ARIZONA 11-16-20

ARIZONA EDITION

PROPERTIES: THE GOOD, THE BAD, AND THE UGLY

Playing the Real Estate Matchmaker

SUCCESSTHESE 7 HABITS ARE THE REAL SECRET TO SUCCESS

FEATURED AGENT

KEITH GEORGE COVER STORY

JASON LaFLESCH

ARIZONA EDITION

KEITH GEORGE

Keith George believes in the old adage: It’s satisfying to help make th 7 17 People don’t care how much you tion go smoothly for them.” know, until they know how much you care.” He is known throughout the To give back to their communi East Valley for his kind, compassionate and his wife coordinate an service. He lives in a 55+ community community appreciation din in Apache Junction, and eighty percent dance that includes a live b of his business comes from serving a silent auction benefiting t his own neighbors in that community. food bank. Each Tuesday they His clients rave that he understands community “coffee and news” the area well and that LAFLESCH his thirty years’ that regularly has fifty to 200 a JASON KEITH GEORGE of experience have prepared him to at which Keith shares helpful respond calmly to any issues that may tion about the market, the com arise during a transaction. He also understands the and household maintenance issues. In th components of each home, and is able to talk his ished free time, Keith and his wife enjoy t clients through the positives and negatives of each golfing, and staying in touch with their g CONTENTS listing. As a result, the experience is largely stress- dren in Texas. free for his customers. “Even though I do a large volume, I take my time with each client,” he says. Keith, who turns 65 in February, has no 4) PLAYING THEeach REAL PROPERTIES: THEBut GOOD, He makes clientESTATE feel like his only client,18) and as retire anytime soon. he does hope to spe MATCHMAKER—FOLLOW THESE THE BAD, AND THE UGLY a result, ninety percent of his business comes from time next summer traveling to places in t and referral customers.YOU Midwest and Canada to visit former clie 8 DATINGrepeat RULES TO ENSURE winter in Arizona.

“It’s interesting in our co MATCH YOUR CLIENT WITH THE 22) 5 MORNING HABITS began his career selling manufactured homes that you start out with a client, and end u PERFECT Keith HOME FOR THEM MAKE YOUR SUPER in 1988 in Ohio, and became licensed as anTO agent neighbor and aDAY friend,” he says.

PRODUCTIVE in 1992. In 2005, he moved to Arizona and began 14) SUCCESS–THESE working full-time with Coldwell Banker four years HeTHE now has a thriving career helping buyers 7 HABITSlater.

ARE REAL and SUCCESS sellers in the area he is proud to call home.

SECRET TO To market listings, Keith posts them on the community Facebook page, his own website, and the MLS. He also reaches out to a long list of prospective Phone 310-734-1440 Fax know 310-734-1440 buyers to let |them he has a home that may fit their needs. The result is often a quick sale at a very mag@topagentmagazine.com | www.topagentmagazine.com competitive price. Keith completes an impressive 50 No portion of this issue may be reproduced in any manner whatsoever without prior consent of the publisher. Top Agent to 60 by transactions per year.GA, Inc. Although precautions are taken to ensure the accuracy of published Magazine is published Feature Publications

JASON LaFLESCH

materials, Top Agent Magazine cannot be held responsible for opinions expressed or facts supplied by its authors.

To find out more about Keith George “It’s always satisfying to help buyers find a To subscribe or change address,very send inquiry to mag@topagentmagazine.com. email Keith.George@azmoves.com, Published in the home U.S. that works for them,” he says. “Often our

sellers are moving to assisted living or in with family.

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coldwellbankerhomes.com/az/mesa/agent/keithcall (480) 415-4037 or visit him her www.

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Playing the Real Estate Matchmaker –

Follow These 8 Dating Rules to Ensure You Match Your Client with the Perfect Home for Them When you think a bit more about it, the ultimate goal of a real estate agent serving a client is really to match them up with the perfect house for them, almost the way a matchmaker tries to find two people that will fit well together as a couple. When people are looking for a house, they often treat the process as a quest for “the one” house that will fulfill their dreams of living in the house of their dreams. Don’t be fooled. It is always a search for “the one”, at least when it comes to helping a couple or family find a home.

When you look at your client’s search for a home in this manner, then you might begin to notice some pretty obvious similarities

between shopping for a home today and online dating. In this day and age most people live a substantial part entire lives online. People socialize with their friends on Facebook, they meet potential friends in forums and online communities, and we now even search for our perfect mate online. Shopping for a home also happens to usually start online. When they begin this search, make no mistake; they are looking for the “one.” These people then turn to you, the REALTOR® to play matchmaker for them. It is your job to wade through the pool of eligible homes (bachelors) and sort through all the ones that are too expensive, too nerdy, not cute enough, not smart enough, etc. until you find the “one.”

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It makes sense then to consult the tried and true practices in matchmaking that help those professionals find the right people for each other, and see if any of them could also apply for matching your clients with their dream home. You’ll find that these 8 dating rules may just show you the secret to matching your clients with the perfect home.

back to the store if you’re not happy with your new home. It’s best to first help your client get prequalified. This is a tangible step that shows they are ready to move on to a new home. You want to make sure they are completely over their love affair with their previous home. You can even ask them for a sign or proof that they’re ready to move on.

Who Is In and Not In Your Client’s League? Know Your Client’s Price Range:

Be Genuine, Not Superficial

When a person is looking for a mate, it is a waste of time for them to even consider those potential mates that are clearly out of their league. These people won’t even stop to give them the time of day.

In the world of real estate the idea is the same. There is no point showing your clients houses that they can’t afford and will simply lust after without having any real chance of purchasing the house. It is your job to keep your client ground in reality, and help them be realistic in terms of price when choosing their next home.

When trying to manage the many pitfalls of online dating, on inevitably goes on a date where the other person looks nothing like their picture online. That can be just as big of a problem when looking for a house. When clients show you a particular house they want to visit, ask them to name something about the house that they like other than the aesthetics. This way you can see if they are simply infatuated with the way the house looks in those pictures, or if there is a deeper interest in the home that could become a deeper connection between your client and the house.

Never Let Your Client’s First Impression of a Home Rule Their Decisions

Make Sure Your Client is Ready to Move On From Their Last Dream Home You’re job is also to make sure that your client is truly ready to move on from their previous home. This is a long term commitment, and they need to be absolutely sure they actually want to buy a new house. You can’t simply take the receipt

When your client first sees a house they have already been lusting after in their mind, they’re often so excited to finally be looking at it, especially if it does in fact look as good as it did in the pictures.

Make sure to encourage them to take some time before making such a big com-

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mitment, and don’t let their excitement push them into making a rash decision. It is your job to keep them grounded in reality. Push for your clients to do an inspection to make sure the house isn’t hiding any dark secrets. Sometimes the most charming facade can hide tons of slime and deadly mold.

Follow Your Heart (or Gut) People often laugh at and ridicule the idea of love at first sight, but when it comes to homes, the phenomenon can certainly happen. Your client may just find their perfect dream home at the very first place you take them. If you have a client that does insist this is the case, then you don’t want to try and rationalize with them or talk them out of their decision. You do, however, want to make sure you are watching out for their interest and make sure your clients take all the necessary precautions before they jump in headfirst.

See What Other People See in The Home – Do They See What Your Client Sees?

Have you come to the conclusion that your clients are being blinded by all of the twinkling windows and crystal clear water glistening in the backyard pool, and can’t see that the house they’ve fallen in love with is really just a dirty animal (maybe a pig) dressed up in nice clothes and lipstick. Ask your client if they would be willing to look at the house again with

their close friends, family, and anyone else they trust for a second opinion there to see it with them. If the house really is a dud, they’ll be able to see past any personal bias your client might have to the truth. They will be able to help your client see through the shining facade

Celebrate the Happy Union!

When a couple gets married they tend to throw a big party and celebrate their union. The same goes for the closing.

Your clients have just essentially married the house of their dreams, and now it’s time to rejoice. Congratulate them on their new union. Show your support for their new homeowner status by going to their housewarming party.

Help Your Clients Maintain Their Dream Home & Ensure a Lifetime of Happiness You can’t just disappear after the transaction is finished. Become their realtor for life by showing your clients how to maintain their dream home. Act as their resource for other professionals they may need to maintain the house such as handymen, plumbers, electricians, etc. Show them how to keep up with home maintenance so they don’t ignore problems that surface and end up with a much larger issue than they started with. Help them make sure their dream home lasts so they can live happily ever after in their home for a lifetime.

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JASON LaFLESCH Top Agent Magazine

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JASON LaFLESCH TESTIMONIAL

“Amazing Results! The entire experience with Jason was beyond professional. He took a vested interest in both the sale of our house and purchase of our new one. I cannot express how much we appreciate him and his work ethic. He truly cares for his clients and works to do the absolute best for them.”

—Yancy - Chandler, AZ For Jason LaFlesch, real estate runs in the family, so it’s no surprise that he is a natural at the profession. “I was brought up in a real estate family,” he explains, his dad a broker and mom sold new homes. Jason obtained his real estate license immediately upon graduating from Arizona State University. He started selling new homes in the Phoenix Metro and East Valley areas and never looked back. “I have a love and passion for real estate,” Jason says, “when you love what you do, it doesn’t feel like work.”

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Jason continues the tradition of his childhood with his own family. Together with his wife Jennifer, the acting Designated Broker, they opened Results Realty, a small family owned and operated real estate brokerage. Collectively, they have over 50 years of Real Estate experience.

Keeping the business small, typically hiring 8 – 10 licensed agents for their team allows them to balance exceptional hands-on customer service while helping as many clients as possible.

Repeat customers and a high referral rate of over Top Agent Magazine

TESTIMONIAL

“My brotha Jason! Met him randomly looking at some houses a couple years back and we stayed in contact over that time until I moved back out here to AZ when I got signed to the AZ Cardinals and Jason was my go to. He did A LOT of work and helped me find the perfect house.

I would give him 10 stars if possible!! Amazing man and realtor!!”

—Brett - Phoenix, AZ 75%, is most of Jason’s business. Last year alone Jason originated over $25,000,000 in sales.

You can find several reviews for Jason online, one client writes, “I’ve used Jason LaFlesch to sell multiple family homes and he has always got me asking price or over ask on all of my properties. His knowledge on how to prepare a home for sale and market the home is second to none.

This creates multiple offers and minimal days on market. I would highly recommend Jason for all your real estate needs.” Another states, “My brotha Jason! Met him randomly looking at some houses a couple years back and we stayed in contact over that time until I moved back out here to Top Agent Magazine

AZ when I got signed to the Cardinals and Jason was my go to. He did A LOT of work and helped me find the perfect home. I would give him 10 stars if possible. Amazing man and realtor.”

If you have ever viewed one of Jason’s many online marketing videos, you will know that he always ends with his tag line, “And Yes, I DO answer my phone.” He feels very passionate about being available when his clients or prospective clients need him. When he isn’t answering his phone or recording a virtual tour, Jason can be found golfing, boating on the lake or spending time with his family, which include his 13-year-old triplets and goldendoodle. The Copyright Top Agent Magazine9

TESTIMONIAL

“I’ve used Jason LaFlesch to sell multiple family homes and he has always got me the asking price or over ask on all of my properties. His knowledge on how to prepare a home for sale and market the home is second to none. He created multiple offers and minimal days on market each time. I would highly recommend Jason for all your real estate needs!” —Nick - Gilbert, AZ Triplets, as they are often referred to, are very involved in music, wrestling, football and club volleyball. Jason also enjoys giving back to the community by collecting bread from neighboring bakeries, bagging it up, and donating it to the local community food bank. Jason enjoys mentoring the real estate agents on his team and educating the public by hosting the longest real estate radio talk show in the valley, “The Real Estate Power Hour.”

What sets Jason apart from other agents besides extensive professional experience, is he knows Copyright Top Agent Magazine 10

what it takes to get a home ready for market.

He has remodeled and flipped over 800 homes.

Jason will not only evaluate and explain what needs to be done to get top dollar in the shortest amount of time, but he has numerous contractors at his disposal who offer priority pricing in order to make the homes shine. This is a complimentary service offered to all of Jason’s clients.

Since childhood, real estate has been a major part of Jason’s life, and he doesn’t see that changing any time soon. “Real estate is not only in my blood, it is part of me,” he explains, and cannot Top Agent Magazine

TESTIMONIAL

“We live out of state and purchased our second home with only a live video tour from Jason.

He addressed all of our concerns, provided valuable information and recommended other professionals for work that was needed. He made the whole process easy and I look forward to working with him again.”

—Gina - Tri Cities, WA Top Agent Magazine

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see himself ever retiring. Jason loves the entire process, from meeting a new client, discovering their dreams, goals and desires, to realizing the transaction through to the end and seeing the impact his work has had on a family. “You need to love the business, because it can be difficult and frustrating, just as much as it can be exhilarating

and rewarding.” Many people dream of getting into real estate, assuming they can work when they feel like and make a lot of money, but it is quite the contrary. Jason’s advice for all aspiring real estate agents, “Work real estate like a full-time job, join a reputable/proven team and make sure the team supports and holds each other accountable.”

For more information about Jason LaFlesch, please call 602-369-4663, email jason@ailaz.com or visit azresultsrealty.com www.

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NOVAÂŽ Home Loans is proud to congratulate

JASON LaFLESCH

on being featured for the State of Arizona in Top Agent Magazine!

Mike Barnhart | Senior Loan Officer | NMLS ID #1325662

Direct: 480.551.7646 | Cell: 480.242.1782 mike.barnhart@novahomeloans.com novahomeloans.com/mike-barnhart www.

1528 E. Williams Field Rd, Bldg C South #201 Gilbert, AZ 85295 NOVA NMLS 3087 I BK 0902429 I EQUAL HOUSING OPPORTUNITY. Licensed by the Department of Business Oversight under the California Residential Mortgage Lending Act #4131230. Also licensed by the CA-DBO under the CFL #6036566. Loans made or arranged pursuant to a California Financing Law License.

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Success– These 7 Habits Are the Real Secret to Success What is it that makes some people so successful and others not? Is there a secret recipe one can follow, as easy as baking a cake, which will give them the strength to achieve their ultimate goals and have it all?

The answer is that, in a manner, there is. The trick is in how you think about success and what it means for you. Many people define success as achieving their personal goals, but could this be leading them to look at the world a little too narrowly? The people that are truly successful in every aspect of 14

their lives don’t stop at simply achieving their personal goals. They succeed in many avenues of their life, including their job, relationships, health, and family just to name a few.

It turns out that ultra-successful people tend to have quite a number of things in common. One main skill many seem to possess is high emotional intelligence, or the ability to manage your emotions so that you can stay calm and focused even in high

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stress situations. Luckily, it seems not all of them are simply born with this ability, but have many strategies they use to help them achieve higher emotional intelligence. Here are seven strategies and habits that will help you achieve success in every area of your life.

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BE COMPOSED The first thing successful people always seem to have under control is their composure. Successful people stay calm and composed when the going gets tough and fingers start pointing. They don’t panic. The secret? They understand that in life things are always changing. It doesn’t matter if something is bad at the moment because that will change soon enough. In this topsy turvy life all you can really do is adapt in order to stay happy and remain in control of how you react.

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BE KNOWLEDGEABLE Have you ever noticed how successful people always seem to have such a wide range of knowledge and interests?

Successful people do know more because they are always working to grow and learn. They strive to constantly increase their self-awareness. If a spare moment exists, then they will fill it with some kind of self-education. They do this because they are passionate about learning new things and ways to improve their life.

Ignore the fear of being judged and ask questions, because that is the only way you can learn. Successful people don’t

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fear asking questions. They fear not asking those questions and growing stagnant.

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BE DELIBERATE It is important to think and reason before you come to a decision. Successful people don’t rush. They seek out advice from other, they think of all the aspects, and sleep on their thoughts before finally making their decision. Your gut instinct can be misleading, and lead you to make a rash decision that you will come to regret later.

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BE CERTAIN, AND SPEAK WITH CONVICTION Successful people speak with certainty.

Unless you communicate your ideas with conviction and certainty, then you will have a hard time getting people to listen to them.

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BE POSITIVE Successful people use positive body language when they are talking to other people. Their tone is enthusiastic, they maintain eye contact, leaning in towards the person speaking to show interest.

Successful people use it to draw those other people in. How you say something can be just as if not more important that what you say to people. Positive body language can completely alter how your speech is perceived by others, and helps to keep attention on you and what you are saying.

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BE MEMORABLE BY LEAVING A STRONG FIRST IMPRESSION You only have once to make a first impression, and they are incredibly important, as they are closely ties to positive body language. You have around 7 seconds to convince a person to like you after you initially meet them. That is how long it takes them to decide when they meet you. After that a person is simply spending the rest of the conversation justifying that initial reaction they had. You can make sure you make a good first impression by having strong posture, a firm handshake, a warm smile, and open shoulders.

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BE FEARLESS Successful people know that to give in to fear is a choice. They don’t let the fear take over, instead focusing on the rush of euphoria that comes with conquering fears.

All of this adds up to having a high emotional intelligence. What helps you to succeed is the ability to control those whirlwind emotions so you can stay calm and focused on actually succeeding. These habits can help you gain a higher emotional intelligence, but as you probably already know, anything involving dealing with your emotions in a healthy manner takes serious work. So, don’t give up if you fail the first time. You must always try and try again.

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KEITH GEORGE Keith George believes in the old adage: People don’t care how much you know, until they know how much you care.” He is known throughout the East Valley for his kind, compassionate service. He lives in a 55+ community in Apache Junction, and eighty percent of his business comes from serving his own neighbors in that community.

His clients rave that he understands the area well and that his thirty years’ of experience have prepared him to respond calmly to any issues that may arise during a transaction. He also understands the components of each home, and is able to talk his clients through the positives and negatives of each listing. As a result, the experience is largely stressfree for his customers. “Even though I do a large volume, I take my time with each client,” he says.

He makes each client feel like his only client, and as a result, ninety percent of his business comes from repeat and referral customers.

Keith began his career selling manufactured homes in 1988 in Ohio, and became licensed as an agent in 1992. In 2005, he moved to Arizona and began working full-time with Coldwell Banker four years later. He now has a thriving career helping buyers and sellers in the area he is proud to call home.

It’s satisfying to help make that transition go smoothly for them.”

To give back to their community, Keith and his wife coordinate an annual community appreciation dinner and dance that includes a live band and a silent auction benefiting the local food bank. Each Tuesday they attend a community “coffee and news” meet up that regularly has fifty to 200 attendees, at which Keith shares helpful information about the market, the community, and household maintenance issues. In their cherished free time, Keith and his wife enjoy traveling, golfing, and staying in touch with their grandchildren in Texas.

Keith, who turns 65 in February, has no plans to retire anytime soon. But he does hope to spend some time next summer traveling to places in the upper Midwest and Canada to visit former clients who winter in Arizona. “It’s interesting in our community that you start out with a client, and end up with a neighbor and a friend,” he says.

To market listings, Keith posts them on the community Facebook page, his own website, and the MLS. He also reaches out to a long list of prospective buyers to let them know he has a home that may fit their needs. The result is often a quick sale at a very competitive price. Keith completes an impressive 50 to 60 transactions per year.

“It’s always very satisfying to help buyers find a home that works for them,” he says. “Often our sellers are moving to assisted living or in with family.

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To find out more about Keith George, email Keith.George@azmoves.com, coldwellbankerhomes.com/az/mesa/agent/keith-george/aid_24095 call (480) 415-4037 or visit him here www.

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Properties: The Good, The Bad, And The Ugly

by Denise Lones

I was shocked. There it was. An expensive property near a busy intersection that had stayed on the market for almost a year.

I asked one of my agents, “Why hasn’t this one sold?”

But none of these are reasons to put this property on the back shelf. In fact, there is a market for every market, no matter its location or condition. Too often, we make the mistake of shortchanging sellers who don’t have manicured lawns on cul-de-sacs with perfect houses. We prejudge our own listings to the detriment of the people we’re supposed to be serving.

He said, “Because it’s a dog. Look at it. Nobody wants those turrets that stick out like that. And besides, it’s at that intersection where there’s traffic all day long.”

I’ve been there. I’ve driven to properties hoping for a terraced I couldn’t believe what I was masterpiece with a stunning garden, hearing. This agent had “classified” and then felt that sick dropping this property in his own mind as feeling in the pit of my stomach something that wasn’t worth the when I finally saw it. trouble to market—pretending to service his customer while doing What do most agents do? They’re nothing. True, it wasn’t as beautiful polite, they take the listing, and they or pristine as surrounding neigh- get out of there fast. They rely too borhoods. True, it was in a not-so- much on their own opinion of the prime location. True, it could use property rather than pulling statistics to determine its true market value. some handyman work.

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OR they tell the seller, “This house isn’t going to sell unless you change the carpet, fix the paint, install new roofing, etc.”

Beware! This could lead into a legal nightmare. While on the surface this agent is giving generic advice, what if the seller does everything the agent suggests—and the house still doesn’t sell? That agent might want to call a good lawyer.

If a property needs work, that’s never a reason it won’t sell. There are investors, handypersons, contractors, and do-it-yourselfers who love these properties. Go to your local real estate investment club meeting and you’ll find people searching frantically for such properties. Advertise it as a “Handyman’s Special.” Target these people directly. You may be amazed how many of them are out there.

Here’s the truth: Every property— True, you may have to advise the good, bad, and ugly—will sell if seller they won’t get top-dollar if priced right. It is always about price. a lot of work needs to be done.

There is always someone in the But this is the true issue here—not market ready and willing to buy the work itself. It’s always about right now for the right price. price.

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Let’s talk ugly. A house is in pristine condition, but has a rather peculiar look. Well, I have news for you: Just because you think a house is ugly doesn’t mean there isn’t someone out there who will say, “This is the home I’ve been looking for all my life!”

cannot tell you how many times my jaw dropped when someone told me, “Perfect! We love it!” So, I’ve learned never to judge a house by its paint job, landscaping, or design.

You have a job to do: sell the house at top-market price. You are hired to be the market expert. Sellers don’t Did you know there are people out have the time to do so themselves. there who prefer ugly houses? Yes, That’s why you have a career. ugly houses! Some people don’t care about the outside of a property. It’s always the market that They’re only interested in the determines what sells. No matter the inside, where they know they will shape, size, or condition. And you be spending most of their time. are not in charge of the market, These are people who don’t buy to which as always is based on supply impress others, but rather to please and demand. Whatever is in demand themselves. Thank goodness for will sell, whether it’s a beachfront these people. Without them, we’d mansion or a shack in the woods. Be creative. Use your marketing to have to tear down half the planet! target people who truly want these I’ve seen houses that look like properties. But most importantly, something from a Stephen King price the property correctly for the novel sell overnight while another market. that could be on the cover of Home and Garden languishes on the market Know thy market and thou shalt for weeks. Why? Because somebody know what sells—good, bad, or ugly. wanted that house. Period.

You are not the world’s taste critic. Copyright©, Denise Lones.

You cannot tell what people want. I All rights reserved.

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5 Morning Habits to Make Your Day Super Productive For many, most mornings begin with a rush—a rush to get dressed, a rush to find something edible for breakfast, a rush out the door and into rush hour. Likely you have heard articles advising you to set your

alarm early to give yourself some flexibility —which is sound advice, of course—but consider a few of these additional tweaks to your morning routine that can set a productive tone for your day at large.

1. Keep Screens Away Until Breakfast Oftentimes, our first instinct upon waking is to check-in on our phones, tablets, or computers, to scope out the latest social media updates and e-mail correspondence. While diving into the action might seem productive, studies show that waylaying screen time until you’re up and dressed, and have had a good breakfast, will actually make your first pass 22

at all things digital more focused, clear, and efficient. Instead of answering a few e-mails, checking out a friend’s photos, and then hurrying to shower and dress, instead make a resolution to keep the online world at bay for the first half-hour to an hour after you rise, then you’ll approach the digital world with fresh eyes, energy, and adeptness.

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2. Meal Prep Sometimes hitting the snooze button is inevitable, but if you make prepping breakfast the night before a part of your routine, then grabbing something healthy on the go will be a snap—and your stomach will thank you for it. Load up your coffee machine ahead of time, so all you have to do

is hit brew. Or, chop up a fruit salad, mix a smoothie, or simply put a granola bar and a grapefruit in your lunch bag, ready to be grabbed on your way out the door. Even if it’s small or basic, keeping yourself fueled will keep distractions, inefficiency, and mood swings at bay.

3. Queue Up a Podcast on Your Commute Whether you’re driving, biking, or taking public transportation into the office, a podcast is a perfect way to brush up on industry knowledge. Try sourcing a podcast relative to your field and narrated by experts.

Not only will it get you thinking about the topics of your industry—while expanding

your professional vocabulary—it will also wake up your brain and get your head in the game as you prepare to launch your day. Use your commute time to bump up your knowledge and conversation points, and you’ll be ahead of the curve before you reach the office.

4. Begin with a To-Do List When work gets busy, sometimes just getting started is an overwhelming prospect.

Before you dive in to your e-mails and projects, take twenty minutes and be thoughtful as you assess your daily and weekly to-do

list items, then map them. By giving yourself a bullet point system of what you need to accomplish and by when, you can undo some of the anxiety that a busy schedule promotes.

5. Walk It Out, Even If You Missed the Gym While we often rely on coffee for our morning buzz, exercise provides a potent burst of energy that can supercharge your day. But, let’s say you’re running behind and skip the gym—all is not lost! Take fifteen minutes in

the early morning to take a walk around the block a few times. The fresh air and aerobic exercise will wake you up, get your blood moving, and provide your morning with a natural injection of motivation.

Everyone’s morning routine varies, but perhaps the first step is identifying aspects of your routine that could be improved, and tackling them from there. From waylaying

screen time distractions to getting in a little blood-pumping exercise, keep these tips in mind as you launch your most productive morning routine ever.

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