MARCH 2018 CAL

Ron Arnold Executive Agent of the Month

Inside Features: Pay it Homeward Company Profile

Basil Sakr

RE/MAX Top Producers

Bryan & Sammie

Keller Williams Realty South Bay

MORE EDUCATED, MORE MOTIVATED, MORE CONFIDENT HOME BUYING. In an uncertain market with changing interest rates and home prices, it’s more important now than ever to work with a professional Mortgage Consultant to ensure your success in today’s housing market and in securing your Home Financing.

Ryan Grant Producing Branch Manager NMLS # 118767 Phone: 949.651.6300 Team@RyanGrantTeam.com www.RyanGrantTeam.com

100 Spectrum Center Drive #750 Irvine, California 92618

Copyright©2017 Fairway Independent Mortgage Corporation. NMLS#2289. 4801 S. Biltmore Lane, Madison, WI 53718, 1-877-699-0353. All rights reserved.

Other restrictions and limitations may apply. Equal Housing Lender. Licensed by the Department of Business Oversight under the California Finance Lenders Law. Loans made or arranged pursuant to a California Finance Lenders Law License.

EXECUTIVE AGENT OF THE MONTH

Ron Arnold Keller Williams Realty

19 17

Inside Features

28

10 Pay it Homeward

4

Basil Sakr

ExecutiveAgent Magazine

06 Bryan Swindells & Sammie (Sawako) Suda

MARCH, 2018 Editorials

E XECUTIVE AGENT

TM

MAGAZINE

26

Fred Arrias Executive Publisher PO Box 73384 San Clemente, CA 92673 Ph: (949) 297-8323 Fax: (949) 266-8757 FArrias45@gmail.com www.EACal.com

Teaming With Success -Craig Harrison

30

Stress: Control It, Change It or Let It Go! -Simma Lieberman

ADVERTISERS’ INDEX - CAL City of Hope.......................................................34 Fairway Independent Mortgage...........................2

24

How Patience Makes You Rich -Jim Rohn

Finance of America Mortgage...........................15 iPhotography Studio...............................................23 NAHREP..................................................................14 The Termite Guy......................................................3

12

Are You Doing All You Can Do? -Walter Sanford

Ticor Title Company..............................................36

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

08

Winning: Defining It, Achieving It -Chris Widener

© 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.

32

Doing the Impossible -Zig Ziglar

ExecutiveAgent Magazine

5

E XECUTIVE AGENT

TM

MAGAZINE

Bryan Swindells & Sammie (Sawako) Suda Written by Haley Freeman

B

Putting Clients First

ryan Swindells and Sammie (Sawako) Suda are a husband and wife real estate team dedicated to putting clients first. With more than a decade of experience selling in their home community of the South Bay, they are passionate about welcoming clients as neighbors in this friendly coastal enclave.

Bryan grew up in Redondo Beach, where he and Sammie live today. Sammie is from Yokohama, Japan and came to the U.S. as a high school exchange student.

After graduating from high school in Eugene, Oregon, she earned her degree from Santa Monica College and met Bryan.

ExecutiveAgent Magazine

At the time, many of Sammie’s friends were enjoying successful real estate careers, and Sammie decided to get her license and join them in 2007. But just as Sammie began her real estate journey, the market crashed.

Although times were challenging, she says, “I didn’t know any better. My first transaction was a short sale. I think it was a good way to start out because it taught me to work hard and be good at the basics.”

Inspired by what they could create together, Bryan joined Sammie in real estate. The two opted to work with a top-producing team, where they could learn best practices from an experienced mentor.

Today, Bryan and Sammie operate their own successful team at Keller Williams Realty South Bay, where they have earned a fine reputation as caring and skilled professionals. “I love the culture and energy in our office and company,” Sammie says. “It’s not just about selling real estate, it’s about people. We all work together to achieve goals, and to take care of our clients and help them achieve their dreams.”

Bryan and Sammie take full advantage of Keller Williams’ training and development opportunities so they can bring greater value to their clients and consistently exceed expectations. They have developed systems to streamline their work and simplify the process for clients, with an emphasis on communication and transparency.

One buyer described Bryan and Sammie as “the most caring, dynamic duo of real estate. Bryan and Sammie helped us find our forever home. They didn’t hesitate to show us the homes we were interested in and would work non-stop to make sure we got a showing on the house which is now our forever home. They walked us through the process and gave us honest opinions when we asked. I recommend Bryan and Sammie to anyone who is looking for a home because I know they will be in great hands.”

Their partnership is so effective because of the unique strengths Bryan and Sammie each bring. “Sammie is a very driven person, and she kind of holds me accountable,” Bryan says. “She really enjoys helping people achieve their goals, and she is excited about all different aspects of real estate. She is passionate about giving the best service she can and making sure our clients are pleased with the whole process.”

“We’re completely opposite personality-wise,” Sammie adds. “But where I fall short, he succeeds, so we have a great balance. Sometimes he will slow down, where I will go, go, go! So it’s good that we can balance each other.

Bryan is very sociable and a people person. He can make people laugh and make them comfortable, which also makes him a great negotiator.”

Sammie’s Japanese heritage is a tremendous benefit when she and Bryan assist foreign nationals with real estate transactions. Sammie explains, “Buying and selling real estate can be intimidating for anybody, but especially if they are from another country and don’t speak the language well. In Japan, the real estate process is completely different. I spend time making sure clients understand every aspect of the paperwork and the process, and that all of their questions are answered.”

Bryan and Sammie love life in the South Bay, with its beautiful weather and picturesque beaches. They frequently go stand-up paddle boarding in the Redondo Beach Marina, where they make a game of cleaning up the community’s coastline by retrieving trash from the water. “It’s a lot harder than you’d think when you’re trying to keep your balance and your target is always moving!” Sammie laughs.

Their commitment to putting clients first is inspired by Bryan and Sammie’s deep appreciation for the trust their clients place in them to handle such an important investment. Bryan explains, “We really do care about the people we help. I was raised by my grandparents, so I guess I have old-school values. I see the value when somebody saves their money to buy a home for their family. Sammie and I take that seriously, and we do our best to make buying or selling a home a positive experience.”

Bryan Swindells & Sammie (Sawako) Suda Keller Williams Realty South Bay 23670 Hawthorne Blvd., #100 Torrance, CA 90505 Tel: 310.755.1960 – 310.890.8482 Email: bryanandsawako@kw.com Web: https://www.swindellsproperties.com CalBRE # 01829803 / 01846421

ExecutiveAgent Magazine

Winning: Defining It, Achieving It

I

f you ask most people whether they would like to be considered a winner or a loser in life, they would most assuredly reply that they would like to be a winner.

But this begs the question, “What does it mean to win at life?”

In some things it’s easy to define a clear winner. In a basketball game, whoever has the most points at the end of the game is the winner. In a game of hearts, my favorite card game, whoever has the least amount of points when one of the players reaches 100 points is the winner.

But it isn’t quite as easy to decide what it means to win in the game of life, is it? And that is because people define winning in different ways. For many, winning is through the accumulation of money or material possessions. “He’s a success, a real winner,” they say.

Others think winning means living the longest. Still others say that it is to have their body in tip-top shape.

Some say it is to have a happy family. Some say it is to regularly enjoy their hobbies.

All of these are fine, in and of themselves. But...

I would like to encourage us to think about winning or success in a different way. Generally, people think of winning as the over-achievement in a particular, chosen area.

I like to believe, however, that to truly win at life is not to overachieve in one area but to succeed in maintaining balanced achievement in numerous areas.

Let me repeat that: To truly win, to be a success, is

8

not to overachieve in one area, but to maintain balanced achievement in all areas of our lives.

For instance, is a person a success if they earn millions of dollars but lose their family? Is a person a success if they garner national fame but have no friends? Of course not. In fact, they may live the most pitiful of all lives.

First, Define So the first thing we must do is define what we will consider “winning in life.” As you ponder this for yourself, I would like to recommend that you focus in on three overarching areas: Body, Soul, and Spirit.

The body is that which has actual connection with the physical world and would encompass physical health, financial health, family, work, and relationships. How is your health? How are your finances? Are your relationships, both with your family and others all that they could be? Is work fulfilling? How would you define winning in these areas?

The next area, the soul, is that which deals with the emotions, will, and intellect. It is our thoughts, ideas, and attitudes. How are you emotionally? Are you able to exercise your will? Are you growing intellectually? Have you done an attitude check lately? How would you define winning in these areas?

And the spirit is the part of us that transcends this life, the part of us that communes with God. Zig Ziglar said, “Money will buy me a house, but not a home, a bed, but not a good night’s sleep.” So true.

ExecutiveAgent Magazine

Written By Chris Widener

Inner peace comes from something much deeper. Have you thought about going back to your spiritual roots? Are you able to spend time in quiet, solitude, and prayer from time to time? This is an extremely important area and all too often neglected. What would you like to achieve in this area? How would you define winning in these areas?

As we experience balance in these areas, we will find ourselves much more at peace with ourselves than if we were to experience tremendous success in one area but loss or failure in the other areas. We were designed to work as congruent, balanced people. This is how we get to the end of our lives and say, “I won.”

Second, Prioritize Once you have defined what it is that you would like to achieve in each of these areas, you have to prioritize them, and let other, non-important areas drop off the chart.

Commit to developing a plan to succeed in a balance of areas. Exercise your will. Choose. Dwight D. Eisenhower said, “The history of free men is written not by chance, but by choice - their choice.”

When we manage our time and schedule, we are simply making choices in regard to our priorities. For most, their priority is to take action on whatever is screaming the loudest at the moment. For those who become winners, they reflect on what they desire to achieve, make a plan and decide to eliminate the rest.

Last, Do it Okay, you have defined winning. You have prioritized your life. Now, the hard part: Doing it. This is where

we are all alone. We all make this step on our own, but having a written plan is as good a preparation as you can get. Rather than saying that you are going to do this for the rest of your life, take the next week to implement your new balance of winning.

If a week sounds too long, just focus on today. Spend some time, be it ever so small, enhancing your life in these areas. Exercise a little. Read for a while to challenge your mind. Deal with your emotions. Spend time in silent contemplation to renew your spirit. Give some time to your spouse and children.

Will Rogers said, “Even if you’re on the right track, you won’t get anywhere if you’re standing still.” There has got to be action.

As we do this over time, and balance our lives out, we will begin to finally feel like we are winning at life. That will be exciting, as will the process!

Chris Widener is the President of Made For Success. He teaches leaders how to become Extraordinary Leaders.

Chris’ speaking and consulting services have challenged the best to become optimists, to pursue excellence relentlessly, and to dream big dreams. Copyright© 2001, Chris Widener. All rights reserved. For information about Chris’ speaking and consulting services, please contact the Frog Pond Group at 800-704-FROG (3764) or email Susie@frogpondgroup.com; http://www.frogpondgroup. com.

ExecutiveAgent Magazine

9

E XECUTIVE AGENT

TM

MAGAZINE

Written by Haley Freeman

DOING THE MOST GOOD

F

or more than a decade, Realtor® Gina Rovere has been doing good by helping local families transition to their next home with competence and care. In gratitude for her professional success and prompted by the biblical principle “everyone to

whom much has been given, much will be required,” Gina established Pay It Homeward, an organization dedicated to “giving back to those who serve.”

Founded in 2015, Pay It Homeward is a real estate buyer and seller incentive program fueled by purpose, passion and gratitude for the service of military personnel, teachers, EMTs, police officers, firefighters, doctors, nurses, clergy and corrections

officers. Recently, the program has expanded to offer benefits to people over 55 years of age. Buyers and sellers receive a credit of .5 percent of the home’s purchase price at the close of escrow and may also obtain discounts on lending, escrow, termite, home inspection, home warranty, credit repair and national hazard disclosure services.

While Gina wholeheartedly believes in making it easier for those who have dedicated their lives to serving country and community to own a piece of the American Dream, the program is about more than just monetary incentives. It is also about ensuring that participants receive five-star service delivered by some of the industry’s top professionals. To achieve this objective, Gina has designed a set of uniform service standards that must be met by all service providers. “A buyer in the program will typically save about $3,000 and up. But we are offering discounts, not discounted service. I want to make sure Pay It Homeward clients have the best possible real estate experience, with service that is consistent and professional.”

Likewise, Gina has made it easy for real estate professionals to participate by providing supportive training and user-friendly guidelines. Pay It Homeward is offered exclusively through ERA Real Estate affiliates who are enthusiastic about saying thank you to those who serve by paying it homeward.

ExecutiveAgent Magazine

Giving Back In Gratitude, To Those Who Serve

Ultimately, the value of Pay It Homeward is clearly evident by its impact on the heroes it serves. Paul Butler is actively serving in the U.S. Armed Forces.

He had this to say about the experience he and his wife, Landry, had with Gina and Pay It Homeward: “As I look back at that time when we were moving, I can remember how stressful it seemed to us. We had never sold a home before, so there were a lot of unknowns. We thought that we would ease into it by inviting Gina over so we could take a look at our options. To my surprise, Gina told us about the Pay It Homeward program that would give us back a portion of her commission, free termite inspection and discounts with the escrow agency. I was blown away by her generosity. I serve my country proudly whether I am thanked or not, but when someone genuinely thanks you, not just with words but with actions, it is an awesome and amazing thing. We are incredibly blessed that we got to work with Gina. She made everything so easy it felt like we didn’t have to do anything, and we really didn’t. Gina took care of everything, which made it an incredible experience.

Her professionalism, honesty, and diligent work is

beyond reproach. She is truly an example for all other Realtors® to emulate.”

Pay It Homeward is currently expanding to include a wider array of client resources and to provide service in markets across the nation. Gina is excited about the future and humbled by the number of real estate professionals who are heeding her call to action. With her faith-based ideals in mind, she says, “I want to bring back some of the simple, old fashioned values in the way we do business, things like customer service, kindness and giving back. I feel I’ve been called to a place where I can do the most good. When we do good, we never know who we will touch. We are creating a ripple effect. There are many in my life who have done that for me, and I’m happy to have this chance to pay it forward and give God all the glory.”

Gina Rovere, Founder Pay It Homeward™️ Tel: 833 GIVEBAC Email: gina.rovere@Yahoo.com Web: www.PayItHOMEWARD.com CalBRE #01501966

ExecutiveAgent Magazine

Are You Doing All You Can Do?

12

ExecutiveAgent Magazine

M

y goal in real estate was to leverage my time so that I was getting the maximum amount of income out of every exertion of energy.

I never liked showing property much, but I really wanted the listing. In fact, I did whatever was ethical to become the most recognized REALTOR® in my area.

This system is a little aggressive, not for the faint of heart. I never considered it solicitation of a seller, just feedback; however, the results were many sellers ended up knowing me and paying more attention to my expired solicitation.

I risk showing you this in that you may think all of my ideas are “grey area” but not so! I have thousands of systems in my training materials that will make you a fortune, but I have to tell you -- I just loved that call from the REALTOR® who had more time on their hands than business and who would complain that I should have emailed him/her my feedback on their listing.

Most times, I was giving better feedback than

the listing agent. The top agents loved it, so that is why I have so many different systems. I had to keep inventing new ones, because the competition kept stealing my ideas.

Just leave a card at the property you have shown.

Make sure all of your information and picture are on the card. Mine had me next to my Rolls Royce on the back.

Walter Sanford is a top producing real estate agent and speaker who travels the country delivering systems and strategies to top producers for higher productivity and client satisfaction. Copyright© 2000, Walter Sanford. All rights reserved. For information about Walter’s keynote presentations and training seminars, please contact the Frog Pond Group at 800-704FROG (3764) or email susie@frogpondgroup.com; http://www.frogpondgroup.com.

ExecutiveAgent Magazine

13

STATE OF

HISPANIC HOMEOWNERSHIP REPORT

DOWNLOAD TODAY hispanicwealthproject.org/shhr

In Collaboration with the National Association of Hispanic Real Estate Professionals®

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

NMLS-302745

NMLS-653005

Sales Manager

Anthony Colacion

Senior Mortgage Advisor

Senior Mortgage Advisor

(714) 863-8470

(949) 394-1757

(949) 689-3597

Jill Coss

Valerie Dawson

Therese Franklin

NMLS-286726

NMLS-1552910

NMLS-1151840

Senior Mortgage Advisor

(949) 791-7901

Senior Mortgage Advisor

NMLS-329651

Senior Mortgage Advisor

(714) 864-8088

(949) 394-4624

Jeffrey Scott

Lynn Nelson

Jim Thiel

NMLS-255094

NMLS-653022

NMLS-907893

(949) 677-1001

(714) 412-8608

Senior Mortgage Advisor

Senior Mortgage Advisor

Senior Mortgage Advisor

(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.

EXECUTIVEAGENT MAGAZINE

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

Name_______________________________ Company___________________________ Phone______________________________ Email_______________________________

TM

Cover Story

Ron Arnold Executive Agent of the Month

ExecutiveAgent Magazine

Ron Arnold “Where People are Highly Valued” Written by Haley Freeman - Photography by Ian Wiant

on Arnold leads a celebrated team of real estate professionals at Keller Williams Realty in Brea who highly value relationships with people. Their joint determination to do right by others is motivated by a genuine desire to serve and sustained by faith-based values. Their success proves that when you put others first, good things follow.

R

the Oakland A’s. During his journey, Ron experienced the contrast of life among California’s glitterati against that of Mexico’s dire poverty, and he discovered that money is not the source of happiness. “It really helped me clarify what I wanted to do in life,” he says. “Some of the happiest people I ever saw were among the poorest families in Mexico.”

Ron enjoyed an idyllic Southern California childhood in the Mayberry-esque town of Montebello, where he and the neighborhood kids played baseball until nightfall and calls to the dinner table summoned them inside. His extraordinary athletic and academic talents eventually led him to the University of Southern California, where he played baseball with the university’s 1978 championship team. He went on to a professional baseball career, first with two Major League teams in Mexico and then with

Ron returned to California and knew he wanted to do something radically different with his life. After much analysis and soul-searching, he decided to pursue his passion for writing. He found an opportunity to join his faith with his vocational interests, which led to a successful 20-year career in the Christian book store industry, where he achieved accolades as general manager of the nation’s most acclaimed store.

ExecutiveAgent Magazine

When Ron’s wife, Sue, was pregnant with their second daughter, they began looking for a larger home. In his customary methodical fashion, Ron developed a 39-point, weighted checklist of the features they were looking for in a home, and he set out to see every home for sale in the area. “This was before the internet,” he says, “and after 260 homes, I got to know the inventory pretty well. I cared so deeply for this because it was for my family.”

Ron also got to know the area’s Realtors®, and he was frequently disappointed by the quality of ethics and professionalism he encountered. When he finally did the final walk-thru for the very home he and Sue still live in today, he declared to the agent there, “The last job I’d ever do is be a Realtor®.”

But God, As They Say, Had Other Plans In time, Ron found himself at a professional crossroads.

As he was deciding his next career path, he interviewed the people closest to him regarding his options. They unanimously agreed on one thing: he should become a real estate agent. In spite of his heart’s serious misgivings, he realized real estate was more than a career - it was a calling. It was an opportunity for him to take all he had learned on his own journey and help others through a

significant life event with integrity and compassion.

Ron was inspired to sit down and begin drafting the faith-based mission statement and 10 guiding principles that govern his real estate practice today. These core principles revolve around respect, doing good, speaking the truth and showing love. Ron explains, “I’ve had three callings in my life: To the Lord, to my wife, Sue, to whom I’ve been married for 27 years now, and to the industry of real estate. From the beginning, we never wanted to be called ‘Christian’ Realtors®. Rather, instead of ‘trading on the name,’ we wanted to be identified by what we do and the way we authentically treat people.”

Today, Ron and his team are gratified to work with a real estate company that fosters a work culture organized in priority of God, family and business. “That has always been my philosophy, and it feels good to work in an environment that supports me in that. Keller Williams also offers systems significantly beyond other companies in the industry. They spent over a billion dollars on technology last year, and as agents, we are now seeing the results. It’s all about building a business that is repeatable, predictable and sustainable so we can serve our clients most effectively.”

ExecutiveAgent Magazine

This multi-generational and multi-cultural team includes wife Sue, also a licensed Realtor®, along with agents Will Lau, who speaks Cantonese; Susan WanRoss, who speaks Korean; Jeffrey Munson, who like Ron, speaks Spanish; Greg Almquist, a veteran luxury agent; and Kelly Morgan, who just recently joined the team as both a Realtor® and executive assistant. “The Lord brings amazing people into my life. Every person on our team is a licensed agent, and they’re all caring human beings and quality professionals.

But everybody knows Sue is the most important person on the team - she’s the glue that holds everything together.

She’s so good at nurturing people and caring for the little details. My wife is truly gifted. When anyone sees us coming, they’re always ready to give her a massive hug. I tend to be very analytical, so she softens my approach, and that softness is what draws people. I think she’s the reason we

win so many listing appointments. We work with staging professionals, but Sue also has a great talent for preparing houses for market.”

Ron and his team constantly come back to their mission statement and core principles as the benchmark for evaluating their business decisions and advice to clients. “We care authentically about other people’s best interests and our fiduciary duty to them. Sometimes that means discouraging clients from buying or selling because they’re not ready, or because there is too much risk. I have counseled couples not to buy a house because the financial burden would likely undermine their marriage. There are more important things in life. I think that makes our team different. You can’t teach that - the willingness to say no to money for the good of someone else.”

ExecutiveAgent Magazine

More than 125 raving fans on the internet agree. One recent homebuyer shared this experience: “Ron and Sue are realistic advisers and negotiators. They knew what issues to push on and what not to. They also brought a list of very helpful, local contractors with whom we consulted. In one instance, based on Ron and Sue’s insights and those of the contractors we hired, we cancelled escrow on a seemingly good house that turned out to be a money-pit. What was so relieving is that neither Ron nor Sue ever put their own interests ahead of ours. They sought our best interest and were willing to lose a commission when we walked away from the aforementioned home. When they did find the house for us, Ron kept us on track through the escrow process, including staying on top of our lender. Ron did his own agent inspection of the home along with our physical inspection contractor. We have already recommended Ron and Sue, along with the whole team, to all of our family and friends.”

Currently, Ron and his team are enhancing their service by producing a series of informative and entertaining videos that will provide their clients with essential information at every step of the real estate process. This is just one more way in which they are shattering the norm and delivering a world-class real estate experience.

A man who has, so far, lived a life of three callings, Ron is deeply gratified by the path he chose more than 15 years ago. He continually strives, through his and his team’s service, to demonstrate that people are highly valued.

“By the way we treat people, we make them look up. I think that’s transcendently important.”

ExecutiveAgent Magazine

Ron Arnold

Keller Williams Realty 675 Placentia, #310, Brea, CA 92821 Tel: 714.457.4009 - Email: ron@ronarnoldteam.com Web: www.RonArnoldTeam.com - CalBRE #01338671 ExecutiveAgent Magazine

How Patience Makes You

RICH

A

patient man is always richer than an impatient one, even if the patient man has less money.

What do I mean by that statement? Well, riches and wealth can take other forms besides dollars and cents.

In what sense is the patient man richer? The answer is actually very simple. A patient man is always richer than the impatient one because the patient man can always afford to wait. The patient man is never desperate. The patient man has time to spare, while the man in a hurry is always on the verge of bankruptcy as far as time is concerned.

In any situation you can think of, impatience is a source of weakness and fear, while patience represents substance and strength.

And here’s another reason why patience gives the person who has it an incalculable advantage over those who don’t have it: It gives him deeper insight into himself and others, which is a mark of philosophical refinement. If you can only see the short term, if you think only in terms of the here and now, then you are stuck in one place. You can’t judge distances. You live in a world that’s flat and twodimensional. In other words, the impatient person lacks all sense of perspective.

24

Perspective lets you measure your current plans against things that have already occurred and against your desires and aspirations for the future. Then and now, here and there, near and far, need and know, watch and wait—these are the dual optics that allow the patient man to see in stereo. The nearsighted person sees only the present; the fantasizer sees only an imaginary future and, more likely than not, trips over his mistakes trying to get there.

Patience enables you to see the big picture. It helps you to make the most of today while building a better tomorrow. For that reason, it’s one of the most valuable equities of all, one that you should make every effort to acquire. The payoff will be worth it.

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.

ExecutiveAgent Magazine

ExecutiveAgent Magazine

25

Teaming With Success

26

ExecutiveAgent Magazine

W

e are surrounded by examples of great, and not-so-great, teamwork. Recently I flew to Los Angeles, visited relatives, took in a parade with floats, bands and street performers, saw a football game and attended an opera. Countless teams made it all possible, whether on stage or back stage, seen or unseen. You too are a part of a variety of teams. How well you work together tells me how successful you are. Are you teaming with success?

True teamwork takes time and a willingness to contribute to the greater good of the team, as opposed to only looking out for number one. It begins with a desire to work on behalf of the group. Examine your motives.

In successful teams, when the teams win their teammates too reap the rewards. Ineffective teams are often betrayed by selfish team members whose individual goals supersede their team’s goals.

Among the hallmarks of effective teams, whether in sales or service environments: • A shared vision of the mission of the team and its goals • Willingness to meld one’s individual talents for the betterment of the team • Clear communication in both directions: between team leader and team members, and amongst members themselves • Ample appreciation of individual differences within one’s team • Recognition and reward of team members for their efforts I have chaired boards of directors, coached basketball teams domestically and internationally, and managed talented and not so talented groups within and beyond high-tech. I know from experience that lines of authority alone do not guarantee dedication, loyalty and a shared sense of team play.

Similarly, I have been a member of functional and dysfunctional teams and have seen first-hand that talent alone doesn’t guarantee success. Successful teams are about a coming together of talent, a melding of minds and mindsets, and an ability to focus on the big picture.

• To be valued, appreciated and recognized • An opportunity to express individuality These can all occur on well-led teams, without sacrificing the team spirit. It’s a mistake to believe that the best team leaders treat everyone the same way.

Realistically, not everyone wants nor needs to be treated the same way. Whether in sales or service situations, many team members are self-motivated.

They are self-starters who want the keys to the car and then ask that you step away from the curb. Other team members want and need reassurance, support and a little hand-holding. Neither is right nor wrong.

But each excels when treated the way they most want to be treated.

Team leaders should strive to achieve the following: • A clear vision of the team’s goals and objectives that they consistently articulate • Appreciation of who each team member is and how to relate to them: personality, temperament, strengths and weaknesses and style • Cohesion through regular communication • Support for each team member • Recognition for members’ accomplishments and group milestones Teamwork is developed over time. Day by day your team can strengthen itself through experience and the natural relationships that occur over time. With time and attention to these tips, soon your group will be teaming with success!

Craig Harrison is an instructor with the University of California at Santa Cruz Extension’s Business department, has been profiled in The Wall Street Journal and cited in Business Week. As a manager, consultant, publisher and curriculum developer, he developed his digital dexterity, helping the technical world train and communicate more effectively. Copyright© 2007, Craig Harrison. All rights reserved. For information contact FrogPond at 800.704.FROG(3764) or email susie@ FrogPond.com.

Team members seek the following: • To be heard • To feel important

ExecutiveAgent Magazine

27

E XECUTIVE AGENT

TM

MAGAZINE

R

BASIL SAKR

ealtor® Basil Sakr is in the business of making dreams come true. At least, that’s the way he sees it. Growing up in Los Angeles, Basil was an accomplished athlete who played a new sport every season. Football was always his favorite, and after earning his degree in computer information systems

Written by Haley Freeman

from California State Polytechnic University, he landed his dream job working as an IT consultant for the NFL Network. “I was in awe. I had to learn not to be starstruck around the professional athletes and celebrities I had always admired growing up. I traveled a lot, and it was an amazing experience.”

ExecutiveAgent Magazine

However, Basil had another lifelong passion: real estate. “I remember being 9 and looking at blueprints of homes and imagining myself living in them. I know now that real estate was my true calling.”

When changing family needs required that Basil remain closer to home, he revisited his early fasciation with real estate, took the leap, and got his license. “I went with my dream, and the risk worked out for me,” he says.

Today, Basil is a successful agent at RE/MAX Top Producers in Diamond Bar, where he feels at home with a strong corporate brand mingled with a hometown atmosphere. “It has the corporate feel I like, where when I come to work it feels like everyone is working hard, but we’re also a family. I like that environment where I feel like I’m part of something great.”

Basil is now leveraging his background as a corporate IT trainer and his real estate expertise to cultivate a winning real estate team. “At NFL Network, I did training videos to help people learn to use our systems and minimize incoming support calls. I feel comfortable in the training world, so I’m excited about hiring new agents or people who are at a crossroads in their careers, and giving them a new opportunity. I want to be a good role model and help them avoid the frustrations I felt when I was making the transition.”

Basil’s experience as a trainer is also an asset to his clients. “I learned to always stay professional and treat people with respect. It helps me empathize with clients and put myself in their shoes. Rather than just trying to sell them a home, I want to help them achieve their goals. It means taking myself out of the equation, listening to their needs and helping them find the home of their dreams.”

One client affirmed: “When we first started looking for a home, there were so many questions that arose, not one went unanswered. It’s not easy to navigate the buying process, but Basil walked with us every step of the way.

He went above and beyond our expectations and found us our dream home. He definitely listened to our every need in what we were looking for. I can say he has his clients

best interests in mind. I refer him to all my family and friends.”

A well-rounded real estate professional, Basil is experienced not only in residential real estate, but also in commercial and land transactions. His next goal is to begin buying and renovating homes, turning them into dreams for sale. “It goes back to why I got into real estate in the first place. I know in that moment when I hand a client the keys, I’ve made their dreams come true. I’ve had clients call me months after the sale to say, ‘Thank you -- you’re a dream maker.’ It’s such an amazing feeling. My dream now is to take something old - something nobody wants to live in - and make it a beautiful home that a family will love. I’ll have the personal gratification of knowing I created a home where a family can be happy and helped them become homeowners. It doesn’t get better than that.”

In his spare time, Basil enjoys volunteering as a football and basketball coach at South Pointe Middle School where he played as a youth. Recently, he helped them achieve their dream when he donated football jerseys.

“They were using their PE uniforms and going to play other schools who had uniforms. They were going into the game with a lack of confidence. It was fun to be able to give them that boost.” He is also the proud dad of hardworking kids who are all honor students and athletes. He is grateful that real estate allows him the flexibility to be present during important milestones in their lives.

As a real estate agent and professional dream maker, Basil is dedicated to creating lifelong bonds of friendship with his clients. “After spending months with someone on their journey, I feel like I’ve become a part of their family.

I love what I do for that reason.”

Basil Sakr RE/MAX Top Producers 618 N. Diamond Bar Blvd.

Diamond Bar, CA 91765 Tel: 909.568.3981 Email: Basil@SakrRealty.com Web: www.remaxtopproducers.com CalBRE # 01992990

ExecutiveAgent Magazine

Stress: Control It, Change It or Let It Go!

H

ave you ever tried to control other people? Who gets stressed out? Have you ever tried to control things or events over which you had no control?

Do you find that stressful?

There are different types of stressful situations. Some, like people interrupting you all the time, you can control.

You can let the interrupters know you are busy and don’t have time to talk.

Other stresses, like rush hour traffic, are usually beyond your control. But there are some things about rush hour traffic that you can personally change which may help; taking a different route, for example, or traveling at a different time. Of course, these changes are not always possible. In that case, you have to change your attitude about the situation, in order to lessen the stress. You can listen to music or educational tapes or books-on-tape. Rush hour traffic won’t seem as frustrating because you’ll be doing something to help keep your mind off the traffic and other drivers. In order to let go of commute stress, you have to accept the situation. You must accept that you cannot control the traffic, no matter how much you yell and gesture at other drivers to speed up. A stressful commute can ruin your whole day, don’t let it! Accept that, if you are unable to change your route, or your time of travel, you are powerless over everything on the road, with the exception of your car and your attitude. Control your attitude, let go of the traffic, and you can control your stress!

the ones who end up with the stress and resulting headaches! The people we try to control go home, or simply ignore us, barely giving us a thought. That’s why it is so easy to build up resentments against other people in situations or jobs when we don’t think we have much control.

On the job, it impedes productivity and healthy teamwork.

People tend to blame other people. If you are stressed out because of others, it’s important to go through the steps of control, change and letting go. Unless you are ready to leave your job, family, or the planet earth, chances are you will continue working or being around the “stressful people.” Ask yourself if the other person is actually a “stress carrier,” or simply has a different style.

Letting go is a process. It takes time, and doesn’t always happen at once just because we will it. We have to use our thoughts to control our emotions and our actions. Remind yourself that there are people and events you cannot control. All you can control is your attitude and your reactions.

Its possible to change yourself-talk about the situation.

Identify which stresses you can control, take appropriate action, and learn to let go of the things you can’t.

Pick something in your life that stresses you out. Can you control it? If so, what can you do? Can you change it? If so, how? Perhaps you can only change or control a part of it. Do you need to let it go? If so, what can you do in order to let go?

You can learn to manage a great deal of your stress by asking looking at each stressor and asking yourself “Can I control it, can I change it, or do I need to learn to let it go?

You can view life as unexpected and exciting or you can view it as scary because you don’t know what the future holds. Take charge; take control or let it go. The choice is yours!

The “control, change, or let go” concept is an important key to stress management. We spend too much time worrying about things over which we have no control that we have no energy left to control the things we can. We become so overwhelmed, that we feel like our whole life is out of control and we’ll never catch up. Once you understand the “control, change, or let go” concept and start putting it into practice you will be able to deal much better with stressful situations.

Simma Lieberman is a trainer, speaker, consultant and coach with over 20 years of experience helping organizations and businesses meet the demands of modern workplaces. She is known for her ability to help people break down assumptions, build dialogues, and create healthy working relationships. Copyright© 2006, Simma Lieberman. All rights reserved. For additional information, contact the FrogPond at 800.704.FROG(3764) or email susie@FrogPond.com; http://www.FrogPond.com.

So much of our stress comes from trying to control other people, places and things when we simply cannot. We are

30

ExecutiveAgent Magazine

Written By Simma Lieberman

ExecutiveAgent Magazine

31

Doing the Impossible

W

here will the records stop? In 1954 Roger Bannister ran a sub-four-minute mile and it ignited the athletic world. In 1994, Eamonn Coghlan of Ireland, at age 41, ran a sub-four-minute mile.

Incredibly enough, Kip Keino of Ethiopia, at age 55, ran a 4.06 mile. The fastest mile run to date [when this column was originally written] is 3:43.13 accomplished

by Hicham El Guerrouj of Morocco.

But back in 1954 more than 50 medical journals had published articles saying that the four-minute mile was not humanly possible. Doctors were warning athletes of the dire consequences to anyone who broke that unbreakable barrier.

In the meantime, coaches all over the world, with stopwatches in hand, were encouraging their charges to do their best — but to forget about breaking the “impossible” four-minute barrier.

Roger Bannister broke the barrier and changed that thinking by his performance. He refused to believe what others were saying because he didn’t want to limit his own potential. His breakthrough proved that the barrier was a psychological one, not a physiological barrier.

Jerry Lynch, Ph.D., said that when you believe and think “I can,” you activate your motivation, commitment, confidence, concentration and excitement, all of

32

which relate directly to achievement. On the other hand, “Whether you think you can or think you can’t, you’re right in both cases.”

Dr. Lynch says that the path to personal excellence is cluttered with obstacles. It is my own personal conviction that you can’t develop your full potential without encountering serious obstacles along the way.

Dr. Lynch also says that you can’t stretch your limits without encountering some rough moments. You need to understand that failure and losses are acceptable learning experiences that can help improve your performance.

This is true in every part of life, whether it involves athletics, academic achievement, business or sales success.

It’s true that airplanes and kites rise fastest when they fly into the wind. Individuals grow stronger physically, mentally and spiritually when they are “tested” with resistance or opposition. Think about it and I’ll see you at the top!

Zig Ziglar is a beloved author and America’s motivator.

He is the author of 25 books and offers training and consulting to organizations all across the globe. To learn more about Zig and his business visit his website at www.ziglar. com.

ExecutiveAgent Magazine

ExecutiveAgent Magazine

33

Our bone marrow transplant reunion is now standing room only.

Each year, City of Hope invites bone marrow transplant recipients and their families to attend the “Celebration of Life” event. It’s a joyous time during which survivors of blood cancers such as lymphoma, leukemia and myeloma embrace their health, their life and each other. It began more than 35 years ago when City of Hope created what is now one of the largest and most successful bone marrow transplant programs in the world. In fact, we’ve completed over 11,000 transplants and, according to national reports, our outcomes are among the best in the nation. The goal of curing cancer isn’t just something we work at. It’s what we live for.

If you have cancer, make us your first call. Or ask your doctor for a referral. We accept most insurance.

800-826-HOPE

COH-0726_BMT_Hem_fp_4c_ExecAgt.indd 1

WE LIVE TO CURE CANCER. Science saving lives. cityofhope.org/bmt

11/25/13 6:02 PM

EXECUTIVEAGENT MAGAZINE

SEARCHING FOR OUR NEXT

DO YOU KNOW SOMEONE

TO NOMINATE? Submit Nominations to: info@eamag.net Tel: 949.297.8323

TM