Monday Morning Match is a simple post – maybe a quote, inspirational story or idea – intended to spark some motivation inside each of you so your week gets off to a fantastic start on Monday morning.
Words that Don’t Work*
It seems like everyone these days needs to use certain words to seem like they are up-to-date with the current environment. We hear so many people dropping these words into their marketing and sales pitches, or using them in their daily dialogues so they can earn some credibility from anyone who might be listening. Words like “the new normal” and “pivot” have become today’s “innovative” and “disruptive” buzzwords to use in company newsletters and wanna-be Ted Talks.
One of the coolest things about a career in real estate is that it’s different every day…and one of the worst things about a career in real estate is that it’s different every day. There is nothing normal about what we do, how we do it, or who we do it with or for.
The phrase “new normal” doesn’t even seem to make any sense because every day we probably can/should expect something new. That’s what makes it a “new” day. Just think, in less than 24 hours, today will be tomorrow and by then, today is really yesterday. I don’t think anyone expects what we are experiencing in the world today as anything close to normal. Will we go back to what we had 2 months ago? Probably not, but we shouldn’t be ready to settle for anything close to this “normal.”
As for “pivoting,” isn’t that what the best performers in any industry do on a daily basis? It’s nothing new, is it? In basketball, the player with the ball cannot move his pivot foot. With the pivot foot established, the player is in what’s called “triple threat” position; they can pass, shoot, or dribble. In mechanical terms, it means to rotate, spin, or revolve. If the direction you’re headed is suddenly blocked, turning in a different direction seems logical, not innovative.
*For me
Words that Work
Now’s not the time to change your vocabulary from the words that have always worked. Maybe now we should be using the words that aren’t scared by innovation and disruption. Words like “please,” “thank you,” and “you’re welcome.” Phrases such as “How can I help?” or “I love you” seem to be well-received by most who hear them.
How about we all aim to make a little more eye contact with others when we’re in person and use the words from above and add in a few more “I appreciate you’s” and “It would be my pleasure’s” into our scripts over the next few weeks.
Who’s with me?
If you really want to be ready for whatever might be coming next, don’t worry so much about disruption or your competition innovating faster than you. Just keep your pivot foot down and assume a triple-threat position because from there, you’ll always be ready to build relationships, solve problems, and have fun.
Photo courtesy of Kelly Sikkema
Photo courtesy Taylor Smith