It's Only the Middle of February

I was tempted to write a stressful headline but couldn't join the pessimists

If you’re impatient for a better year, relax. Things aren’t that bad, even if it’s popular to make you want to believe it.

“Relax. It’s only the seventh week of the year.”

That’s what I advised a wonderful manager to tell his nervous salespeople recently.

We were on a mastermind call, discussing the emotions people are feeling right now. Sure, there are real pressures in the world today - serious and important. And the housing industry, where I’ve spent 33+ years, is having more than its fair share of troubles. But whatever your career, it’s understandable to feel anxious. We all had high hopes for the New Year. I certainly won’t say it’s been roses so far - having lost my mom last month - but let’s not lose perspective or hope.

Because mom always said:

Have patience. Have faith. Keep going.

Remember: it’s barely seven weeks into the year. Be patient - which is a challenge. We’ve been taught to expect instant gratification in the modern era, and we get frustrated when the world takes its own sweet time. We want results now because we never see the blood, sweat and tears of those overnight successes on Instagram.

Which is ironic, because after writing the first draft of this week’s message, I caught a post from my wonderful friend Anna-Marie on Instagram:

Success isn’t finding the one trick or secret nobody knows. It’s doing the boring things everyone knows about but are too undisciplined to do it. Get good at boring. - Tim Davis

To which I’d add:

And a little stamina, please!

Every Friday for months I’ve shared good news about the economy, science, medicine, ecology and more. Plus other signs - like 10 great housing stats last week. Since December the market has been improving steadily for the new year. Normal isn’t bad: Last year’s normal yielded over 5 million broker-assisted sales, pretty much the 20-year historical average. No sugar high, but not a crisis. Recent data from my friends at Moxiworks shows the Spring market shaping up, based upon the number of listing presentations created each week - a precursor to inventory about to hit the market.

Growth driven not by interest rates, lawsuits or good luck, but by people like you.

You’re just getting started!

Like the photo above, try a different perspective. Expecting everything to be better instantly is like expecting a rose to spring up, flower-first, in your garden. That’s not how things work.

Because a beautiful rose takes more than just pretty petals:
It rests atop a strong stem.
It’s supported by deep roots.
It’s nourished by great soil.
It’s nurtured by helpful bees.

The same is true for success, which isn’t only the end result:

It’s the whole effort.

Grow Where you are Planted

Will this year get better? I firmly believe it. But there’s only one way to guarantee it:

If you get growing where you’re planted!

You know what to do: get good and consistent. And keep at it. Grab my free ebook with 40 great ways to get jump-started. Plant the seeds of future flowers. A week, month or quarter from now, you’ll be saying, “Wow, 2024 is turning out to be a great year!” If you get started, today.

Get your head out of the expectations, the pressures, the stressful headlines. Stay in the game. Nothing worthwhile happens overnight.

Not even five-minute abs.

Have patience, keep positive, and work on YOU!

Focus on the destination. Activate your attitude.
Develop the disciplines. Nurture your stamina.

And please, stop worrying when things will get better.
Trust it will happen - because you’ll make it so.

Once you realize - you’re only seven weeks in.

There’s plenty of time to go!

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This week’s exclusive content starts below, with a powerful method for dealing with stress before it saps your growth.

Here’s something you probably didn’t expect from someone who makes a living public speaking in front of big crowds: Stress has been a lifelong challenge for me.