Choose Your Attitude for a Positive 2009

Tis the season for gifts and giving, so plan on giving your prospects, clients, fellow associates as well as your family and friends some positive news and an optimistic outlook for 2009!

Let me help get that process started….I receive a lot of data from some of our industry's best sources. The sum and substance of the data is good. Interest rates on both 15 and 30 year fixed rate mortgages are down the week ending December 3^rd. The 30 year fixed rates have not been this low since January 2008. Frank Nothaft, Freddie Mac Vice President and Chief Economist has commented on the virtual "dive" fixed-rate mortgages have taken since the Fed took actions to increase liquidity in the mortgage market and the increase in activity that has since occurred. According to The Mortgage Bankers Association, over the Thanksgiving week there was a surge of almost 150% in conventional mortgage applications led by an almost 300% increase in refinances from the prior week. Refinance applications are up from approximately 50% to 75% of all mortgage applications. Other signs point to a leveling off of foreclosures as well a decline in new foreclosures within certain mortgage product categories.

One of the many gifts we have to give ourselves at any time is the gift of choice. The ability to choose our thoughts and attitudes is a gift worth more than anything tangible. As we change our thoughts to those focused on where we want to go, supported by positive news, we can change our businesses and our lives for the better. This sounds kind of corny but stay with me, as this isn't just a "feel good" idea but rather a potential revenue generating concept. As I am traveling the country, I listen closely to a variety of industry participants from agents, brokers, lenders and REALTOR Association staff and executives. I find it no coincidence that the positive comments are coming from those that have been in the industry for many years; this is NOT the first challenging marketing they have witnessed. They exude a strong sense of what is good and talk about the good things going on in the market. Follow their lead and stay positive, focusing on the good news you hear, and let that momentum carry you and your business forward.

If someone gave you permission to feel good or bad, which would you choose? Notice that I say "choose". Much of life is a choice; the results we get in our lives are a choice. This concept is easy and meets with little resistance during good times when deals are flowing. If deals aren't flowing for you right now, choose different thoughts. Don't be fooled, thinking positive is not enough, follow those thoughts through with thoughtful, consistent, client value/focused action. Yesterday's featured blogs on Active Rain talk about change and some back to basics actions that will support you in activities to support your business. I encourage you to log on and spend a few minutes with your peers. www.activerain.com

Positive, inspired thought followed by thoughtful, consistent, client value/focused action is powerful beyond measure. People like to be around those who are positive, so if you find yourself feeling less than positive, consciously make the shift and watch how things change.

The next time Mark "lets me" write for Real Buzz will be after many of the holidays are either over or well underway. I wish all of you the very best of holidays and a terrific 2009!

Happy Holidays!

Michael McAllister

President

The CE Shop, Inc