Think Bigger Real Estate

The first thing that agents need to do in order to maintain their businesses and margins is to actually get better. The best way to do this is to learn from other brokers. Joe Fustolo has dedicated the past seven years to building a powerful Facebook community called 'Masters in Real Estate' with the intent to help this community of real estate agents have better ethics and gain more knowledge. This mindset of helping other agents, even your own competition, get better is a key to a better life, a better business and a better industry.

There comes a point within each of our lives, I believe, when we desire to go beyond success to a place of significance. We want to not just impact our own family's life, but the lives of as many as we can reach. Both Josh Pitts and I have felt this stirring and his Facebook Live show has inspired me to do the same. In this episode, Josh and I discuss some of the pitfalls that keep people from leveraging this powerful tool, not just to impact their own business and life, but to impact the lives of so many more that they could be reaching and helping.

Jay Puppo is not only a friend, but my personal productivity coach. He has transformed the way I look at the way I spend my time. Rather than choosing the best things to be doing, he has helped me to really focus in on what is my ONE Thing and work to cut out everything else. This will get you thinking about your own personal possibilities when you learn to identify and really focus on it.

For years and years I spent too much time trying to outrun my fork. I wanted to look and feel a certain way and because I did not have control over my eating habits, I spent too much time away from my family, trying to exercise my way to fitness. When I was introduced to Jon Fuller, I realized that I had been hacking at the branches rather than the root. This man has helped me to understand and live good nutrition so that I can have my time back.

Although the precise timing of a market shift is never totally known, the reality that they do happen is known. As a result, many agents have been preparing for some time on how to best take advantage of the opportunity that is our current real estate market shift. These kinds of markets require not only the right mindset and energy, but the right vision and leadership.

"As a real estate agent, I know I'm supposed to be creating and sharing content on social media, but what do I create, say and share?"If you've ever had that question, I've brought on nationally acclaimed video influencer and Newberg, Oregon real estate agent, Brandon Porter to help you get unstuck.

There are two types of discontentment. One is healthy and fuels people like you and me towards our potential. The other is unhealthy and causes discouragement and takes us away from our potential. Tune into this short share to hear the difference.

Cody Martens owner of Top Left Creative, a marketing company that offers turnkey solutions for real estate agents and lenders, gives tremendous insight on how to market in today's crowded marketing space.

On this episode, financial industry leader Tim Clairmont of Clear Financial Partners hits on two major topics: 1. Going from something that you love, to creating success, to then creating significance. 2. How to thrive amidst industry disruption. Teaser- despite the knowledge economy that we're in, EQ (emotional intelligence) will matter more than IQ in the days and years to come.

If you are in a service based industry and are tired of shrinking margins, then this episode is for you. Mark Savage, owner of Cornerstone Web Studio knows that designing beautiful websites is not enough in today's economy. Mark spends much of his time also acting as a thought leader in his industry and those that he serves. As service based industries continue to be disrupted by technology, including that of artificial intelligence and automation, becoming a thought leader is a key component in staking out your future. In this episode we cover some ways to do that.

Cody Martens and I have a really fun conversation about what real estate agents are doing right now as marketers of their business to really thrive.

Bryan Welton founded and built the largest name tag company in the world. In addition he invests and advises approximately 30 small businesses through his private venture capital fund, all while raising 6 children, participating and leading philanthropy projects and causes in other parts of the world and leading a youth ministry of over 1000 kids.

What if every time someone purchased your product or service, charities in your area automatically received the support and help that they so desperately need. Would that change your potential customers' buying patterns? We've seen this model for years in things like 'Tom's Shoes', or 'Ethos Water' at Starbucks. Would this model work for your product or service? This episode will expand your thinking to consider how you might be able to forge business and philanthropy both within your own business as well as with those from whom you purchase.

Whenever I get the chance to talk with Nick Hoogendam, I learn SO much. Today was no different, other than I let my audience listen in. If you are growing a business or a brand as an entrepreneur or intrapreneur, the concepts and ideas shared here will give you an inside edge on understanding how to thrive in our current attention economy.

On his deathbed, legendary innovator and business leader Steve Jobs expressed regret in not being a better father. I admire Steve for what he did in the business world and I also want to learn from his regrets. I have a lot of weaknesses and failures and I'm sure I'll have my own regrets, but at the end of my life, one that I don't want to have is that I missed my opportunity to be a great dad. For this reason I try and surround myself with great dads from whom I can learn. Tony Gillard, father of 3, one of which has had 4 open heart surgeries, is from whom I learn regularly.

Professional coach Dan Foster shares what shares how his coaching organization, Building Champions, Inc., has made a quantum leap by having different conversations to have different offers for different people. He also delves into moving topics such as how changing your thoughts, beliefs and feelings is at the root of change and how creating not just a business plan, but a life plan often creates the fuel to achieve your most ambitious business plans.

Whether or not you're ever interested in foster parents, the principles that Chad and i discuss will benefit anyone looking to think bigger about the impact that they can make in the lives of others and truly pursue a life of significance. Listen in as Chad shares his story of how he and his wife became foster parents and how he also volunteers as a mentor to young men who do not have a father in the home.

A true life success story out of Sherwood, Oregon, Nathan Doyel has been a student and practitioner of success philosophies his entire life. From playing Division I football at a prestigious university, to raising a family of five children, to being a fearless advocate of important non-profits, to building a dentistry that consistently breaks records on production levels AND service levels, Nathan is the kind of guy that you not only want to be around but one that you want to learn from and emulate. In his research for his new book, Nathan shares multiple examples that demystify why all of us tend to remain within a certain zone of achievement. In so doing, he shares the simple recipe he has used for himself and his team to break through these self-imposed limitations and achieve at all new levels.

US Marine Force Reconnaissance member Steve Brush discusses training that was so tough that he blacked out multiple times, once in shallow water. All of this was preparation for 6 tours in Afghanistan and being on the front lines in machine gun fights with the Taliban. Steve is probably the toughest and bravest human being I've ever met and some of his biggest challenges came upon returning to civilian life. The lessons in life and business that we pull from his experiences could likely change your life.

Whether it's inspiring large audiences at Nike, HP, OHSU, or taking people to the top of Africa's highest peak, transforming lives is what Lou does. Tune in and you too will hear and feel what I mean.

You'll love my conversation with Trevor Hammond, regional manager of Sierra Pacific Mortgage and Founder of Portland's 10X Growth Summit in which Trevor shares the mind-expanding process he's been walking the Summit's attendees through to make the seemingly impossible goals, seem completely attainable. Tune in to experience it for yourself.

Josh Friberg heads up the Five Doors Network expansion team here in Portland, Oregon. In addition to that, he is a certified ONE Thing Trainer. Listen to how Josh and I are applying the principles of the NYT, Amazon, USA Today best-selling book The ONE Thing in our lives and you too can create new freedoms and possibilities for yourself.

This interview with Jesse Garcia, top Realtor and co-founder of Pipeline Wizard is packed with nuggets of wisdom that will help you THINK BIGGER. Jesse was leading a life by default, but inside he and his wife knew that he had bigger things to do. With the help of mentors along the way that have helped him to think bigger, he's now leading a life by design.

In a time and era when it is easy to "connect" with almost anyone virtually, we as business people have forgotten one of the tried and true success principles of building business, which is doing so one relationship at a time. In this interview, we review some of my key takeaways from Patrick's book and discuss how to avoid the commoditization that is happening in mortgage, in real estate, in insurance, and many other industries through a focus on relationships.

Although an icon in the real estate industry, this interview will expand the thinking of any and all that hear this story. When Marc got into the real estate business in 2006, he experienced less than a year of upside before things got, at least for others, really tough. Despite this, Marc closed 43 transactions in his first year by simply following a proven model and great mentors. Fast forward to last year and Marc and Fox Property Group closed 266 transactions. He's now to a point where he leads the company and seeks to crelate great success THROUGH others with his powerful perspective on real estate expansion teams that focuses on helping his expansion partners close business sufficient to significantly change their lives. Tune in to hear the rest of the story, including the many lessons that Marc has learned through his journey thus far.

Tune in for the simple definition of what leadership really is and how understanding this definition can help you to think bigger in every area of your life.

Six years ago Scott LaPlante owned a mechanic shop, was 255 pounds, borderline hypertension, just went through a divorce, and was dealing with stress in some very unhealthy ways. Fast forward to today and Scott is a physical specimen and one month off from having run his first 100 mile race and consistently does additional ultra marathons. Listen to his story, together with the amazing stories of his races and the life lessons that come from them, as he totally changed his situation and his life, which all started by being around people who helped him to think bigger.

My 10-year-old daughter asked if she could accompany me on my run this morning she rode her bike. She rode and talked and I ran and listened. I was so impressed with how big is her thinking. She shared with me how she doesn't want to live a life just in a pretty dress holding a girly umbrella, which I thought was hilarious, but she wants to do really important things. She referenced the movie Hidden Figures, which she has not even seen yet, which led me to share some thoughts on living a life of great impact. There is no doubt in my mind that she will impact and change the world in wonderful ways. The big takeaway for me, is that you don't have to have a big fancy title, or be a best-selling author, in order to have really big thinking and inspire other people to have a really big thinking. And we often need to look around and take wisdom from those around us who have such a pure and unjaded view on the world and the endless possibilities that exist.

In today's episode I discuss takeaways from my mastermind lunch of which I am a part with a few very successful friends. We discussed the powerful practice of quieting your mind, whether it be through transcendental meditation or other, the results of many of the world's superachievers speak for themselves. I also share tidbits from a powerful book called The Power of Full Engagement by Tony Schwartz and how the practice of quietInc your mind, actually helped some of the world's greatest tennis players lower their heart rate in between serves, which then allowed them to be able to consistently outperform their competition.

What is sure to happen when you are on the right path to bigger thinking, bigger actions and bigger impact, is that some people that have been in your life up to that point, will no longer hAve as big of a place, or even a place at all. As this happens, some people will retreat and go back to their comfort zone, remaining in those same relationships and conversations, due to peer pressure and wanting to remain in everyone's good graces. Unless we are talking about your spouse, to whom you have made at least a lifelong commitment, I would recommend that you do not to retreat. Rather, see it as evidence that you are on the path to bigger thinking, big your actions, and bigger impact.

I had an experience today that is teaching me a really powerful lesson. Over a year ago I did something unethical with some clients. I started to give a lead source that was not mine to give. My intentions were good but the way I went about it was not. When it all came out, I felt very remorseful and asked a sincere apology from those involved. Just today I had an encounter with one of the individuals wronged and from it I have learned a myriad of lessons about how holding grudges and forgiveness, or lack there of, can limit our ability to think bigger, act bigger and have a big impact.

Meet Patrick Woods. Patrick began his real estate career in 2002 and is currently an owner and General Manager of 4 Keller Williams Realty franchises with nearly 1,000 associates selling over 7,000 homes equalling approximately $2.5 billion in sales in 2016 alone. Previously he served as the CEO and Team Leader of the Roseville office. With over 500 associates, the Roseville office has finished as the #1 Keller Williams office in the world in both 2011 and 2012 out of approximately 700 offices worldwide. In 2014 Patrick and his office reached the pinnacle of selling over $1 Billion worth of real estate in a single year. Our interview with Patrick goes into the rise and fall of his career in the Dotcom world and how that helped him to develop the vision and leadership lessons and attributes to go big in building a real estate and coaching empire. You'll love some of the nuggets shared by this business icon.

I had lunch this past week with a friend who doubles as a very successful individual. His success extends beyond the business world into his faith and family. He is someone definitely worth modeling. In our conversation, he shared with me that he had told his wife that he wanted to come up with a billion-dollar idea. That lead he and I down an interesting conversation path and has caused me to reflect on it since our time together. From that, I've derived a question and a formula that can dramatically change your thinking, conversations, actions and impact.

In this episode I interview the leader of the top producing real estate team, SELLPDX.com, and best-selling author of the game-changing book The Golden Handoff- How to Buy and Sell a Real Estate Agent's Business. Nick and I go into a massive paradigm shift that agents can have, either at the start of their career, or as they are nearing the end of their career, when they realize that their real-estate business is something they can one day sell.

There are TWO WAYS to get the bingest and best building in town. The first is to take all of your effort and resources to go build it. The second is to go and try and knock down other people's buildings so that yours remains or becomes the bingest building in town. The first is gratifying, helps you become something great, and is effective. The latter will be ineffective, shallow, short-lived, and comes with an opportunity cost of not spending time improving your brand, offering, business, etc. Whether in the past, currently, or even in the future, you find yourself spending your precious resources knocking down other people's buildings, stop it! You are only hurting yourself and not serving your customers and your industry in the way that you otherwise could.

Show me your calendar and I will show you how big you are thinking. In today's episode I tell of the realization that I had as I looked at my calendar and seeing a recurring appointment that is a very common practice in my industry. What I know and remembered is that this may not be the best use of my time in helping me to think bigger and therefore help my clients to think bigger and don more. I encourage you to look at your calendar and see if there are activities and/or white space there that should be filled with bigger thinking activities and bigger conversations. As you do, I am convinced that you will like the return.

I was in a meeting today with some clients and the topic came up and of how to get out of conversations when clients are trying to get you to heavily compete with other agents. Our discussion led us to the solution of letting the client know that we do not compete on those terms, but that we compete at a different level on different terms, that are ultimately more valuable to the client and that we are not sure that we are a good fit. Essentially, what we are doing, is recognizing that this client is inviting us to be small thinking and in small conversations. We are declining the invitation to be in those conversations and inviting the client to join us in bigger thinking and the bigger conversations. Often times, we underestimate the cost of being in small conversations. We often only calculate and consider the direct costs, like lowered commissions, etc. What we fail to recognize, is the opportunity cost of being in small thinking conversations... which take the place of a conversation in which bigger thinking could be taking place. That cost has the potential to be enormous.

Just last week I had the opportunity to sit down with a real estate agent in my area, who is not currently a customer, but who is consistently in the top 5 or 10 producing agents in our city. What I share in this episode are some things that I learned about getting into those conversations, adding value in those conversations, and setting yourself up for future conversations with that person.

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With a friendship that extends back to middle school, Steve and I have lots in common, including a shared vision and passion of disruption in our industry. Specifically, we are committed to disrupting the title and escrow industry for the good of Realtors everywhere.One way in which we do this is by bringing to the real estate industry, regular content that allows our followers and partners to have:bigger thinkingbigger actionsbigger impactWe will be doing this through interviews with some of the world's brightest and most innovative minds as well as sharing experiences outside of our interviews in which our interviews were stretched.