One Step To Creating An Easy Life

Over the past couple of months, we have been looking through the "proverbs", or wise sayings from people who have been successful in life and business.  We have looked at quotes from Zig Ziglar, Jim Rohn, and Steve Jobs, just to name a few, but today's quote comes from someone whose name you probably won't recognize: Jerzy Gregorek. 

Jerzy was born in Poland. In 1986, he came to the United States as a political refugee.  While being an immigrant in America and a political refugee certainly provided some challenges, Jerzy was committed to achieving his goals. And, that is exactly what he set out to do!  Since coming to the United States, Jerzy has won four (4) World Weightlifting Championships and also set a world record. Jerzy, and his wife Aniela, have spent the last 30 years coaching people towards a healthier, happier life.  Here is today's proverb from Jerzy:

"Easy choice, hard life. Hard choices, easy life." 

Whether you are talking about relationships, weight loss, or running a business, you will be confronted multiple times a day to choose between what you want now verse what you want most. Take, for instance, the idea of weight loss. To lose weight, you will need to avoid certain food, participate in moderate exercise, and watch your caloric intake. Not everyone will lose weight, however, because making those choices each and every day can be hard, right? You know you want to lose an extra 10 pounds by the end of the year, but suddenly that piece of cake is right in front of you! You have the decision to make: are you going to choose what you want most (lose weight) or what you want now (eat the cake).  

Making decisions for long-term impact often require hard choices now.  It is saying "No" to immediate gratification so that eventually you can experience the ultimate "Yes!" In your business, you might be tempted to take the easy choice of putting off phone calls, creating or sticking to a budget, asking for referrals, or simply getting organized and structured. You might opt instead to binge-watch Netflix, take a rest, participate in a favorite hobby, or hang out with friends.  Those choices seem much easier and enjoyable in the moment, yet they will have a hefty price for you to pay later. It's okay to enjoy a break every once in a while, but when we make it a routine to choose the easy now, we are really just delaying the inevitable hard consequences. Let's go back to our weight loss analogy.

You wake up early in the morning and think to yourself   "Today is the day! I am going to start over and eat healthily and exercise!"  However, when you get downstairs you see a donut sitting on the counter.  You can either pick up and eat or go through the hassle of making a healthy breakfast.  So, you choose the easy, quick option and scarf down the donut while thinking to yourself "It's okay, I will eat a healthy lunch!" The problem is, you're already running late and didn't prepare a healthy lunch to take with you and now you have no time to prepare one.  You think to yourself, "It's okay, I will just skip lunch today"  but by 11:30 your tummy is growling and you decide to go past a fast food restaurant to grab something quick. Now you begin to think to yourself, "Wow, a donut for lunch and fast food for lunch. I have really blown it! Who cares what I do the rest of the day, I will start over tomorrow!" Does this sound familiar? It is what happens when we choose what we want now over what we want most!

The real question is: How do we make the hard right choices in the moment while avoiding the easy wrong choices?

Here is the key: You have to make up your mind that you are going to act in your own best interest! 

Ok, I realize that is probably not the answer you were looking for, but it is the truth. But before you stop reading, let's dissect this sentence a bit so you can see why it is so important.

First, making the hard, right choices requires that you make up your mind about what you are going to do.  The word "resolved" probably encapsulates this idea best.  Resolved is defined as: coming to a definite or earnest decision about; determine (to do something). When you are resolved, when you have truly made up your mind, there is no other option! There is no going back! Sure, there might be easier choices, but they are not even an option on the table because you have already made the decision about what you will do, and you are going to do it!

Are you resolved about some areas of your life?  Are you resolved about some areas of your business?  What areas need some revolve right now to have an easier life later on? 

The second part of this sentence goes from thinking about something (or knowing something) to acting upon it.  We all know a lot of things, but have you ever noticed that we rarely act on all that we know.  We know that it's safer to drive the speed limit and that we might get a ticket for speeding, yet how often do most people speed while driving? We also know that routine maintenance of our homes is important, yet home many people flush their water heaters, have their furnaces inspected, or scrape chipping paint and re-caulk areas around windows?  Knowing the right thing to do, and actually doing it, are two different things!  That is why the second key component to making the hard, right choice is to put into place the things you know are in your own best interest. 

Is it in the best interest of your business to call your sphere of influence, check in on them, and ask for referrals? Yes!

Is it in the best interest of your business to put off making a budget until next year because you're already 7 months deep in this year? No!

It is in the best interest of your business to read and be inspired by others who can help you achieve more and push you towards greater success? Yes!

It is in the best interest of your business to spend 3-4 hours a day scrolling on social media and killing time? No!

When you act in your own best interest you will live with no regrets, and having no regrets leads to an easier life!

Ok - we hope that inspires you to make the right, hard choices over the easy, wrong choices in your life and business.... and now on to our newest resources for the week: 

(Remember, sometimes these resources may show up in our Realtor Shop, but ALL of them are included as a part of your PYRE Membership!)

1) "Know The Difference Between A Buyers & Sellers Market" Item Of Value: Not only is this a great educational piece, but it is also another touch-point for you and your clients and sphere of influence! Help your people know how to navigate and understand the differences between a buyer and seller market!

2) Olympic Tokyo 2020 Games Schedule: Pair it with the Gold Medal pop-by tags and help your clients keep up with all the fun of the Olympic Games! 

Did you know we are here for you?! Our main goal is to provide top-quality resources at affordable prices in a way that is quick and convenient for real estate agents! So, if there are resources that would help you connect with your clients, let us know! We are not only here for you, but we are cheering for you!