🌱 You Can't Plan for Everything, but You Can Have a Good Attitude
​Happy Monday!
Here is an Idea, an Action, and a Question to consider this week.
Idea
I’m a firm believer in contingency planning. Many issues can be avoided if you take the time to think through them in advance. However, you can’t anticipate everything.
A few years ago, I encountered a situation where, after closing a deal but before securing the funds, the lender changed the terms. I had already confirmed everything with both the lender and the title attorney, and we had even received the “cleared to close” from the lender. All the paperwork had been signed and notarized. Then, out of nowhere, the lender refused to fund the deal because their funding department decided the market had shifted. They demanded an additional 1% fee at closing and raised the interest rate by half a percent.
I was completely shocked! This was so far outside the norm that it wasn’t something I could have anticipated.
In situations like this, you can’t control the actions or decisions of others. However, you can control how you respond. You can choose to step back, maintain a broad perspective, and approach the situation with a mindset that maximizes the chances of achieving a successful outcome. Whether the outcome is successful or not, your mindset makes a difference.
I love an example Tony Robbins gives, which shows how much your mindset can shape an experience. Imagine you’re planning a dinner date with your partner at 7:00 PM. You arrive early and get seated, but by 7:15, your partner still isn’t there. What are you thinking at this point?
Do you start feeling irritated, remembering other times they’ve been late? Or do you wonder if they’ve run into a delay and hope they’re okay? Then it’s 7:30, and they’re still not there, and they’re not answering their phone either.
Now, are you getting really angry, ready to give them a piece of your mind or even questioning the relationship? Or are you worried, hoping they’re safe? Finally, at 7:35, they walk in. Whether the rest of your evening is harmonious or tense will depend entirely on the mindset you had leading up to that moment. It’s the same situation either way, but your mindset influences the outcome.
The same applies in the real estate business. When unexpected situations arise, be the agent with a positive mindset. Be the one who looks for solutions, not the one who complains or blames others. That’s why it’s crucial to approach your work with authenticity. If you genuinely care about your clients and relationships more than the money, it’s much easier to project a positive and helpful attitude.
Action
The next time an unexpected challenge arises in a deal or situation, take a moment to pause and assess your mindset. Ask yourself how you can maintain a positive perspective and focus on solutions rather than dwelling on the problem. Challenge yourself to lead with authenticity and care for your clients, especially when things don’t go as planned.
Question
How do you typically respond when faced with unexpected changes in a deal, and how might shifting your mindset in those moments help you achieve better outcomes?
See you next week,
Matt “Roar” Gardner
Real estate investor-agent, Author of Supersonic Real Estate: How an Agent Can Boost Sales, Begin Investing, and Build an Exit Strategy, and keynote speaker
PS: Remember to forward this newsletter to your fellow investor-agents who might enjoy it!
