8 THINGS

8Things Successful People Never Do

There always seems to be people around you who find success with ease, but trust me, that is NOT the case. Although luck can often times play a role in someone’s success, most of the time it’s due to hard work and avoiding bad habits.

The best way to find your own success is to implement some of qualities you see in people you admire into your own life. The hard work part is still up to you, but by shifting your perspective a bit, and NOT doing some of the following things, that success might happen a little quicker.

1DON’T JUST WING IT

Successful people plan everything. Not only do they have yearly goals, but weekly and sometimes daily ones as well. By giving your time a purpose, and a clearly defined goal, you’ll eliminate the time you spend haphazardly doing things that might not be a priority. It will also make you feel less scattered, which is always a good thing.

2THEY DON’T TAKE ON MORE THAN THEY CAN ACHIEVE

Successful people take on what they can do well, and no more. That all starts with a daily ‘do to’ list. They always make sure their list is manageable and then they don’t sleep until that list is completed. If you find yourself not finishing your list, assess whether it was too much or if you slacked off. You’ll be surprised at the feeling of accomplishment you feel when you finish your list. Not finishing will bring you down, so make sure you aren’t biting off more than you can chew.

3THEY DON’T WORK HARDER, THEY WORK SMARTER

Yes, having a strong work ethic is key, but that doesn’t mean you should waste time on things that will have less of an impact on your success. Focus on the things that will give you the most bang for your buck. Better to spend the majority of your time there, than spread yourself thin on numerous tasks.

4THEY DON’T TRY TO PLEASE EVERYONE

This might seem like a bad call in business, but successful people know when to cut your loses and move forward. Anything or anyone, that frustration into your life, is never a good thing.

5REPEAT THE SAME MISTAKES

Similar to not trying to please everyone, successful people are also diligent about accepting when something isn’t working and moving on from mistakes. Yes, you learn from them, but don’t repeat them. Part of being innovative is trying new things, that will keep you fresh and energized, but learning how to let go is an equally important part of the equation.

6GO FOR THE SHORT RUN SOLUTION

Successful people are in it for the long haul and therefore thinking long term. When you have a plan for success and the patience to see it through, while you might have a slow start, you’re establishing a foundation for long term success. Going for the easy fix, usually doesn’t pay off.

7PAY ATTENTION TO THE NAYSAYERS

Lets face it, we all have people in our lives who might be a little more pessimistic than is healthy to be around. You can’t change them, all you can do is not let them drag you down into their ‘glass half full’ mentality. Have your plans and goals, be confident about them. When you’re insecure, that’s when you’re most vulnerable to those types of people.

8THEY NEVER QUIT

That doesn’t mean letting go of things that aren’t working. It means having an end goal. Whatever obstacles or challenges come up, you take them on, always with that end goal in sight. Successful people know that adversity and overcoming those challenges, is how you grow, and will ultimately make you a better business person.

BEN HAWAN

Ben Hawan has a background in engineering, IT and project management—a career of problem solving. These skills shone through when he found himself drawn to the real estate industry. With a desire to operate at the top level, he attained his license and dove in. “The rest is history,” he says. “I love every aspect of my career, from walking through a beautiful home to negotiating a great deal for my clients. Most of all, I truly appreciate the opportunity to improve the lives of my vendors and purchasers.”

Today, Ben is an agent for New Zealand Sotheby’s International Realty, where he services clients throughout Wellington Region. Specializing in lifestyle properties and luxury homes, he possesses the expertise and attention to detail needed to market and sell some of the Capital’s finest homes.

When listing a property, Ben prefers a hands-on approach. Starting out, he conducts a personal home inspection and organizes his entire workflow around a comprehensive to-do list. Once the house is fully prepared, he equips his clients with profes-

sional photography and videography to ensure that their property stands out above the rest. Meanwhile, he is further supported by the global marketing resources at Sotheby’s International Realty.

Ben is there for his clients with unparalleled commitment. “I go all-out for my vendors,” he says. “In real estate, my philosophy is to take advantage of every resource or opportunity within our control. There are aspects we can’t control, but the ones we can have to be perfect, from photos to marketing to

vendor communication and reporting. I have to exceed expectations.”

Similarly, Ben is equally as attentive when assisting his buyers. Through open communication and steadfast advocacy, he ensures that his customers find the home of their dreams. Best of all, Ben stays in touch with his buyers long after closing, lending long-term guidance to all their property needs. “I’m not a salesman; I’m a consultant,” he says. “My clients know that I’m here to help them from the beginning to the end of our transaction— and after.”

For his outstanding client service, Ben has won a terrific reputation around Wellington and the Hutt Valley, as evidenced by his strong rate of repeat clients and referrals. However, what he values most are the relationships forged along the way. “There’s nothing more fulfilling than getting to know people and finding ways to help them. I become close friends with my buyers and sellers throughout the transaction.”

Outside of his career, Ben plays an active role in his community. On top of contributing to local charities, he volunteers at Riding for the Disabled, a program that gives children with physical and mental disabilities the opportunity to ride horses. When he’s not serving clients or giving back, Ben enjoys spending time with his young family and cutting firewood. “Woodcutting is sort of my gym and my meditation all rolled up into one,” he says with a laugh, “I don’t even have a fire, I just give it away!”

Ben has strong ambitions for his career. Long-term, he intends on building out a team. But for now, he’s more than happy continuing to grow his client base while raising the standard of service in the community he cares about most. For more about Ben Hawan

email Ben.Hawan@nzsir.com, visit www.nzsothebysrealty.com or call +64-211-747-305