What I’m Grateful For: Rain
I love the sun in springtime, but I am grateful for the rain. In the moment, I would much rather have sunshine and clear skies and the opportunity to get outside and do some early yardwork or go for a walk. But this winter was one with scant snowfall, and spring came warm and dry and early, and we are already feeling the stress of the coming dry summer with the likelihood of wildfires. So every rainy day is a small deposit in the invisible, uncertain and uninsured bank account of the future. It makes me think of other things that we will never know that we should be grateful for – the flat tire that helps us avoid a pileup on the freeway, the perfect “one that got away” who ended up being an addict and you never knew it, all the ways that things could have gone wrong, but we couldn’t know it all or see it all, so we never knew to be grateful for the ordinary upsets and losses and rainy days that ended up, secretly, quietly, preventing calamities that never came to be.
What I’m Reading: Inman and Industry Articles
Lately, I’ve been mostly reading articles about the NAR lawsuit and various industry ripples that may or may not occur. Inman has particularly good coverage of this subject, but it is behind their paywall. Do you have any insights or thoughts on the matter? I would love to hear what you are planning on doing to mitigate the issues for you. Just email me back and tell me your thoughts!
Tip from Gene: Master the Art of the ASK
A mentor of mine recently reminded me of something I used to do constantly: Ask for what I want.
Here are three pro tips I now use every day when selling.
Pro Tip 1: Be persistent – most noes are actually “not now.”
Pro Tip 2: Follow up, Follow up, Follow up. – studies show your initial noes, with a follow-up ask, is TWICE as likely to get a yes.
Pro Tip 3: Selling is helping If you believe that your product or service improves the lives of your customers, through sales is education.
The Secret to all this is the ASK, ASK, ASK, GET
BONUS Tip: Use Ask to get discounts, upgrades, and free stuff. I used the Ask on my last trip and received a free room upgrade.
Quote I’m Pondering:
“Asking is the beginning of receiving. Make sure you don’t go to the ocean with a teaspoon. At least take a bucket so the kids won’t laugh at you.”— Jim Rohn
