Adapting To The NOW NORMAL

A friend of mine recently asked me what one word describes my mindset right now. “Unsettled,” I said quickly. Maybe, like you, I find myself processing the historical changes we are experiencing in our society and our families. For several months now we have talked about the arrival of the “new normal.”

However normal isn’t accurate because the word assumes predictability. I think we may need to accept the idea that a predictable normal is not returning anytime soon. It may be time to embrace what Starbucks CEO Kevin Johnson calls the “now normal”; our ability to thrive on predictable routines, even if they are just “for now.” It is time for us to keep building and strengthening our ability to adapt and lead through a time of tremendous ambiguity.

Time to Shift Again

In the recent past, I thought about the many changes in our lifestyles and thought they would be short term and things will go back to normal but now I see it’s best to live with the mindset of the now normal. As we learn to make the shift we can take the leadership lessons from the well-known 90s romantic comedy Groundhog Day starring Bill Murray

In the movie, Murray’s character Phil Connors transforms from being a cynical grouchy weatherman to someone whose goal in life is to help others and become the best version of himself in real life. You do not have to experience the same day repeatedly. But we can still ask ourselves this: how can we use this time to become the best version of ourselves?
Phil Connors learned how to speak French and to play the piano. He viewed every day as a chance to make tomorrow even better than today.

In my role, I’m fortunate to work with many of the best agents in Tucson, and based on my observations of the most successful agents I’ve identified a few areas that you can focus on as you continue to thrive in the now

normal.

Stay Grounded -Your Mission And Values

Our lives are different. And if we are not careful, we can slowly drift into habits and behaviors that are destructive for our physical and mental health. Agents I speak to who are successfully making the shift into the now normal are staying grounded with their purposes and values. When was the last time you compared your personal mission and values with your actual behaviors? Try it! Doing so will help you know if you are on the right path will prepare you to make changes and get back on track.

We can find a great example of staying grounded by looking at Tierra Antigua. Tierra Antigua’s mission and vision statement has remained consistent for 19 years: “to elevate the consumers experience through the success of our realtors” and, “to improve the lives of those in our community by exceeding expectations and elevating the real estate experience in Southern Arizona.”

Anchored by the mission statement and their vision statement Tierra Antigua has helped thousands of families in Southern Arizona achieve the goal of homeownership and at the same time improving the lives and financial well-being of their agents.

Give Your Mind Healthy Inputs

If you are reading this article, I suspect you already believe in the old adage that you are what you eat. You are only as healthy as what you put into your body. Similarly, what are you putting in your mind? Millions of us are consuming the endless hours of mindless entertainment available through services like Netflix and YouTube. We connect virtually with one another on social media often at a very superficial level.

Even though social media remains filled with misinformation, more and more people are turning to it as a source of news. In fact, according to a recent study, nearly 1 in 6 Americans use YouTube as their primary platform for news. Facebook and Twitter have also become top sources of news and information. If you are interested in becoming better than you were yesterday and thriving in the now normal stay off social media for 72 hours and watch how your happiness grows! You will also notice how much time you have available for more productive behaviors and habits to make the most of the now normal. Take time to reach out to your clients with a friendly phone call, or a handwritten note. Instead of watching mindless TV at the end of the day relax and read a good book, or work on your goals for the new year in front of you.

Connect With Others

Because of you, there are people in our community who are being put in touch with lenders that can help them qualify for homeownership, because of you there are people who were renting that are now happy home owners. Because of you, there are families who made a move to better their lives! The world needs more of us now than ever as we provide one of the fundamental services to keep our country strong: the attainment of the American dream of homeownership! This month and into next year take the extra steps to follow up with your clients every month, reach out to them somehow whether it be with a handwritten note, a mass email, or in this time of year maybe a Christmas card or calendar.

Remember, every one of your clients is facing their Now Normal too!

You have a unique opportunity right now to change someone’s life for the better. As new clients are coming into your business, help them obtain the great American dream. Stay in touch with your past clients and keep the friendships alive that you built while you were working with them in the search for a new home or the sale of their current home. Take this time of the now normal as an opportunity to build your relationships deeper and stronger than they ever have been as you close out 2020 and welcome in the new year!

Put my 20+ years of real estate experience to work for you. I'd love be a part of your team and your "Now Normal". Whether buying and/or selling real estate, I assure you the benefits of my experience.

I'm "Always On Call!". grichman@RichmanTucsonHomes.com

Adapting To The NOW NORMAL

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