Shake It Off and Step Up (The Story of the Old Mule)

The next time you feel down, like everything's against you and not even a prayer will save you, remember the story of the Old Mule. (Bookmark or favorite this post?) He tripped one day and fell into a well. He brayed and brayed and brayed for help, but to no avail. His owner (the farmer) couldn't help him. The townsfolk couldn't help him. It was hopeless. So they decided to bury the mule in the well. They gathered and began to throw dirt on top of the mule. With dirt now hitting his head the mule thought: "I know. I'll just shake off the dirt and step up." And so he did. The dirt would hit. He'd shake it off and step up. The dirt would hit again. He'd shake it off and step up again. He fought through panic. He shook it off and stepped up. He fought through hopelessness. He shook it off and stepped up. He fought through his life hanging by a thread. He shook it off and stepped up. And he got out of that well. (Do you see that?) The mule got out. And you'll get out of your challenging circumstance the same way. (Thanks to storiesfortrainers.com for this story.)

Test Your Memory (Famous Movie Lines)

Just for fun I put together a list of "famous movie lines" to test your memory. (I did it for "popular sayings": click here.) You need to match the following quotes with the movie it was said in and, if you are really brave, with the actor or actress that said them. The quotes get progressively harder as you go, but not too hard (I hope). The answers are at the end of the test. So get out your paper and pen. Hope you have fun...

Test Your Memory (Famous Movie Lines):

1. "I'll be back."

2. "Frankly, my dear, I don't give a damn!"

3. "...Bond. James Bond."

4. "It was Beauty killed the Beast."

5. "Lions and tigers and bears, oh my!"

6. "So let it be written, so let it be done."

7. "A gun is a tool, Marian; no better or no worse than any other tool: an axe, a shovel or anything. A gun is as good or as bad as the man using it. Remember that."

8. "Hasta la vista, baby."

9. "Soylent Green is people!"

10. "Hey, Boo."

11. "Yo, Adrienne!"

12. "It's alive! It's alive!"

13. "When you're slapped, you'll take it and like it! (slapping)"

14. "I could dance with you till the cows come home...On second thought, I'd rather dance with the cows when you came home."

15. "R-o-s-e-b-u-d."

16. "It must have been tough on your mother, not having any children."

17. "I know what you're thinkin', punk. You're thinkin': 'Did he fire six shots or only five?'

18. "Of all the gin joints in all the towns in all the world, she walks into mine."

19. "I'm sorry, Dave. I'm afraid I can't do that."

20. "Made it, Ma! Top of the world!"

Answers:

1. Arnold Schwarzeneggar, The Terminator (1984)
2. Clark Gable, Gone With The Wind (1939)
3. Sean Connery, Dr. No (1962)
4. Robert Armstrong, King Kong (1933)
5. Judy Garland, The Wizard of Oz (1933)
6. Yul Brynner, The Ten Commandments (1956)
7. Alan Ladd, Shane (1953)
8. Arnold Schwarzenegger, Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991)
9. Charleton Heston, Soylent Green (1973)
10. Mary Badham, To Kill a Mockingbird (1962)
11. Sylvester Stallone, Rocky (1976)
12. Colin Clive, Frankenstein (1931)
13. Humphrey Bogart, The Maltese Falcon (1941)
14. Groucho Marx, Duck Soup (1933)
15. Orson Welles, Citizen Kane (1941)
16. Ginger Rogers, 42nd Street (1933)
17. Clint Eastwood, Dirty Harry (1971)
18. Humphrey Bogart, Casablanca (1942)
19. HAL, 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968)
20. James Cagney, White Heat (1949)

(Resources: Top 10 Best Movie Lines Ever, Top 10 Best Comedy Movie Lines, Top 10 Movie Quotes, Great Film Quotes from Great Films, Greatest Brief Film Quotes, Shane (1953) - Memorable quotes

Self Talk Sabotage

When was the last time you considered your words? Did you know that you can shoot yourself in the proverbial foot with them? (Of course, you know.)

Some people's lives are sabotaged (and they're the ones doing the sabotaging?!). Here's how it goes: You're having a bad day and then you add to it by saying, "I have been here a half hour and I haven't accomplished a thing," or "I don't know why I even try. Everything in this business is against me" and so on and so forth it goes.

Do you know anybody that talks like that? Is it you?

It's not that we create reality with our words. (If we could, wouldn't we all be living in large mansions and driving expensive cars?) But we do add a lot to atmosphere, mood, etc. ~ even our own spirits ~ by what we say.

So what's been coming out of your mouth (mostly)?

Predictable

If anybody knows "predictable," I do. (Ask my wife or coworkers.) Every Monday I eat burritos for lunch. Tuesdays it's Chicken Pot Pie. And every Friday it's Tuna Fish. (No, I'm not Catholic. I used to be.) I go to bed before nine. I get up at 4:30. (I'm a blogger. That's when I do my best writing.) I check my iPod touch for twitter mentions. (Is that vain?) Then I go jogging, shower, drive off to work, etc. Same 'ol, same 'ol. I'd imagine you're pretty "predictable" yourself. (Hmm?) Which got me to thinking: Maybe it's time for a shake up? I don't mean with the "constants" (like burritos on Monday), but rather with those things that you (and I) do that no longer produce profitability. (And so why are we still doing them?)

A Snail By Comparison

(Everybody likes a rant. You've been warned.)

Do you think moving 13 inches in 3 minutes and 41 seconds is fast? For Sidney the Snail it was fast enough to win the World Championships of Snail Racing. (See Sidney cross the finish line: HERE.) I love the following line from the story:

His (Sidney's) owner, 62-year-old Claire Lawrence from Litcham, Norfolk, was presented with a silver tankard filled with lettuce" as an award. (Isn't that just great?)

This story of the victory of the smallest of creatures is the perfect backdrop for a talk about comparisons and comparing. You wouldn't compare a snail's speed with a race car's, now would you? But there are some who often do. They compare the proverbial "apples and oranges." They compare things that really aren't comparable.

For instance, one real estate office outproducing another real estate office in whatever area (volume sales, etc.) Take your pick. And there are those who get all excited over it. "Look. We are the top producers." And they stick their chests out. And they walk around all uppity with their noses in the air. (Is "uppity" a word?) The problem is these top producers have 50 agents in their office, half of which have been in the business for a decade or more (btw, this is a fictitious example) while the bottom feeding, low life and "Why are they even wasting their time in the business anyway?" other office have only 5 agents (one tenth of the workforce), 3 of which are newbies.

Sometimes "snails" win championships. 'Nuff said. (That's a word. I looked it up: Webster's.)

Mother Lode Real Estate "Must Reads" for July

This blog post is the next in a continuing monthly series where I'll pass on some information of interest that you may not get the opportunity to see otherwise. (Links to the other 20 posts in this series at the end of this one.) It won't take you long to check out the four articles covering real estate, social media and more.

Is It Really All About Building Relationships? from the Real Estate Marketing blog. Doing real estate has changed. Or has it? This read is a back to basics call in the midst of maximizing the use of technology and social media as well.

Real estate television shows: friend or foe? by Herman Chan on the AgentGenius Magazine website. A discussion on how Real Estate TV has "changed the professional landscape" for realtors® and how they should react to it. Quick, worthwhile read.

Real Estate Fun Facts on the Trulia website. The largest homes, the most bathrooms per bedroom, the most expensive homes ~ you'll find links to these fun facts and more here. Take a break with this one.

Blogs as loss leaders by Chris Brogan. Chris is the premiere authority on blogging and social media marketing. This is just a great read about blogs and how they fit into any business plan.

More Mother Lode Real Estate "Must Reads":
June 2010
May 2010
Apr 2010
Mar 2010
Feb 2010
Jan 2010
Dec 2009
Nov 2009
Oct 2009
Sept 2009
Aug 2009
July 2009
June 2009
May 2009
Apr 2009
Mar 2009
Feb 2009
Jan 2009
Dec 2008
Nov 2008

(The author of the Sugar Pine Realty blog does not necessarily endorse or disapprove of the thoughts included via the above links.)

Would You Do Business With You?

Is your business lacking? Even if it isn't, could it use a little tweaking?

I mean, bottom line, are you making money? Do you have a steady flow of clients? Is your phone ringing (business-wise)? Is your email box full (aside from spam)?

Of course, there are a whole lot of other factors that contribute to an individual's success or lack thereof, but the main factor ~ can you guess? ~ it's (spell it) y-o-u ~ you. (Goes without saying?)

What does need to be said is the fact that some business persons main problem with their business is themselves.

It's not like we completely control our destiny necessarily (IMHO), but we do control our attitudes, our tone of voice, our punctuality ~ and so much more ~ and it all affects the direction of our business.

When was the last time you looked in the mirror? (Beyond shaving, guys.) The next time you do, ask the question, "Would you do business with you?" If your answer is "Yes," right on. If your answer is "No," make the changes so you can answer, "Yes".

("Mirror, Mirror on the wall, who's the fairest business person of them all?")

Soulsbyville Storms?

Street Shoot Out - Lego Style (video)

Copperopolis Area Residential Sales Stats

(flickr image by massless) I've got the latest Lake Tulloch / Copperopolis area residential sales statistics for you to see in four clickable graphs. As usual, the first three graphs cover three years including 2008, 2009 and 2010. The first graph spells out the Residential Unit Sales. The second graph highlights Residential Sales Volume. And the third graph shows Residential Average Sales Price. And finally, the fourth graph focuses on the price range breakdown of Residential Units Sold through July 14, 2010. Before you click on the graphs, here are some of the numbers in simple black and white...

Total Residential Unit Sales:

June 2010 = 106

June 2009 = 92

June 2008 = 74

Total Residential Sales Volume:

June 2010 = $23,552,450

June 2009 = $25,938,250

June 2008 = $22,290,011

Total Residential Average Sales Price:

June 2010 = $222,193

June 2009 = $281,938

June 2008 = $301,216

For more market information and help with buying or selling, contact your Sugar Pine Realty Lake Tulloch / Copperopolis real estate professional today. Call 209-785-5757. (The data used in this post comes from the Calaveras Multiple Listing Service and is deemed reliable, but not guaranteed.)

Total Residential Unit Sales:











Total Residential Volume Sales:











Total Residential Average Sale Price:











Residential Market Facts & Figures:

High Maintenance

You probably thought about a person (or two?) when you first saw the title. Did somebody you know pop into your mind? (Just maybe?)

I've written about high maintenance as it has to do with people in a previous post entitled: "Bloodsuckers" (read here). This time I'm writing about high maintenance, but from a different angle ~ as it has to do with the purchases we make.

I'm not always a high maintenance person. I'm not always "maintenance conscious" when I buy. What I mean by "maintenance conscious" is that I usually don't think about the maintenance requirements when I purchase an item and the add ons that are needed that you just can't do without. (If you buy X product, you gotta have such and such this and such and such that, too.)

It's especially true with the big ticket items (e.g. a boat, a car, a house).

Many (most?) people only think about the upfront cost. Right? All the other stuff migrates to the back of your brain. "I want 4,000 square feet on 10 acres." But do you know what it takes to clean 4,000 square feet and maintain 10 acres? "Wait a minute. How about 1,500 square feet on a half an acre instead. That's more manageable." This conversation could be had over just about anything.

Is it high maintenance ~ in terms of finances, time, accessories? And are you ready to take that on?

High maintenance people go in with their eyes open.

High maintenance people count the cost.

Miracle Boy

No one could tie a tighter knot if they tried. Except this wasn't yarn, a string or a piece of rope. It was an umbilical cord. I remember glancing at it just moments after our son was born. The doctor was saying, " This just doesn't happen. This is a miracle. This is a "miracle boy."

"Michael" is 16 today (named after his dad). The reason why I bring up "today" is because it's the 16th anniversary of his surgery (July 12, 1994). He was five months old then and was suffering from the condition referred to as: "Craniosynostosis," an abnormal forming of the brain due to a premature closing of the skull. It showed itself in that Michael had a cone-shaped head.

The days leading up to the surgery were a challenge. Of course, in the back of our heads (my wife and I) were thoughts of fear, "Why us?" questions and more. Beyond that, Michael got sick so the surgery had to be postponed. (It was supposed to take place in June.) We had to continue to lean on faith, friends and family.

And I guess what I really wanted to say is I'm thankful. Michael is sitting in the chair early this morning (as he likes to do) watching his favorite: "Star Wars - The Clone Wars" while I (his dad) reflect on how glad I am to have him. (Is that a tear welling up in my eye?)

What are you thankful for today?

(flickr image by katiedee)

Twitter "Rules"

If you've been on Twitter for very long you'll find out there's a mostly unspoken set of do's and don'ts - a "rule structure." (Be quiet. Don't tell anybody.)

And you won't know about it (for the most part) until ... you are in direct violation. If you break the (quote) "Law," don't worry. The Twitter "gods" have thunder and lightning bolts at their disposal and they will tell you. Pow! (Ouch. That hurt.)

All kidding aside, there's a bit of truth to what I just said. (Users of Twitter will agree.)

And this post really isn't so much about Twitter, neither is it about "rules" per se. Instead, it's about our treatment of people, especially the "newbies."

Of course, they're not gonna know the do's and don'ts just starting out (whether it's in social media or some other venue/area/career). Is there not a single one of us that can politely take them under our wings and teach them the ropes versus leaving them to fend for themselves and then yell at or ostracize them? (ostracize: "to exclude, by general consent, from society, friendship, conversation, privileges, etc.")

(Flickr image by andrewagner)

Controlling People

Manipulation. Raising one's voice. Anger. Threats. Arm-twisting. Pouting. Flattery. There are a myriad of approaches that people use (in business, in life) to move, motivate (control?) people. Which "approach" do you respond to most? Do you tend to allow others to "control" you? (Be honest.) On the other hand, which "approach" do you use most to get others to respond? Are you a "controller" yourself? (Be honest again.) The only legitimate approach to move, motivate people is one that allows them (us) the freedom to choose of their (our) own accord (without coercion). What step can you take right now to stop controlling or being controlled? (Yes, I was trying to move, motivate you, but in a nice, "uncontrolling" way.)

Railtown 1897 (News 10 video)

Mother Lode Area Real Estate Stats

I've got the latest Mother Lode market numbers for you to look at today. To begin with, you'll notice the overall sales picture including all sales classes. CLICK HERE to view June 2010 compared to June 2009. CLICK HERE to view January-June 2010 compared to January-June 2009. You'll also want to notice the graphs including the Mother Lode Residential Unit Sales through June 2010 graph versus the previous five years (clickable picture 1 on the above left) along with the Mother Lode Residential Volume Sales graph versus the previous five years (clickable picture 2 on the right) and the Mother Lode Residential Average Sales Price graph versus the previous five years (clickable picture 3 on the left below), respectively. (The data used comes from the Tuolumne Multiple Listing Service and is deemed reliable, but not guaranteed.) As usual, I also have some of the numbers in black and white here:

UNIT SALES: June 10 = 59; June 09 = 48; +23%

VOL SALES: June 10 = $12,081,968; June 09 = $11,669,149; +4%

AVG SALES PRICE: June 10 = $204,779; June 09 = $243,107; -16%

Watch for the Calaveras MLS stats to be posted soon.

Tribute to America (4th of July video)