JUNE 2018 N. ORANGE COUNTY

EXECUTIVEAGENT MAGAZINE

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Pim Jelinek Teagan Prukop Executive Agents of the Month

INSIDE FEATURES: Maridee Bryant

loanDepot®

Helen Kim

New American Funding

Jordan Machado

Coldwell Banker Residential

VAREP

Company Profile

Danielle Wilson

Pacific Sotheby’s International

NEWPORT BEACH 3501 Jamboree | Suite 200 | Newport Beach, CA 92660

Build a partnership with a direct lender that offers exceptional service.

John J. Reed Branch Manager NMLS-869516

(949) 398-3655

Mark Martinez

Alan Cipolletti

Jill Coss

NMLS-302745

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Sales Manager

(714) 863-8470

Valerie Dawson

Senior Mortgage Advisor NMLS-1552910

Senior Mortgage Advisor

(949) 394-1757

Therese Franklin

Senior Mortgage Advisor NMLS-1151840

Senior Mortgage Advisor

(949) 791-7901

Jim Lyman

Senior Mortgage Advisor NMLS-205455

(714) 864-8088

(949) 394-4624

(714) 794-8311

Jeffrey Scott

Lynn Nelson

Jim Thiel

NMLS-255094

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(949) 677-1001

(714) 412-8608

Senior Mortgage Advisor

Senior Mortgage Advisor

Senior Mortgage Advisor NMLS-907893

(949) 521-0039

We offer in-house agent marketing support providing the following services: POSTCARDS | FLYERS | VIDEO | PHOTOGRAPHY Š2017 Finance of America Mortgage LLC is licensed nationwide | | NMLS ID #1071 (www.nmlsconsumeraccess.org) | 300 Welsh Road, Building 5, Horsham, PA 19044 | (800) 355-5626 | AZ Mortgage Banker License #0910184 | Licensed by the Department of Business Oversight under the California Residential Mortgage Lending Act | Georgia Residential Mortgage Licensee #15499 | Illinois Residential Mortgage Licensee | Kansas Licensed Mortgage Company | Licensed by the N.J. Department of Banking and Insurance | Licensed Mortgage Banker -- NYS Banking Department | Rhode Island Licensed Lender.

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EXECUTIVE AGENTS OF THE MONTH

Pim Jelinek & Teagan Prukop HomeSmart, Evergreen Realty

21 19

Inside Features

10 Maridee Bryant

Helen Kim

32 VAREP 4

06

28

Jordan Machado

14 Danielle Wilson

ExecutiveAgent Magazine

JUNE, 2018 Editorials

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Success Is Living Like Your Cat -Chip R. Bell

Fred Arrias Executive Publisher PO Box 73384 San Clemente, CA 92673 Ph: (949) 297-8323 Fax: (949) 266-8757 Fred@eamag.net www.ExecutiveAgentMag.com

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5 Habits That Will Make You a Better Leader -Susan C. Foster

ADVERTISERS’ INDEX - NOC Finance of America Mortgage...........................2 iPhotography Studio...............................................25

26

Happiness Is All About Perspective -Craig Impelman

Kinecta Federal Credit Union...............................13 loanDepot®................................................................9 NAHREP....................................................................8 New American Funding..........................................27

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Attitude Is Everything— Here’s How to Keep It Positive -John C. Maxwell

PWAOR...................................................................38 The Termite Guy......................................................3 Ticor Title Company...................................................40 VAREP............................................................................39

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Photography: iPhotography Studio, Ian Wiant, Rob Paino Graphic Designer: Garon T. Arrias Editorial Manager: Trudy Van Writers: Ben Angel, John Boe, Haley Freeman, Jim Rohn, Walter Sanford, Dirk Zeller, Zig Ziglar Craig Harrison, Simma Lieberman, Chris Widener

How to Keep Yourself Encouraged -Jim Rohn

© Copyright 2018 Executive Agent Magazine. All rights reserved.

Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission is prohibited. Although every precaution is taken to ensure accuracy of published materials, Executive Agent Magazine cannot be held responsible for opinions expressed or facts supplied by its authors.

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How to Live Life to the Fullest -Mick Ukleja, Ph.D

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E XECUTIVE AGENT

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Written by Haley Freeman

Jordan Machado

ordan Machado, United States Marine Corps veteran and Realtor® at Coldwell Banker Newport Beach, is continuing a life of service by helping people achieve the American Dream of home ownership.

great people do before the rest of their life,” Jordan says.

He served two tours in Iraq, and returned home to earn his degree in Business Administration, Management and Operations from California State University, Fullerton.

A first-generation American whose grandmother and father were among the last to flee Cuba before the Communist curtain descended, Jordan was born and raised in Orange County. He learned the value of compassion and self-sacrifice in the context of his family’s business, providing care to severely mentally disabled adults.

This upbeat, tenacious young professional saw a future for himself in real estate, because to him, it was “an opportunity to showcase who I am as a person and to compete with some of California’s most dedicated and motivated individuals. My goal is to be successful in this business, so I can help everybody else.”

Fueled by his patriotism and sense of adventure, Jordan left for boot camp the day after he graduated from high school. “I felt invincible, and that this was something

Jordan has long been inspired by the words of George Washington: “Associate with men of good quality if you esteem your own reputation; for it is better to be alone than in bad company.”

ExecutiveAgent Magazine

As he charted his course in real estate, this maxim guided his decision about the place he would build his career. “I always keep that idea in the back of my mind, and it’s why I’m at Coldwell Banker. I chose to work here so I could surround myself with people who are pushing themselves to the limit. This company has huge marketshare and some of the highest-performing teams and individuals in the business. I wanted to go where the best are.”

Highly motivated and passionate about his work, Jordan has hit the pavement in the West Newport Beach community, dropping flyers, meeting people and holding open houses. He is fearless about competing in one of Southern California’s most sought-after markets. “The only way to find out if you’re the best or not is to compete with the best. The military taught me the ability to improvise, adapt and overcome. I’m implementing the same skills in real estate. There is something new to learn every day and from every person I meet.”

Jordan is grateful for the direction of his mentor, Matt Reyna, who keeps him on target. “He reminds me all the time that if you put in the work, the dream will come to you.” Among Jordan’s greatest strengths as a Realtor® are his attentive communication and careful listening. “If there is even one piece of information my client should know, I will call, text and email. I’m also engaged and in tune to what people want, and I know how to find the answers to get them what they’re looking for.”

to give a client the one-on-one attention I can.” He is also tech savvy and able to help millennials through the home buying process on their terms. But due to his military background, Jordan also has the respectful bearing that helps him connect with older generations.

As Jordan achieves success in his real estate career, he is looking forward to giving back to the causes he is most passionate about. “I want to continue to live a life of service by giving back to veterans and disabled adults. My success allows me to make a bigger difference.”

People who choose Jordan as their Realtor® are in the best of company. “To me, the best part of being a Realtor® is helping people navigate to their nest. It can be a tough journey, and they need someone they can trust.

As a Realtor®, I feel I’m not just a service provider, I’m also a friend. I’m the person they can lean on as a strong resource so they can feel at ease. I realize that no matter how much a home costs, it’s somebody’s dream home.

Helping them get it is a dream come true for me.”

Jordan Machado Coldwell Banker Newport Beach 840 Newport Center Dr., Ste. 100 Newport Beach, CA 92660 Tel: 714-333-6720 Email: Jordan.Machado@camoves.com Web: www.coldwellbankerhomes.com CalBRE # 02051430

As a young professional, Jordan brings multiple advantages to the table. “I’m not bashful about telling people I’m relatively new to the business. I’m highly dedicated and highly motivated. Many of the more established agents have a big clientele, and they don’t have the time ExecutiveAgent Magazine

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Written by Haley Freeman

Maridee Bryant

M

aridee Bryant’s 20-plus-year career in mortgage lending began while she was attending nursing school. She took a job as a teller at a credit union where she eventually transferred to the credit department and worked to open a mortgage division. She soon real-

ized that helping people purchase a home was her true calling. Over the course of her career, she has excelled in a number of professional roles from loan servicing to origination, and she has worked for some of the industry’s largest financial institutions.

ExecutiveAgent Magazine

Your Mortgage Partner for Life Today, Maridee brings her exceptional business acumen, program knowledge and client care to her position as a Loan Consultant at loanDepot. She is excited about being surrounded by some of the industry’s most forward thinkers and technology innovators. “The leadership we have was a deciding factor for me in coming here,” she says. “Anthony Hsieh’s vision for the future of our company is miraculous. We need a change from the processes of the last 20 years. Every age group is going digital, and he’s bringing our industry around to that. He’s not shying away from any challenge, and that determination flows down to every one of us in the company.” loanDepot’s digitalization allows its lending teams to be more responsive to clients and deliver services more rapidly. It also frees loan professionals from tedious tasks, giving them more time for direct communication with clients and Realtors®. mello Home is the groundbreaking new digital platform that is making loanDepot the one stop for everything relating to the finance and maintenance of a home. “We are becoming the one secure and trusted source people can come to for everything from making their mortgage payment, to requesting a personal loan or construction loan, to finding a referral to a Realtor® or contractor. This is great for our real estate partners, since so many people are looking for homes and getting pre-approved before looking for an agent.”

Maridee is adept at handling the most complex transactions, so she is further excited about loanDepot’s broad array of lending products, which makes it possible to help consumers with virtually every lending scenario. “We’re always looking for new programs that fit the needs of our clients in today’s market. We have an amazing VA renovation loan and a non-conforming renovation loan that’s launching soon. We are also looking forward to new interest only products.”

possible option for getting a buyer into a home. “I’ll talk to other people if I don’t have a program that fits, but if the loan can’t be done, I’ll be honest about it. On the other hand, when I say I can do it, I can do it. I want my Realtors® to feel confident when they make or accept an offer based on my pre-approval. If anything should change during the transaction, they’ll hear from me right away. We’re all partners in this, and we’re all working toward the same goal of getting buyers the keys to their new homes and getting sellers to their next destinations.”

When Maridee was a junior in high school, she made a trip from her home in Louisiana to California to receive a service award. She recalls, “The second I got off the plane, I knew I would live here someday.”

Maridee has long considered Orange County her home.

It is the place where she and her husband have raised their children, and where they continue to live, work and play.

Giving back to worthy causes is a central part of their faith-based way of life, and they are big supporters of veterans and first responders in their community.

Maridee still retains her recognizable Southern accent that, combined with her friendly manner, quickly puts people at ease as she assists them through the challenging and exciting process of achieving their American Dream.

“I absolutely love my customers, and so many become longtime friends. My service doesn’t stop when the transaction closes. I want to be their mortgage partner for life.”

Maridee Bryant loanDepot® 2855 Michelle Drive, Ste. 190 Irvine, CA 92606 Tel: 714-470-1881 - 949-346-3650 Email: MaBryant@loandepot.com Web: https://www.loanDepot.com/mabryant NMLS ID 653007

Known for her tenacity, Maridee will exhaust every Rates, terms, and availability of programs are subject to change without notice. loanDepot.com, LLC NMLS ID 174457. Licensed by the Department of Business Oversight under the California Residential Mortgage Lending Act CRMLA 4131040.

ExecutiveAgent Magazine

How to Keep Yourself

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ENCOURAGED

ave faith in yourself and your ability to figure out what works and what doesn’t.

Here is a familiar scenario for all of us: You have an exciting goal in mind, you’ve done your homework, you think you’re amply prepared… and things just don’t work out. You’ve probably had times when you thought you were doing what you were supposed to do, but you were misinformed. You thought you had it all laid out, and it just didn’t work. You burned the midnight oil day after day, and it didn’t help. You couldn’t seem to change the end result.

These are times when you have to be your own best cheerleader. There are two ways to keep yourself encouraged.

1. Take responsibility for the missed opportunity or the misrepresentation.

Learn from the fact that though you made the best presentation possible, your client wanted it a different way. Be prepared for the letdowns that happen every so often. Know that this lost opportunity just sets you up to take advantage of the next one. Realize that you can make the necessary alterations next time. Make the changes that will make the difference. Study your mistakes, and learn from them. Instead of dwelling on your mistakes, simply acknowledge them. Remind yourself that you’re smarter than your bank account leads you to believe.

2. Remind yourself that you’re bound to get better.

Don’t get down on yourself. Don’t beat yourself up. It’s the next opportunity that matters, not the last one. The last one matters only in that you must learn from it, but the next one gives you the opportunity to show that you have learned from your mistakes. You can do it better next time.

You just have to practice. Keep trying until you’ve got it down pat.

If you’ve figured out what went wrong last time, then you know how to make it right next time. If you’ve figured out what it was in your presentation that didn’t work, don’t say those same words next time. If you’ve figured out that the

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reason you didn’t close the deal this time was because you didn’t have all the facts and figures in place, have all the facts and figures in place next time. Don’t beat yourself up for messing up. Pat yourself on the back for figuring it out.

When you miss an opportunity, are unprepared for an opportunity or suffer a setback while realizing your goals, you need to encourage yourself by immediately getting back into line.

You need to encourage yourself. You need to pump yourself up. You need to be your own cheerleader. Why? Because you can’t wait and hope that someone else will come along and cheer you up. You have to rely on yourself.

You have to have faith in yourself and your ability to figure out what works and what doesn’t.

You’ll have to encourage yourself with future successes.

When you miss an opportunity, are unprepared for an opportunity or suffer a setback while realizing your goals, you need to encourage yourself by immediately getting back into line.

There’s an old cowboy saying that goes, “Fall off a horse seven times, and you’re a real cowboy.” If you fall off a horse, get right back on. If you fall off track, get right back on. If you fall away from your disciplines, get right back to them. If you fall out of habit, get right back into it.

It might be hard. It might be a bit frightening. But get back on the horse. Keep your resolve alive, active and well.

Cheer yourself on to victory.

Jim Rohn knows the secrets of success - in business and in life. He has devoted his life to a study of the fundamentals of human behavior and personal motivation that affect professional performance. He can awaken the unlimited power of achievement within you! Reproduced with permission from the Jim Rohn Weekly E-zine. Copyright© 2006, Jim Rohn. All right reserved. For information about Jim’s keynote presentations and seminars, contact the FrogPond at 800.704.FROG(3764) or email susie@ FrogPond.com, http://FrogPond.com.

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Jumbo impression in Orange County.

When it comes to buying a home in the OC, size matters! Kinecta’s local Mortgage Loan Consultants are ready to help you deliver BIG to your clients: WE’RE LOCAL!

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Membership requirements apply. NMLS (Nationwide Mortgage Lending Service) ID: 407870. Information in this advertisement is intended for Real Estate and Mortgage Professionals only and not intended for consumer use as defined by Section 1026.2 of Regulation Z, which implements the Truth-In-Lending Act. Any expressed underwriting guidelines are subject to change without notice and are subject to Kinecta Federal Credit Union guidelines and all applicable federal and state rules and regulations.

18263-12/17

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Written by Haley Freeman

Although she is a native of Orange County, Danielle counts herself a citizen of the world. She studied abroad in France, where she perfected her ability to speak French, while also becoming conversant in Spanish and Italian. When she returned to OC, she took a post at the Meridien Newport Beach, an elegant French-owned hotel and resort. Her business acumen and refined approach to client service led to her next opportunity as a worldwide brand manager for luxury retailers Gucci and Chopard. She enjoyed working in some of the world’s most vibrant business and cultural destinations - from Switzerland to Hong Kong to New York.

D

anielle Wilson & Associates know that whether your home inspiration comes in the form of a beach cottage or a legacy estate, your home is your castle. It reflects the person you are and the life you aspire to live; it is a haven for the people you love and the memories you cherish. That’s why Danielle promises that she and her team will deliver exceptional service and an extraordinary experience for every client, every transaction.

While Danielle is endowed with an adventurous spirit, her path finally led her home and to a new calling. She has since discovered that real estate is the culmination of her many business talents and passion for working with people of varied backgrounds. At Pacific Sotheby’s International Realty in Laguna Beach, Danielle is well-positioned to deliver unparalleled service to buyers and sellers of luxury real estate in South County’s most sought-after enclaves.

“With my background in branding and marketing, I am so impressed by the strength of the Sotheby’s brand,” Danielle says. “Our leadership brings an agent-focused mentality, empowering us with the tools and market presence to meet the expectations of our clients at every price point.”

AN EXTRAORDINARY EXPERIENCE FOR EVERY CLIENT, EVERY TRANSACTION ExecutiveAgent Magazine

Danielle understands the artistry of marketing high-end homes to discriminating buyers around the world. She and her team work collaboratively to brand each property with panache, showcasing its attributes along with the distinctive lifestyle that only Southern California has to offer. “I love this area and the many amazing choices of homes along the coast. It’s a privilege to market and sell homes here.

At Sotheby’s, we believe every home can be something beautiful.”

Danielle approaches her real estate practice from a boutique mindset, carefully curating a smaller number of transactions with exceptional results.

She personally oversees the details that make her customers’ experience extraordinary, from attending photo shoots, writing PR copy and negotiating hard on their behalf.

Integrity, professionalism and care are hallmarks of Danielle Wilson & Associates’ signature service. “The demands of this business are great, and working with a team creates synergy and helps us give every client our best service. It’s nice to have a partner to share ideas with and ensure that someone is always available to respond to a client’s needs.”

Danielle also places tremendous importance on her peer relationships. Her reputation for service excellence and her high ethical standards contribute to her ability to create winning results for her clients.

“In multiple-offer situations, most often my clients win because I’ve built relationships with many agents on the other side. It’s all about being human and treating everyone with equal respect.”

vision for opening a home for young adults with disabilities. Despite funding challenges and a depressed market, Danielle persevered and found the perfect property, along with a creative way to finance it. In 2013, the doors opened at Glennwood House of Laguna Beach, which today is a home to 50 young adults with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities. Danielle stayed on to serve on the board and lend her talents to fundraising, marketing and grant writing. “It was my passion to make it happen, and it became a huge part of my life. I retired from the board, but I still enjoy helping out and doing activities with the residents.”

In dynamic South OC, where people from all over the world come to live and play, Danielle and her team honor the needs of each individual and their distinctive homes. She says, “I want to create a unique real estate experience for everyone, every time, and I will work tirelessly to make their goals happen.”

Danielle Wilson & Associates Pacific Sotheby’s International Realty 32356 South Coast Highway Laguna Beach, California, 92651 Tel: 949.584.6469 Email: dwilson@pacificsir.com Web: www.coastaloc.com CalBRE # 01387233

Danielle is also tenacious. She prides herself on taking the initiative and making the impossible happen. In 2008, a client came to Danielle with a

ExecutiveAgent Magazine

“We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, therefore, is not an act, but a habit.”

–Aristotle 16

ExecutiveAgent Magazine

5 Habits That Will Make You a Better Leader

T

he difference between good leaders and great leaders is the habits they master. Here are some behaviors you can develop to become a better leader:

have learned of otherwise. When you ask people how they are doing, what’s working well and what could work better, you not only get information but also increase the camaraderie between you and your employees.

Habit #1: Manage your time.

The Center for Management and Organization Effectiveness (CMOE) found that leaders spend an average of over five hours a day on email and phone calls alone. Along with daily interruptions, it can be extremely hard to make progress on critical projects. In her book Finding Your Balance, Joan Gurvis recommends that instead of multitasking, you try a technique called “channel changing.” Instead of doing several things at once, give each person or activity your full attention and commitment; when you have completed that, change to another “channel,” again giving it full attention. Working in focused chunks of time is more effective than allowing today’s to-do list to manage you.

Habit #4: Listen deeply.

Richard Branson says leaders should listen more than they talk because that’s how they learn what’s going on.

Great leaders learn to listen for context as well as content— what I call deep listening. Deep listening is being fully present in the moment with the person who is speaking, and not trying to judge or control the conversation. We let go of our assumptions to hear not only what is being said, but also the emotions, motives, needs and goals of the person speaking. This kind of listening builds trust and respect, and it encourages the sharing of information you need to make good decisions.

Habit #5: Be open to new ideas.

Habit #2: Learn to delegate.

One shortcoming to being a better leader is trying to accomplish everything by yourself. There are plenty of reasons why. Maybe you’re a perfectionist who feels it’s easier, or maybe you feel your own work is better than that of your employees. A great leader knows that his or her most important task is developing others—teaching people how to think and ask the right questions. It is a skill that is the least developed in most organizations. The bottom line: If leaders don’t delegate, subordinates don’t learn to improve and organizations can’t grow.

Habit #3: Walk around.

Although email and texts are great for communicating across time and distance, effective leaders realize the value in talking face to face. One of the best ways to find out what’s going on is to set aside time each week to get out of your office and talk to everyone—the receptionist, the supply clerk and team members, not just managers. You will uncover problems and opportunities you may never

The most successful organizations are the ones that do things first and do things best. A great leader is always looking for the next big idea—one that improves the efficiency of the current operation or makes a product better.

The leader who encourages new ideas from everyone, who is not afraid to support the team to drive their ideas forward, is the leader whose team members will create noteworthy innovation.

As with everything, some of these habits will be easier to develop than others. The real goal is to improve the way you lead, and with practice and time spent on the right things, you can become the leader you want to be.

Susan C. Foster is a former executive, 24/7 workaholic who now coaches executives and careerists. She is a Master Coach and writer, and is the author of It’s Not Rocket Science: Leading, Inspiring, and Motivating Your Team to Be Their Best.

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Nomination Form Nominate a fellow REALTORÂŽ to be featured in one of our feature stories; on the cover as Executive Agent of the Month, or as a special feature story. All candidates must be nominated by a real estate professional. The selection process includes a questionnaire, personal interview, reference check and final approval by the Advisory Council. Candidates are evaluated based upon professionalism, length of service and uniqueness of story, as well as industry and community involvement.

I Nominate: Name_______________________________ Company___________________________ Address____________________________ _____________________________________ City, State, Zip_____________________ _____________________________________ Phone______________________________ Email_______________________________ Submitted By: Fax/Email nomination to: Executive Agent Magazine PO Box 73384 San Clemente, CA 92673 Fax: 949.266.8757 Email: Info@eamag.net Tel: 949.297.8323

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Cover Story

Pim Jelinek Teagan Prukop Executive Agents of the Month

ExecutiveAgent Magazine

Pim Jelinek Teagan Prukop Written by Haley Freeman - Photography by Ian Wiant

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ccording to Pim Jelinek and Teagan Prukop at HomeSmart Evergreen Realty in Mission Viejo, communication, commitment and competence are the three Cs that define outstanding real estate representation. They joined forces six years ago and have since

Teagan grew up in Orange County and earned her degree in business and real estate from San Diego State University, where she served on the board for the Real Estate Society.

Eager to begin her career, she obtained her real estate license while she was still in college, and finally returned to OC to establish herself as a specialist in short sales.

Pim was referred to Teagan for assistance with a short sale transaction and was impressed with Teagan’s professionalism. “Her work ethic won me over,” Pim says. “She never lost tempo. Then my mother got sick in Thailand,

developed a dynamic partnership that inspires the trust of clients and colleagues alike.

Pim came to the United States from Thailand and earned her degree in finance at Boise State University.

She went on to a career in the mortgage industry, where she worked in underwriting and loan servicing. When the market shifted in the late 2000s, she obtained her real estate broker’s license and dedicated her talents to real estate sales.

and I needed someone to help me take care of my clients while I was away for three months. With her professionalism and the way she carried herself, I couldn’t think of a better person to help than her. She really gained my trust.”

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“We’re lucky to have found each other,” Teagan echos.

“Over the years, we have found that we respond to clients the same way. We are both very detail-oriented, and we both believe in putting the clients’ interests ahead of our own. I trust Pim and her integrity, and she inspires me to be a better agent. I’ve learned so much from her and her level of customer service, and the way she thinks outside the box to do what’s best for the client.”

“We work together to solve problems from different angles,” Pim adds. “We bounce ideas off each other to come up with the best way to resolve issues. Teagan is also able to explain every document on the escrow and lender side, and she can communicate well with banks and escrow because she specialized before in short sales.”

To offer even greater value to their clients, this duo has created their own staging company. Every seller who lists with them receives home staging at no additional cost. The result is that homes often sell in the very first weekend they are placed on the market, and for top dollar. Pim says, “We have a big inventory and can save our clients thousands of dollars in the cost of preparing their home for market. Our clients are proud when they see the transformation. A better presentation means the home also looks better in photos, which is important, since so many buyers are looking at homes on the internet before they contact a Realtor®.”

“It’s absolutely worth the investment of time and effort when we have a happy seller,” Teagan says. “Later, people call us in their new home to help them pick out counters and flooring. It’s a fun and rewarding part of our job.”

ExecutiveAgent Magazine

The Three Cs of Outstanding Real Estate Representation The three Cs of outstanding real estate representation all stem from a fourth: care. With an emphasis on South Orange County, Pim and Teagan love helping people achieve their American Dream. Pim says, “We spend so much time with our clients during the process of buying or selling a home that we become friends. People who have bought houses in the past now need a bigger house for their growing family, and we get to be a part of it. That is very fulfilling for me. We love what we do.”

These ladies maintain the personal touch with clients, spending the time to meet face-to-face, and remaining accessible and ready to answer questions at all times.

“This is usually the biggest investment of someone’s life,” Teagan affirms. “It’s so easy to just text someone or have them DocuSign, but we pride ourselves on superior customer service. We make our clients feel special.”

Their many five-star client reviews are proof that clients do indeed feel special. Pim and Teagan are described as “competent, assertive and communicative,” “available by phone and extremely fast to respond,” “efficient, professional, and extremely knowledgeable,” “entirely honest,” and “outgoing, approachable, hard working, attentive, honest, and fun to go check out homes with.”

One buyer said: “I was so lucky to have Teagan and Pim be the ones to help me find my first home! Absolutely a dynamic team. They made the whole processes easy and stress-free. It was such a relief to know that I could trust that they had my best interest at heart and wouldn’t let me buy a money pit. I can’t recommend them enough. Thank you so much ladies!”

ExecutiveAgent Magazine

Relationships with other industry professionals are no less important. “We always treat other agents with respect,” Pim explains. “We believe everyone is trying to do the best they can for their clients. When there is a conflict, we do our best to bring harmony to the situation and make it a win-win. We can help our clients get what they want while showing respect to the other side.”

Teagan adds, “We know we may work with that agent again. We work as a team with the goal of getting the transaction closed. When we submit offers on behalf of our buyers, our reputation from past transactions often helps our offers get accepted.”

Pim shares a special kinship with international buyers who are experiencing the excitement of achieving the American Dream. “I feel like I have my dream job and have also achieved the American Dream as a home owner.

I enjoy working with lots of clients from other countries, understanding and respecting their culture, and earning their trust. We have no problem responding to clients in the middle of the night if that’s what it takes to serve them well.”

Pim and Teagan are both animal lovers and pet owners.

Pim has a Goldendoodle named Boba, and Teagan has a Yorkie named Sadie. As professionals, they are passionate about finding the right home and community for clients

who have pets. As animal rights advocates, they host a dinner each year to raise money for a local animal shelter.

Pim and Teagan personify the three Cs of exceptional real estate representation. Teagan sums up, “We believe that communication, commitment and competence are the keys to every successful transaction. With technology, people can find a house on their own. We create value by being the experts with answers to people’s questions. Most importantly, we truly care about our clients and want to help them make the best decision for today, and years into the future.”

Pim and Teagan are so grateful to work under such an amazing brokerage, HomeSmart, Evergreen Realty in Irvine. “HomeSmart, Evergreen Realty is a company that really cares about their agents. Winning Top Workplace nine of the last ten years really goes to show you how happy agents are and we consider ourselves very lucky to have this company behind our names to support us in our real estate profession.”

Pim and Teagan want to thank all of their clients, past, present and future referrals for their continued trust and support. They also want to thank their significant others Jon Jelinek and Ryan Hamada for continuing to support them as they further their careers in real estate and the endless late hours into the night they work always making sure to take care of their clients.

ExecutiveAgent Magazine

Pim Jelinek & Teagan Prukop HomeSmart, Evergreen Realty

9901 Irvine Center Dr., Irvine, CA 92618 Tel: 949-500-5062 - 949-290-5490 Email: PimJelinek@gmail.com - Teagan.Prukop@gmail.com Web: www.pjocrealtor.com - CalBRE # 01836731 / 01904129 ExecutiveAgent Magazine

Happiness Is All About

Perspective

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his maxim, often referenced by famed UCLA basketball coach John Wooden, is a reminder that the attitude we assume when faced with disappointment is truly up to us.

The influence of his father helped Coach Wooden develop a mental approach that responded to disappointment with self-control and reason, rather than reacting emotionally.

In his book My Personal Best with Steve Jamison, Coach recalled an incident that exemplified this mental approach: “In the final seconds of the 1928 Indiana state high school championship, with Martinsville leading by one point, Muncie Central’s Charlie Secrist flung a desperation underhand shot from half-court that literally went up to the rafters and came down straight through the hoop. It was impossible. Here’s how impossible it was: In my 40 years of coaching basketball at Dayton High School, South Bend Central, Indiana State Teachers College and UCLA, I never saw anyone make that shot again in competition. But I did see it once—Saturday night, March 17, 1928, in the final seconds of the Indiana state high school championship.

Martinsville lost 13–12. Muncie Central fans were nearly hysterical at the buzzer.

“In our locker room afterward, the Artesians, stunned and almost grieving, sat on the benches holding towels over their faces as they wept. Charlie Secrist’s last-second shot had been crushing, and all of the players just quietly lowered their heads and cried. All but one. I couldn’t cry. The loss hurt me deeply inside, but I also knew I’d done the best I could do. Disappointed? Yes. Devastated or depressed?

No. Dad taught us on the farm, ‘Don’t worry about being better than somebody else, but never cease trying to be the best you can be.’ I had done that. Now, as a member of the Martinsville Artesians basketball team, Dad’s instructions and example were put to the test. You lose, you feel bad—sometimes very, very bad. But a much worse feeling is knowing that you haven’t done everything you possibly could have done to prepare and compete. I had done what my father taught me to do, including his two sets of threes, one of which was don’t whine, don’t complain, don’t make

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excuses. That loss in the 1928 Indiana state high school championships, when the Artesians were defending champions and I was their captain, is still painful to recall. But I couldn’t cry. Dad didn’t cry when he lost the farm. How could I now?”

As a teacher, Coach would sometimes help his students look at a potentially negative situation with a different perspective and thus improve the outcome.

In the book How to Be like Coach Wooden by Pat Williams, Bob Thau, an attorney who played for the UCLA freshman team in the 1950s, described an example: “In the ‘70s, two of my sons went to a John Wooden summer camp. Our youngest, Jordan, was 7 at the time, and after the second day, he called and asked if he could come home. He was whimpering and crying, and when I asked him what was wrong, he said, ‘It’s not good here. I’m not a good player, and the other boys aren’t being nice to me.”

I urged him to give it one more day. The next evening, Jordan called and said, ‘I met Coach Wooden today, and he wants to meet my parents.’ I asked why, and Jordan replied, ‘Coach told me that if you’re homesick, that means you have a very good home.’ Coach also told Jordan that he was ‘the bravest boy in camp’ because he was sticking it out, even though he was homesick. ‘I’m very proud of you,’ Coach told him. Jordan came home thrilled because Coach Wooden was so interested in him. It still amazes me that with almost 700 kids at camp, Coach would spend time with Jordan and show so much interest. It proves what a remarkable teacher and coach he is. He took the negative of Jordan’s struggle and turned it into a positive.”

People are usually as happy as they make their minds up to be, and sometimes a great teacher can show a student how to do it.

As Coach Wooden’s grandson-in-law, Craig Impelman had the opportunity to learn Coach’s teachings firsthand and wrote about those lessons for his site, www.woodenswisdom.com. He is a motivational speaker and the author of Wooden’s Wisdom, a weekly “e-coaching module” that is distributed to companies nationally.

ExecutiveAgent Magazine

FOR THE SECOND YEAR IN A ROW

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#1 ranking among independent non-bank retail lenders is based on 2017 overall combined purchase volume for southern California counties. Licensed by the Department of Business Oversight under the California Residential Mortgage Lending Act. NMLS ID#6606. © New American Funding. New American and New American Funding are registered trademarks of Broker Solutions Inc. dba New American Funding. All Rights Reserved. Corporate Office is located at 14511 Myford Road, Suite 100, Tustin CA 92780. Phone (800) 450-2010. 2/2018

E XECUTIVE AGENT

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MAGAZINE

Helen Kim Written by Haley Freeman

“I realized from the time I sat down with New American Funding that this is where I needed to be. We have so many people working toward the same goal, and there is a focus on supporting loan originators.

There are also a lot of systems in place for our real estate partners. Now with more staff and automation, I have more time to spend with clients and helping Realtors® generate more business. As rates are going up and the market shifts to purchases, this is more important than ever.”

The company’s vigorous cobranding initiatives include a marketing campaign on monthly mortgage statements and a system of post cards and annual reminders.

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elen Kim, now a top-producing Loan Consultant with more than 15 years’ experience, is delighted to be part of the vibrant team at New American Funding’s recently established Irvine-Pacifica branch.

New American Funding also offers some of the industry’s most innovative lending solutions. “We have a piggyback loan with a first and a HELOC second. It makes it easier than going into a jumbo loan, which can be difficult to qualify for. It’s a very attractive loan in this area where home values are so high, and the second mortgage can be paid off anytime.”

ExecutiveAgent Magazine

Financing The American Dream

Helen is not only a mortgage professional, but also a real estate investor. Buying and selling her own properties gives her a unique perspective on the role she plays in her clients’ transactions. “I recently got a pre-approval letter on a buyer, and when I went back to cross-qualify the client, I learned that none of it was accurate. I was actually shocked that another lender would do that. I make sure my borrowers are fully qualified and know exactly what their payments will be. My goal is to be as transparent as possible, so there are no surprises in the end.”

The personal care Helen invests in each one of her clients sets her apart from the competition and keeps clients coming back time and again. Her round-theclock availability and vigilant communication make her clients feel both understood and secure. When it’s time for closing, Helen is present to sign loan documents and accountable for everything she promises.

home-buying process - all thanks to Helen. She went wayway above and beyond the expected to handle everything, every step of the way. Not for a moment, from beginning to end, were we in the dark about any aspect of our mortgage. Helen quickly and easily resolved any issues or complexities along the way. Furthermore, despite her high level of professionalism she was always delightful to work with. To give Helen only five stars feels like an injustice.

We give her a perfect ‘10!’”

“We just bought our first home, and I’m grateful to Helen Kim for guiding me through the complicated process. It’s obvious that she’s a superb Loan Consultant, and deserves more than 5 stars. She was always reachable and responded quickly to all my questions. I texted, emailed, and called Helen multiple times throughout the process, and she always explained the steps in an easy, non-intimidating way.”

“I take a personal interest in every single loan,” she says. “I take the extra time to get to know my clients and their family. There are families where I know everybody, because they’ve all gotten their loans through me.”

Helen’s motivation for serving her clients with integrity, excellence and care is simple: “I want them to be in a home and have a happy life there.”

First-time buyers are a special favorite of Helen’s. She enjoys walking them through the process, answering questions and calming nerves. “I’m readily available for every question. I know that for me, it might be my hundredth loan, but for them, it’s all new. When they call, I’ll get back to them within minutes or hours. I never call back the day after. I don’t want anyone worrying overnight.”

Helen Kim Loan Consultant, NMLS # 326503 New American Funding 111 Pacifica, Ste. 140 Irvine, CA 92618 Tel: 213.435.9110 Email: Helen.Kim@nafinc.com Web: www.branch.newamericanfunding.com/IrvinePacifica

Helen is now approaching 100 raving client reviews on Yelp. Here is a glimpse of what people are saying: “My wife and I could not be happier with our entire

Licensed by the Department of Business Oversight under the California Residential Mortgage Lending Act. NMLS #6606. Subject to borrower and property qualifications.Terms and conditions are subject to change without notice. Not all applicants will qualify. Corporate Office 14511 Myford Road, Suite 100, Tustin CA 92780. Phone (800) 450-2010. 6/2018.

ExecutiveAgent Magazine

How to Live Life to the Fullest

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f I want to get an idea of a person’s desire to grow and develop, I ask a simple question: “Are you satisfied with your life right now?” If the answer is, “I’m very satisfied, very content with where I am,” I come to the conclusion that there is very little potential for future growth. Being content is only part of life’s equation for happiness. But when contentment is used as a tool to “cap off” growth, it becomes detrimental. Desire is the first key to personal growth.

Whenever you learn, feel or know something, desire was already there waiting. It’s the vehicle that carries you where you need to go. I would love to light a fire under some people, but I soon discover that I’ve run out of matches! They aren’t going anywhere, and that’s OK. It’s their choice and not my responsibility. I’m not responsible for something over which I have no control. It’s OK, and I’ll love them where they are.

For me personally, I still have passion. I have desires.

I’m not all that I want to be nor have I accomplished all that I want to accomplish. That fire within you and me is called desire. The philosophers call it existential angst, the desire to make our lives count by making a difference.

I had the privilege of interviewing Coach John Wooden on his 96th birthday. I asked him this question: “Coach, you are 96 today. How do you stay so enthusiastic and passionate about life?” His answer: “Mick, the day your

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past becomes more exciting than your future is the day you start to die.” That thought has stuck like a piece of shrapnel in my brain.

So keep the engines stoked. This is what I call a healthy dissatisfaction¹, as we enjoy the present and live each day to the fullest. Your desire will get you out of the comfort zone where no growth takes place. Contentment and satisfaction are good things, but they were never intended to be synonyms for petrified, fossilized or calcified.

At times, our desire lights on the dashboard of our lives grow dim. Those are the times when you keep the engine running. Eventually you will see your desire meter rev up and you are on your way!

Napoleon Hill said, “The starting point of all achievement is desire.” Weak desires bring weak results. Just as weak fires leave us a little cold. And they’re not much to look at either.

One other tip: Avoid the flame busters. This is the crowd that doesn’t have a desire to get out of their “comfort zone” and wonder why you’re pushing yourself forward.

If your desire is low, check the company you’re keeping.

“A ship in the harbor is safe, but that’s not what ships are built for.”

—William Shedd

ExecutiveAgent Magazine

As children, we had lots of ideas about what we wanted to do when we grew up. A child’s imagination isn’t restricted by the boundaries of age, inexperience, education and parental control. They just imagine the future they want, and it’s fueled by desire. But it’s easy to let the restrictions of adulthood get in the way of doing what we desire. So we douse the desire or the dream. Many of our boundaries are self-imposed.

So here’s the bottom line up front: While you’re thinking, think big! You can always act small later. The real danger starts by putting limitations on your thinking.

In our attempt to be practical, we often play it too safe.

Use the following questions to help break the imagination gridlock: What are the things you would like to do well?

What are the experiences you would like to have?

What do you want to start doing right now?

What are five nonnegotiable values in your life?

What things, events or activities make you feel fully alive?

What have you let slide? Why? What can you do now to reverse that?

you want it to be. It’s a combination of contentment and desire. Here’s the formula: Healthy Dissatisfaction = Contentment + Desire Mick Ukleja, Ph.D., is the founder and president of LeadershipTraQ. He empowers leaders to optimize their talent and equips them to excel in their professional and personal life. Mick is an author, speaker and generational strategist. He writes and speaks on engaging millennials at work. He is the co-author of Managing the Millennials: Discover the Core Competencies for Managing Today’s Workforce, 2nd Edition, which is used in corporate training and business schools. He co-founded the Ukleja Center for Ethical Leadership at California State University, Long Beach, which promotes ethics across the curriculum. Mick is an adjunct professor in the MBA program at Concordia University. His book Who Are You? What Do You Want? has been praised by legendary coach John Wooden: “I have always taught that success can be achieved by each one of us. These principles provide an excellent life-planning guide for bringing out your best.” Mick has been featured on Fox News, CNN, Fox Business Network, NBC and in numerous publications. Keep up with Mick at Leadershiptraq.com.

Healthy Dissatisfaction: Starting each day with thanksgiving for what you are and have, knowing your life is better than you deserve, yet realizing your life is not all

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E XECUTIVE AGENT

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MAGAZINE

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he VA Home Loan program was established in 1944 as part of the GI Bill, to ensure that military veterans and their families would have access to the American Dream of home ownership. Sadly, the dream these patriots fought and sacrificed for is not always within reach, as many veterans are uninformed about their VA housing benefits, and many real estate and mortgage industry professionals are misinformed about how VA loans work.

The Veterans Association of Real Estate Professionals (VAREP) is committed to helping veterans and their families realize the American Dream of home ownership.

This non-profit 501(c)(3) and HUD-approved housing counseling organization’s mission is increasing sustainable homeownership, financial-literacy education, VA loan awareness, and economic opportunity for the activemilitary and veteran communities.

Steve Kaustinen is the Orange County chapter president of VAREP and agency owner of Goosehead Insurance in

Written by Haley Freeman

Huntington Beach. Steve is also a wounded United States Marine Corps veteran. Barry Krevoy is the chapter’s vice president and sales manager of loanDepot in Irvine. Barry is, likewise, a United States Marine Corps veteran. These gentlemen lead a group of passionate men and women, some who have served in the U.S. Armed Forces and some who have not, who care deeply about ensuring that every veteran has access to a home in their homeland. The board of directors also includes Dolores White, Secretary; Lynne Suzanski, Treasurer; Lona Baker, Community Outreach; Will Killens, Education Director (U.S. Army Veteran); Kevin Smith, Membership Director; and Matt Gutridge, Government Affairs (U.S. Navy Veteran).

“There are currently 32 active chapters across the country with 16 more scheduled to come online in 2018,” Steve says. “We’re a volunteer organization, and we’re always looking for people who want to be involved. The more members we have, the more veterans we can help.

Statistics show that less than 25 percent of veterans are using their VA loan, so our mission is important.”

ExecutiveAgent Magazine

Preserving the American Dream To demonstrate, a 2014 survey of 2,000 members of the Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA) association, revealed that only 36% said they had applied for a VA home loan.

Annual membership in VAREP is only $99.00, and monies raised by this organization are duly spent on helping veterans. “If you’re going to donate your time and money, you want to make sure it’s actually going to help vets,” Barry says. “At our last board meeting, we made the decision that 50 cents of every dollar we raise will go directly to a fund that will help a veteran buy a house, whether in full, or through a significant down payment or closing costs. It’s hard to give away a fully funded home in OC, since housing is so expensive. But we can at least make a difference by helping a vet get into a home.”

VAREP provides education that helps veterans prepare financially for home ownership and learn how to use their VA benefits. It also provides certified continuing education to industry professionals (worth 8 credit hours) that teaches them how to use and maximize VA programs.

Barry is an example of a veteran who owned four homes before ever using his VA housing benefits, because no one in the industry wanted to qualify him for a VA loan. Yet, the VA reports that veterans have some of the lowest homeownership default rates of all borrowers in the country.

“VA loans got a bad rap prior to 2008. Before that, these loans were paperwork intensive, and you had to have a wet signature on everything. That’s all changed now. It’s normal for a VA to take the same time as a conventional loan. As we educate more people and the word is getting out, VA loans aren’t something people are trying to avoid.”

Another important function of VAREP is its government affairs arm, which lobbies to ensure that VA loans are optimal and available to veterans. Recently, important strides were made in changing the standard home loan application to ask every applicant if they’ve served, requiring lenders to identify veterans and talk with them about their VA loan benefits.

VAREP hosts numerous events and fundraisers throughout the year, which are not only great opportunities to give back to those who have served, but also a chance to get to know veterans in the community. With a variety of

events from golf tournaments, to fashion shows, to casino nights, there is something to appeal to everyone, along with meaningful sponsorship opportunities for local companies.

Barry exhorts, “I don’t think it can be overstated how important this is. If you own a home, you know what it means to you. It’s a place of safety - a piece of the American Dream. For veterans, it’s the biggest tangible benefit they will get from serving their country.”

VAREP Orange County Chapter Steve Kaustinen, MBA, USMC, Honorable Discharge Chapter President 714-519-7500 Barry Krevoy, USMC, Honorable Discharge Chapter Vice President 949-735-4009 (NMLS # 923896) 2018 Calendar of Events 5/2 MVHC Class at Fountain Valley OCAR CAL BRE Credits 5/12 - Credit Smart Module class (public) knowing your credit 5/2 - Mother’s Day Spa Day Raffle 5/23 - Lunch and Learn the VA Loan 6/1 - Father’s Day Spa Day Raffle 6/14 - Our Curves Works Fashion Show 6/22 - Paintball at Camp Pendleton 6/27 - Lunch and Learn Writing a VA Offer 7/7 - Credit Smart Module (public) how to improve your credit score 7/25 - Lunch and learn Getting Condos Approved for VA 8/7 - MVHC Class at Laguna Hills OCAR, CalBRE Credits 8/29 - Lunch and Learn finding more VA Buyers 9/14 - VAREP Golf Tournament 9/26 - Lunch and Learn Marketing to Veterans 10/4 - MVHC Laguna Hills OCAR 10/24 - Lunch and Learn More VA Referrals 10/26 - Run/Walk a mile for a Veteran 11/11 - Veterans Day 11/20 - Sponsors Appreciation Luncheon 12/10 - VAREP OC Gives to Veterans -VAREP CARES

ExecutiveAgent Magazine

Success Is Living Like Your Cat

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recently visited the Key West home of famed writer Ernest Hemingway. The descendants of Hemingway’s many six-toed cats still live on the grounds and join visitors as a part of their tour. “A cat,” wrote Hemingway, “has absolute emotional honesty. Human beings, for one reason or another, may hide their feelings, but a cat does not.”

I know some people don’t like cats. I have friends who are allergic to cats. And I think I have heard all the idioms that express negative myths about cats (e.g., scaredy-cats, fat cats, herding cats). Still, I watch my 11-year-old black cat in action (or inaction) and marvel at what life might be like if lived more like her.

Here are four “catlike” quotes that will help you blaze a path to success.

1. “Any cat who misses a mouse pretends it was aiming for the dead leaf.” —Charlotte Gray Besides maybe trips to the vet, my cat seems to enjoy every moment. She never panics, even when there are loud noises nearby. She approaches every day with a pace and rhythm that is graceful, deliberate and celebrative.

Life is partly about taking deep breaths with a focus on being, not just doing.

When I make a small mistake, I worry and sometimes punish myself to a disproportionate degree. When I goof,

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I wish I could just pretend I was aiming for the dead leaf.

Successful people demonstrate greatness by the way they resiliently react to failure, not success.

Steve Jobs started Apple in his parents’ garage and grew it to a $2 billion company. But his board fired him to take Apple in a new direction. Propelled by sheer resilience, he started NeXT and Pixar, ultimately reclaiming his position as Apple CEO. J.K. Rowling’s first Harry Potter book was turned down by 12 publishers. When Bloomsbury Publishing finally took her manuscript, the editor told her to “get a day job.”

Instead, she doubled her efforts and went on to create one of the most successful book series of all time.

2. “In ancient times cats were worshipped as gods.

They have not forgotten this.” —Terry Pratchett My cat exudes a pretty obvious sense of self-confidence. She is centered and poised, even in circumstances that might warrant a bit of anxiety. She is not cocky, just confident. Like my cat, successful people live their lives with a certain emotional invincibility.

Success comes from creating a masterpiece every day.

Something people will marvel at later. No one cares about the depth of someone’s inbox, the number of cold calls they made or the meetings they attended. Only concrete results matter; tireless effort is just the stuff you do to get there.

ExecutiveAgent Magazine

Masterpiece creators do not consider themselves passengers on some cruise ship transporting them to retirement.

They assume responsibility for their own destiny.

body, mind and soul with the same gracefulness my cat uses to envelop her shiny black coat. This means treating each day as an opportunity for betterment.

3. “After dark, all cats are leopards.” —Zuni Indian Proverb

“He not busy being born is busy dying,” sang folk singer Bob Dylan. Success comes from perpetual growth and daily reinvention. It takes nonstop curiosity, sincere humility and a wide-eyed recognition that who you are must constantly be trumped by who you can be. Successful people view psychic and physical maintenance as crucial to their well-being as a tune-up is to their vehicle.

My cat believes she is a gift and fully embraces that sense of privilege. From the day we brought her home from the shelter, she demonstrated in her attitude how lucky we were to have her. It is not that she is unappreciative; she frequently shows her gratitude for her privileged station in life. But when I watch her pounce—at anything that she might deem a potential adventure—I sense she is always on a glorious hunt. Successful people approach every day like it is a glorious adventure, too.

“Life is either a daring adventure or nothing,” wrote Helen Keller. The path to success comes from a pioneering spirit to blaze new trails to excellence, craft new bridges to a treasured dream and tenaciously pursue a quest for distinction.

4. “Cats know how to obtain food without labor; shelter without confinement, and love without penalties.” —William L. George

Cats are amazing animals. They are also a metaphor for how to live life to the fullest. They are smart enough to focus on what matters most, not on the trivial distractions that would otherwise rob their energy and spirit. Let this year be your year of the cat!

Chip R. Bell is a renowned keynote speaker and the author of several award-winning, national best-selling books. Dr. Bell was a highly decorated infantry unit commander with the elite 82nd Airborne and a guerrilla tactics instructor at the Army Infantry School. He has served as a consultant to many Fortune 100 companies.

He can be reached at chipbell.com.

My cat washes herself a lot, and she does it with such luxury. There is nothing hurried about it. She seems to relish the ritual. Successful people take great care of

ExecutiveAgent Magazine

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Attitude Is Everything—Here’s How To Keep It Positive

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am not much of a TV watcher, and when I do tune in, I’m usually half-watching, half-working on something else. But sometimes you learn things from unexpected places, and it so happens that a recent Gatorade commercial grabbed my attention.

The ad shows some of the world’s best athletes, like Michael Jordan and Peyton Manning, remarking on their failures—Jordan’s inability to make his high school varsity team, Manning’s abysmal rookie season—and how those defeats redoubled their drive.

What a powerful message. Even Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan makes an appearance, acknowledging his team’s mind-blowing, fourth-quarter Super Bowl fall to the Patriots in 2017 and implying that he, too, would grow from the experience.

This is the time of the year when we think about recharging, renewing and redefining ourselves. People this month will do anything, from joining a gym to embarking on a spiritual retreat.

“Whether you are 15 years old or 50, your outlook toward life is always under construction.”

These are worthy endeavors, but there’s a more lifealtering change we can make in the mode of those superstar athletes. What each of them has done is adjust their attitudes. They see life through a positive lens, no matter what it throws their way. That optimism fuels them, focuses them, and allows them to put setbacks in perspective.

Attitude can be our best friend or worst enemy, the librarian of our past, the speaker of our present and the prophet of our future. In short, I believe attitude is the biggest determinant of our quality of life.

There are people who seem perpetually perky and whose

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good nature appears as innate as their eye color. But attitude is not a fixed state. Whether you are 15 years old or 50, your outlook toward life is always under construction.

It’s never too late to change it. If your attitude is deflating you, here’s how to pump it up.

1. Evaluate your current attitude.

This is the hardest step in the process. You need to detach from yourself and take a hard look at how you respond to situations.

• Identify your problem feelings. What attitudes make you feel most negative about yourself?

• Identify your problem behaviors. What actions create conflict between you and others?

• Identify your problem thinking. What thoughts cloud or control your mind?

2. Write a statement of purpose.

If your biggest flaw is impatience with others, for example, vow to take a deep breath, listen to them more carefully and develop empathy—an ability to see situations through other people’s eyes. If your downfall is complaining, learn to smile, speak positive words, or if all else fails, silence yourself entirely.

3. Find new words.

If you were trying to motivate other people, you’d pump them up, wouldn’t you? You’d offer words of support, encouragement and inspiration.

Do you do the same for yourself? So many people I’ve met—people with tremendous potential—shortchange themselves with a self-defeating internal voice. I can’t. I doubt. I don’t think. I don’t have the time. I’m afraid. I don’t believe.

ExecutiveAgent Magazine

This self-doubt darkens our attitudes, limits our success and casts a shadow over our lives. The fix is easy: Change the language. I can. I expect the best. I know. I’ll make the time. I am confident. I believe.

4. Rewire your thought patterns.

Our feelings come from our thoughts. We can change them by changing our thought patterns.

It’s our thoughts, not our circumstances, that determine our happiness. Often, people are convinced they will be happy when they attain a certain goal. When they do, they are surprised and disappointed to discover that they don’t feel fulfilled. What they don’t realize is the act of filling one’s mind with good thoughts every day, regardless of what’s going on in their lives, will bring more overall satisfaction than the one-time high of a job well done.

5. Develop good habits.

An attitude is nothing more than a habit of thought.

Habits aren’t instincts; they’re acquired actions. They don’t just happen; they are caused. Many people allow their habits to control them. That’s good if the habits enhance our quality of life. If not, well, life becomes cloudy indeed.

You can change your habits. Here’s how: • List your bad habits.

• Determine the root cause(s) behind them.

• Determine a positive habit to replace a bad one.

• Take action to develop that.

• Act upon this new habit daily.

• Reward yourself by noting one of the benefits of this new habit.

middle stages, you’re on the proverbial fence, deciding whether to step fully onto the other side or tumble back into your old ways. In the late stage, you’ve successfully corrected a flaw and are enjoying the attitudinal shift that comes with it. But beware: Complacency is the enemy. Just ask anyone who has lost weight only to gain it back.

Back to that Gatorade commercial, where tennis great Serena Williams looks dead-on at the camera, steely-eyed.

Her secret to victory was being “on the wrong side in the biggest upset of your sport,” a reference to her stunning fall in the 2015 U.S. Open to Roberta Vinci, an unseeded player from Italy.

Two years later, she became the only tennis player, man or woman, to win 23 singles Grand Slam titles in the Open era.

“I’ve had to learn to fight all my life—got to learn to keep smiling,” she says. “If you smile, things will work out.”

John C. Maxwell, an internationally respected leadership expert, speaker, and author who has sold more than 18 million books, has been named an inaugural SUCCESS Ambassador. Dr. Maxwell is the founder of EQUIP, a nonprofit organization that has trained more than 5 million leaders in 126 countries worldwide. A New York Times, Wall Street Journal and BusinessWeek; best-selling author, Maxwell has written three books that have sold more than a million copies.

I see habit change as a process, so don’t dismay if you don’t see results overnight. The early stages will be the hardest. Those bad habits want to remain in control. In the ExecutiveAgent Magazine

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PWR PROVIDES OUR MEMBERS WITH HIGHER QUALITY SERVICES, A WIDER ARRAY OF RESOURCES, & THE BEST VALUE FOR THE MONEY

We know that you can choose to join any association. PWR goes beyond the basics of providing MLS access and Supra Key support – we provide our members with ONE-OF-A-KIND services that help them become better REALTORS®.

FLEXIBLE WAYS TO PAY SOME OF THE LOWEST DUES AROUND

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Training at the convenience of your Broker’s office

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PWRSTORE

RED (Rapid Ethics Delivery) for fast & easy conflict resolution (exclusively at PWR)

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Learn to be more productive, professional, & profitable! Classes at our Anaheim & Long Beach locations

NETWORKING EVENTS THAT GIVE BACK TO THE HOMEBUYING COMMUNITY

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SERVICES MORE REALTORS® THAN ANY OTHER LOCAL ASSOCIATION IN THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA NEW FOR PWR BROKERS: YOUR OWN BROKER RELATIONS REPRESENTATIVE Your personal liaison to help you better leverage PWR’s benefits

Proceeds from the Golf and Wine Tasting events fund our PWR Charity Foundation grants for First Time Homebuyers & Military Personnel (YOUR clients!)

DEDICATED MEMBER SERVICE

PWR is the only association with an in-house Call Center to provide prompt, individualized service

PACIFIC WEST ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® Serving Orange County & Los Angeles County ORANGE COUNTY: 1601 East Orangewood Avenue, Anaheim LA COUNTY: 5000 East Spring St., Suite #110, Long Beach (714) 245-5500 • WWW.PWR.NET

HELPING MILITARY & VETERAN

FAMILIES REALIZE THE

AMERICAN DREAM! 2,600 + VETERANS

EDUCATED ABOUT HOMEOWNERSHIP

1,500 + FAMILIES

WHO WE ARE Established in 2011, the USA Homeownership Foundation, Inc. DBA Veterans Association of Real Estate Professionals (VAREP), is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to increasing sustainable homeownership, financial-literacy education, VA loan awareness, and economic opportunity for the active-military and veteran communities.

WERE HELPED THROUGH VAREP CARES

750 VETERANS PLACED IN HOMES THROUGH OUR PROGRAMS

UPCOMING LOCAL VAREP EVENT VAREP Los Angeles chapter Veteran Charity Fundraiser - Golf Tournament

66 HOUSING SUMMITS

Friday • August 24, 2018 Rio Hondo Golf Club 10627 Old River School Rd • Downey, CA 90241

TO EMPOWER VETERAN HOMEOWNERSHIP

WHO CAN JOIN? Any individual regardless if you have served or not. VAREP and its members represent and work within all sectors of the real estate, housing and financial services industries...

WE WANT YOU!

View the full VAREP Events Calendar at:

https://varep.net/eventsfront/advocacy VAREP SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA CHAPTERS

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info@VAREP.net | w w w .VAR EP. n e t | 951-444-7363 VAREP IS A 501.C.3 NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION AND YOUR CONTRIBUTION IS TAX DEDUCTIBLE. USA HOMEOWNERSHIP DBA VETERANS ASSOCIATION OF REAL ESTATE PROFESSIONALS TAX ID: 45-2458485