Getting Focused

It is hard to believe that we are already halfway through the month of June, wrapping up the 2nd Quarter, and it's Monday... which means we are comin'atcha with our MONDAY MOTIVATION!

Last week we started a new series called "Proverbs" where we are looking at wise saying from folks who have a proven track record of success.  This week we are focusing on a quote from Steve Jobs.  In 1976, Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak founded Apple Inc.  Now, 45 years later, Apple has been named the most valuable brand in the world, surpassing Google and Amazon, and is worth more than $260 billion dollars.

What does it take to start from scratch and build one of the most successful companies of all time?  Steve Jobs would tell you it takes focus.  And this is where we get today's quote: "People think focus means saying 'Yes' to the thing you've got to focus on. But that's not what it means at all.  It means saying 'No' to the hundred other good ideas that there are.  You have to pick carefully.  I'm actually as proud of the things we haven't done as the things we have done.  Innovation is saying 'No' to the 1,000 things."

If you made a list of all the 'good things' to grow business, you could probably come up with a list as long as your arm:

- Have a client party

- Host an ice-cream social child-care or local school

- Buy leads from Zillow or Opcity

- Develop or attend a BNI

- Join a local club or Chamber of Commerce 

- Join a team or build a team

- Send 5, 10, or 20 personal notes every week

- Go door-knocking 

- Farm a neighborhood or two

- Start making cold-calls

- Send letters to expired listings

- Call FSBO's

Feel overwhelmed yet?  You have probably been there, right?  Here is the thing, you have seen some of these methods work for one or more real estate agents.  So, maybe you have felt compelled to dabble a bit trying it out.  Then the next good idea comes along and you try it a little too.  before long you are doing a lot of 'good things' but you are not doing any one thing very well.  You have divided up your time, talents, and resources in so many ways you are only able to give each area mediocre attention. 

This is Steve Job's point. Just because you can say 'Yes' to something, doesn't mean that you should! In fact, the MORE you do the more it may actually be hurting the overall growth of your business.  

You would be better off to find your niche, the one or two things you do REALLY well, and then dominate the market with those things verse trying to keep up with all the good ideas that come along your way.  So that begs the question: 'What is your niche?' What is the area that you are passionate about, enjoy doing, and connect well with others?  Boil it down and then protect it! Don't let other things come in and try to take time, energy, and resources away from your focus on those one or two main areas! 

Ok, folks - that's enough to focus on for today... so on to our resources for the week:

1) 'Any Way You Slice It I'm Always Here For You & Your Referrals' Pop-by Tag - Great resource to be paired with a pizza slicer, pie, or even a whole pizza! Pair it up and drop it by to make a lasting impression on your clients and SOI!

2) 'Just Popped By To Say Hello!' Pop-by Tag - Whether you pair this with popcorn, or the snap & pop firecrackers, this is a great little tag to help ensure you stay top-of-mind with your client base!

Don't forget that this coming Sunday is Father's Day.  We have LOTS of amazing resources for Father's Day pop-by's and cards in our PYRE Membership! Also, our PYRE Members always get to request new resources that they feel will help their business grow! 

We are cheering for you!