27 August 2018
31 May 2012
05 April 2012
15 Things You Should Give Up To Be Happy????
Here is a list of 15 things which, if you give up on them, will make your life a lot easier and much, much happier. We hold on to so many things that cause us a great deal of pain, stress and suffering – and instead of letting them all go, instead of allowing ourselves to be stress free and happy – we cling on to them. Not anymore. Starting today we will give up on all those things that no longer serve us, and we will embrace change. Ready? Here we go:
2. Give up your need for control. Be willing to give up your need to always control everything that happens to you and around you – situations, events, people, etc. Whether they are loved ones, coworkers, or just strangers you meet on the street – just allow them to be. Allow everything and everyone to be just as they are and you will see how much better will that make you feel.
15 Things You Should Give Up To Be Happy
1. Give up your need to always be right.There are so many of us who can’t stand the idea of being wrong – wanting to always be right – even at the risk of ending great relationships or causing a great deal of stress and pain, for us and for others. It’s just not worth it. Whenever you feel the ‘urgent’ need to jump into a fight over who is right and who is wrong, ask yourself this question: “Would I rather be right, or would I rather be kind?” Wayne Dyer. What difference will that make? Is your ego really that big?
2. Give up your need for control. Be willing to give up your need to always control everything that happens to you and around you – situations, events, people, etc. Whether they are loved ones, coworkers, or just strangers you meet on the street – just allow them to be. Allow everything and everyone to be just as they are and you will see how much better will that make you feel.
“By letting it go it all gets done. The world is won by those who let it go. But when you try and try. The world is beyond winning.” Lao Tzu
3. Give up on blame. Give up on your need to blame others for what you have or don’t have, for what you feel or don’t feel. Stop giving your powers away and start taking responsibility for your life.
4. Give up your self-defeating self-talk. Oh my. How many people are hurting themselves because of their negative, polluted and repetitive self-defeating mindset? Don’t believe everything that your mind is telling you – especially if it’s negative and self-defeating. You are better than that.
“The mind is a superb instrument if used rightly. Used wrongly, however, it becomes very destructive.” Eckhart Tolle
5. Give up your limiting beliefs about what you can or cannot do, about what is possible or impossible. From now on, you are no longer going to allow your limiting beliefs to keep you stuck in the wrong place. Spread your wings and fly!
“A belief is not an idea held by the mind, it is an idea that holds the mind” Elly Roselle
6. Give up complaining. Give up your constant need to complain about those many, many, maaany things – people, situations, events that make you unhappy, sad and depressed. Nobody can make you unhappy, no situation can make you sad or miserable unless you allow it to. It’s not the situation that triggers those feelings in you, but how you choose to look at it. Never underestimate the power of positive thinking.
7. Give up the luxury of criticism. Give up your need to criticize things, events or people that are different than you. We are all different, yet we are all the same. We all want to be happy, we all want to love and be loved and we all want to be understood. We all want something, and something is wished by us all.
8. Give up your need to impress others. Stop trying so hard to be something that you’re not just to make others like you. It doesn’t work this way. The moment you stop trying so hard to be something that you’re not, the moment you take of all your masks, the moment you accept and embrace the real you, you will find people will be drawn to you, effortlessly.
9. Give up your resistance to change. Change is good. Change will help you move from A to B. Change will help you make improvements in your life and also the lives of those around you. Follow your bliss, embrace change – don’t resist it.
“Follow your bliss and the universe will open doors for you where there were only walls” Joseph Campbell
“Follow your bliss and the universe will open doors for you where there were only walls” Joseph Campbell
10. Give up labels. Stop labeling those things, people or events that you don’t understand as being weird or different and try opening your mind, little by little. Minds only work when open. “The highest form of ignorance is when you reject something you don’t know anything about.” Wayne Dyer
11. Give up on your fears. Fear is just an illusion, it doesn’t exist – you created it. It’s all in your mind. Correct the inside and the outside will fall into place.
“The only thing we have to fear, is fear itself.” Franklin D. Roosevelt
“The only thing we have to fear, is fear itself.” Franklin D. Roosevelt
12. Give up your excuses. Send them packing and tell them they’re fired. You no longer need them. A lot of times we limit ourselves because of the many excuses we use. Instead of growing and working on improving ourselves and our lives, we get stuck, lying to ourselves, using all kind of excuses – excuses that 99.9% of the time are not even real.
13. Give up the past. I know, I know. It’s hard. Especially when the past looks so much better than the present and the future looks so frightening, but you have to take into consideration the fact that the present moment is all you have and all you will ever have. The past you are now longing for – the past that you are now dreaming about – was ignored by you when it was present. Stop deluding yourself. Be present in everything you do and enjoy life. After all life is a journey not a destination. Have a clear vision for the future, prepare yourself, but always be present in the now.
14. Give up attachment. This is a concept that, for most of us is so hard to grasp and I have to tell you that it was for me too, (it still is) but it’s not something impossible. You get better and better at with time and practice. The moment you detach yourself from all things, (and that doesn’t mean you give up your love for them – because love and attachment have nothing to do with one another, attachment comes from a place of fear, while love… well, real love is pure, kind, and self less, where there is love there can’t be fear, and because of that, attachment and love cannot coexist) you become so peaceful, so tolerant, so kind, and so serene. You will get to a place where you will be able to understand all things without even trying. A state beyond words.
15. Give up living your life to other people’s expectations. Way too many people are living a life that is not theirs to live. They live their lives according to what others think is best for them, they live their lives according to what their parents think is best for them, to what their friends, their enemies and their teachers, their government and the media think is best for them. They ignore their inner voice, that inner calling. They are so busy with pleasing everybody, with living up to other people’s expectations, that they lose control over their lives. They forget what makes them happy, what they want, what they need….and eventually they forget about themselves. You have one life – this one right now – you must live it, own it, and especially don’t let other people’s opinions distract you from your path.
15 Things You Should Give Up To Be Happy
02 February 2012
2011-2012 Cost vs. Value: Which Remodeling Projects Pay Off the Most?
2011-2012 Cost vs. Value: Which Remodeling Projects Pay Off the Most?
On January 25, 2012, in Helpful Tools, Remodeling Adviser, by Melissa Tracey
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By Melissa Dittmann Tracey, REALTOR® Magazine
When tackling home remodeling projects, you’ll find some projects pay off more than others at times of resale. Remodeling Magazine, in conjunction with REALTOR® Magazine, recently released findings of its annual Cost vs. Value report for 2011-2012, revealing which remodeling projects offer the biggest bang for your buck.
Overall, the trend right now is replacement over remodeling–swapping out the old for the new rather than doing a total gut job, which can be much more costly.
This year’s Cost vs. Value report found that exterior replacement projects–such as new garage doors and a new entry door–offer some of the best returns at resale, allowing home owners to recoup close to 70 percent or more of the costs of the project at times of resale.
The following are the top, mid-range projects from this year’s report, based on what home owners stand to recoup at time of resale:
1. Replacing the entry door to steel
Estimated cost: $1,238
Cost recouped at resale: 73%
2. Attic bedroom (converting unfinished attic space into a bedroom with bathroom and shower)
Estimated cost: $50,148
Cost recouped at resale: 72.5%
3. Minor kitchen remodel (including new cabinets and drawers, countertops, hardware, and appliances)
Estimated cost: $19,588
Cost recouped at resale: 72.1%
4. Garage door replacement
Estimated cost: $1,512
Cost recouped at resale: 71.9%
5. Deck addition (wood)
Estimated cost: $10,350
Cost recouped at resale: 70.1%
6. Siding replacement (vinyl)
Estimated cost: $11,729
Cost recouped at resale: 69.5%
On January 25, 2012, in Helpful Tools, Remodeling Adviser, by Melissa Tracey
Share
By Melissa Dittmann Tracey, REALTOR® Magazine
When tackling home remodeling projects, you’ll find some projects pay off more than others at times of resale. Remodeling Magazine, in conjunction with REALTOR® Magazine, recently released findings of its annual Cost vs. Value report for 2011-2012, revealing which remodeling projects offer the biggest bang for your buck.
Overall, the trend right now is replacement over remodeling–swapping out the old for the new rather than doing a total gut job, which can be much more costly.
This year’s Cost vs. Value report found that exterior replacement projects–such as new garage doors and a new entry door–offer some of the best returns at resale, allowing home owners to recoup close to 70 percent or more of the costs of the project at times of resale.
The following are the top, mid-range projects from this year’s report, based on what home owners stand to recoup at time of resale:
1. Replacing the entry door to steel
Estimated cost: $1,238
Cost recouped at resale: 73%
2. Attic bedroom (converting unfinished attic space into a bedroom with bathroom and shower)
Estimated cost: $50,148
Cost recouped at resale: 72.5%
3. Minor kitchen remodel (including new cabinets and drawers, countertops, hardware, and appliances)
Estimated cost: $19,588
Cost recouped at resale: 72.1%
4. Garage door replacement
Estimated cost: $1,512
Cost recouped at resale: 71.9%
5. Deck addition (wood)
Estimated cost: $10,350
Cost recouped at resale: 70.1%
6. Siding replacement (vinyl)
Estimated cost: $11,729
Cost recouped at resale: 69.5%
05 October 2011
The REALTORS ® Toolbox: Getting on the Same Page
The REALTORS ® Toolbox: Getting on the Same Page: I had a good meeting with my boss today. We are both busy people who have a lot on our respective plates and are never really without so...
I had a good meeting with my boss today.
We are both busy people who have a lot on our respective plates and are never really without something to do. It is just a fact that one of his "plates" is making sure I am doing all I can to provide assistance, support and value to the associates and managers within our organization so they can continue to deliver outstanding service and memorable experiences to their clients and customers.
When you start getting busy it becomes easy to think you're on track with your actions and on schedule to deliver what is expected but having some check points along the way is always a good idea.
How do you make sure you're on the "same page" with everyone and anyone who might be reading from the same manual?
Servicing Your Sellers
How are you "touching base" with your Sellers during the listing process? It might be a wise practice to schedule weekly "check ins" with all of your Sellers so you can discuss your marketing efforts, any changes in the market (new listings, price changes, new pending deals, buyer activity) and upcoming events you may have planned.
Doing this weekly allows you to create open communication with your clients and let's them always know what you're doing to not only maximize exposure on their home and generate potential interest, but eventually earn your fee they will pay you when it sells.
Another thing this might do is eliminate many of those "got a minute" interruptions that some Sellers might bother you with throughout the week if they knew they could count on your weekly call. Be sure to put it in your schedule and be diligent about making the call. Prepare your thoughts the morning of these calls and anticipate any questions or concerns they may have for you.
Scheduling these "check ins" at the time you take the listing will start your relationship off on the right foot and show them that they have listed their home with a true sales professional instead of someone who just sits back and waits for the market to deliver an offer. These weekly calls also eliminate the possibility of your Sellers saying they "never hear from you."
Positioning Your Purchasers
If you're a full time Realtor in today's challenging market, you know you don't have time to be a chauffeur and spend your day working with "lookers." You want to work with people who are ready, willing and able to buy, right?
We spoke in The Realtor's Toolbox earlier this year about the 5 Reasons for a Buyer Counseling Session (see video blog series here) so let's assume that this is where your relationship truly begins with each Buyer. How are you making sure that you're always on the "same page" with your clients who are searching for that next place to call home?
Are you what might be called a "Pop Tart Agent" who just jumps and runs when a client wants to see a house or do you have a system to identify the right listings that match what the client has identified as their needs and wants? If you don't get control of your schedule don't be surprised if your schedule grabs control of you.
Schedule your showings and don't be afraid to ask your clients after each session if they want to explore moving forward on any of the houses you showed - also known as "asking for the sale." If you feel that you're spending too many sessions just "looking" don't be afraid to schedule another "mini" Buyer Counseling Session to verify that what you're showing them and what they are looking for are still in alignment. Otherwise you're not only wasting their time, you're wasting your time!
Get in Tandem with Your Teammates
Do you keep in touch with your lenders, inspectors, attorneys and title companies? How do your systems you have in place ensure that you and your office staff know what is going on with your transactions? If you have a team of agents you work with, do you schedule regular meetings with each other so everyone knows what going on with your clients? Does your manager have a good idea of what your current "pipeline" looks like so he or she can help you keep all the deals you're juggling from falling at your feet?
Constant communication, dotting every 'i' and crossing each 't' can be a good idea because you never know when a question or emergency might arise.
Don't leave success to chance. Make sure you're utilizing systems and scheduling regular meetings with anyone who has a chance to affect or impact your business. That way you can focus on building relationships, solving problems and having fun.
Photo via Flickr - courtesy of Horia Varlan
I had a good meeting with my boss today.
We are both busy people who have a lot on our respective plates and are never really without something to do. It is just a fact that one of his "plates" is making sure I am doing all I can to provide assistance, support and value to the associates and managers within our organization so they can continue to deliver outstanding service and memorable experiences to their clients and customers.
When you start getting busy it becomes easy to think you're on track with your actions and on schedule to deliver what is expected but having some check points along the way is always a good idea.
How do you make sure you're on the "same page" with everyone and anyone who might be reading from the same manual?
Servicing Your Sellers
How are you "touching base" with your Sellers during the listing process? It might be a wise practice to schedule weekly "check ins" with all of your Sellers so you can discuss your marketing efforts, any changes in the market (new listings, price changes, new pending deals, buyer activity) and upcoming events you may have planned.
Doing this weekly allows you to create open communication with your clients and let's them always know what you're doing to not only maximize exposure on their home and generate potential interest, but eventually earn your fee they will pay you when it sells.
Another thing this might do is eliminate many of those "got a minute" interruptions that some Sellers might bother you with throughout the week if they knew they could count on your weekly call. Be sure to put it in your schedule and be diligent about making the call. Prepare your thoughts the morning of these calls and anticipate any questions or concerns they may have for you.
Scheduling these "check ins" at the time you take the listing will start your relationship off on the right foot and show them that they have listed their home with a true sales professional instead of someone who just sits back and waits for the market to deliver an offer. These weekly calls also eliminate the possibility of your Sellers saying they "never hear from you."
Positioning Your Purchasers
If you're a full time Realtor in today's challenging market, you know you don't have time to be a chauffeur and spend your day working with "lookers." You want to work with people who are ready, willing and able to buy, right?
We spoke in The Realtor's Toolbox earlier this year about the 5 Reasons for a Buyer Counseling Session (see video blog series here) so let's assume that this is where your relationship truly begins with each Buyer. How are you making sure that you're always on the "same page" with your clients who are searching for that next place to call home?
Are you what might be called a "Pop Tart Agent" who just jumps and runs when a client wants to see a house or do you have a system to identify the right listings that match what the client has identified as their needs and wants? If you don't get control of your schedule don't be surprised if your schedule grabs control of you.
Schedule your showings and don't be afraid to ask your clients after each session if they want to explore moving forward on any of the houses you showed - also known as "asking for the sale." If you feel that you're spending too many sessions just "looking" don't be afraid to schedule another "mini" Buyer Counseling Session to verify that what you're showing them and what they are looking for are still in alignment. Otherwise you're not only wasting their time, you're wasting your time!
Get in Tandem with Your Teammates
Do you keep in touch with your lenders, inspectors, attorneys and title companies? How do your systems you have in place ensure that you and your office staff know what is going on with your transactions? If you have a team of agents you work with, do you schedule regular meetings with each other so everyone knows what going on with your clients? Does your manager have a good idea of what your current "pipeline" looks like so he or she can help you keep all the deals you're juggling from falling at your feet?
Constant communication, dotting every 'i' and crossing each 't' can be a good idea because you never know when a question or emergency might arise.
Don't leave success to chance. Make sure you're utilizing systems and scheduling regular meetings with anyone who has a chance to affect or impact your business. That way you can focus on building relationships, solving problems and having fun.
Photo via Flickr - courtesy of Horia Varlan
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