"Do just once what others say you can't do, and you will never pay attention to their limitations again." - James R. Cook

I love this saying, because it seems to describe my business life. I'm not so sure that just by doing something "once" that others say you can't, will work. Frankly, I'm sure that most of the time that won't, but the concept is the same.

Listening to why people do or do not want to embrace a new way of doing things is vitally important. I can't possibly know what is right for someone without spending a lot of time understanding their point of view. But it's a fine line of holding the naysayers at bay, while ferreting out the real stuff from the people in our industry. Information is a key component in our industry. The professionals in commercial real estate and the ancillary professions fit a psychographic model that is fairly easily defined. Part of that definition is that they like information. It's how they make decisions...they analyze. But they interact with a lot of people to get their work done and so while information, process and technology is integral to their success, it's the emotional and people skills side of their personalities that need to be considered. It's knowing that what they "say" about your ideas and enthusiasm may only be a subconscious reaction to how they feel about something for themselves. It's for this reason that I try hard to not just look at things analytically just because it seems that they are. People of course make decisions based on good solid information, but if you take the time to listen to and try to understand the things they say, you can help move things along much better.

I look at the statistics, which show that as an industry we lag others in the use of technology; but I refuse to see it only as a problem. It's also an opportunity. I'll continue to push ideas and new ways of being more efficient and try to do things others say I can't. I'll continue to encourage others to look at how using new processes and software might be useful. I'll continue to practice the belief that limitations aren't brick walls, but are simply speed bumps to ensure we proceed at a rate that makes sense for conditions. So I ask you, "meet me half way." Look at limitations with both a skeptical and opportunist eye... we both can probably use the continued practice.

I welcome your feedback through email.