FLORIDA 11-1-21

FLORIDA EDITION

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TIPS TO MAKE NEW HIRES A LONG-LASTING SUCCESS

COOPERATION, NOT COMPETITION,

FEATURED AGENTS

BRITTANY GAUDINO MICHAEL NATHANSON BRANDI FURLAN HOW TO OVERCOME YOUR WORKPLACE FEARS COVER STORY

CREATES MUTUAL

SUCCESS

FOR AGENTS

How To Recognize

TRUE LUXURY PROPERTIES

SAUD & CINTHIA RAI

FLORIDA EDITION

BRITTANY GAUDINO BRANDI FURLAN

Brandi has cultivated a career in real are 17 23 26 estate over the course of her entire adult in life, starting as an assistant at a brokerage As before even graduating high school. She com became licensed at twenty and has been her helping clients find their dream home to and get the best deal on the market when dre selling ever since. Over the course of her Wo career, Brandi has built her business from out the ground up three times over, relocatage ing between Las Vegas and Florida, while dom managing to steadily grow.NATHANSON Last year, SAUD & CINTHIA RAI BRITTANY GAUDINO MICHAEL BRANDI FURLAN the Brandi closed fifty-three transactions and their way and c has completed sixty-eight and counting for 2021. sizes that one of is to maintain a Today, Brandi is the CEO and lead listing specialist of CONTENTS yourself account The Furlan Group with Keller Williams in Sarasota, which isn’t alwa Florida. The Furlan Group is a close-knit team with and TO two full-time 4) COOPERATION,Brandi leading one buyers’ 20)agent 5 TIPS MAKE so crucial,” she s and follow up ev assistants serving clientsNEW in Sarasota andABradenton NOT COMPETITION, HIRES of her business derivesSUCCESS from CREATES MUTUALCounties. Currently, mostLONG-LASTING When she’s not w repeat clients and referrals from past clients and other SUCCESS FOR AGENTS Before getting licensed a Brandi Realtor yearsa ago, howhers golfing with agents.

Over the as years, has 4garnered reputa- know 27) HOW TO leaguesthat and in cliem tion for her hand in guidingcleanup clients through Brittany Gaudino ransteady a foreclosure busi-the keep 14) HOW TO RECOGNIZE OVERCOME YOUR game. Looking t transaction process. Homebuyers can trust in her consisness withPROPERTIES her husband, helping banks flip houses. twists and tu TRUE LUXURY WORKPLACE to grow her clie tency and timely communication.

Brandi andFEARS her team The agents she worked withwith toldwelcome her over over base fortoh team.

“I like celebrate their clients gifts,and helping them ral agents,” Brandi feel make appreciated through one and of theshe biggest that she would a great agent, hadfinancial long she hopes to the next level.” decisions of most people’s lives. Brandi’s service to her been fascinated the so she clients with does not stophousing at the closemarket, of a transaction.

She career contin Phone 310-734-1440 310-734-1440 decided to| Fax take spent her time stays intheir touch advice. and fosters She’s long-term relationships among mag@topagentmagazine.com | www.topagentmagazine.com her clients andbuilding agents withan quarterly client appreciation in the industry well, impressive busi- As a long-t events thatmanner sometimes seewithout seventy-five RSVPs. No portion of this issue may be reproduced in any whatsoever prior consentor of more the publisher.

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ness in Highlands County, Florida where she lives, Brittany is de and establishing herself as an elite agent in the engages area. a robust digital marketing rollout for each list-

is published by Feature Publications GA, Inc. Although precautions are taken to ensure the accuracy of published materials, Top Agent Magazine cannot be held responsible for opinions expressed or facts supplied by its authors.

When it comes to marketing, Brandi utilizes a variety To subscribe or change address, send inquiry to mag@topagentmagazine.com. of methods to reach the right buyer. The Furlan Group Published in the U.S.

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ing. Posts across a wide range of social media platforms and realty put Brandi’s listings right at a buyer’sTop fin-Agent Magazine When it comes to sites working with gertips. Targeted social media ads post in markets where Find out m clients, Brittany takes pride in

mailto:mag@topagentmagazine.com

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Cooperation, Not Competition, Creates

Mutual Success for Agents When people get along during a business transaction, everyone comes out happier. And in a service industry like real estate, agents have the power deliver that happiness. By working cooperatively, sharing advice and helping each other help clients, agents not only enhance their own reputations, but that of real estate in general.

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“Bring everyone together” Matt Kobelski, with Credentials Real Estate Group in Massachusetts, points out that providing good service involves more people than the party you’re representing. “I’m not afraid to bring together all the parties in a deal and say, ‘OK, let’s figure out a solution that works best

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Teaming up with an agent from a different brokerage on a transaction is not as uncommon or complicated as it might seem

for everyone,” he explains. “My goal is to avoid being adversarial.” Real estate, he believes, should always be a field in which each person can win. “It’s about working toward a mutual goal, shaking hands, and walking away happy that a seller sold, a buyer bought and everyone got what they wanted.”

But Is it that simple? Most agents have experienced the ways conflicting personalities and tension during a transaction can heat up even the most cordial relations. In reality, however, it’s more productive to let down your guard and work with others as a team than it is to allow stress and competition to preside. South Florida REALTOR® and broker associate, Risë V. Siegrist, for instance, has zero interest in competing with other agents. “It’s more important to be professional and associate with competent, caring people,” she says. By serving others with a cooperative spirit, experienced agents like Risë set an excellent example for emerging real estate stars. Risë hopes to be a model for the next generation of agents, training people who may one day become part of her team.

Risë’s position on cooperation inspires more reasons for nurturing relationships with other agents. Over the decades, many agents change brokerages several times. Who knows if that agent across the table will one day work at the Top Agent Magazine

same brokerage you do? Perhaps you’ll even have an opportunity to partner on an exciting, future transaction. Good relations keep doors open to endless possibilities.

Co-listing cooperation Teaming up with an agent from a different brokerage on a transaction is not as uncommon or complicated as it might seem. In fact, some agents cleverly capitalize on their collective attributes, rather than competing against one another. South Carolina REALTOR® Kimberly Pannit is a perfect example of the universal benefits of co-listings. Although she has always been an independent agent, Kimberly works hard to form professional alliances that give her business the feel of a cooperative network across brokerages.

This cooperative approach may be nontraditional, but it benefits clients in unique ways. By working closely with agents at other brokerages, she shows how agents can improve client service while helping one another.

Kimberly’s cooperative approach began in her own neighborhood, where an agent friend from a different brokerage also lives. “Several years ago, I approached her because both of us were friends with our neighbors. I asked, ‘Why don’t we give our neighbors superior service and

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co-list together? We both love our area and are passionate about our jobs, the location and schools.’” She also didn’t want to make their mutual friends choose between them when they could work together. “I said, ‘Let’s give them amazing service together!’” With their brokers’ permission, two weeks later the agents co-listed their first home and put extra energy into ensuring uninterrupted client service.

Networking and “Co-opertition” When the ultimate goal is to match a client with the perfect home or create optimal terms of sale for a listings, networking with other agents can facilitate that ideal buyer-seller match.

Nashville REALTOR® and broker/owner Lisa Land embraced every opportunity to contribute meaningfully to the real estate industry and to her local market, even before building her own team. “Agents would frequently ask me for help or advice,” she says, noting that she shares, rather than guarding, the methods she uses to get through difficult or confusing transactions. “I was fortunate to have great mentors when I started in real estate, so I’m always

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willing to offer help, even to agents outside of The Luxe Collective.”

Meanwhile, on Cape Cod in Massachusetts, Janet Leigh Scott describes the climate between agents as relaxed and professional. “While the real estate market is highly competitive, we’re truly a ‘co-opertition’ market; agents work together and a have greater sense of community than you might experience in off-island brokerages,” Janet says. “If I have buyer coming into town, I’ll reach out to agents I’ve done transactions with to ask if they have anything coming up that might not be on the market yet.”

Even in hot, competitive L.A. real estate, independent agents such as Andrej Nagy of The Agency RE knows the importance of receiving and providing professional mentorship.

“My relationships with clients are extremely important,” he says. “But my relationships with agents on the other side of a deal are also important.” For REALTORS® like him, working smoothly with other agents is a privilege.

Doing so builds rewarding relationships while ensuring win-win transactions for everyone at the closing table.

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SAUD & CINTHIA RAI

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For those living in Florida’s Miami-Dade County, Realtors Saud and Cinthia Rai and their Skywalker Group with The Keyes Company have been helping clients make their dreams a reality since 2017.

For so many people, the opportunity to own a home can feel as distant as a galaxy far, far away. But for those living in Florida’s MiamiDade County, Realtors Saud and Cinthia Rai represent a new hope. Their Skywalker Group with The Keyes Company has been helping clients make their dreams a reality since 2017.

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“Obviously, we’re fans of the story,” Saud laughs. “We use the iconography playfully, to inject some fun into the process, but our purpose and methods are very serious. We’ve built a large team to help us handle every aspect of the business so that every transaction flows smoothly, and to eliminate as much stress as we can from our clients’ experience.”

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The Rais know well the power of branding.

Before becoming Realtors, they ran a very successful restaurant business in Coral Gables for 14 years, turning a diner into a gourmet-style grill and ice-cream parlor. Saud had dreams of becoming a Realtor, though, and in 2016 he earned his license, followed by Cinthia two Top Agent Magazine

years later. Today, the couple is the #1 real estate team in Homestead and the surrounding area, both by reputation and volume. This year they are on track to close on 100 homes, with a projected volume of $30 million. That success stems from the couple’s deep commitment to the needs of their clients.

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Today, Saud and Cinthia are the #1 real estate team in Homestead and the surrounding area, both by reputation and volume. This year they are on track to close on 100 homes, with a projected volume of $30 million.

“We create a personal relationship with our clients, and we are in touch with them every day over the course of a transaction,” Cinthia explains. “It’s the biggest financial decision of their life and we recognize that comes with a lot of stress, so we strive to make them happy from the first to the last day. We don’t see numbers. We see people, and they appreciate that.”

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Nor does that personal connection end once the deal is done. The Rais stay in touch with clients beyond the closing table, reaching out on social media or through emails to give them market updates that may be of interest. Their most effective tool, however, is the phone. “It’s just a more personal way of communicating,” says Saud. “Hearing our voice when we’re Top Agent Magazine

asking them how they’re doing makes people feel good. I know it makes me feel good.”

Saud and Cinthia are very dedicated to their community as well. They give back a portion Top Agent Magazine

of the commission they make to the community heroes, which includes military, police, first responders, teachers, and healthcare workers.

“Many people in our area do one of those jobs,” says Saud. “Some are first-time homebuyers Copyright Top Agent Magazine 11

who may encounter difficulties when trying to purchase a home. They may not have enough money to close, or sometimes they don’t have enough money to buy furniture.

But they’ve given so much to the community.

We’re grateful for that, and we want to give back to them. Community is everything.”

As for the future of their business, Saud and Cinthia plan to continue growing and showing clients the way to realizing their dreams.

“What does it mean to be a skywalker?” Saud asks. “It means the sky is the limit—for us, and for the people we serve.”

Contact Saud or Cinthia at 305-804-5358 or email info@skywalker-group.com

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How to Recognize True Luxury Properties What to Consider Other Than Location When luxury home buyers are looking for a new abode, they are often advised to pay most of their attention to location, location, location. And it’s true that good locations often have better properties, but if you’re only looking at location then you might be forgetting what it is in a luxury property that makes it luxury. You could view a property in a great location, and because you completely ignored any of the other factors that make a property high end, you might find that once you move in, you aren’t as pleased with the actual house itself as you thought you would be. Here are the other things you should look out for when purchasing a luxury home: • Architectural Uniqueness: The simple fact is that good

architecture retains its value. Do your homework on architects and find the ones that have a good track record of designing beautiful, but practical homes. Don’t simply pay attention to how the building looks today. Consider how it will look in a few decades. Keep an eye out for the “bones” of the building, and decide whether they will stand the test of time or not. Things such as a solid foundation, high-grade materials, unusual details, and artistic components are good aspects to consider.

Will the structure hold up well or will it degrade and crumble without constant upkeep? That funky molding may look artistic today, but in ten years will it be considered artistic or just plain weird?

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• Practical Layout: Make sure you have enough room to live

in comfort. As a buyer of luxury property, you probably have quite a busy social schedule. You want to make sure that the layout will lend itself to helping you maintain clear separation between your social areas and private ones. You don’t want guests having to go back into your bedroom to use the bathroom. Look out for places with stairwells, awkward columns, long hallways, and other wastes of space.

• Unobstructed Views and Light: You want to live in

a home that gives you lots of natural light, such as one that is open to the outdoors. That natural light will improve your mood, as well as the resale value. The openness of a space filled with natural light will make you feel more comfortable and happy in your new home. What about the view? Do you see a Do you park, a bridge, a river, or a skyline? Is the see a park, fantastic view out your window protected? a bridge, You’ll need to understand the surrounding air a river, or a rights and zoning allowances of neighboring buildings to understand the possible risks. skyline?

• Windows: Windows are the primary source of losing heat and

cooling. Make sure they are double-paned with good insulation that will protect your home against weather and noise. Unless the windows are already like this, it is unlikely that the condo or co-op board will allow you to install your own.

• Ceiling Height: Consider the cubic footage of the property.

You want to look for high ceilings that increase the openness of a room.

Of course, you don’t want to go too high. Above 14 feet will get you diminished marginal returns.

• Storage: If you’re a woman, you will understand this one. We need

lots of closets and additional storage room to fit all of our clothes, shoes, jackets, hats, purses, etc. However, lucky for you, your potential home’s existing closet square footage will not limit you from putting in more storage space. Custom closet companies can create any kind of storage

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space you desire. You will have to, however, make sure that your new home does have an area that you can turn into this storage space.

• In-Unit Laundry: In-unit laundry has become necessary for

any luxury home or apartment. Do you really want to have to trek down flights of stairs to use the basement laundry? If you still consider it wasted space, you can convert it into more closet space.

• The Gym: Having a fitness area nearby is an amenity that is especially

important, particularly in winter when you don’t feel like walking to the gym a few blocks down.

One thing to consider is the Do you really want of the gym in relation to have to trek down size to the size of the building in flights of stairs? light of common area fees.

• Move-In Ready: I’d advise against buying time-consuming and

frustrating fixer-uppers no matter how much you want to add custom kitchens, finishes, fixtures, and other characteristics. Choose a property that already has all of these amenities taken care of. These properties have already had the same designers you would hire fashion the house at a fraction of the cost you would pay to have them do it after you move in. In this light, it is worthwhile to pay a little extra for the move-in ready home.

• Reputation: Pay attention to the reputation of the building. A

property that has a good reputation tends to retain its value. You can easily find this out online on posts, and established locals are likely to have an opinion.

If you want to buy luxury property that is really worth it’s price, then I would suggest adding these points to your list of things your new home must have.

If you want to get a high quality home that is a true luxury, you’ll want to watch out for these aspects as well as the location. Some properties might claim to be luxury based on their location, but when compared against this list, they don’t make the cut. So, don’t be fooled by imposters, and make sure you find a true high-end property.

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BRITTANY GAUDINO Top Agent Magazine

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BRITTANY GAUDINO

Before getting licensed as a Realtor 4 years ago, Brittany Gaudino ran a foreclosure cleanup business with her husband, helping banks flip houses.

The agents she worked with told her over and over that she would make a great agent, and she had long been fascinated with the housing market, so she decided to take their advice. She’s spent her time in the industry well, building an impressive business in Highlands County, Florida where she lives, and establishing herself as an elite agent in the area.

know how stressful the transaction can be, and I keep that in mind as I’m guiding them through the twists and turns.” Brittany has built a strong referral base for herself by following these virtues, and she hopes to expand her sphere even further as her career continues to grow.

As a long-time resident of Highlands County, Brittany is deeply familiar with the market trends of

When it comes to working with clients, Brittany takes pride in her ability to provide a pleasant and satisfying experience for each client through her personable attitude and honest communication. She explains every detail of the transaction as it unfolds, and keeps a consistent line of contact throughout the process. “I treat my clients the way I would want to be treated,” Brittany says. “I 18

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her locale, and is well-equipped to welcome people to town. Additionally, she has a wealth of knowledge when it comes to the real estate market at large from working in foreclosure cleanup, and her skill at negotiating makes her an agent you want on your side when attempting to buy or sell a home. “I do everything in my power to ensure my clients find success in their transaction,” Brittany says. “We go through a lot together, and a lot of my clients become good friends.”

In order to get great results for her sellers, Brittany maintains a robust marketing campaign for her listings. She uses professional staging and photography to highlight the best features of each home, then pushes each listing through the MLS and social media to ensure a wide exposure online. She also advertises locally through print to generate interest within her own community. Brittany works hard to sustain her high level of production, and her business is only growing - she closed $5M in total sales volume last year, and is on track to break $8M by the end of 2021.

Brittany won Rookie of the Year in 2019 from her MLS association because of her involvement with the board, community involvement, her business and personal accomplishments and production. She also holds several designations, Seller Representative Specialist, Accredited Buyers Representative, and Real Estate Negotiations Expert.

In her free time, Brittany loves spending time with her family and showing her two boys the great outdoors. She is a pillar of her community, and regularly donates to local charities and participates in food drives around town.

For the future of her business, Brittany hopes to build a small team to maintain her growth while making as many clients happy through her phenomenal service as she possibly can.

If you’re looking for a Realtor in Highlands County who takes great care of her clients, get in touch with Brittany Gaudino today!

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For more about Brittany Gaudino please call 863-243-2161 or visit sellingsebring.com www.

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5 Tips to Make New Hires

a Long-lasting Success Bringing a new employee into the mix is process commonly known as onboarding. The idea behind onboarding is to make the transition from new hire to team member as efficient and pain-free as possible. However, polling shows that some 31% of entry-level and intermediate level hires leave their new posts within just six months of starting. The question is: why?

The hiring and training process is time-intensive and doesn’t come cheap. This means that making 20

a good match for the long haul requires more than just assessments of skill and personality. To ensure a talented new hire sticks around and is truly positioned for success, the onboarding process must be executed with the same care applied during hiring. For a few ideas on how to make the most of the onboarding process, consider the tenets below as you guide your new hire toward long-lasting success within your company.

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1. Be honest about the scope of the role

2. Build in some perks

Let’s say you’re looking to add a new buyers agent or loan processor to your team. You write up the position’s responsibilities, but neglect to mention that you want the new hire to handle a host of administrative tasks, as well. Maybe it doesn’t seem important enough to outline in detail, as it’s the sort of thing the rest of your does. Miscommunications like these are a leading reason why new hires leave their roles.

If there isn’t clarity and transparency about a position’s true responsibilities, then new hires may become quickly disillusioned and seek out greener pastures.

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While stocking the breakroom with bagels every Friday may seem like a small gesture, it’s often those little morale-boosting moves that build loyalty and comradery among the team. Bike-to-work incentives, subsidized gym memberships, and benefits that match the needs of your employees—all are ways to demonstrate appreciation and investment in your team.

Likewise, the right candidate will return the favor and invest his or her energies into their new role.

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3. Get a sense of big-picture career plans

4. Keep the lines of communication open

Another reason new hires move on may have nothing to do with you or your office. In fact, many hires in entry-level or even intermediate roles have doubts about their long-term vision.

That’s why it’s important to be upfront from the beginning regarding a candidate’s five-year plan and ultimate dream job. Maintain realistic expectations when asking these questions, but use it as an opportunity to gage a candidate’s seriousness about the real estate or mortgage industry. Why this line of work over another?

Emphasizing industry longevity and career growth during the interview process can save you drama down the road.

Take a proactive approach in communicating with your new hire. Take time to check in regularly during the first six months of his or her addition. If you can, make time to train new hires yourself—if only for a part of the onboarding process. You’ll forge a deeper professional bond and create an avenue for further questions. All in all, make it clear that you’re personally invested in their presence and talents, and that you care what they have to say. That way, if any issues or doubts arise, you can stay on top of it and work out a solution, rather than lose a new employee.

5. Give new hires meaningful work to do It’s natural to keep the kid-gloves on with new hires, but don’t let that stop you from giving them a chance to shine. New team members will feel empowered and motivated if given meaningful projects to focus on. Don’t relegate their daily duties to busy work as they build experience.

Instead, task new teammates with something challenging, or that draws on a specific skill you hired them for. You’ll instill confidence, demonstrate your commitment to their growth, and with any luck—keep them around for the long haul.

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MICHAEL NATHANSON Top Agent Magazine

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MICHAEL NATHANSON

Michael Nathanson has built a thriving real estate business by pursuing his passion for helping others. “I love meeting people and talking to people,” Michael says. “I sometimes say that I’m a networker who happens to sell real estate. For me, it really is all about helping others.” Michael began his professional journey fifteen years ago after his brother, who sold real estate, encouraged Michael to get into the business. “I earned my license without telling my brother,” Michael says, “and I walked into his office one day, flashed my license, and told him to get away from my desk. That was the start of this incredible career.”

is one of the leading residential real estate groups in South Florida. Multi-lingual, highly skilled and knowledgeable, the team serves the Fort Lauderdale to West Palm Beach corridor. As a full-service professional group, The Nathanson Brothers have the skills and experience to help buyers and sellers at every price point achieve their goals.

With their drive, dedication, and commitment to their clients, it is no surprise that Michael and

As the Team Leader of The Nathanson Brothers with RE/MAX Services, Michael works closely with his brother, now the team mortgage advisor, and other team members to achieve consistent results for their clients. With a dedicated roster of agents and administrative professionals, The Nathanson Brothers Team 24

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his team have a repeat client and referral rate above 95%. “Clients see that we truly care,” Michael says. “They also see our numbers, and they understand that we achieve results.

Mostly, though, we listen to our clients. This job is not a paycheck to me. It’s about actually listening to the clients, to their wants and needs.

It’s about delivering for them and doing what I say I will do.” To market their clients’ listings, Michael and his team combine traditional and cutting-edge methods, including extensive advertising within their professional network.

His strategy pays off; Michael averages between fifty to seventy transactions per year.

To keep in touch with his past and present clients, Michael sends out monthly videos with business updates, market news and thank you’s to clients for referrals. He mails out a monthly “Letter of the Heart,” sharing personal news with his community. His team also hosts a monthly happy hour, where clients can mingle, meet, and network.

Active in his community, Michael is especially involved with the Peter Blum Family YMCA of Boca Raton. In his role as board member, he is currently helping to organize the center’s major annual fundraiser. Michael also founded and hosts an annual charity basketball event for the YMCA, plus volunteers as a basketball coach for two kids’ teams. When Michael is not busy helping clients or giving back to his community, he loves to spend time with his family, and to play basketball, a passion close to his heart.

Looking to the future, Michael plans to continue to build on the strategies and practices that have led to his success. “I focus on getting a little better every day,” Michael says. “When I say ‘better,’ I mean helping more families and reaching more people. It’s such an honor when someone chooses me out of the all the local Realtors® to help them with their life goals. That is so humbling. Their trust and their faith keep me going.”

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For more about Michael Nathanson, please call 561-948-1592, email Michael@SoldByTheBros.com, or visit his website at SoldByTheBros.com www.

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BRANDI FURLAN Brandi has cultivated a career in real estate over the course of her entire adult life, starting as an assistant at a brokerage before even graduating high school. She became licensed at twenty and has been helping clients find their dream home and get the best deal on the market when selling ever since. Over the course of her career, Brandi has built her business from the ground up three times over, relocating between Las Vegas and Florida, while managing to steadily grow. Last year, Brandi closed fifty-three transactions and has completed sixty-eight and counting for 2021.

Today, Brandi is the CEO and lead listing specialist of The Furlan Group with Keller Williams in Sarasota, Florida. The Furlan Group is a close-knit team with Brandi leading one buyers’ agent and two full-time assistants serving clients in Sarasota and Bradenton Counties. Currently, most of her business derives from repeat clients and referrals from past clients and other agents. Over the years, Brandi has garnered a reputation for her steady hand in guiding clients through the transaction process. Homebuyers can trust in her consistency and timely communication. Brandi and her team celebrate their clients with welcome gifts, helping them feel appreciated through one of the biggest financial decisions of most people’s lives. Brandi’s service to her clients does not stop at the close of a transaction. She stays in touch and fosters long-term relationships among her clients and agents with quarterly client appreciation events that sometimes see seventy-five or more RSVPs. When it comes to marketing, Brandi utilizes a variety of methods to reach the right buyer. The Furlan Group engages a robust digital marketing rollout for each listing. Posts across a wide range of social media platforms and realty sites put Brandi’s listings right at a buyer’s fingertips. Targeted social media ads post in markets where research shows buyers are moving from and searching for homes in her area. Brandi and her team also focus locally with email blasts to agents within a tri-county 26

area around any property, and with listings in publications like Homes & Land®.

As a REALTOR® who cares about her community, Brandi volunteers through her local Board of REALTORS®, helping to raise money for causes helping children in need, St. Jude Children’s Hospital, Wounded Warriors, and agents starting out in the industry. She has also coached agents all over the U.S., imparting wisdom she has fostered over her years in the industry. “I love helping people find their way and celebrating their wins.” Brandi emphasizes that one of the most important practices for agents is to maintain a diligent schedule. “You have to hold yourself accountable when working on your own time which isn’t always easy, that is why having a coach is so crucial,” she says. “Above all, remember to show up and follow up every day.”

When she’s not working, Brandi loves scuba-diving and golfing with her husband and getting together with colleagues and clients to catch a Tampa Bay Buccaneers game. Looking to the future, Brandi hopes to continue to grow her client base and add strong agents to her team. “I like to challenge myself and challenge my agents,” Brandi says. “I’m always looking to take it to the next level.”

Find out more at thefurlangroup.com.

Connect with Brandi at (941) 894-9888 and via email at brandi@thefurlangroup.com www.

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How To Overcome Your Workplace Fears Fear is something that can help protect us from danger, but it is also something that can be a hindrance to us in our lives, especially when it keeps us from potentially thriving and growing as a person. This is especially true in the workplace. Here’ a look at some proven ways to overcome common workplace fears.

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ASSESS THE FEELINGS BEHIND THE FEAR

Really owning the emotions that are putting you in a place of fear, is the first step. By just naming it and then talking it out in your head, what exactly you’re feeling and why, it can help deflate the fear. Think of it as releasing some of the fear into the ether. Yes, you’ll still be nervous about your presentation, but a lot of what was holding you back is gone. You’ll feel lighter, and hopefully have just enough butterflies to make your soar.

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TALK ABOUT YOUR FEARS WITH A TRUSTED CO-WORKER

Nothing can make you feel more isolated than going down the path of “This is something that only happens to me.” Trust me, it doesn’t, and you might be surprised to find out that some people have had it even worse. Talking to someone you trust and admire, hearing their own fear horror stories and how they overcame them, will help normalize what you’re feeling. Releasing yourself from the idea that it’s something about you, will be an enormous relief.

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THINK OF THE WORST CASE SCENARIO

Although it might seem counter-productive, truly assessing what the worse outcome of the situation you’re afraid of serves two purposes. It might lead you to realize the worst case scenario isn’t that bad Top Agent Magazine

after all. Of course it could also lead you to a really uncomfortable thought, you could lose your job. As bad as that is, it also gives you an opportunity to start focusing on what really matters, and how you might grow from the experience and possibly end up better off. Countless people in their dream jobs now, were once fired and thought it was the end of the world.

Hopefully, that won’t happen to you, but learning to have confidence in your abilities to always find a way, will be a great tool in overcoming fears.

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COMPARTMENTALIZE

If you’re a super-organized type, you might try actually setting aside time in your day to focus on your fears. It might seem odd, but it will let you NOT focus on your fears during the other hours of your day. Think of it as a task, you aren’t just sitting there worrying, you’re taking in your fears and figuring out ways to overcome them.

5

START THINKING OF YOUR FEARS AS OPPORTUNITY FOR GROWTH

Start thinking of fears as challenges. As scary as it might seem to face them, for the most part they are things that can be fixed. A lot of fear is based on inexperience which leads to a lack of confidence.

A common fear is workplace evaluations. Instead of looking at it as hearing everything that is wrong about you, think of it as an opportunity to see where you can improve. Going into it with a positive attitude rather than a defensive posture, will make the whole thing better for both parties.

Overcoming fears is oftentimes about a simple attitude adjustment. Like anything it takes practice, but the results of that practice will lead to a life that you’re able to thrive in both personally and professionally.

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