The Competition Bureau and the Canadian Real Estate Association have come to an agreement regarding how the MLS (multiple listing service) can be used by its members.     This will likely represent some significant changes in the traditional commission structures offered to clients and will represent both issues and opportunities for real estate agents.  People selling their homes will see more options and start to demand new service and price models.    Real estate agents who can adapt and develop concepts that serve target markets will likely thrive and others may not.    Already, there are various concepts coming forward varying from limited service to full service at various price points. See the link for more details on this.   http://www.nationalpost.com/todays-paper/Renovated+real+estate/3751380/story.html

This highlights the  importance of dealing with change and underlines the importance of being able to adapt to new realities.   Part of strategic planning is to scan the environment for new factors that can affect you.     This applies to organizations and also to individuals within organizations.   

So here’s a question for you.     What types of social, political, technical, economic or environmental changes are happening right now  that could have an impact on you?   Pick one and think about the negative impact it could have,  and then decide how you can capitalize on it.        

Maria

This past week reminded me of the amazing things that happen for people when they have a vision of what they want.     Regardless of your politics, we have to be inspired by Naheed Nenshi, who won the mayor’s chair in   Calgary.   http://www.nationalpost.com/news/Naheed+Nenshi+wins+Calgary+mayoral+race/3692875/story.html He came from behind, was no where near the favourite in the beginning, and managed to inspire enough Calgarians to choose him as mayor on October 18th.   Another exciting event happened the same night when Gael MacLeod became the alderman of Ward 4, up against 10 others and a relatively unknown figure at the outset.   Both of these people had strong visions and strategies.    In addition, two of my coaching clients had amazing breakthrough’s this week on projects that they were working on, where opportunities came to them that they never expected.     As a coach, I help people create an environment for possibilities, and yet I am always in awe of the power of having a vision and strategy, then allowing opportunities to unfold.

My question to you is:    What is your vision for your future?     Write it down and keep refining it until it feels real and gives you energy.    Then go after it – this will not be a straight line, but you will be amazed at things that will show up if you are observant.  

Maria

Part of being CEO of your Life is being able to have control of your time.   For many people, maintaining a work/life balance includes working from home at least part of the time.  Of course, there are also added benefits to the environment, not to mention reduced costs of office clothes and car expenses.   You also may be able to write off part of your home depending on whether you are provided with space elsewhere or not. 

Anyhow, if you are thinking about working from home, or already doing it, here are 7 Tips for Productive Telecommuting.

 http://news.thomasnet.com/IMT/archives/2010/02/7-tips-for-productive-telecommuting-for-employees-working-at-home.html

Maria

When you are CEO of your life, that means that you are Chief Executive Officer but also “Chief Emotional Officer” of your life.   Almost every major decision that you make will have significant emotional  context, even though you likely have logic driving it as well.  Think about buying a house, buying a car, getting married, getting divorced, taking a new job, investing your money….I could go on.    Here is an example:  Gene is looking at buying a car and although it is pricier than he had planned to spend, he buys it because of how it looks.     Actually, it is not how it looks that drives his decision, but how the way it looks makes him feel!  (emotions)  Every good salesperson knows that they will sell more if they can tap into our emotional side. 

The main point is this.  Be  aware of what emotions drive your decisions.   A couple of Emotional Intelligence factors that commonly relate to decisions are Problem Solving and Impulse Control.  Problem Solving  measures how likely you are to set out a plan of how you will make a decision, and Impulse Control measures how likely you are to make a decision without following your plan.   When you are feeling excited, angry, depressed or other strong emotions, pause before making an important decision.    Have a written plan for how you will make a decision and make sure that it takes into account what your weak points are, when it comes to emotions.   Read it over when you feel a strong impulse to buy something to see how the idea fits….or doesn’t.     And maybe give yourself a cheap treat instead !

Maria

I had the privilege to thank Leslie O’Donoghue of Agrium for her inspiring talk to over 400 women this week at the Women of Influence luncheon in Calgary.    Leslie is the Chief Legal Officer and Sr VP of Business Development for Agrium.  She talked about taking risks and stepping out of our comfort zone, which she has done a number of times in her career.  You have probably heard that theme before but a key point she made  was to find mentors and support in the workplace and elsewhere in order to be successful in new situations and reduce the risk of failure.    This is often overlooked as people flounder and encounter great stress in a new job or situation.   So my 2 questions for you today are:

1) What risk are you currently hesitant to take although the reward could be great?

2) Who can you find to offer mentoring or other support for this decision?

Maria