TEXAS 5-17-21

TEXAS EDITION

DAILY HABITS That Will Increase Your Mental Strength

5WILL HELP

SIMPLE MINDSET SHIFTS THAT

YOU ACHIEVE YOUR GOALS COVER STORY

SABRE COFER

HOW TO MAKE YOUR COMMUTE PRODUCTIVE FEATURED AGENTS

JAMIE KASTENS LJ MCGOWAN MARLISSA SOLIS T.J. FRANK HOW TO THROW A NETWORKING EVENT THAT CAN PUT YOUR BUSINESS ON THE MAP

TEXAS EDITION

LJ MCGOWAN JAMIE KASTENS

real estate investments a year and a half, L J5 more out of the industry, ve his fifteen-year career ess to get licensed as a ue real estate full-time. ary of 2019, and in two established himself as a the area and built a team nts who provide quality ommunity of Galveston JAMIE eam leader andKASTENS a Realtor , L J has developed a meone with a generous cares about the people d goes the extra mile to

L J is big on community engagement and outreach to his 11 13sphere. He advertises20his 25 listings extensively on social media and was selected as a member of the marketing collective called the Gents of Real Estate, whereby he can cross-market with seven other agents so that each of their listings sees a much wider and more diverse audience. L J’s community engagement is robust as well – he coaches a Little League football team, the League City Cowboys, LJ MCGOWAN SABRE COFER supports MARLISSA SOLIS T.J. FRANK and consistently small businesses.

He is also currently a member of the HAR Bay Area PAAL Committee, the HAR YPN Committee, the TAR Diversity and Inclusion Committee, and the NAR Consumer Communication Committee, and serves on CONTENTS the HAR Engage and TAR YPN Advisory Boards. siness philosophy on building longwith clients and agents.

L J closed in 2020, and hopes 4)other HOW TOWhen THROW A $8 million in total volume 19) DAILY HABITS THAT ents, he builds trust with them by to push that number even further in 2021. His top priority NETWORKING EVENT WILL INCREASE YOUR vant information out on the table and is mentoring the people on his new team so that they can Her clients appreciate her hard work and “Every transaction has a story to tell,” says CAN PUT MENTAL STRENGTH nsistent line ofTHAT communication with YOUR collectively provide the same level of client-first service dedication.

Approximately 75% of Jamie’s amie Kastens, a top agent working out of the and transparent with my clients, butTHE thatMAP L J has mastered, and he is actively recruiting more BUSINESS ON business comes from repeat referral clients. great state friends of Texas. this onto busiome family with “I mycame clientsintoagents his team so that his service can reach an and even 23) HOW TO MAKE on is finished,” Lpeople.

J5 says.

“I Our want each larger number of “It’s peoplemy in Galveston moving service, respect, and experience. I ness to help9) culture at Keller SIMPLE MINDSET YOUR County COMMUTE that I’m here to help, regardless of forward.

If you’re looking for a Realtor who truly cares always goPRODUCTIVE above and beyond,” says Jamie. She Williams is to really give back,WILL and we’re veryYOU SHIFTS THAT HELP n.” L J is truly selfless with his time about people, reach out to L J McGowan today! passionate that. hold strongly in what networks extensively and builds relationships ACHIEVE GOALS works hard toabout ensure thatWe his YOUR clients’ we andbuilt that’s help those in need.” with local boards and industries. “My clients is isbelieve, why he has an to impressive usiness over the course of his short always get top priority.” more than 60% of his business through For the past 14 years, Jamie has helped her sfied customers.

Phone 310-734-1440 | Fax 310-734-1440

T.J. FRANK

clients achieve their real estate goals. She first | www.topagentmagazine.com got herwants license 2004,more graduating from colle, and tomag@topagentmagazine.com seeinnothing than No portion ofdegree this issue may befully reproduced in any manner whatsoever without prior consent of the publisher. Top Agent Magazine ege with a business and prepared soming of his team members’ careers. is published by Feature Publications GA, Inc. Although precautions are taken to ensure the accuracy of published materials, Top for me, whether a ohelping workpeople in real estate.

Sheit’s works Agent Magazine cannot becurrently held responsible for opinions expressed or facts supplied by its authors. ember.

I enjoy watching people smile To subscribe or change address, send inquiry mag@topagentmagazine.com. olo with the help of a virtual assistant. toShe ruly want the Published people Iinwork the U.S.with to ervices Fort Bend, a county containing about els as a source of inspiration for the five Jamie and focuses also m to cities explore that the business reach on. She Contact L J by phone at (832) 287-3042, , and hein hopes continuethe to offer that area and has works andtoaround Houston 2 Top Agent Magazine by email at lj@realestatebylj.com, or visit re and more people in the future as been referred to all parts ofhis Texas. Jamie is realestatebylj.com for more information www.

mailto:mag@topagentmagazine.com http://www.topagentmagazine.com

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How to Throw a Networking Event

that Can Put Your Business on the Map

It’s hard to argue with the benefits of attending networking events—you make new connections, enjoy industry skill-building conversation, and expand your reach in the local business community.

However, have you ever considered the benefits of hosting a networking event?

Instead of attending as a guest, you’ll be the wizard behind it all. Throwing a networking event can position you as a local business leader, and you’ll be able to curate the experience to your tastes and goals. This idea may be tempting, but how do you pull it off? Review some of our tips and tricks below and you’ll be more than ready to throw a networking event that’ll put you on the map.

MAKE IT EASY FOR YOUR GUESTS TO SAY YES. From the outset, try to keep things as simple as possible for your guests. This means that e-invites should be structured, yet conversational. Include a link to register online so that arriving to your event is seamless and requires no sign-up sheets or stuffy check-in procedures. Select a venue that’s relatively well-known and central to your area. It should also have easy-to-access parking so that attendance is streamlined and hassle-free. Also consider sending an automated event reminder the day before and the day of the event—that way you’ll set guests up for easy attendance that they don’t have to debate.

CREATE A THEME. Capitalizing on a holiday or local event is a great way to drive attendance to your networking function. While getting to know area professionals is a worthy reason to meet up, you’re likely to engender a livelier ambiance if you incorporate a holiday or theme. This will inspire comradery among your guests, in addition to giving your event a natural focus. Major sporting events, a Thanksgiving themed pie bake-off, or a spring cleaning themed community volunteer day can generate more interest than your average mixer.

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GET CREATIVE WITH YOUR GUEST LIST. While you may be trying to keep your invite list industry-specific, you may benefit from casting a wider net. Invite area entrepreneurs, young professionals, collegiate professional organizations, and even friends and family. You never know what sort of connections will be made, and high attendance is key to keeping the energy of your networking event at a high tier. Don’t worry about only collecting info from realtors or brokers or mortgage pros. Instead, create a sense of community so that opportunities flow naturally and conversation remains diverse.

BE THE BOSS. As host, it’ll be your job to play matchmaker and drive conversation at your networking event. This means that you’ll get to know more people, but it also means you’ll be able to create connections between different professionals and businesses.

You can maximize your matchmaking abilities by planting a few socially-minded friends around to drive additional conversations. Your goal is to keep people talking and to be outgoing. It should also be your goal to follow-up once the event is complete. Use this as an opportunity to continue to connect different people you met, or to follow-up with coffee or lunch with someone you found interesting. Try sending out a group thank-you e-mail to your guests after the fact, telling them to keep an eye out for your next event, or to get in touch with you for any questions or contact information of fellow attendees.

While it may feel like a risk to throw a networking event, it’s a risk worth taking. By positioning yourself as the host of your event, you’ll drive awareness to your business and brand, and build up the local professional community in a way that’s sure to draw good will your way. Keep these ideas in mind as you go about planning a memorable networking event of your own, and above all—have a good time and others will follow suit.

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JAMIE KASTENS Top Agent Magazine

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JAMIE KASTENS

“Every transaction has a story to tell,” says Jamie Kastens, a top agent working out of the great state of Texas. “I came into this business to help people. Our culture at Keller Williams is to really give back, and we’re very passionate about that. We hold strongly in what we believe, and that’s to help those in need.”

For the past 14 years, Jamie has helped her clients achieve their real estate goals. She first got her license in 2004, graduating from college with a business degree and fully prepared to work in real estate. She currently works solo with the help of a virtual assistant. She services Fort Bend, a county containing about five cities that Jamie focuses on. She also works in and around the Houston area and has been referred to all parts of Texas. Jamie is happy to go wherever her clients want to be.

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Her clients appreciate her hard work and dedication. Approximately 75% of Jamie’s business comes from repeat and referral clients.

“It’s my service, respect, and experience. I always go above and beyond,” says Jamie. She networks extensively and builds relationships with local boards and industries. “My clients always get top priority.”

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Jamie also makes herself a valuable resource to her clients that goes beyond a single transaction. With the recent extreme weather that has rocked Texas, Jamie has loved being able to lend a helping hand to her community.

“We went through Harvey, we went through the hurricanes and the storms and the freeze,” says Jamie. “A lot of homeowners are desperately in need of help, whether they’re selling their home or looking for vendors to help with the flooding. I am their main resource.”

When it comes to marketing her listings, Jamie utilizes social media to its fullest extent.

Additionally, she acts as a mentor to up-andcoming agents in the industry. “I network with them, get them more experience,” explains Jamie. “They then become my leverage in order to expose a lot of my listings online.”

Outside of working hard for her clients and mentoring fellow agents, Jamie is deeply involved in her community. “Probably 35% of my time goes to giving back,” she says.

She serves on several business, school, and association boards. “With COVID it’s been a little more difficult, but we push as much as we can.” In lieu of her time, Jamie makes sure to contribute donations and sponsorships for local schools.

Looking to the future, Jamie is excited to continue growing her business. She hopes to earn her broker’s license in the coming years and grow a team of her own. “In order to leverage the volume I’ve created, I will end up hiring a couple more staff and bringing in someone to step in and grow with me,” Jamie says. “I have the experience that I can pass onto another individual. I would love to grow to a point where I can allow someone to learn from me and repeat what I have done.”

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To learn more about Jamie Kastens, please call 832-444-6676, email Jamie.kastens@kw.com, or visit facebook.com/JamieKastens www.

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Shelly Orsak is proud to congratulate

Jamie Kastens on being featured for the state of Texas in Top Agent Magazine!

Shelly Orsak Business Development Cell: 713-825-5047 Tel: 281-819-2068 Fax: 281-819-2169

sorsak@protitletx.com

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5 Simple Mindset Shifts That Will Help You Achieve Your Goals

Everyone knows that a positive attitude is one of the key steps to achieving success. It’s very easy to let negativity bring you down and oftentimes, people end up quitting at the first set back. Even if you don’t think of yourself as a negative person, you’re probably doing numerous things you don’t even realize are holding you back.

Recognizing these negative mindsets, and then implementing simple mindset shifts, are sure to help you not only create a more positive outlook, but a more successful outcome to whatever goal you’re trying to achieve.

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Turn jealousy into admiration

It’s very easy to look at someone who has what you want, and feel envious, which quickly turns into criticism and excuses about why you weren’t able to get what they seemed to get with ease. This is something successful people never do. Instead, they recognize that the only thing keeping them from success is themselves.

If you want what someone else has, you should look to them as a role model. What

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are they doing that you aren’t? There’s probably more to their story than you’re giving them credit for. Someone else’s success doesn’t hinder your ability to do the same, but constantly having a ‘life’s not fair’ attitude definitely will.

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Tackle the things you dread doing first

We all procrastinate to some extent. Usually it’s things we don’t want to do. But when you put something like that off, it creates a serious cloud over your whole day.

Experts recommend getting those things out of the way first. Not only do get it crossed off your list, but you will feel energized by your accomplishments and tackle the day with even more force.

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Don’t make decisions based on emotion

Reaching goals, especially long term ones, can have a lot of ups and downs. The key to achieving them is to stay level-headed during setbacks, really focusing on your plan and how the setback fits into your long term vision.

If you have a solid plan in place, you could be destroying months of hard work with one rash emotional decision, that is probably coming from a place of panic.

When you’re feeling emotional...wait.

It really is that simple. Wait it out until 10

you’re back in a rational state of mind and take it from there.

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Learn to love feedback

It’s very easy to be thrown off by negative feedback or constructive criticism. No one likes it. But when it comes to achieving your goals, you need to be able to hear it, assess it and then make an unemotional decision about what it means to you and your success.

In fact the business world’s most successful leaders are there because they not only take in that feedback, they actually constantly ask for it. Fresh perspectives on what you’re doing are always valuable. When you’re in the thick of it, it can be hard to see what needs improvement. Asking a trusted peer or advisor can be instrumental in keeping the momentum on reaching your goal going.

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Replace a fixed mindset with a growth mindset

You might be wondering what the difference between the two are. A fixed mindset thinks that growing intelligence or skills is impossible, while a growth mindset thinks those things can be developed.

People with a growth mindset are more likely to expand beyond their comfort zone, since they really believe almost anything is possible with hard work. And if it isn’t?

They’re willing to give it a try. Being willing to try and fail, is a key element to reaching even the most lofty goals.

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LJ MCGOWAN After dabbling in real estate investments and wholesale for a year and a half, L J McGowan wanted more out of the industry, and decided to leave his fifteen-year career in health and fitness to get licensed as a Realtor and pursue real estate full-time.

He started in January of 2019, and in two short years he has established himself as a prominent agent in the area and built a team of seventeen agents who provide quality service to the community of Galveston County, TX. As a team leader and a Realtor in his own right, L J has developed a reputation as someone with a generous spirit who truly cares about the people he works with and goes the extra mile to support them.

L J bases his business philosophy on building longterm relationships with clients and other agents. When he first meets clients, he builds trust with them by laying all the relevant information out on the table and establishing a consistent line of communication with them. “I’m honest and transparent with my clients, but I also aim to become family friends with my clients after the transaction is finished,” L J says. “I want each of them to know that I’m here to help, regardless of what might happen.” L J is truly selfless with his time and energy, and works hard to ensure that his clients’ needs are met. This is why he has built an impressive base of referral business over the course of his short career, receiving more than 60% of his business through referrals from satisfied customers.

L J leads by example, and wants to see nothing more than the continued blossoming of his team members’ careers.

“It’s always about helping people for me, whether it’s a client or a team member. I enjoy watching people smile and grow, and I truly want the people I work with to succeed.” L J excels as a source of inspiration for the agents on his team to explore the business and reach their true potential, and he hopes to continue to offer that opportunity to more and more people in the future as his office expands.

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L J is big on community engagement and outreach to his sphere. He advertises his listings extensively on social media and was selected as a member of the marketing collective called the Gents of Real Estate, whereby he can cross-market with seven other agents so that each of their listings sees a much wider and more diverse audience. L J’s community engagement is robust as well – he coaches a Little League football team, the League City Cowboys, and consistently supports small businesses.

He is also currently a member of the HAR Bay Area PAAL Committee, the HAR YPN Committee, the TAR Diversity and Inclusion Committee, and the NAR Consumer Communication Committee, and serves on the HAR Engage and TAR YPN Advisory Boards.

L J closed $8 million in total volume in 2020, and hopes to push that number even further in 2021. His top priority is mentoring the people on his new team so that they can collectively provide the same level of client-first service that L J has mastered, and he is actively recruiting more agents onto his team so that his service can reach an even larger number of people in Galveston County moving forward. If you’re looking for a Realtor who truly cares about people, reach out to L J McGowan today!

Contact L J by phone at (832) 287-3042, by email at lj@realestatebylj.com, or visit realestatebylj.com for more information www.

Copyright Top Agent Magazine 11

Zelma Singleton is proud to congratulate

LJ McGowan

on being featured for the state of Texas in Top Agent Magazine!

Zelma Singleton | Loan Originator | NMLS# 1799848 Tel: 281-212-9200 | Cell: 281-845-9947 zelma.singleton@nrlmortgage.com www. nrlmortgage.com/ZelmaSingleton 440 W Main St, League City, TX 77573

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SABRE COFER Top Agent Magazine

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Top Agent Sabre Cofer oversees Living Texas Style Real Estate Group brokered by eXp Realty, LLC, serving the entire Texas panhandle.

Ever experienced an interruption? Sometimes renewed purpose can come from the most unwanted circumstances, even as devastating as the market crash of 2008. Meet Sabre Cofer. She knows this well. After 25 years of experience as a paralegal, she made a change and started a new and exciting journey in real estate, following the economic turmoil of 2008.

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One of many seeking work at the time, Sabre became a go-to person in her community for information on finding jobs, helping others get back on their feet. After attending a Robert Kiyosaki class, she became excited for the potential of a new career in real estate. With the encouragement of her realtor who recognized her passion for the business, Sabre furthered her professional education and received her license. “She told me, ‘You just need to get your license.

You love real estate!” Sabre recounts. “This is my passion, and I’ve never wavered from it.”

Now, with over ten years in the industry, Sabre has built her career from the ground up. After selling twelve properties in her first year, Sabre went on to double her annual volume each year over the next three years Top Agent Magazine

before creating a team in 2015 to grow her business even more.

Her team, along with her business, has continued to grow.

Today, Sabre oversees Living Texas Style Real Estate Group brokered by eXp Realty, LLC, serving the entire Texas panhandle.

Sabre’s high-energy personality and driving work ethic have brought her great and continuing success, while her profound Christian

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“My motto has been, ‘Your success is our success.’”

Sabre says. “It’s all about putting the client first, understanding their needs, and making their dreams a reality.” faith is the guiding principle through her work and focus.

“My motto has been, ‘Your success is our success.’” Sabre says. “It’s all about putting the client first, understanding their needs, and making their dreams a reality.”

She adds, “We’re about changing people’s lives. Helping them do what they need to do, whether that’s sell a house, save them from a foreclosure, or get them into their dream home.”

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With a certification in luxury marketing and years of experience selling houses, Sabre is steeped in marketing knowhow.

Additionally, Sabre’s business profile has garnered national recognition, with endorsements from celebrated business figures and TV personalities such as Barbara Corcoran, real estate mogul and founder of The Corcoran Group, seen on ABC’s Shark Tank, as well as Sean Hannity, Brian Kilmeade, Glenn Beck, and radio personalities Bobby Bones and Big D and Bubba.

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At Living Texas Style Real Estate Group, the mission is larger than themselves and their clients. It’s about being a good neighbor. Among others, support is given to help drill over 6,500 wells for those in need of fresh water. With her faith as her guiding Top Agent Magazine

light, Sabre hopes to one day start a foundation to further help those in need.

Looking to the future, Sabre is focused on growing a business that extends help to those in her community and the surrounding Copyright Top Agent Magazine 17

area. Also, she looks forward to expanding her role as a trainer for new agents joining the team. “It’s not just about changing the lives of people we help but the lives of people that join you,” Sabre says. “This is my legacy.

We change lives for our clients, but also for those who join us in the real estate world, so they can have a better life for their families and they can reach their dreams and begin to dream bigger dreams!”

Find out more!

SabreCofer.com | LivingTexasStyle.com www.

www.

Let’s connect today!

E-mail: Sabre.Cofer@exprealty.com | Phone: 806-683-7026 Let’s be social!

Instagram @livingtexasstyle | LinkedIn Sabre Cofer Realtor Facebook Sabre L Cofer Realtor

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Top Agent 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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MARLISSA SOLIS

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MARLISSA SOLIS

Top Agent Marlissa Solis is a “hands-on” agent who goes above and beyond the call of duty to provide personalized service and consultation that exceeds her clients’ expectations.

Coming up on her second year working as a licensed Realtor®, Marlissa Solis has formed a clientele that knows she can be trusted to help with buying and selling property. Marlissa is a “hands-on” agent who goes above and beyond the call of duty to provide personalized service and consultation that exceeds her clients’ expectations. She’s put a great deal of energy into building relationships and establishing rapport with her local community and San Antonio, and her reputation precedes her as a prominent new Realtor® who works hard and takes good care of her clients.

When working with clients, Marlissa finds it helpful to meet them in the middle and try to find what Top Agent Magazine

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specifically they would like to accomplish, then come up with a plan that can meet those goals. She likes to match her clients’ energy and make them as comfortable as possible and to reduce stress during the transaction. “I know that this process can be stressful, so I try to make it smooth and easy for my clients,” Marlissa says. “I give them all the relevant information upfront, and they know they can rely on me to get things done.” The trust that Marlissa builds with her clients makes her easy to recommend to their friends – she has a strong referral base, especially considering how long she’s been in the business, and her clientele is continually growing.

In today’s seller’s market, Marlissa has established herself as someone who goes above and beyond for her sellers, and works with a lot of them as a result.

She markets extensively online through the MLS, uses cold calls to find buyers, and cooperates with her wide network of other agents to reach a wide audience and get the most competitive prices. To bring out the full potential of each home, Marlissa uses staging and photography to make her listings look pristine.

Marlissa is known for her work with first-time homebuyers, as she excels in providing comfort and instilling confidence in her clients. She goes the extra mile when navigating transactions, and makes sure that her clients are well-informed by being transparent with information upfront and being responsive to their questions. “My favorite part of my job is providing aid to people who really need it,” Marlissa says.

“Working with first-time homebuyers is especially rewarding because you know that you’re helping someone accomplish a once-in-a-lifetime dream of home ownership, and that’s just amazing.”

In her free time, Marlissa likes to stay active. She loves working out and spending time outdoors. She is big on community outreach – her company routinely throws real estate community events, and she enjoys going to events and volunteering with the children at her church. Marlissa sees a future for herself in investing, and hopes to branch out into working with private lenders as well. If you’re looking for an energetic agent in the San Antonio area who works hard and cares about her clients, don’t hesitate to reach out to Marlissa Solis!

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To learn more about Marlissa Solis please call (210) 668-2224 or email at marlissasolis@gmail.com Top Agent Magazine

How to Make Your Commute Productive The highest caliber business owners and entrepreneurs utilize every minute of their day.

Though this may be a lofty goal, there are certainly ways to make our daily routines more efficient and productive. Consider the morning and evening commute—time blocks that are accounted for every day. For some of us, daily commutes may mean a lengthy drive through gridlock traffic, or perhaps just a quick fifteen-minute crosstown excursion. However short or long your commute may be, there are ways to maximize this component of your daily routine and reap the rewards.

With that in mind, take a look at some ideas below to inject some energy and productivity into your daily commute.

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Listen to the latest industry-centric podcasts or audiobooks Whether you drive, bike, walk, or take public transportation, a commute is the perfect time to tune into an industry-oriented podcast or audiobook as a way of building your skills or getting into the zone for the day. Instead of letting your commute time be passive, you can process insights from leading industry professionals, or develop your skillset on a topic you haven’t yet made time for. Perhaps you’d like to develop your social media presence, or maybe you’d like to tap into the millennial homebuyer market—whatever the case may be, there is audio material out there suited to your interests. What’s more, podcasts are free and easy to incorporate on your smartphone or

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tablet, and there are ample audiobook subscription services out there that make regular listenership cost effective.

Create a mental to-do list to get a head-start on your day, or to prepare for tomorrow Getting your thoughts in order with a straightforward to-do list can help you dive in once you make it to your desk, or serve as a conclusive mental routine to end your work day.

If you drive to and from work and don’t have your hands free, don’t fret. Speaking your to-do list aloud can help you detangle your thoughts and tasks by vocalizing them. You can also try breaking down your to-do list by verbalizing the day’s goals, the week’s goals, and the month’s goals as a way of structuring priorities. If your commute is hands-free, you can incorporate a variety of apps that serve as custom-made todo lists that’ll organizationally map your duties for the day. In either case, use your commute window to identify and name the tasks ahead of you, and you’ll be able to hit the ground running when the time comes to perform.

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Tend to your personal commitments and planning A productive commute can boost your professional performance, but it can also serve your personal growth and out-of-the-office responsibilities, as well. Perhaps you can think out and plan your meals for the week so that you don’t come home burnt out and with nothing in mind for dinner. Maybe you check in with a relative or partner and catch up for a spare twenty minutes.

Not only does this eliminate a few items off of your personal to-do list, it can actually give you a more focused mind at the office. If your personal life is in good order, you’ll be able to devote your full attention to work tasks.

As the old saying goes, there are only so many hours in a day. If you added up all the minutes spent commuting around town, how many hours would amount? Though the trek to and from the office is an engrained part of professional life, it doesn’t have to be a drag. Account for those spare commute windows in productive ways, and in only a month you’ll have devoted a significant portion of your time to bettering yourself as a person and a professional.

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T.J. FRANK Top Agent Magazine

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T.J. FRANK

Top Agent T.J. Frank works with Rogers Healy and Associates, where he and his partner Greyson Johns reached over $28 million in production for 2020.

“I’ve always wanted to be involved in real estate,” T.J. Frank explains, while discussing his career. He got his first taste of this industry in 2005, when he and a friend developed hundreds of residential lots. “We sold them to builders, but when the market crashed in 2008, we suddenly didn’t have those builders anymore, so we transitioned into different careers,” he says. TJ decided to switch gears, opening up a restaurant in Dallas, which quickly became a success. “But I always really missed real estate, so three years ago I decided to get my license.” Today he works with Rogers Healy and Associates, where he and his partner Greyson Johns reached over $28 26

million in production for 2020. By providing superior service and going above and beyond expectations, all of T.J.’s business derives from repeats and referrals.

“We really aim to give the red carpet treatment,” T.J. says. “We always do something different to make our clients feel special, like sending over a chef for a closing gift. No matter the price point of the house, we really strive to create those memories and make it special.” T.J. also brings this curated experience to marketing as well, thinking of exciting new ways to showcase properties. “We have a listing coming up in McKinney, which is a Top Agent Magazine

neighborhood built around aviation. So I’m thinking of renting a helicopter and dropping down onto the property. We want to do things that people aren’t seeing every day.” Whether he’s assisting a buyer in locating their ideal property, or helping a seller get the most for their family home, T.J. utilizes his extensive skills and knowledge to achieve their goals.

After the transaction, clients leave glowing reviews about their time together. One recently said, “T.J. Frank helped me and my wife find our dream home with no stress at all. Most of all he educated us on how to buy a home and where to have the best experience and return if we were to sell it. To top it off, he gave us an experience of a lifetime. He hired a professional chef to come to our new home and cook us (and 4 other friends) a 4 course meal with wine pairing with every course. T.J. went above and over delivered to me and my family.

I WILL NEVER USE ANYONE OTHER THAN THIS MAN ever again and I recommend you do the same!”

When T.J. isn’t working, he’s giving back to the community through non-profits like the North Texas Food Bank. He’s also on the Alumni Association for Lamplighter School.

“I lost my mom when I was just a teen, so the teachers and administration really looked after me through my high school years.” During any free time, he’s playing golf, traveling, or hanging out with family and friends.

Looking ahead, T.J. hopes to continue growing and adding more team members. “I absolutely love assisting people, you really become a part of their family, and there’s no better feeling for me than to make what can be a stressful or difficult experience into an easy and enjoyable one.”

Top Agent Magazine

For more information about T.J. Frank, please call 214-709-2229 or email TJ@RogersHealy.com

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