Want to know the secret to becoming a wildly successful, top producing, charismatic, healthy and attractive real estate agent? Want to feel ten pounds lighter and ten years younger? Want the whole thing in one easy to swallow pill? Me too.
I know all of us want to make money – some more than others. But our ultimate goals: security for our family, a peaceful sense of happiness, a worry free future – they are much more than just money, aren’t they?
Earlier this week I was driving my two boys to school. The older one piped up and asked what day it was. “Wednesday” I replied. He was ecstatic with that answer; bouncing on the back seat and just as excited as a nine year old can be on his way to school. I asked him what made Wednesdays so special. “On Wednesday we have PE,” he explained. “That’s like an extra recess! And on some days we play ‘anything-goes.’ Those are the best days ever!”
I started wondering: when was the last time any of us scheduled an extra recess? Hell, when was the last time any of us scheduled a regular recess? Can you remember the last time you found yourself enjoying a game of ‘anything-goes?’ May I suggest that when you finish reading this article you go directly to your calendar and schedule yourself an extra recess. I’m not talking about some quiet time where you can get caught up on your paperwork! I’m talking about a long lunch or a long walk. Maybe going down to the beach or the park and bringing a picnic. How about meeting your husband or wife at a hotel near their work for a romantic afternoon?
Schedule yourself an extra recess; preferably involving a little ‘anything-goes.’ I guarantee it will do wonders for your business. You might even have “the best day ever.“
Jeff Brown says:
If it wasn’t for my recesses I’d be on the 11 o’clock news. For me it’s made all the more effective because I use it with the greatest of stealth. It’s like hopping to a parallel universe on a weekly basis.
I’m thinkin’ with as much time as you spend with Brian, you get plenty of recess time.
Gotta love your boy — what a fountain of post ideas. 🙂
May 22, 2009 — 12:26 pm
Tami Simms-Powel says:
Sean, I love the extra recess analogy. Sometimes it’s out of the mouths of babes that we hear the good stuff.
May 22, 2009 — 1:05 pm
Eric Blackwell says:
Hmmm…very good stuff (as usual), Sean.
I am wrapping stuff up at the office and am going to shut down the phone and have some recess time tonight with the family.
Quote Jeff Brown:
“I’m thinkin’ with as much time as you spend with Brian, you get plenty of recess time.”
There’s something to start my recess off with a smile!
I went ahead and scheduled some time in next week as well. Please tell your son thanks.
Best to everyone.
Eric
May 22, 2009 — 2:27 pm
Brad Coy says:
This is something that I shared a little bit about in my errr.. motivational/stress management session at Unchained. Creating good habits of taking care of yourself are the key to better living and success.
I took 30 minutes by the pool when visiting my dad last week and it felt like an entire weekend vacation. Sometimes you don’t even know how bad you need it until you’ve arrived.
Another thing for heavy computer users, you know who you are, spending HOURS in front of the computer at a time. Get up and unplug at least every hour. Walk around the block – take in some oxygen. You eyes, ass, and heart will thank you for it. 🙂
May 22, 2009 — 4:50 pm
Teri Lussier says:
Love this Sean, but this is part 372?!?! I confess I missed a few of the earlier installments, but lucky me, I got here just in time for the most important part.
Play time is so important to recharging batteries, keeping a sense of humor, staying balanced and healthy, and remembering what’s important in life.
Awesome way to kick off the first weekend of the summer.
May 22, 2009 — 5:37 pm
Janie Miller says:
I like your reasoning.After working two or three jobs at a time for a few years, I decided when I started in real estate I would not let it consume all of my time. So far there is not a problem. Lunch with my grandson, a good shoe sale, a sunny day. It doesn’t take much of a reason for me to take time off and summer is just beginning.
May 22, 2009 — 8:15 pm
Joe Loomer says:
We used to call these extra recesses “Special Liberty” in the Navy – put a request in for an extra day off and see if the Skipper will let ya!
May 23, 2009 — 9:00 am
Sean Purcell says:
Jeff – Having joined you on one of your recesses, I know how much you enjoy them. As for my time with Brian, that’s less “recess” and more “anything goes!” 🙂
Tami – I agree and would even go further: most of what we need for our ultimate success can be found watching children…
Eric – Knowing how much of your time you give to others, I should have titled this: “Eric: This Is For You!” On the other hand, too many recesses by you and where would so many of us hounds be?
Brad – Couldn’t agree more: thirty minutes is really all it takes. Thanks for putting the idea into a real world application.
Teri – This is part 372, but I haven’t yet posted the first 371. 🙂 Just wanted to get this out there for the first weekend of summer (wish I’d thought of that tie-in when I was writing it!)
Janie – Lunch with my grandson, a good shoe sale, a sunny day. It doesn’t take much of a reason for me to take time off and summer is just beginning. I could not have said it better myself (and didn’t).
Joe – I never doubted for a moment that our fine men and women serving in the military were already well acquainted with “extra recess!” Thanks for you service & enjoy your Memorial Day weekend.
May 23, 2009 — 11:14 am
James Boyer says:
Great advice, I have been taking 1 or 2 days off almost every week, and it makes such a big difference in my quality of life and my attitude on the actual work days.
Thursday of this week I went into the City for lunch with a couple of friends, then hung out in Central Park for a while, then out for drinks with other friends before riding home on the train with same friends. Nice, and relaxing.
May 23, 2009 — 5:18 pm
Sue Zanzonico says:
I’m with you on this Sean! Scheduled time off for ‘fun’ on a regular basis does alot to relax and refresh your mind and outlook. Getting away from the computer and shutting off the phone is a must.
Brad, you’re right about not knowing how badly you need it until you’ve arrived. Best to not let it get to that point.
May 25, 2009 — 4:48 pm
Morgan Carey says:
My Sunday (The best day ever)
Woke up (daughter still sleeping) – laid in bed looked outside at blue sky and sunshine. Soon after – daaaaadddddd!!! She wakes up – tip tip tip tap HI! Every morning we have “our cuddle” – this morning was no exception – (although this time it was extra exceptional) – she says (one of her favorite games) “can you tell me a story about… (fill in the blanks) usually about a small dragon named Ariyah (her name) or a princess (named Ariyah) etc – I got to tell extra stories that morning as it was Daddy daughter day.
After that – get up, make oatmeal and tea (no caffeine of course) and we are out the door.
We drive to the mall so that we can view the puppies at the pet store (twice!!!) and then I ask her if she wants to see open houses (she’s only 2, but likes real estate investing as much as me I think) so we go to a really nice place in the north end (panaramic ocean views, it’s awesome, but no yard doh)
After that – she asks me if we can get “fries and chicken” (this means a kids meal, which I only let her have once per month) – I say sure, we go through the drive through, and drive up to westwood lake (Google image it, it’s quite nice) – there we have a picnic, throw tons of sand into the water, see like a million dogs and other kids – good times!!!
Drive home – she says “you wanna watch me dig” – sure I say, and we end up spending the rest of the afternoon doing yard work (mostly just getting really dirty)
I can’t tell you how little I cared today (Monday) about how much money I was going to bring in, or how many this or that I could sell, or what profits would be on whatever quarter we are in – and all day I was still appreciating yet another “best day ever”
I hope you all take the time to honor yourself as our esteemed author suggests.
May 25, 2009 — 11:00 pm
Geno Petro says:
Sometimes I go to dinner and purposely leave my iPhone in the car.
May 27, 2009 — 10:00 am
Greg Dallaire says:
Sean,
It’s such a great reminder to cherish the truly important things in life.
Real estate can easily consume if you let it. I’m start to detach myself and focus my family more and my self improvement.
I can’t wait for my recess on Tuesday teeing it up with some great company. That’s my ultimate recess.
May 30, 2009 — 5:35 pm