By: The Executive Leadership Team at Keller Williams Realty Landmark
As a leadership team for Keller Williams Realty Landmark, our Operating Principal, Louis Cardenas, posed the question “what have you learned about yourself personally and professionally in the last 30 days while quarantined?” Each of us gave thought to the question, digging deep for a couple of days and, this is what we came up with collectively.
We have learned in times of crisis and adversity that we need to look inward first and see what we can do to better ourselves both personally and professionally and who we can count on to help us in the journey. Now is a huge opportunity for us to take the time to read that book we have put off reading for months (maybe even years), have a virtual social gathering with the people we love simply because it’s Tuesday, take that online class that will help grow our businesses and, reach out and offer a lending hand to someone who might need you now more than ever.
We have learned that it is okay to take care of ourselves in the process. There is no shame in feeling afraid and vulnerable during this time of uncertainty. Mindset is a powerful thing and that those little things we take for granted in our normal lives are a blessing – getting up each morning, showering, putting on deodorant, perfume, makeup and selecting an outfit set the tone for our day mentally. We’ve learned to start our morning with a positive affirmation, meditation, journaling and exercising our bodies and minds.
We have embraced seeing the positive in every single day. Random acts of kindness come at the most unexpected times and by the most unexpected people. Embrace every win, every connection and every blessing we are given.
We have learned that we are far more self-disciplined than we give ourselves credit for and that our individual discipline stems from a powerful cohesive leadership team – Leading with integrity, open communication, positive mindset and pure transparency with each other.
We have learned that even though we are miles apart from each other, as a team it has brought us closer. We enjoy helping our agents, giving them more attention and assuring them that together we will get through this. Be the guide – Connect, Communicate and Care. The quarantine way of life showed us how we crave personal connections and relationships and that despite social distancing, we can still build, foster and maintain relationships virtually just by caring. Who would have thought you don’t have to be physically in the same place with someone to build a bonding relationship.
We now understand what it means to transition from a fixed mindset to a growth mindset after seeing what is achievable through teamwork; embracing challenges, believing in possibilities, being inspired by others doing what we are doing at a high level and seizing the adventure.
Why is it that we show gratitude when someone does something for us and not every day to those who continually support us? Gratitude is a stress reliever that gives us immediate fulfillment. It is certainly something we will not ever underappreciate.
We have learned the importance of leveraging technology to support and grow our agents and business while never losing sight that nothing can or will ever replace personal relationships and connections. This time at home has given us the chance to bond more with our families (both biological and social) and has afforded us time to have more conversations, deeper conversations. As a team, we have laughed and cried together, shared struggles and supported each other when we so desperately needed it.
We are enjoying and embracing work and life balance – our families are sitting down and eating together and sharing our thoughts and feelings. We are seeing this time as a gift; reading, facetiming/zooming with friends who moved away to reconnect, binge watching shows for entertainment and are growing as individuals and as leaders with each passing day. Our time on this earth is limited and we must not take our family and friends for granted. We must cherish the time that we spend with our loved ones while we have them. Life is a blessing and tomorrow is not promised.
We have learned that there is always something to be learned and that embracing daily training and continued education is the pathway to mastery.
As for our Keller Williams family, we learned that sometimes tough situations can place you at the right place and with the right people. We are very fortunate and grateful to be working for a company who treats its agents and employees like family. We are not seen as a corporate business transaction and a way to simply save money on the bottom-line. Together we find solutions and make everything we do a win-win for all.
We encourage each of you to look inward and to do this exercise; now is the opportunity to stay positive, motivated and learning based. If you are not using this time to see what’s missing or could be improved upon in your life, then you are missing out on a huge opportunity. Take this time to re-evaluate what you want to get out of your life! How are you making a difference in today’s world? What is your Big Why (the reason you get up and do what you do every day) and what will drive you through this obstacle and any future obstacle in your life?
