Often, those are the things we put off…..so remember, you must adamantly refuse to work on tasks in the bottom 80 percent while you still have tasks in the top 20 percent left to be done. Make sure that every day, you start the day by identifying w hat 3 actions would give you the biggest payoff in the long term and keep this question in front of you as you move from one activity to the next:”Is this task in the top 20 percent of my activities or in the bottom 80 percent?”. Live in 20% more and create more time for yourself! And then go have some fun!
The movie is part of the wonderful little motivational clips available at www.simpletruths.com Great to motivate yourself or to share with your team/office or chapter.
This Week’s Not To Be Missed TeleSeminar!!!!!!
Create an AMAZING 2nd Quarter (or not..if you don’t join us!)
WHO: If your business is not wildly busy right now……You have an opportunity this week to review your year to date, your business plan for 2009 and set some plans, actions and strategies for the next 3 months! Plant the seeds now for the best 2nd Quarter ever!!!!
WHERE: The comfort of your home or office – on the telephone!
WHEN: Friday April 24 9 AM PDT & AZ (Noon EDT) for an hour
WHAT: You will receive a copy of my Awesome Year Plan (worth $12) if you do not already have a Plan for the year and forms and framework to be clear on where you are so you can create the 2nd Quarter to tweak or re-design your strategies. Brainstorm with other top agents and get personal one on one coaching.
INVESTMENT: You aren’t going to believe this…an hour of coaching, my Awesom e Year Plan and a 2nd Quarter plan all for only $17 !!!! Limited to the next 20 who register. Don’t miss out!
Tuesday Tech Tip
I love having music playing when I am working. My sweet neice, Leah Jones, sent me a link to www.Pandora.com. You input your favorite artist, then it plays songs from that person, but also others from the genre of music. As it plays songs you can vote thumbs up or down to continue to tweak the suggestions, or add a few other artists! I love it because it is playing all the songs I love. Best part, of course is that there is no cost. Check it out!
Coaching For ExtraOrdinary People
My mission is have my clients experience joy, exhilaration and abundance in their lives and businesses.
Is your business looking the way you planned for 2009? You did make a plan, right? This is an easy solution if you haven’t!
Do you want to stay focused, rested, intentional and full of ideas to position you above the crowd?
Now, may be a perfect time to hire a coach to design a personalized plan so you can be all you truly know you can be!
I have an opening right now for one new coaching client and next month, I will have one more. If you may be ready to take it to the next level, visit my website and read what I offer as a coach. If it sounds like my services are a fit for your needs, let’s schedule a 30 minute complimentary call. You’ll sample my style and we’ll each have an opportunity to see if I’d be the right coach for you and you’d be a client that fits my criteria.
Make it an ExtraORDINARY Week, it IS up to YOU!!!!!!
Joeann Fossland ACRE®, e-PRO,GRI, PMN, SRS
MRE Society, Certified e-PRO Trainer, Master Certified Coach & my favorite designation ~ CyberGrandMa2
One of the Top 25 Most Influential Women in Real Estate 2008
RELAXED Real Estate for MAGNIFICENT Agents!
Visit my blog here!
************************************************
Advantage Solutions Group
(520)744-8731 744-8732 Fax
PO Box 133, Cortaro, AZ 85652
www.joeann.com
joeann@joeann.com
Free Teleconferences: Click here!
“Life is too short to perfect your weaknesses” – Joeann Fossland
Advantage Solutions Group
PO Box 133
Cortaro, AZ
85652
US
