A melody can bring back a memory...

"Ain't it funny how a melody can bring back a memory
Take you to another place in time
Completely change your state of mind

It can make a right from a wrong, it can make you fall in love
It can get you singin' along"  Clint Black

Isn't it funny how a song can bring back a memory or even change your mind about a certain event?

For so long, I hated the song "Hey, Soul Sister" by Train.  Until... I visited the Texas State Aquarium last November.  I watched the dolphins playing together in their underwater showcase and this song came on the speakers.  I never liked this song before, however once it start playing and the dolphins started playing, I fell in love with the tune.  Don't know how or why it struck me, but it did.

From that day forward it will always be a part of me.  I will always remember the dolphins every time I hear this song.

Another, is the time I ran the Houston Marathon back in the early 90's and Phil Collin's, "I Wish it Would Rain Down" came on my walkman.  I remember it vividly, like it was yesterday.  I was at the 20 mile marker and it helped me complete the race.

The Lion King was released when I was dating, Lisa (my wife), who I met at Texas A&M University and the Elton John song "Can You Feel the Love Tonight" came on.  It has since been "our song".   Happy Valentine's Day Love!

What song(s) place you back to a time that you will never forget?

Are Goals Important?

Do you have clearly written goals for what you plan to accomplish in 2011?

Read the excerpt from the book "What They Don't Teach You in the Harvard Business School" by Mark McCormack.

The author tells about a study conducted on students in the 1979 Harvard MBA program. In that year, the students were asked, "Have you set clear, written goals for your future and made plans to accomplish them?" Only 3% of the graduates had written goals and plans; 13% had goals, but they were not in writing; and a whopping 84% had no specific goals at all.

Ten years later, the members of the class were interviewed again, and the findings, while somewhat predictable, were nonetheless astonishing. The 13% of the class who had goals were earning, on average, twice as much as the 84% who had no goals at all. And what about the 3% who had clear, written goals? They were earning, on average, ten times as much as the other 97% put together.
If you haven't set your goals for 2011 yet, it's not too late - if you're in the north Houston area call me today for a free business planning consultation (936) 525-3214.
Wishing You a Happy & Prosperous 2011!

Your Surroundings Matter

Just a couple of days before Halloween when I was driving into work I was listening to a Christian radio station; the topic was what you thought about letting your kids watch scary movies like Saw, Halloween or Night Mare on Elm Street this time of the year.

Pls watch this 1 minute video I created - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vVVfk_tXTZE

It really got interesting when one of the DJ’s said that growing up his wife had never watched scary movies and she is not afraid of strange noises or being alone at home even when he is away.

What you surround yourself with - is what you become. Why are some agents having their best year and others thinking about getting our of the business? What we focus on expands and if you tune into the national media and believe all the negative publicity you will subliminally sabotage yourself.

One of our new brand new agents started calling FSBO’s as soon as she obtained he license and within a couple month period had listed 11 of them. Other agents too were focused on the shifting market to realize the opportunities in front of them. She was too new in the industry to have been poisoned by the national media and opinions to know that she "shouldn't have been having the results that she was having."

When were returning to work from lunch last week, one of our agents mentioned that he should have taken a photo of all the new cars in the parking lot with dealer tags the last time he was there. Wish I would have seen it.

In Napoleon Hill's book, Think and Grow Rich, the author writes that the a persons income is the average of their 10 closest friends. If you're struggling, maybe now is the time to make some new friends with huge goals, big dreams and a positive attitude.

Quit watching the news, surround yourself with educational and motivational material. Plug into a positive group of friends and co-workers that can help you advance your career.

Do you need a change of surroundings to jump start your career? Give me a today (979) 777-7677.

Find Out What Your Landlord Doesn't Want You to Know

If you ever wanted to own your own home and weren't sure if you could afford it, you are in luck. If you are considering purchasing a home but just haven't taken the leap, you owe it to yourself to read the special report entitled, 7 Reasons Why Now is a Great Time to Buy a Home. You will learn all about the buying process as well as receive a free copy of this special report by simply attending Keller Williams Realty Conroe's Free Homebuyer's Class.

Mortgage rates are at rock bottom, sellers are motivated... Find out why now is the prime time to buy...

If you are located in the Conroe, Willis, Montgomery, Magnolia, Huntsville don't miss our Free Homebuyer Class Thursday, October 28 or Nov. 11 from 6-7 PM at Keller Williams Realty Conroe-Lake Conroe-Huntsville 2200 North FM 3083 Conroe, TX 77304 (please use the address 4870 W Davis Conroe 77304 if using Google Maps or a GPS to locate our office).

Please RSVP with Holly at (936) 525-3200 or Ron at (936) 648-3939.

Marketing Your Real Estate Business on a Shoestring Budget

If you are a new agent or just plateauing or you simply need a fresh perspective and are on low budget....what are your options? Here is what our Keller Williams Agent Mastermind Group in Conroe, TX came up with:

1. Attend networking events like the Chamber After Hours, etc.
2. Door knock to introduce yourself to a farm area (April Sound, Panorama Village, Seven Coves, Walden, Bentwater, Del Lago, etc.)
3. Direct mail - Postcards be sure you can track the responses
4. Set up your free KW or HAR website and ensure it is working properly
5. Place free ads on Craigslist
6. Call, mail or deliver something of value to FSBO’s & Expireds
7. Blogging - become a neighborhood or area expert vs. only a real estate expert (this takes time, but can be very lucrative in the long term in areas like Willis, Conroe, Montgomery, New Waverly, Elkins Lake, Hunstville)
8. Hold Open Houses, sure to let the neighbors know in advance with a flyer or door knocking
9. Handwritten notecards to your SOI
10. Call Team Leaders or agents in other offices and introduce yourself as a potential referral partner
11. Inexpensive, very targeted ads on Facebook
12. Develop and implement a USP - Unique Selling Proposition (something that differentiates you from the competition)
13. Give away free information (ex. free list of “top 10 buys in any area you specify”, free report “How to prepare your home to sell quickly and for top dollar.”)

Lots of great suggestions. What are your favorites?

Keller Williams Realty Conroe-Lake Conroe-Huntsville Awesome 80's Listing Contest

As the Keller Williams Realty Conroe-Lake Conroe-Huntsville’s “Totally Awesome 80′s listing contest” comes to a close, we’d like to congratulate all that participated. We’ve got a great party planned at one of our awesome agents (Mike Berger’s) home scheduled for next Thursday 10/7/10.

All agents and preferred vendors (that donated prizes) are invited and encouraged to attend to network.

Andrew Smith
www.kwconroerocks.com
(979) 777-7677

Conroe Real Estate Agent Mastermind Sessions

Come build your real estate business and mastermind with other real estate professionals in the Conroe, Willis & Montgomery area each Thursday from Noon-1:00 PM. These sessions are from beginner up to $2 million in production over the last year. Open to all real estate agents regardless of affiliation with company.

The sessions are held at Keller Williams Realty Conroe-Lake Conroe-Huntsville at 2200 North FM 3083 West (next to Wallgreen's) on the corner of Hwy 105 & 3083.

Bring your own lunch.

For more information call Andrew Smith @ (936) 525-3214