Making those New Year’s resolutions stick

Let me start off by saying happy New Year to you and your family! Hard to believe it is that time of the year again when you sit down to evaluate the year and what you accomplished. Then there is the task of sitting down and working on your goals for the upcoming year, resolutions if you will, and figuring what things you want to keep doing this year versus what new things you hope to add to your list. It can be intimidating for anyone to sit down and write down all your wishes for the year, I know I always find it a bit hard. Many friends, clients and co-workers have told me about their resolutions and while they are excited to get going, they are also fearful that they will not accomplish all of these goals by the next year. This is a fear I would say everyone has about making resolutions, can I do them all by the end of the year and if I don’t, will I be ok with that?

So how do you make New Year’s resolutions stick? How can you make sure that you keep on the path to accomplish everything you hope to that year? Below is a list compiled by professors and researchers of what you can do to have a better chance of sticking to your goals and working through them all by the time the next year rolls around.

Make new, healthy habits – While we may not know we do certain things, it may be because these things have become natural ‘habits’ in our daily routines. Habits form by behavior change, replacing certain behaviors with new ones. To embrace making certain changes to your daily routine, for example, if you want to go to the gym in the morning before work three days a week, the first step is to be aware of when you wake up everyday and start training your body and brain to rise earlier.

Repetition – It is never easy to start a new habit so that is why it is imperative that you continue to do it on a daily/weekly basis. This will train your head and body to know ok, it’s time to get up today, let’s get to the gym. It may take a little while to teach yourself to do this so make sure to be patient!  A great book I recommend for this is The Compound Effect by Darren Hardy

Have an accountability partner – We all know we are our worst critics and so that’s why sometimes it is important to have someone else help you along the way. An accountability partner is a great way to have someone who in a loving and caring way, helps push you when you need that extra push, or kind reminder when you are having your doubtful days.

Know relapsing is part of the process – Anyone knows that whenever you try to make changes to your life there will always be a few relapse periods. The point is to not get down on yourself when this happens, understand this is all part of the growing and learning process, embrace it, and try to do better the next time.

Be kind to yourself – Like I said before, we are our worst critics and I know I am harshest on myself when I don’t get things done. But you have to be kind to yourself in this process, use the same approach you would with a child or someone you cared about deeply rather than with judgment or self-criticism.

Good luck as you start your goals and resolutions here in 2017, remember, be kind to yourself, make good habits and this will be one amazing year for you!

THE START- UP REALTOR: SOME ADVICE FOR NEW AGENTS

The Denver real estate market is hotter than ever these days and more and more people are joining the industry as real estate agents. I have been an agent since 2006 but investing in real estate since 2003. I continue to learn and grow as the market continues to expand and develop throughout the city and the state. It has been a rewarding job where I have met many amazing individuals who have become life-long friends. Selling houses and buying houses is a job that I find great satisfaction in and why wouldn’t I? I get to help families find their life-long home, I get to help newly married couples find their first home, and I help older couples sell their house they’ve had for 30+ years to find a smaller house to spend their retirement in.  I also get to help those investors, like myself who are building their investment Portfolios.

Many people out there are getting their real estate licenses and getting into this hot market of ours. Getting started in real estate is an exciting prospect with many positive outcomes and endless opportunities and a fantastic potential for income. Now there are all the television shows on HGTV and ‘Million Dollar Listing’ that make new real estate agents have a bit of a skewed view of what real estate really is on an every day basis. Real estate consists of problem solving, troubleshooting, constant learning, trial and error, and so much more.

A lot of being a good real estate agent also comes from your own personality and if it fits in with what the job demands of you. If you are an outgoing, personable, and hard worker who is not afraid to put in time and effort then this is a good job to consider. This is a learn as you go kind of career, you will make mistakes and that’s ok. You can read text books and continue to take classes after you pass your test but the real learning comes from out in the field. This is a hands on job where you need to be able to make good connections and have people you can count on. I would recommend finding a brokerage that meets your needs, one with a training program and a lead generation platform. Finding a broker you can trust to support and guide you will help you become the top agent you want to be.

One thing to be weary of in this field which many new agents deal with is ‘paralysis by analysis’ which basically means trying to gather all the information about everything and being overwhelmed by all of that which leads to you not being able to perform as a top agent. There is so much information to know and you will not know all of it and that is ok! Like I said earlier, this is a hands on job where you learn the most out in the field and you will make mistakes from time to time. Correct those mistakes and work on developing yourself as a agent who knows their stuff.

Being a Realtor is such an amazing opportunity so don’t be too scared if you are thinking of giving it a shot! The Denver market is the perfect place to get your feet wet and the potential for growth is happening everyday. If you have any questions about being an agent or any houses you have been looking at recently, give me a call and let’s grab coffee and chat. 

Photo by: @Noahbergphotography

Why I Admire the Broncos

Dear Denver Broncos –

First off I have to say, congratulations for the amazing Super Bowl win this year. The whole team showed up this game ready for any challenges that showed themselves and you proved time and again that game why you are the best in the NFL right now. As a dedicated fan, I would like to thank you also for what you have done for this city. Wherever I go, people are wearing their orange and blue colors with such pride, flying flags of the Bronco from balconies and cars and strangers are becoming united as friends because they have such an amazing team to look up to and admire. It is amazing how a whole city can come together for the admiration of such an outstanding group of individuals who worked their tails off this year to achieve their dream of bringing the Lombardi trophy home to the Mile High city.

If there is something else the Broncos have taught our city this year, and have taught me personally, it is what it looks like to be a put-together team. Teams are not just made overnight, they take hard work and dedication, sacrifice and changes, and many times risks and hopefully reward. As a business owner, I look at the people I work with on a daily basis as my team. Each day, I try to make sure we are working together to get to our end goals whatever they might be. I take a note from the legend Peyton Manning who it is said is one of the most influential leaders on and off the field. Peyton is born leader, one who works hard at his own skills but works just as hard if not harder at advancing the whole team around him. He understands that for the Broncos to work as a whole team everyone needs to be on the same playing level and so he takes a personal interest in every one of the players. I respect that and find myself trying to do the same with my co-workers, employees and partners. Surrounding yourself with people who have the same work ethic and mentality is the only way you will be able to continuously reach your goals. As one person, you can do a lot, but if you have a whole team who is working just as hard as you to reach that end point, you can achieve so much more. Watching the offense, the defense, the kicker and of course Peyton come together on the field to form one team with one purpose truly inspired my own working methods.

So my dear Denver Broncos, I hope you keep inspiring people on a daily basis, from children to business owners and everyone in-between. This city will continue to wear blue and orange long after another team takes the title because we will always remember the team who showed up on Feb. 7th, 2016 and took to the field to show us what it looks like to be the best team in the league.