Well its that time again. Can you believe its December already? Some might think that December is a time to connect with your tribe, your peeps, your COI/SOI, etc. Times are different now. The traditional holiday glad handing is still quite reserved, so it’s a perfect time to set the stage for a renewed 2022.

We are nearing 2 years of navigating through something 99.9% percent of us didn’t see coming, unless you are Bill Gates! Just kidding! Not to get too mystical but in the numerology world when you see repeating numbers (2020), there is an important spiritual message that the universe wants you to take notice of. Double numbers, or in numerology terms ‘angel numbers’ are sent to us to make us pay attention to new realities, to help us take action to advance our lives personally and professionally.

In 1919, the Treaty of Versailles was signed ending the First World War, and ushering in an era of innovation and consumerism. The Treaty of 1818 was signed between the US and the United Kingdom, establishing the northern boundary between British North America (later Canada) and the United States, affectionately known as the 49th parallel.

Let’s look at the number 22, there are two strong themes with this combination. The main theme of this number is ‘master builder’. In numerology that means building a base or a structure. This building could point to the fact that we are getting back to some form of normalcy, and that we will be re-building our lives. The numbers 2 and 2 denote a symbol of balance which is another theme of 2022. Work/life balance may prove to be a challenge in 2022 as the economy begins to fire on all cylinders.

I know what you are thinking - Conrad is getting all mystical. All kidding aside, I know this sounds like I’m grasping at numbers and symbols, but there is an underlying common sense to all of this. Regardless of the theory of numerology and mysticism, we are entering a new year and it is time to set in motion the foundation of the new reality which we are faced with.

It All Starts With a Vision

It’s interesting, sometimes when I interview a new agent, they talk about their vision board, which they then present in an apologetic manner. Stop apologizing for what is the foundation of success. If you can’t envision it, you won’t be able to accomplish it. Everything starts with a vision and that vision could be your desire to build a better mouse trap, create a better client experience, or even better, a consistent steady flow of Sellers and Buyers. Picture you or your team’s market share increasing in a certain geographical area, or look back at your SOI and calculate your RoR (return on relationships). Now envision doubling that. Draw a line in the sand for how you are going to leverage every listing to get 4 more spinoff sales.

Consume All Things Successful

Take the time to really consume successful stories about business icons be they local or international. Begin to gather insights into their success, what motivates them, what makes them tick, how they make decisions, what is unique about the way they live, work and play, and most of all their habits. Are they early risers, are they obsessed with working out? How do they release stress etc. Place all of these attributes on a chart, and begin to circle the commonalities with yourself in green. Next circle the attributes or habits which you could adopt easily in purple, and third circle those traits which you would aspire to include in your life in red. You now have the building blocks for a plan.

Organizing and Planning

Once you see it, now you must create the system to accomplish it!!! You have all the elements of a wholistic approach to a plan which encompasses work/life balance. Have you thought of how you are going to plan for the upcoming year? By all accounts next year may be all about a severe shortage of listings and a severe increase in REALTORS®. How are you planning on shining next year, and capturing your share of the market? If you do not have a plan for the 2022 market, how will you be able to execute your life’s plan. Gone are the days of a reactionary strategy. Those individuals who had a strong communication strategy have flourished in the last 20 months. Not only were they able to tell the world around them that they have the strongest brand promise, but they were also able to communicate the temperature of the market, to help their tribe make the right decisions.

My One Regret

When asked what would I do differently if given a re-do, my answer is steadfast….I wish I had written a journal everyday. Can you imagine what that would be worth to me on a personal level, not to mention what a Netflix producer could use it for? A journal keeps you accountable, it provides a snapshot into your mindset, it helps you plan for the next day and it's a great way to help you develop habits. This is your opportunity to share your deepest thoughts with yourself. You can be YOU, and more importantly you can identify your vulnerabilities and plan how to overcome them.

Decision Making is a Science

So much has been written on the science of decision making. Procrastination is not a decision making strategy, and neither is ‘wait and see’. I’m a big fan of the former President of the United States, Barack Obama and his 3 part strategy to decision making.

1. You have a better chance at predicting probability than certainty.

2. Gather the smartest people.

3. Don’t be afraid to ask dumb questions (No one has all the answers).

Making decisions with the rapidity and confidence of president or a CEO will make a difference in the trajectory of your success.

A Winner Always Celebrates, No Matter How Small The Victory Is

Make time to embrace and systematize celebration. When your client’s win a hard fought multiple offer, send them something special. When conditions are removed on a listing, send your Seller’s something. This is your time to acknowledge timely victories that your competition is just taking for granted. When you achieve a milestone award in your career, bring those people who had a part of it together (your assistant, mortgage broker, top referrer etc).

Never Give Up

If you are confident in your decision making strategy/system, then it is really easy to stay the course. 2021 has been a year of earth shattering success for us as REALTORS®, and of course for the Sellers we serve. Make it a point to use your increased resources from 2021 to improve your skills at work and in your life. Take the collective wisdom of your clients' experiences and those of your own, to build a system of accountability and vision. One where your vision overrules your lack of accountability, and where you lean on a system of accountability, to make sure you always stay true to your vision.