CALIFORNIA MORTGAGE 11-1-21

CALIFORNIA MORTGAGE EDITION

CREATIVE WAYS TO SAY THANK YOU COVER STORY

NEIL ANDERS HOW TO INCORPORATE CURRENT EVENTS TO YOUR EMAIL BLASTS AND STAY RELEVANT

DAILY HABITS THAT WILL INCREASE YOUR MENTAL STRENGTH FEATURED LENDERS

BRANDON BEAUDOIN GLENN GROVES JENNIFER ZHOU 4 QUALITIES OF EXCEPTIONAL EMPLOYEES

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Call 1-800-771-5971 or visit us at www.lgscompliance.com email info@iusecompliance.com Top Agent Magazine

CALIFORNIA EDITION

BRANDON BEAUDOIN

oan officer at Secure Choice Brandon Beaudoin works 7 to provide his clients with ent level of service and help financing solutions that work unique situation. He connects client and prioritizes building ationships based on honesty ity.

itnessed the market in various Srandon is equipped with the

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be able to roll with the punches in this Mortgage Broker industry and for your cli19be available 20 Glenn ents and your associates.”

– CEO of GTG Finan

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Santa Rosa, California

Jen What propels Brandon to work hard is dedicated Bro his passion for helping others.financial “I like profe whoI enjoy truly cares hi to help families and educat-aboutand inte ing people. I like to break theclients. process Hardw grateful mit down to them in honest, manageable pieces, and thoroughly so they can understand why owning a care mitted to providing exce home is so much better than renting, or her customer service, Glen how they can refinance a home.”

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NEIL ANDERS GLENN GROVES JENNIFER ZHOUboth his easily earned e and experience to help buy- BRANDON BEAUDOIN Gro he right products. “My number one rule is to When he’s not helping Brandon likes tofor spend reputation asclients, a trusted advocate home buye bot le how I want to be treated. I’m upfront with his free time snowboarding.

“I had my own snowboard his perfect, five-star overall on Zillow.co Jenniferrating has more than earne ut all the different loan options so that they can shop before I got into the mortgage industry, and that’s est real estate professional w and come to the right decision for them and CONTENTS actually how I met my wife. We have a lot of great needs and began goals ofhis her clien Though Glenn car ly. I don’t try to persuade them into one particmemories that revolve aroundtechnically snowboarding and now transaction. cenario. I give them the pros and cons of each that we have two kids,inwe2010, can’t wait to teach them how mortgages heevery was already well-versed 4) HOW TO INCORPORATE 18) CREATIVE WAYS d let them decide what’s best for them, while at to snowboard one day!” business long before that. “My mother Elise ha CURRENT EVENTS TO TO SAY THANKJennifer YOUbegan working as a ime making sure that I don’t overwhelm them a real estate broker since 1979,asand a mortgage a career a real YOURheEMAIL much information,” explains.BLASTS In the future Brandon plans to continue growing hisestate age since 1995,” he recalls.

“So, I pretty muchwhe g formore myself,” she recalls, business, and21) he’sDAILY excited HABITS to do community AND STAY RELEVANT THAT by to deadlines and signings thin he challenges posed by COVID-19, Brandon outreach.surrounded “I want people knowthe who I am andindustry. trustand“Back mortgage WILL INCREASE YOUR y funded $36,000,000 in 2021 and isOF on pace that theythat.” willMENTAL have experience really the proces Priorantoexcellent obtaining hisunderstand MLOworking license, Glen 14) 4 QUALITIES STRENGTH 48,000,000 EXCEPTIONAL by the end of the year.

He credits with me.” and the loan“When officer II was five years in the Marine Corps. cam EMPLOYEES hoice Lending for his success. “I’ve learned explain it to me, so it felt li from the military in 2010,” he says, “I started w ple who have amazing sales techniques and decided that I wanted to be a as my mother’s processor and administrative care about their clients and what’s best for have a better understanding o ’re always trying to help people save money tant.” The pair first worked for First Priority Fin I got licensed and began wor Phone 310-734-1440 | Faxand 310-734-1440 n payment assistance, reverse mortgages, then transitioned to Caliber Home Loans dur appraisal feesmag@topagentmagazine.com for teachers, firefighters, and | www.topagentmagazine.com acquisition of First Priority Financial. ro Since then, Jennifer“We has bu icers. I’m happy to assist anyone, No portion of this issue may beregardless reproduced in any manner whatsoever without prior consent of the publisher. Top Agent Magazine out, BREXIT” Glenn, then w almost“and as a one-sto is published

by Feature Publications Inc. Although precautions are through taken to ensure the accuracyfunctions of says published materials, Top edit score, and see what options we canGA,find

Currently, the opportunity to become business owners,almo an and ever-grow GTG Financial in 2017.”

Agent Magazine cannot be held responsible for opinions expressed or facts supplied by its authors.estate needs.

To subscribe or change address, send inquiry to mag@topagentmagazine.com. considerable Published in the U.S.

m clients, Brandon also nurtures the relationhas with his REALTORS®. “I like to network ocal agents andMagazine let them know that I’m easy Top Agent nicate with, I have a great team, and they can

referrals, a true barometer of vice she provides. “I think it Since then, Glenn and Elise have built a thrivi I like to spend time 3with my rapidly growing business solid founda by wayonof aexplaining the tr

For more about Brandon Beaudoin

How to Incorporate Current Events to Your Email Blasts and Stay Relevant Email marketing is a cost effective and straightforward method of getting your name and services in front of clients with just a few keystrokes. This tried-and-true approach to digital marketing is a favorite of many, and there are countless ways to customize (and maximize) your email blasts to reap superior results. Despite this, many real estate profes4

sionals are content to standardize their email advertising and take a broad, one-size-fits-all approach to capturing interest and leads. While an up-front sales pitch certainly has its uses and benefits, it doesn’t hurt to shake up your routine and refresh your email marketing approach by adding specifics that draw renewed interest from your audience.

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One way to accomplish this is by tying in current events and local happenings to your email blasts. After all, your sphere of influence likely receives countless marketing emails per day. To cut through the noise, sharpen your message with a few specifics that separate your communications from the pack. Not every email should be focused on closing a sale, or else your audience will learn to stop listening.

How do you build your brand, stay top of mind, and keep the lines of communication open with your clientele? Here are a few ideas to get you started.

against an old rival? Do they host themed fan days honoring veterans or catering to families? Tailoring your communications to a local sports franchise’s big news or next event can draw intrigue and provide added value for your clients. Remember, not every communication you send should be focused on pitching and closing a sale, otherwise your audience will tune out your emails altogether. Instead, incorporate fun, community-oriented content that lets readers know you’re a resource for much more than real estate.

Sports news makes a splash

Become a one-stop-shop for holiday fun and seasonal ideas.

People love to rally behind the home team.

Is a regional, local university, or professional sports team in your area headed to the playoffs or the championship? Are they facing off

From Mother’s Day to Thanksgiving, anyone can send an email wishing clients a happy holiday. While the sentiment is a good one, you’ll be one of dozens flooding inboxes with

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your well-wishes. Instead, go beyond the traditional greetings and good tidings and become a hyper-specific resource for clients. Create a gift guide for Mother’s Day, outline family-friendly local events occurring in your area around the holidays, or engage in a promotional partnership with a local business who’s offering a holiday special of their own. In other words, don’t settle for just saying hello during certain times of the year. Instead, up the value of your email blast by offering clients curated information that relates to their interests and area.

Doing so makes your emails a must-read, while demonstrating your ability to go the extra mile.

Pop culture serves as a fun and timely tie-in.

Is a new gaming app sweeping the nation? Have your social media feeds been flooded with the same viral video? Is everyone gossiping about the same TV show premiere? Pop culture tie-ins in your email marketing campaigns can be extremely effective, but in order to for

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them to work, you’ll need to move quickly and keep your focus on the phenomenon, rather than your service pitch. The goal behind pop culture marketing tie-ins is communicating the progressiveness and hip factor of your brand, while capturing timely, topical interest that’s at a fever pitch. Everyone wants to be in on a running joke or trend, and if you leverage trending pop culture moments in your email marketing, you’ll be able to draw views and clicks from a wide audience.

Plenty of services offer standardized email marketing templates and content for today’s real estate professionals, and while the motivation behind marketing is transactional, your communications don’t have to be. The surest way to make an impact in your clients’ inboxes is to add original value and break apart from the pack. Consider updating some of your routines with these current events oriented techniques and your email audience is sure to take a second look.

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NEIL ANDERS

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Certified Mortgage Advisor Neil Anders – Branch Manager of American Financial Network in Newport Beach, California – has nearly two decades of experience helping his many grateful clients achieve their financial goals. Honest, intelligent and hardworking, Neil has dedicated himself to providing topof-the-line customer service, and this has translated into a thriving business that sees his branch averaging over $50 million dollars every month, and he has personally funded over 7,000 transactions during his lengthy career.

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Neil, a teen prodigy who graduated from high school at fifteen and earned his first college degree at seventeen, began his career in mortgages at an early age. “I had a friend who opened a mortgage company,” he recalls, “and I loved the financial upside of the business.”

Neil readily admits that initially, his primary goal was making money. The 2008 – 2009 financial crisis hit him as hard as it did his clients, however, forcing his own properties into foreclosure. It was that crisis that plunged Neil into a deep introspection that resulted in Top Agent Magazine

Certified Mortgage Advisor Neil Anders – Branch Manager of American Financial Network in Newport Beach, California – has nearly two decades of experience helping his many grateful clients achieve their financial goals. a new and unwavering commitment to placing his clients’ needs front and center during every transaction. “We always put the customer first,” he says, and his perfect, five-star overall rating on Zillow.com – comprised of well over a hundred glowing reviews – is a testament to that ethos.

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Neil is justifiably proud of both his affiliation with American Financial Network and the sincerely dedicated team he oversees. “One thing I know,” he says, “is that good salespeople love their product, but great salespeople love their clients.” Neil and his team offer every loan product available in the United States, and he Copyright Top Agent Magazine9

is able to do business in all fifty of them. He is even more proud of the solid, long-lasting relationships he and his team forge with their many clients and Realtor partners. “We’re not just one of their preferred lenders,” he explains. “We are legitimately their partner, which means we want to give back to them and service them in any way possible.”

Currently, an impressive ninety percent of Neil and his team’s business comes from referrals Copyright Top Agent Magazine 10

from Realtors and past, satisfied clients, a remarkable achievement by any measure, but more so in the highly competitive world of finance. Much of this can be traced back to the excellent communication between Neil and his buyers and real estate agents. “We stay in constant touch with everyone involved in the transaction, not just the buyer’s agent, but the seller’s as well,” says Neil, “because if you’re a seller’s agent, your clients are nervous, and they want to know what’s going on.”

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Neil is justifiably proud of both his affiliation with American Financial Network and the sincerely dedicated team he oversees— offering every loan product available in the United States, and able to do business in all fifty of them.

“I definitely love the fact that every day is potentially a challenge,” replies Neil, when asked what he enjoys most about his job. “I also like the fact that there are always new situations Top Agent Magazine

and guidelines in the industry, and it’s a constant challenge to keep myself and my team educated and up to date on all the current loan availabilities and financing options out there.”

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Anyone looking for an ethical, empathetic and deeply knowledgeable mortgage professional need look no further than Neil Anders and American Financial Network.

“My time with AFN has been the most

rewarding of my life,” he says, “and I feel like my company and team are at the height of the market when it comes to serving clients, communication and education. I’m really proud of that.”

For more information about Neil Anders, please call 702-743-CASH or email NAnders@afncorp.com Copyright Top Agent Magazine 12

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4 Qualities of Exceptional Employees Hiring a new employee is one of the more stressful parts of being a business owner. After all, you’re taking someone on and trusting that they’ll not only be a valuable addition to the team, but won’t do anything to hurt your business’s hard earned reputation.

Sometimes a person comes in and you click right away, and other times you might be blown away by an impressive resume. But there are things you should look for that might not be as obvious at first. Employees that have the following qualities are ones you should seek out, because they will definitely be well worth the time and energy you invest in them.

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1. They have the confidence to be innovative There’s a reason people are drawn to those who think outside the box. Not only do innovations often lead to an extremely profitable business, even when that thinking doesn’t pan out, creative thinking is something that will energize your business and will motivate more employees to start taking chances.

Innovative thinkers also usually have great leadership skills. Ironically, you want an employee who isn’t afraid to speak up to authority and is someone who knows how to bend the rules without breaking them. They know that

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the success of the team and business is what’s most important, as long as it’s done ethically and with respect for everyone involved.

2. They are constantly reviewing their past performance A good employee looks forward, but they also look back. They are always evaluating what worked and what didn’t work in past performances and then adjusting their plans going forward accordingly. If they are coming off a big win, they know how to capitalize on that by using the momentum and cementing in everyone’s minds the value that they add to the team.

If things didn’t go as planned, they assess what they can do better next time, and they don’t get bogged down in insecurity. They take responsibility and they have confidence that they won’t repeat past mistakes. They know that failure is a temporary state, and are able to learn lessons from their mistakes, that will make them a better employee going forward.

While no one wants to fail, having the confidence to try something and fail will one day let you strike gold. Someone who lets failure shut them down, leads to a dead end and will soon make them a dead weight on your team.

3. They value teamwork Even though an exceptional employee might be a rising star, they realize that success is Top Agent Magazine

not an individual endeavor, it relies strongly on who you’re working with. Exceptional employees make sure that everyone is contributing and valued for their input. They put the interests of the company above their own, and thrive in an environment where ideas and information are shared freely.

Shared success is the ultimate goal for every project. Exceptional employees have the confidence to know that even when they’re not singled out for praise, they’re an irreplaceable component of a larger machine.

4. They are self-motivated learners A key thing to remember is that while experience is a valuable commodity, intelligence and intellectual curiosity is usually something that can’t be taught. Yes, you might request employees get additional training or attend seminars, but exceptional employees will be seeking out educational opportunities constantly. Even if they don’t have a lot of money for weekend retreats, they will be getting books from the library, downloading audiobooks, and most importantly, taking advantage of one their greatest resources, YOU. Exceptional employees know that the way to stay ahead is to always be at the forefront of new technology and systems. They don’t see educating themselves as a burden, they actually enjoy it. They realize that everything they take in, will one day make them not only an exceptional employee, but an exceptional boss as well.

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BRANDON BEAUDOIN A senior loan officer at Secure Choice Lending, Brandon Beaudoin works tirelessly to provide his clients with an excellent level of service and help them find financing solutions that work for their unique situation. He connects with each client and prioritizes building strong relationships based on honesty and integrity.

Having witnessed the market in various stages, Brandon is equipped with the knowledge and experience to help buyers find the right products. “My number one rule is to treat people how I want to be treated. I’m upfront with them about all the different loan options so that they can compare and come to the right decision for them and their family. I don’t try to persuade them into one particular loan scenario. I give them the pros and cons of each option and let them decide what’s best for them, while at the same time making sure that I don’t overwhelm them with too much information,” he explains.

Despite the challenges posed by COVID-19, Brandon has already funded $36,000,000 in 2021 and is on pace to fund $48,000,000 by the end of the year. He credits Secure Choice Lending for his success. “I’ve learned from people who have amazing sales techniques and who truly care about their clients and what’s best for them. We’re always trying to help people save money with down payment assistance, reverse mortgages, and waiving appraisal fees for teachers, firefighters, and police officers. I’m happy to assist anyone, regardless of their credit score, and see what options we can find for them.”

Aside from clients, Brandon also nurtures the relationships he has with his REALTORS®. “I like to network with our local agents and let them know that I’m easy to communicate with, I have a great team, and they can reach out to us at any time. I’m not someone who’s only going to answer the phone between 9 to 5. I’m available on the weekend and I take calls at night. You have to 16

be able to roll with the punches in this industry and be available for your clients and your associates.”

What propels Brandon to work hard is his passion for helping others. “I like to help families and I enjoy educating people. I like to break the process down to them in manageable pieces, so they can understand why owning a home is so much better than renting, or how they can refinance a home.”

When he’s not helping clients, Brandon likes to spend his free time snowboarding. “I had my own snowboard shop before I got into the mortgage industry, and that’s actually how I met my wife. We have a lot of great memories that revolve around snowboarding and now that we have two kids, we can’t wait to teach them how to snowboard one day!”

In the future Brandon plans to continue growing his business, and he’s excited to do more community outreach. “I want people to know who I am and trust that they will have an excellent experience working with me.”

For more about Brandon Beaudoin please call 951-295-9959, or email brandon@securechoicelending.com Copyright Top Top Agent Agent Magazine Magazine

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Creative Ways to Say Thank You

Most top real estate agents find ways to welcome their clients to their new home. A common theme is a bottle of wine and some wine glasses for that first post-threshold toast, or a bouquet of flowers to brighten up that empty living space until the furniture arrives.

But are you truly being as creative as you can with your appreciation? Here are some innovative gift ideas that will truly keep you front of mind with your valued customers and assure their gratitude and repeat business, not to mention a slew of referrals.

1. How about a streaming video device, like a Roku

or Amazon Fire Stick? There’s a good chance your clients will not have their cable service up and running for a few days, and this is an excellent way for them to enjoy their television before they get that connection going. Bundle it up in a basket with some DVD’s for the kids, and don’t forget all necessary cables.

2. Matching bathrobes and Bath kits: Fleece or ter-

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rycloth bathrobes and a basket filled with highend his and her body scrubs, bubble bath and other luxurious pampering items can make the first night in a new home feel like a check-in at a fabulous resort and make the memory of that first night one to cherish. Again, don’t forget the kids!

3. Arrange a catered meal from a local vendor. As-

certain in advance dietary preferences and restrictions, and have a wonderful, healthy meal delivered on move-in night. To complete the magic, provide brand new plates, silverware and glassware to serve it all on.

4. For homes with swimming pools or Jacuzzis, a

stack of fluffy pool towels is always appreciated and will be used by family and friends for years to come. Additionally, acrylic stemware for celebrating safely can be provided alongside them.

5. If it’s winter time and the home has a fireplace, make sure there’s plenty of wood to burn. Some fireplace accessories and a log holder will certainly make your clients appreciate you on every chilly night to come.

So when it comes to gifting your buyers, the trick is to be creative. A bottle of wine lasts one night, and the flowers wilt in a few days. Try coming up with something a little more creative that will remain with your clients in their day-to-day lives and remind them of you consistently. The little bit extra you spend to show your gratitude can reap huge dividends when it comes time for your client to purchase a second home or refer a friend.

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GLENN GROVES Mortgage Broker Glenn Groves – CEO of GTG Financial in Santa Rosa, California – is a dedicated financial professional who truly cares about his many grateful clients. Hardworking, honest, and thoroughly committed to providing exceptional customer service, Glenn has easily earned both his stellar reputation as a trusted advocate for home buyers and his perfect, five-star overall rating on Zillow.com.

Though Glenn technically began his career in mortgages in 2010, he was already well-versed in the business long before that. “My mother Elise has been a real estate broker since 1979, and a mortgage broker since 1995,” he recalls. “So, I pretty much grew up surrounded by deadlines and signings and things like that.” Prior to obtaining his MLO license, Glenn spent five years in the Marine Corps. “When I came back from the military in 2010,” he says, “I started working as my mother’s processor and administrative assistant.” The pair first worked for First Priority Financial, then transitioned to Caliber Home Loans during the acquisition of First Priority Financial. “We rode that out, through BREXIT” says Glenn, “and then we took the opportunity to become business owners, and form GTG Financial in 2017.”

Since then, Glenn and Elise have built a thriving and rapidly growing business on a solid foundation of industry knowledge, hard work, honesty and a true desire to help clients achieve their real estate goals.

Glenn, who also has offices in Texas and Colorado, can currently claim that the lion’s share of his considerable business - $265 million in the first three quarters of 2021 alone [GTG combined volume] –

is based upon referrals and returning clients, a true indicator of the exceptional service he and his equally dedicated team provide. “Our reputation is my number one consideration,” says Glenn, when asked how he has managed to achieve so much consumer trust and loyalty amongst those he works with. “It takes integrity to maintain a good reputation.”

Glenn is proud of the wide array of loan products GTG Financial offers its buyers. “As a full-service brokerage,” he says, “we shop for the best rates and fees for our clients.” Additionally, nearly half of Glenn’s personal overall business is comprised of VA loans. “I’m pretty proud of that,” he says. He should also be very proud of the reviews he has received as a mortgage broker, including this one that perfectly encapsulates his go-above-and-beyond business philosophy: “This was our second time doing a home purchase. Glenn and his team made this process 100% better than the first time when we tried to do it on our own. I really liked how we could call Glenn even after normal business hours and he was there to settle our concerns.”

When he’s not working, Glenn can be found giving back to his community in a variety of ways, particularly through the local group Hearts for Veterans.

Additionally, Glenn and his team are involved heavily with Vetted VA, a Facebook-based group that helps educate veterans about the loan process.

“I’d love to bring on more people to our company who don’t have prior mortgage experience,” says Glenn, when asked about his plans for the future. “I love helping them build a career in this industry from the ground up, and to watch them flourish.” Glenn is also incredibly proud of his current team. “The only reason I’ve been able to achieve what I have is because I surround myself with people who are smarter than me.”

For more information about Glenn Groves, please call 707-595-0463 or email Glenn@GTGfi.com Top Agent Magazine

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JENNIFER ZHOU Jennifer Zhou – Mortgage Broker, Real Estate Agent and CPA – is a hardworking, intelligent and deeply committed professional who truly cares about the wellbeing of her many grateful clients. As Owner of Zhou Real Estate Group, which has offices in both California and Texas, Jennifer has more than earned her reputation as an honest real estate professional who consistently places the needs and goals of her clients front and center during every transaction.

Jennifer began working as a Mortgage Broker following a career as a real estate agent. “I was buying a home for myself,” she recalls, when asked how she started in the mortgage industry. “Back then, in 2013, I still didn’t really understand the process of obtaining a home loan, and the loan officer I was working with didn’t fully explain it to me, so it felt like a hassle. That’s when I decided that I wanted to be an advocate and help others have a better understanding of the mortgage process. So I got licensed and began working as a Loan Officer.”

Since then, Jennifer has built a thriving business that functions almost as a one-stop-shop for her clients’ real estate needs. Currently, almost the entirety of Jennifer’s considerable and ever-growing business is based upon referrals, a true barometer of the excellent customer service she provides. “I think it has to do with the fact that I like to spend time with my customers,” says Jennifer, by way of explaining the trust and loyalty her clients demonstrate. “I want to understand fully not only their current needs and goals, but also their long-term goals.”

Another factor in Jennifer’s impressive success story would be the full array of real estate services she can provide, something that sets her head and shoulders above many of her peers in the industry. “In addition to helping them with a mortgage,” she explains, “I can also give them services like tax planning and helping them 20

find a home to purchase.” Jennifer is also in the process of becoming a Real Estate Broker, in order to better serve her many clients. Additionally, Jennifer owns several investment properties, so she is ideally suited to helping others invest.

“I love the mortgage industry,” says Jennifer. “It’s a great business and I really like working with people and building relationships with them. I also love working with newer loan officers and helping them build their careers so they can find success also.”

When she’s not busy helping clients achieve – or exceed – their goals, Jennifer enjoys nothing more than spending time with her family, particularly her two children.

She is also a marathon runner who gives back in a variety of ways. “I’m a member of the Chinese community,” she says, “and I get involved with helping people who have come to America from China and are needing help to purchase their first home here.”

In addition to becoming a Real Estate Broker, Jennifer has many plans for the future of her business, namely continued growth and team building. Above all, however, remains her constant, unwavering objective: to provide her many clients with the top-of-the-line customer service that has long been her calling card.

For more about Jennifer Zhou, please call 408-478-5552 or email Zhou.Realty.Group@gmail.com Copyright Top Top Agent Agent Magazine Magazine

Daily Habits That Will Increase Your Mental Strength When it comes to building physical strength, the solutions are obvious, but keeping up your mental strength isn’t as easy as going to the gym. Although physical exercise does help clear your head and relieve stress, there are other things you can do daily that will help your mind be as strong and flexible as your body after a workout. Here’s just a few things you can do to help clear your head and make you more productive.

DON’T WASTE YOUR BRAIN POWER That might seem obvious, but think about how much mental energy you might use up worrying about negativity or things you have no control over. Instead of focusing on problems, focus on solutions. This actually take a lot of effort, we’re all conditioned to let worry paralyze us sometimes.

Try and catch yourself when you’re wasting time thinking about about past mistakes or current dilemmas you don’t have the power to stop. You really only have so much mental energy, and if you have kids and an especially stressful work situation, that might be even less than normal. Start treating your brain like the precious resource it is.

You don’t want to be running on empty when it really matters.

STEP OUTSIDE YOUR COMFORT ZONE A lot of mental energy can go to dealing with anxiety. One way to deal with that is by forcing yourself to try new things and take on new challenges, that you might normally avoid because they make you feel unsure or scared. Challenge yourself daily, even with small things.

This is definitely something that becomes easier with practice. Start small, and in no time you’ll be taking on things you never thought were possible.

The simple task of trying something new every day will have you feeling energized and put you on the path to self-growth.

BE SELF-AWARE Your emotions affect everything you do, even if they’re not at the surface. Recognizing and labeling them is key. A lot of the above exercises require self-reflection. It’s okay to have the emotions you have, understanding why and where those emotions come from allows you to focus on dealing with them rather than just wallowing in them.

Being self-aware is also about self-care. Know the things that help relax and rejuvenate you. That way you can handle everyday stresses and remain calm even during the most turbulent times.

BE MORE POSITIVE

BE WILLING TO LEARN

Eliminating negative thoughts is essential to increasing your mental strength. Carrying around negativity is like swimming with all of your clothes on. You might be okay at first, but eventually you’ll feel like you can barely stay afloat. Don’t drown in negativity, use positive thoughts as a lifesaver.

This doesn’t mean you should ignore things you need to improve, just approach them with solutions rather than beating yourself up. Constant monitoring of this is important since it’s really easy to slide back into negative thinking.

A lot of people are still hung up on the idea that learning is a boring and tedious process, but you aren’t in junior high anymore. You can find something you’re actually interested in and immerse yourself in it, which engages your mind like nothing else. Whether it’s learning a new technology that will improve your business or something that will make you a more well-rounded person, the learning process keeps you engaged and open to new ideas. A curiosity about the world and new things is something that all mentally strong people have in common.

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