I’m lucky… very lucky. I live in a great place that is insulated from the harshest realities that face many communities out there. I get a paycheck and not a commission and I’m 20 years from caring about the stability of my 401k.
I feel for those that are not as lucky and suggest that you follow the advice in this song by country star Rodney Atkins. I have seen many of our local Realtors immobilized – most have never seen a down market and no one has seen the historic crap we seem to step in every other day.
You’d be a fool to take any real estate advice from me, but you’d also be a fool to think that there is nothing you can do to make your situation better. Like the song says, “keep on going.” Do something – read this blog, attend a course, try a new marketing trick, or find a song that motivates you.
Video of Rodney Atkins – If You Are Going Through Hell
Well you know those times
When you feel like there’s a sign there on your back
Says I don’t mind if ya kick me
Seems like everybody has
Things go from bad to worse
You’d think they can’t get worse than that
And then they do
You step off the straight and narrow
And you don’t know where you are
Use the needle of your compass
To sew up your broken heart
Ask directions from a genie
In a bottle of Jim Beam
And she lies to you
That’s when you learn the truth
If you’re going through hell
Keep on going, don’t slow down
If you’re scared, don’t show it
You might get out
Before the devil even knows you’re there
Well I been deep down in that darkness
I been down to my last match
Felt a hundred different demons
Breathing fire down my back
And I knew that if I stumbled
I’d fall right into the trap that they were laying, yeah
But the good news
Is there’s angels everywhere out on the street
Holding out a hand to pull you back up on your feet
The one’s that you’ve been dragging for so long
You’re on your knees
You might as well be praying
Guess what I’m saying
If your going through hell
Keep on going, don’t slow down
If you’re scared don’t show it
You might get out
Before the devil even knows you’re there
Yeah, If you’re going through hell
Keep on moving, face that fire
Walk right through it
You might get out
Before the devil even knows you’re there
If you’re going through hell
Keep on going, don’t slow down
If you’re scared don’t show it
You might get out
Before the devil even knows you’re there
Yeah, If you’re going through hell
Keep on moving, face that fire
Walk right through it
You might get out
Before the devil even knows you’re there
Yeah, you might get out
Before the devil even knows you’re there.
Sue says:
Hey Dave, I personally have never seen a down market. I’ve been selling real estate for 8 years and before that I was a pharma recruiter…it was a natural and easy transition for me. I sure don’t have 20 years worth of 401K cushion and am a bit nervous. I think your message and Rodney’s is not to get discouraged, keep stepping up to the plate and surround yourself with positive people.
I personally get very focused on what I’m doing and miss alot of the day to day ‘world news’….which isn’t always a bad thing. I wouldn’t say I’m going thru Hell as it could be so much worse. Thanks for the positive reminder!
November 23, 2008 — 8:33 pm
Thomas Johnson says:
Sometimes you’re the windshield and sometimes you’re the bug.
November 24, 2008 — 12:44 am
Larry Brewer says:
I have seen a down market. but was not prepared for this. I still believe that the ones who battle through it will be much better off than ever before, and I plan to stay in the battle. If it was easy, everybody would do it.
November 24, 2008 — 7:38 am
Thomas Johnson says:
Dave: An anthem.
November 24, 2008 — 8:49 am
J Boyer Morristown NJ says:
Though times are tuff, and I would rather that the market improve, I look at this as a opportunity. It is a opportunity to grow stronger while there is less competition coming out of the woodwork, and lots of the current competition is just standing their like deer caught in head lights. I hope and pray that I can continue to do enough business to get through this cycle. If anything, this downturn has re-enforced the importance of saving for a rainy day.
November 25, 2008 — 7:52 am