Nationwide Mortgage 9-4-17

NATIONWIDE MORTGAGE EDITION

6 Things You Need to Do to BE A GREAT MENTOR THOMAS JUSSILA

7 Deadly Sins of PERSONAL BRANDING SUCCESS – These 7 Habits Are the Real Secret to Success

STEPHEN LIVESAY

When It's Time for a HOME OFFICE 5 Things You Can Do to ACHIEVE YOUR BIGGEST GOALS

DEREK VAN DAM

NATIONWIDE MORTGAGE EDITION

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THOMAS JUSSILA

STEPHEN LIVESAY

DEREK VAN DAM

CONTENTS 4) SUCCESS – THESE 7 HABITS ARE THE REAL SECRET TO SUCCESS 8) 6 THINGS YOU NEED TO DO TO BE A GREAT MENTOR 13) 5 THINGS YOU CAN DO TO ACHIEVE YOUR BIGGEST GOALS

14) WHEN IT'S TIME FOR A HOME OFFICE 18) BEWARE THE SNIOP! 22) 4 REASONS WHY MULTITASKING CAN ACTUALLY DERAIL YOUR DAY

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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 4

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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THOMAS JUSSILA Thomas Jussila’s lifelong passion for real estate led him to a job as a loan officer in 2002, while he was still in college. His work ethic, attention to detail, and love of helping people have helped his career to flourish. In his current role as Vice President of Branch Sales and Mortgage Advisor at Finance of America, he serves clients in the states of Minnesota and Wisconsin. Thomas leads a strong team that includes an Executive Processor Katelyn Meredith, Production Manager Jennifer Delich, Team Lead/Mortgage Advisor Dean Larson, Processor/Sale Assistant Britany Lee, and an additional assistant that supports all of these key roles. Thomas is able to offer a wide range of loan programs specific to Finance of America, “It’s probably the most unique lending platform out there and the reason why I am working where I’m at today,” he says. Thomas has truly made a name for himself in this industry, achieving multiple accolades through an understanding of both the real estate industry and the personal element of building relationships. Thomas and his team embrace these qualities and realize that this is what caused them to rocket to the top of their field. “I could not do what I love to do without the amazing support of my team, which is an extension of my family at this point,” Thomas says with a grateful smile. “I handpicked them for their like-minded values and just like me, they will always go the extra mile for every client we build a relationship with.

My team is a critical piece to my success.”

Though he has many clients, Thomas makes sure he responds quickly to each one. “We treat each loan as if it’s our only loan,” Thomas says. The result? Satisfied clients and realtors who are eager to spread the word to their sphere of influence about the amazing service Thomas provides.

A staggering 80% of his business comes from repeat clients or referrals. Thomas has a gift for maintaining strong relationships with realtor partners that’s solidified by his reputation as a compassionate, talented mortgage advisor. He also acts as a mentor for real estate brokerages and teams. “I’ve definitely taken C-level agents and made them A-level agents, just through education and spending time with them,” Thomas says.

The thing that sets Thomas apart from other lenders in his area is the level of service he provides. “We don’t keep bankers hours,” he explains. “We are available seven days a week, pretty much 24 hours a day.

If a client can’t get ahold of me, they can reach a member of my team within a matter of minutes.” He also brings an unrivaled level of experience, spends ample time with clients up front, and tailors a loan to fit each client’s needs.

After working with Thomas, clients rave about his high level of communication and his accessibility. To keep in touch with past clients and realtor partners, Thomas reaches out by phone and maintains an active database. “I definitely go above and beyond to keep up with my past clients,” he says.

What does Thomas love most about his work? “It’s not redundant, so it stays interesting. I love that no deal is the same. And I meet a lot of different people.” An avid animal lover, Thomas volunteers with a dog rescue organization and has rescued over 40 dogs. On the rare occasion of time off, he enjoys hunting, fishing, snowboarding, traveling and spending time with his family. For the future he wants to continue in this career that he loves: “I want to continue to grow in the industry,” he says. “I see myself continuing to do this as long as I physically can.” Now that’s a worthy goal and one his clients will appreciate for years to come!

For more information about Thomas Jussila, contact him by phone at (612) 750 - 8665 or email at tjussila@financeofamerica.com.

You can also check out his website at ThomasJussila.com www.

* Scotsman Guide Top Originator in 2014, 2013 and 2012; Mortgage Executive Magazine Top 1% Originator in 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012; Minnesota’s Best Mortgage Professionals 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013; Distinguished Professional Total Expert Network 2016; featured in Mortgage Executive Magazine in 2015

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6 Things You Need to Do to Be a Great Mentor

Everyone reaches the point in their career where they feel they have gained enough experience and wisdom about business and what it takes to succeed, to actually help someone else achieve the same. Although you may have trained or given advice over the years, taking on the official status as a mentor to someone is a whole new ball game.

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Although mentorship is an unpaid endeavor, you’ll be surprised to find out how much you’ll gain from the experience. You’ll also grow as a business person through the process of teaching someone else. It’s also an endeavor that many will pay forward one day, creating a business atmosphere that is based more on mutual success than competition, which is better for everyone.

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If you were mentored, you may already have an idea of what it entails, and what you liked or didn’t like in your mentor/mentee relationship. Although it is a personal relationship that will need an individual approach, there are certain things that are key when it comes to being a great mentor: 1. Be a good listener

est about your own failures. It can be a huge relief to find out someone they look up to has gone through similar experiences and still managed to come out on top. As we all know, oftentimes the greatest lessons come from failures, which can be times when our character is truly tested. Building trust through mutual respect and honesty will make every aspect of your mentorship more effective.

You’re basically a sounding board who needs to hear your mentee’s ideas, plans and goals in order to advise them. Strong, constant and clear communication is key to any successful mentoring relationship.

Sometimes just letting them talk things out with you, will lead to them to discovering the solution they were looking for.

2. Set expectations and goals at the start When listening to your mentee in your first meeting about the potential relationship, it’s important to establish the parameters of what that relationship will be: What can you give them? What do they need or expect from you? Once the terms are agreed upon, you may want to set specific goals you’ll be working on together so that there’s a defined plan of action, timeline and result you can both expect.

3. Be honest This is important when it comes to offering them constructive criticism or tough love, but more importantly, you need to be honTop Agent Magazine

4. Get them to think, don’t make decisions for them Sometimes being a mentor is being a bit like a psychologist. By asking certain ques-

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tions you can lead your mentee to their own conclusions about their business dilemmas and strategies to reach their goals. Being a mentor is all about guidance. Build confidence by drawing out the best in your mentee rather than just presenting them with solutions.

5. Look at the situation objectively One of the key strengths you offer your mentee is a complete emotional detachment to their business. You have no sentimental attachment to doing things a certain way or working with an incompetent vendor because you ‘go way back’. Your only motive is what’s best for your mentee and their business. Although emotions cans still get in the way sometimes, having a detached perspective on hand to guide you is invaluable.

6. Don’t just offer constructive criticism, be supportive Yes, being a mentor is sometimes advising your mentee that he’s doing something ineffectively, but your main purpose is to alway approach everything like cheerleader.

You need to let them know that through it 10

all, you are a reliable support to them and have a complete belief in their abilities.

Make sure to always praise their accomplishments.

Remember: your job as a mentor is more about guidance than constant feedback.

Your goal is to help someone become the best they can be, not someone who just does everything the way you do it. You’re helping them build confidence in their own intuition, which will hopefully lead to a lifetime of success, and one day, they too might be a valuable resource to another mentee down the road.

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STEPHEN LIVESAY For 19 years, Stephen Livesay has been one of the most respected and trusted mortgage professionals working in North Carolina.

After starting in subprime, Stephen left the business, but was drawn back in when he was able to work with conventional loans. “ At the end of the day, I love helping people, and I want to help them the right way. There really is nothing I enjoy more than seeing the smiles on my client’s faces when I get them to the next level, whether it’s a first time homebuyer or someone moving up to their dream home. I get to help people achieve their real estate dreams, and when I can do it by educating them, giving them options and letting them make the best decisions for their families, that makes it even better.”

Stephen currently has a small team and although he works all over North Carolina he primarily focuses on Wake County. Stephen is currently with PrimeLending, one of the premier mortgage companies in the country.

Although PrimeLending excels at all types of loans, they have several speciality programs including, the Neighborhood Edge Program that helps people with lower incomes by offering them grants that help pay closing costs. Another unique advantage PrimeLending offers its borrowers the ability to go down to a 600 credit score on FHA loans.

Key to Stephen’s success has been the exceptional service he offers combined with an unsurpassed knowledge of the business and the area he represents. “In this business it’s really important that you’re available

when your client needs you. People are looking for properties on their free time, which usually means after business hours. I never turn my phone off. I always answer even if it’s to tell them I need to get back to them. If they need to make an offer, i want to be there for them no matter the time. Another distinct advantage I offer my clients is my in-depth knowledge and experience which is really something that can make a huge deal. People make the mistake of just picking a mortgage professional based on low fees and rates, but that really isn’t all you need to consider. An experienced mortgage professional who takes into account your whole financial picture can save you more money in the long run.”

Stephen is actively involved in his community, and gives back whenever he can. He is particularly devoted to helping the MS Foundation and is passionate about supporting active duty military and Veterans. He has recently begun working with the USO and is helping to organize a fundraiser for the organization in the next year. When he isn’t working, Stephen enjoys spending time with his wife and two daughters, and looks forward to family time at their beach house.

Stephen was recently promoted to sales manager at PrimeLending, and is excited to not only grow his business but to help his company expand as well. “Our mission is really all about encouraging home ownership. We believe strongly that it’s not only important for people to have that security and the ability to build personal wealth, but it benefits the community as well.

Helping people achieve the American Dream is what we’re passionate about.”

To learn more about Stephen Livesay (NMLS: 302285) call 919.854.9189 or email slivesay@primelending.com or visit slivesay.com www.

135 Parkway Office Court, Ste. 200 Cary, NC 27518. PrimeLending NMLS: 13649 Equal Housing Lender Top Agent Magazine

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5 Things You Can Do To Achieve Your Biggest Goals If there’s one thing successful people can agree on, it’s that setting goals has been key to their success.

Whether you’re creating a five year plan or just settling on what you want to achieve by the end of the day, setting goals gives you the focus and direction you need to complete even the biggest tasks.

But there is a method to setting them. It’s a process that takes careful thought and consideration up front, which is then combined with the hard work necessary to implement your plan. Luckily there are proven methods to goal setting that you can start using immediately.

1. MAKE YOUR GOALS SPECIFIC Yes, it’s fun to think in grand terms of where you want to end up in life and in your career, but it’s better to have a specific goal like “Increase my sales by 25%”, than “Get rich.” When a goal is clear and specific, it allows you to figure out the exact steps you need to take to accomplish it. The more general it is, the more paralyzed you might be when it comes to figuring out what to do since, the choices may be overwhelming.

2. MAKE IT ATTAINABLE Making attainable goals might seem boring, I mean afterall, you want to dream big! But you don’t want to suffer through the disappointment of not reaching your goal, something that may not even be possible at this stage in your life to begin with. One solution to that is creating goal levels. You can have the dream goal, but underneath that you have the realistic goals that are setting up a foundation for achieving the big one. Things that are attainable still take work and effort to achieve. Those small victories will keep you motivated and encouraged to go for the bigger dreams. And don’t forget, those Top Agent Magazine

little goals may have been things you wouldn’t have gotten done if you didn’t set out to achieve them, so be proud!

3. PUT A PLAN OF ACTION IN WRITING Your plan of action should include daily, weekly, monthly and yearly goals. There is something about seeing things in writing and crossing them off the list that is oddly satisfying.The daily goals are especially important in regards to building up those good habits. The first few weeks of your plan of action are critical when it comes to your long term success. Reaching a goal is something you are doing every day, all throughout the day, in numerous ways. Achieving goals is all about creating good new habits.

4. MAKE IT MEASURABLE This is key, since you definitely want to reward yourself for a job well done, and having a goal that is measurable in some way is a sure way to know.

Maybe it’s to increase your lead generation or to cut expenses, whatever the case, have a measurable test you need to meet, as well as a time frame. Then calculate what you have to do to reach that goal. Not only should your goal be specific, but the plan and the measure of success should also be set in stone.

5. ADJUST AS YOU GO You can have all the best laid plans, and you still might quickly realize that what you thought would help you reach your goal, might not be cutting it.

Commitment to reaching your goals is good, but commitment to a plan you know isn’t going to work is not only a waste of time, but will be a devastating blow to your motivation. Sticking to a plan everyday means adjusting it accordingly.

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When It’s Time for a Home Office

by Nancy Michaels

So, you’re tired of clearing your papers off the dining room table every time someone wants to eat (how dare they!). And you’re still recovering from the business call you were forced to take that time your 5-yearold pressed the phone into your hand just as you stepped from the shower (it’s amazing how professional one can sound while wrapped in a towel and dripping wet).

fairly easily for this purpose. Use bookcases, filing cabinets, plants, screens, even lighting to define your work space. It’s essential that you remain committed to your space as office space. Without this psychological distinction between home and work, the two areas of your life may slide into one another, causing you to lose focus, and thus, productivity.

Sounds like it’s time for a home Choose furnishings that are ergooffice. nomically correct, and which fit in with the decor of the rest of your Ideally, you’ll have a spare room to home. Lighting should come from turn into office space—preferably three sources: natural, ambient and one with a locking door. An extra direct. Give yourself enough storage bedroom, the basement, or attic can space to keep your work area all serve this purpose. If you don’t uncluttered. You may want to store have room for a dedicated office, your supplies in another part of the take a look around your house to see house, keeping just a week’s worth where you can carve yourself some in your office. And schedule a space. A closet, bedroom corner, weekly or biweekly cleanup where hallway alcove or even the area you go through your papers and files under a stairway can all be converted and either throw away or stow away 14

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anything that is not essential to the event of a power failure. An daily operation of your business. uninterruptable power source supply is also a must for the home office.

Almost every business requires a This will keep your computer runcomputer system. Don’t skimp. You ning during a power outage until want something with enough speed you’re able to safely shut it down. and memory capacity to last into the future. A good-quality inkjet, or Another essential component of the preferably, a laser printer is also home office is telecommunications, essential. Investigate the all-in-one meaning telephone, fax and Internet printer, fax, copier and scanners. access. An account through an These may save you money as well Internet service provider or online as precious office space. I also service shouldn’t cost more than $20 recommend a computer backup per month and it will give you the system, which will protect the ability to send and receive e-mail. contents of your hard drive in the Top Agent Magazine

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It’s essential that you remain committed to your space as office space.

You’ll probably want more than one answering” from your phone comphone line, three if you’re using one pany. It’s just a few dollars a month line for a fax and modem hookup. and sounds more professional than It’s wise to invest in a business line, an answering machine, and which which allows you to list your won’t break down while you’re on business name and number in the vacation. phone book and with directory assistance. To keep costs down, use A home office can either improve that line for incoming calls only. If productivity, or harm it. You may find you don’t want the expense of a yourself doing paperwork at 2 a.m. business line, but can do without a when you should be sleeping, or repeat of the shower scene, order flipping to General Hospital at 3 p.m. “distinct ring” service from your when you should be working. It’s phone company. This is a separate helpful to treat your home office as phone number which rings into your you would an outside office, complete home line, but sounds different from with “starting” and “quitting” times. your normal ring. This alerts you This will help you stay focused, and family members to incoming organized, and productive. And your business calls. If you’re dishing up family will appreciate having their dinner or washing the dog, you’ll dining room table back. know to let your answering machine, or better yet, your electronic voice Nancy Michaels, of Impression Impact, mail system, grab the call. If you’re works with companies that want to reach in the shower, hopefully your 5- the small business community and with small business owners who want to sell year-old will know to do the same. more products and services. Copyright©, You may also want to order “call Nancy Michaels. All rights reserved.

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DEREK VAN DAM

With his natural people skills and a degree in finance, it seems only natural that Derek van Dam would be drawn to the mortgage industry, In 2002, he noticed the wealth of opportunity in the business, and decided to make the leap. “It really was the perfect fit for me, and when I decided to make the move, I was hired quickly.

It’s been a great run ever since.”

A natural born leader, Derek not only had the skills to be a successful loan officer, he quickly worked his way up to management, becoming a partner in just four years. “I think I have a knack for problem solving, and there’s a lot of that in this job. I built a reputation for being someone who gets a loan done what others can’t.

It takes a lot of extra time, but I get a lot of satisfaction when I can get a yes for someone who has only heard no.”

Derek currently leads his own team serving the state of Georgia, with a particular focus on the competitive Metro Atlanta Area.

He is currently with Movement Mortgage, the seventh largest purchase lender in the United States. The company has several programs and that offer their borrowers a distinct advantage. ““First of all, we are able to offer people a full underwrite in advance of purchase contract where we issue a Commitment Letter instead of just a standard Prequal Letter. That makes their offer stand out to a prospective seller and listing agent because it shows them the file has been through underwriting and it checked out okay. We have an average closing time of two and a half to three weeks. We also have two down payment assistance programs, that help first time homebuyers that might have difficulty buying otherwise.”

Key to Derek’s success has been his devotion to providing an exceptional customer experience.”It all comes down to excellent communication. I keep people in the loop every step of the way.

I’m very quick with follow up and always answer my phone. I have a great support staff so that frees me up to provide that level of service. I think I’m also a warm guy who is also highly professional, so people like working with me and trust me to deliver what I say I will.They feel comfortable referring me to their friends or family.”

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Derek is passionate about giving back, in fact, that is one of the reason he decided to join Movement Mortgage. “They are a faithbased philanthropic company, and match my charitable donations, dollar for dollar. Life is about more than just making money. I want to help as many people as I can, so I’m thrilled to have found a company that shares my belief.” In his free time Derek enjoys playing tennis and is an avid movie buff. He’s also enjoys spending time with his eight year old son.

Derek would like to continue to grow his team, taking what they’ve built and expanding into new markets. “I not only want to grow my business but I really want to be a good steward. I want to continue raising money for non-profits, and really give back to my community. I really love what I do. I always try to make closings, because I love seeing the joy on their faces, and knowing I had a part in that. It’s a very rewarding career.”

To learn more about Derek van Dam call (770) 713-8482, email derek.vandam@movement.com or visit movement.com/derek.vandam www.

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Beware the SNIOP!

by Barry Eisen

Daily, Greg was growing more like I said, unfriendly, rude, eh! And excited about his upcoming, first did you see the Pope? Ha—I’ll bet all you could get was his postcard.” trip to Rome.

Finishing up all the last minute Brimming with enthusiasm, Greg details, with just two days to his offered “Al, It was the best flight ever. flight, Greg headed to his barber, Al, Everyone was so accommodating. I was treated like family, and the people for a haircut. with whom I stayed showed me the Sharing his excitement with Al about sights as if I were royalty. Oh, and the upcoming trip, Greg bubbled when I got to the Vatican, not only did about staying with local people, I meet with the Pope, I had a private eating homemade, Italian food and audience. It was awesome and I’m so even having an audience with the grateful!”

Pope. Al put down his scissors and started droning, “You know traveling Al, astounded to hear all this, asked is so hard these days, such a long “What did the Pope say to a nobody boring plane ride. Rome, of all places! like you?” “Well,” Greg replied, “as It’s hard to get around. They drive I bent forward to kiss his Holiness’ like crazy, the people are rude and the ring, he wanted to know one thing... streets…disgusting! The Pope? Ha! and asked me, ‘Who gave you such You’ll never get close to him.” Greg, a lousy haircut?’’ feeling a little deflated, left the shop.

SNIOP After his trip, Greg popped into the barber shop. Al started digging in SNIOP is an acronym for a person immediately, “Well, didn’t I tell you who is: Susceptible to the Negative about the terrible flight? The people, Influences of Other People.

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Greg didn’t play that role in the anecdote above, but do you? More importantly, are you willing to discover the subtleties of when you are? And most significantly, if you are, are you willing to take back responsibility for directing your own play, hearing your own song, standing up for your own dreams, living your own best life?

Being a SNIOP is not about being just influenced by others. We are and we ought to be. We don’t live in a vacuum and the fastest way to create Top Agent Magazine

success is to copy it. That means we want to not only allow influence, but to encourage ourselves to be impacted by the thinking and actions of those coaches, mentors and success models who’ve held high the bar of personal and professional excellence.

The goal is to not be influenced by the negative and the limited. It’s about: 1. Bringing conscious choice as to whom we invite to impact us, and 2. Seeking direction and guidance from the best vs seeking approval and opinion of the many (or the “Any”).

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Ask yourself in what ways your world view is colored and shaped by those around you? In what ways— dig deep here, look for the subtle, do you allow yourself to be impacted by the leaders who can advance you or the negative opinions of others that can limit you?

• Do you use your inner voice with an “I know that,” to stop you from hearing those who have messages that can advance you?

• Do you seek approval by others when the authority should be your own inner voice?

The best way to predict the future is to create it. We create it by intentional focus on our consciously chosen VISION. I’ll bet you’ll agree that driving forward while only looking in the rear view mirror is a recipe for disaster. It’s no different whether we are in the driver’s seat of our car or the driver’s seat of our daily attitudes.

We GO where we LOOK, so we want to guard where we look. Why put on the glasses of those who look to their world with negative attitudes and limited expectations, when we can immediately and consistently commit to playing with those going our way?

Who are the people with whom you surround yourself? Who are your 20

coaches, teachers, friends, religious leaders, mentors, trainers and business associates? What do you choose to read, watch on TV, browse on the internet, and attend for entertainment? Who you watch and read are the pals with whom you’re hanging. Are you listening to: • Gossips on how to have good relationships?

• The impoverished on how to make money or to invest it?

• Couch potatoes on how to be healthy?

• The mean-spirited about loving?

• Failing students on how to study and succeed?

There is an alternative and it’s a shortcut to success: 10 Points to CREATE Your BEST (and avoid being a SNIOP) 1. Surround yourself with successful supportive people in the arena of each goal. Listen well to those who listen well and hear constructive criticism.

2. Choose goals that make you stretch and grow in positive directions.

3. Model yourself in the mental, physical and emotional habits of those who are positive and successful.

• Eat well, exercise with consistency.

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It’s all rehearsal for the life you live, by choice. You become what you think about.

• Make time to relax and focus on positive thoughts and solutions.

• Prioritize the highest good and long term payoff.

• Share more smiles and laughs.

4. Put your goals on paper and review them daily.

5. Commit yourself to do what’s right, not what’s easy.

6. Value friendships with those who have good to say about others and value friendships.

7. Read worthwhile literature by people who have excelled where you want to go.

8. Develop a wealth mentality. It’s one thing to be broke, it’s quite another to be poor. With a wealthy mentality and no money in the bank, a person is broke but not poor for the riches of possibility and the willingness to do the work to create the change.

9. Be open to the inspiration of others. Better yet, be an inspiration to others. Don’t only avoid those SNIOPS, don’t be one.

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10. Make time daily to be still and reflect on your day. Celebrate those places where you fulfilled these steps.

Celebrate your awareness of the moments when you didn’t. Re-create the negative moments when you either rained on others’ dreams or when you were a SNIOP. Imagine those scenes as if you behaved the way you’d consciously choose. Then Replay those the new way in your mind’s eye.

It’s all rehearsal for the life you live, by choice. You become what you think about.

Thank you for investing this time with me. And thank you for passing this to others who may benefit.

Barry Eisen teaches personal development seminars and coaches Southern California top producing REALTORS®. “Your business will never grow more than you do” is the theme; self hypnosis and behavior modification are the tools for playing a bigger game. barryeisen.com, barryeisen@LA.twcbc.com 818-769-4300 21

4 Reasons Why Multitasking Can Actually Derail Your Day Common wisdom dictates that a master multitasker is likely to garner the most success. After all, doesn’t juggling multiple projects at once mean you’ll work faster than if you took each one as it came? While multitasking is often cited as a desirable skill—and surely serves its purpose now and again—studies show that a mere 2% of individuals can actually multitask effectively. Meanwhile, the remaining 98% might be doing more harm than good by trying 22

to tackle too much at once. Take a look below at some little-known facts about the risky side of waging a routine built on multitasking.

1. Multitasking decreases productivity While multitasking gives us the illusion of completing two tasks at once, it actually means

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our focus and productivity is split. In other words, switching back and forth between two activities doesn’t mean they’ll each be completed sooner; it means that you’re getting half-as-much complete as you would if you focused on a singular task. Multitasking fatigues your brain, elicits stress, and make you less efficient in retaining new information.

2. Multitasking is actually addictive While watching TV or taking a walk, have you ever noticed the impulse to check your smartphone or scroll through your social media feed? Even though we think about multitasking as a workplace skill, it’s also an addictive form of mental stimulation. By satiating our need for distraction with constant check-ins online, we become accustomed to frequent breaks in our focus, training us to crave updates, messages, and push notifications—we even hit refresh when we’ve checked in five minutes prior! This negative habit-building makes it difficult to complete sustained bouts of concentration.

3. Multitasking has negative physical side effects Studies show that those who juggle multiple focus-intensive activities actually show spikes in cortisol, a stress hormone. Likewise, frequent multitaskers display symptoms of sleep deprivation: fatigue, disorientation, and lack of focus. Studies in Europe have recently Top Agent Magazine

discovered that those who consistently multitask may actually show decreases in empathy and emotional control. What’s more, a constant sense of anticipation—readying to switch from one task to another, or persistently checking for e-mail updates—can potentially cause a decrease in overall IQ.

4. Multitasking breeds mistakes When our attention is split between tasks, it’s difficult to perceive and retain detail-oriented information. Because of this, mistakes—typos, clerical errors, mislabeled documents, and the like—occur with greater frequency. We’re in such a hurry to complete a portion of a task and switch to the next project that we lose sight of prompts, deadlines, and tying up loose ends. This means multitaskers are far more likely to overlook a glaring error than an individual who is devoting 100% of their attention to the task at hand.

Now that we understand some of the dangers of multitasking, what can we do about it? While our tech-driven day-to-day might make focusing on a singular task a difficult endeavor, it’s the surest way to produce efficient, error-free work—while cutting down on stress, fatigue, and miscommunication.

Try approaching your tasks for the day with a clear-cut schedule, moving one task at a time down your to-do list. This approach can eliminate some of the inefficiency inherent in multitasking and make for your most productive work routine yet.

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