Real estate requires us to develop many strengths, and mental and emotional resilience top the list. Practicing gratitude and affirming our beliefs in ourselves and the world can help us overcome the challenges, stressors, fears, and doubts we face in our career and personal lives. Recognizing the depth of these challenges is the first step toward managing them and thriving.
The Power of Gratitude
Gratitude is a mindset of appreciating the positive aspects of life in good times and challenging times. It’s about creating moments of appreciation for the little joys and the great gifts that greet us each morning as we open our eyes. It is an attitude you must cultivate –not just when personal or business matters are challenging you, but every day. It has the nearly magical properties of chasing away fears and doubts by turning your thoughts to the positive. It empowers you to show up at your best because you know how fortunate you are. It is a form of mental and emotional abundance that you can self-generate. Embracing gratitude in your daily life will reduce stress and burnout, improve relationships, and enhance your resilience in the face of challenges.
Daily Gratitude Rituals
To make gratitude a part of your daily routine, consider simple exercises.
- Reflect on three to five things you’re grateful for each morning. They do not have to be complicated or of massive importance, but they must be significant to you. I, for example, am always grateful for coffee:)
- Keep a gratitude journal to document these moments.
- Part of your gratitude practice is the powerful habit of expressing thanks to customers, associates, friends, family, and colleagues through handwritten thank-you cards. Send at least two a day! That habit will not only cheer you up, but it’ll immeasurably boost your persona in the eyes of the recipients.
- Take 5 minutes each day to engage in mindful reflection on positive experiences to reinforce your gratitude mindset.
Incorporating Gratitude into Daily Life
Beyond exercises, all our days offer opportunities for gratefulness. When a transaction closes, express gratitude for the teamwork, cooperation, and opportunity to help your customers achieve their goals. When a satisfied customer refers a friend or family member, show appreciation for their trust and confidence. In your daily routine, acknowledge small wins and appreciate your progress, whether securing a new listing, contributing to a productive meeting, or receiving positive feedback. Above all, express gratitude for the trust customers place in you to guide them through one of life’s most significant decisions – buying or selling a home.
The Power of Affirmations
Affirmations are positive statements that counteract insecurities and boost confidence. Used consistently over time, they can replace doubts with beliefs and fear with courage. In real estate, where negotiations and customer interactions require unwavering self-assurance, affirmations can be your secret weapon. They can also serve as a driving force to help you achieve your professional goals.
Crafting Effective Affirmations
Regular affirmations foster a growth mindset, increase self-confidence, and boost motivation to reach and exceed your goals. Affirmations work to internalize your capabilities and aspirations, reinforcing your commitment to success. Creating personalized and meaningful affirmations is critical. Tailor them to address specific challenges you face in your real estate career or life. Whether conquering the fear of rejection or maintaining confidence during a tough negotiation, crafting affirmations that resonate with you can be a game-changer.
Let’s imagine you are challenged with a buyer growing frustrated with the lack of inventory, and you feel pressured. The customer’s dissatisfaction is making you doubt your abilities to help him meet his goals.
However, every morning, you’ve been reciting affirmations such as, “I am a skilled Realtor®, capable of finding the perfect home for my customers” or “I handle challenges with grace and confidence, always putting my customers’ best interests first.” Over time, these statements have embed themselves in your psyche and counteract negative internal “talk” that may otherwise occur.
As you enter the meeting with the customer, you carry these affirmations as your source of strength, along with your competence and expertise. Instead of reacting defensively to the customer’s complaints, you empathize with their frustrations and calmly explain your strategies to address concerns. Your confidence and positivity are apparent, and the customer notices. In the end, you resolve the issues and strengthen the customer relationship. Impressed by your professionalism and dedication, the customer becomes a loyal advocate, referring friends and family to your services.
Daily Affirmations Rituals
To integrate affirmations into your daily routine, consider a mix of practices.
- Since only you know which affirmations are relevant, spend some time crafting affirmations that resonate with you. Some examples include “I am an effective and productive Realtors®,” “Abundance is everywhere around me,” or “I love calling people I don’t know.” You may choose to use a single affirmation or have 3 or 4 you like to rotate through.
- Write them down several times (more than 10) at the start of your day in a dedicated journal.
- Say them out loud in front of a mirror, a brilliant technique popularized by Louise Hayes in her book “Mirror Work.”
- Place sticky notes with affirmations in your workspace to keep them in your line of sight. One of my favorites is stuck to my desktop screen and reads, “Great people do things before they are ready.”
Whatever practice you adopt, consistency is vital. Over time, the statements expounded in these rituals will become ingrained in your mindset, effectively becoming true.
The transformative power of gratitude and affirmations cannot be overstated. By adopting these practices, you can navigate challenges with resilience and confidence. As you express gratitude for the positive aspects of your career and craft affirmations that bolster your self-assurance, you’ll find yourself better equipped for personal and professional growth. So, incorporate these tools into your daily life, and watch as they elevate your mindset and enhance your real estate journey.
If you have questions about the neurochemistry of gratitude and affirmations or want to know more about incorporating them into your life and work, please call or text 239-220-1018. I’d love to hear from you.
