$24M Dollars! Hey Buddy, Ya Got a Minute?

$24,193,440.00 is a whole lot of money. Would you squander it? Any of it? Surely some of it you would. I mean, $24M dollars is a whole lot of money, obviously you can free spend some with no worries. Now instead of dollars - lets suppose they were minutes - twenty four million one hundred ninety three thousand four hundred and forty of them. Now. Would you squander them? Any of them?

Allow me to continue. With a new year comes a time of reflection for many of us. Throw in a birthday around the same time and....well, you get my point. You see that number - 24,193,440 - is how many minutes I've been around. Approximately of course. I'm no mathematician, but it should be pretty close, I even took into account the eleven leap years since my birth.

So lets go back to the exercise. Do we waste minutes? I can certainly say that I am guilty of wasting more than my fair share of minutes. We all realize time is money and we also realize that time is all we have ultimately. So way do we waste minutes as if we had a never ending supply? Way do we toss minutes aside like pennies in a change jar? At least the pennies we get to keep. Toss a few minutes away and they are gone.......FOREVER!

I believe it was Al Pacino, in Any Given Sunday, that said "we fight for every inch". As well we should - forward progression is important. However, why do we not then fight for every minute? Why do we lose minutes to fear, silly arguments, anger, depression, etc., etc. How many minutes have I lost looking down at my phone instead of looking up at life? Embracing the minute, the moment, the minutiae. 

The way I see it today, I've got maybe another twenty four million minutes to call my own, I want to do my best to live each one attentively. I'm James L. Hargrove II, the #TXrealestateDude, and that's just my own damn opinion.

Excel Spreadsheets, Performance Matrix and a Yardstick

So....I'm sort of a numbers guy.....I like Excel. I like measuring things. I like calculating things. I like to know how big something is, how far away it is, how much it weighs, what if I add something to it, what if I take something away......you get my point.  

Though no matter how much I like simple math, calculating things, measuring things.... I have had this realization about myself..............I don't like being measured. By others. Regarding measurements someone else deems appropriate for me to be measured by....................I can set my own measurements for myself. And so should you.

Additionally, if you're measuring me (which we all do), can you not also assume I'm measuring you. Sounds rough, I know, and life's not fair. *Sniff, sniff, cry. Tissue please. Move on. 

Of course you may be wondering by now, "what the hell does James' issues have to do with anything"? Nothing. And you'd be absolutely right. Which brings me to the actual point of this blog post. 

You see....I'm in sales. Specifically, real estate sales, I assume most of you reading this are in sales. Ultimately sales need to be measured, performance needs to be measured and we each may find that our level of success is tied to that measurement. All of which is fine and commendable. When these measurements are set and monitored by you, for you and the ones you love most. 

Have a mentor or two or three. Feel free to share "your" measurements (goals) with them and solicit feedback. However, if those measurements are set by others, then that's simply hogwash and bullshine.  

You see, here's my simple take on things, set S.M.A.R.T. Goals. Set them high so that you have to stretch yourself in order to make reaching them possible. My point is this....you set the bar....you determine how high or how low it should be....for you and your life. 

If you want to have sales of one unit because you take care of a loved one, or work another career, or you're supplementing your household income....then that's just fine for me. Or if you want to have sales of hundreds of units, because that's what makes you warm and fuzzy, then that's fine too. It's your bar. Pole vault over it, limbo under it or sit it at elbow height and have a drink over it. Your choice. Have your own Yardstick.

I'm the #TXrealestateDude and this message is approved by me because it's my own damn opinion. Feel free to have your own as well. #BeInspired #ToBeYou. Peace Out at your Own Pace. 

Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail. ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

Musings, Ramblings and Real Estate Rantings....

Photo Courtesy of Erin Sette Studios

Perhaps a little introduction is in order for my inaugural, #TXrealestateDude, blog post. You see. I've recently, well about five months ago, been blessed with the opportunity to align myself with the most dynamic real estate firm I've ever encountered. 

 JLA Realty - Your Houston Real Estate Team

Its been a pleasure to watch John Altic and the amazing leadership team, the agents and everyone of JLA Realty at work. As the newest addition to the JLA Team of Coaches, I've on-boarded as Director of Special Projects & Strategic Initiatives, a role that is as broad and deep as the title is long. Simply stated my primary responsibility is mainly to be #TXrealestateDude or "The Dude", that I am now affectionately being referred to around the office. Or maybe its "The Taco Guy" - I'm not sure. 

In closing, I expect great things from the folks at JLA Realty, my futures so bright I've gotta wear shades. For questions about career opportunities, buying, selling or investing in Texas real estate - feel free to contact us here JLA Realty or James L. Hargrove II