Amorvia Extrasolar

My daughter was a Cheerleader all four years of high school. The ongoing debate about Cheerleading is whether or not it is a “sport.” What I know from attending many Cheer competitions is that it is a moving inspiring experience.

The field of personal motivation has endured under the same kind of question. Is motivation anything more that hype? Now researchers have an answer about what motivates people.

Take my real estate client Tom Nothisrealname. Tom is a highly trained technician with a graduate school degree … the kind you think would be fastidious about numbers and detail. In fact, after his analysis of his financial situation he determined that he needed such and such a house in a very specific price range.

After showing many homes I suspected that he had other motivations. I showed him a cute home in location associated with a specific lifestyle for tens of thousands of dollars over his limit. He loved it and put an offer in on it. At first I assumed Tom was motivated by extrinsic values, a “house” within his specific “budget.” In reality his motivation was a “home” that conformed to his “lifestyle.”

This is exactly what the science of motivation reveals. By in large most people are motivated by intrinsic motivations, not extrinsic motivation. In other words they are motivated by that which is meaningful to them rather than materialist incentives. They want a “home” which is intrinsic, not a “house” which is a materialist incentive. They are more concerned about “lifestyle” which in intrinsic, than they are about their “budget” which is extrinsic.

What’s interesting about this is that most businesses and other institution don’t get this. They continue to stress the incentives rather than what is meaningful; “Work hard so you can afford that new car you have pictured in your cubical” rather than “Let work together to and move our team forward.”

Intrinsic and extrinsic motivators give us clues about what drives you and me, too. My wife is a successful productive real estate broker. But what really turns her on is helping people find homes and she loves taking new agents to new levels of mastery in their real estate career. She is intrinsically motivated.

Do you know what motivates you? Are you intrinsically are extrinsically motivated.

There is nothing right or wrong about either, but knowing your motivation will help you take it to new levels. For more about the Science of Motivation see Dan Pink’s TED video at http://www.ted.com/talks/dan_pink_on_motivation.html .

Have a great weekend, See you at church, I love you – Bryan Martin

You don’t have to be an ultra liberal democrat to appreciate the passion and drive of Ted Kennedy. 

That opening line seems odd and defensive to me, but is written because many of my readers are conservative republicans who view the Kennedy’s as arch nemeses, polar opposite of the “right” world view. For many on the right there is no way for me to write about Kennedy without stirring up bad feelings, even writing about his death.

 It is sort of like writing about the Kings of Israel; when you mention them (and ALL of them had deep flaws although many reigned for decades) you have to give them some honor but be honest, too. Think of David; fabulous leader, military genius, political mastermind, rapist and murderer, ancestor of Jesus.

 So regardless of political world view and orientation one must acknowledge the life and death of Ted Kennedy with honor (a life dedicate to public service) and honesty, (Chappaquiddick readily comes to mind).

 The passion and drive of Ted Kennedy was exemplar. When he spoke he spoke with conviction from the heart. He was riveting, relentless, convincing. In a word, he was powerful. More than that, he was influential. His endorsement was often the difference between success and failure. He was a man to be reckoned with.

 This is what inspires me about him. He was a doer, upfront, a fighter, a policy maker, a driving force, a leader. All these attributes are characteristics for every person, especially Christians, to aspire to. But not just Christians, every person who wants to be successful in business, anyone who wants to make a difference in the world can learn a lesson from Kennedy’s life.

 When ever I officiate a funeral I try to leave the congregation with lessons from the deceased’s life. Death has a way of speaking to the heart. As you think about the Kennedys today, praying for this grieving family, may the lessons of Ted Kennedy’s life speak to you and challenge you to live your life to the fullest, with passion, drive, and influential service.

 I love you – Bryan Martin

American workers get an average of 12 paid days of leave yearly. Many other countries, including Germany and the United Kingdom, get 20 day and the French get 30 days.

A study in the Journal of Occupation Health indicates that these vacations days are good for our health. But the same study notes the positive feelings of vacation wear off in just a few days after returning to work.

A big trend in a down economy is Staycation; staying home and doing fun things nearby. Clever parents are arranging outings to fire stations, kitchens in restaurants, scenic train rides, city festivals, water parks, bowling, and local wine tours, in town bed and breakfast, concerts and messages/day spas for adults. I like a nice pedicure myself.

If the purpose of vacation is get away from work, rejuvenate, and have a good time there is a fundament lifestyle problem.

Why not rejuvenate, and have a fun good time everyday?

This is one of the great values of being self employed or owning your own business. There is no doubt that business owners work harder and longer than their employees… except for those who have perfected their business plans and they are receiving virtually passive income. The reason business owners are in business is because they have another idea about work; it is not just another paycheck, it is the key to personal freedom.

I like to build my “vacation” into meaningful segments; daily, weekly, monthly, quarterly and annually. I have vacation moments daily. Often it is merely a nice lunch with friends, but it is something pleasurable.

I can’t let the week go by without my ritual Saturday morning routine; waking without the alarm, a long walk, jog, ride with Jennifer, my special breakfast often fixed at home or a special restaurant, an excellent cup of coffee. We love those weekend family gatherings around the pool. Sunday morning church is a special life giving energizing bonus.

I plan a monthly event, frequently with family, often just Jennifer and I, a concert, a little hiking, day trip to the coast, weddings, business trips made fun, educational events (One of my favorites was John Gottman’s Marriage Workshop in Seattle). The quarterly events are much like the monthly ones, frequently planned around seasonal events and holidays. Then we have the traditional “vacation.”

The beauty of the Staycation is the creativity and the life giving that is planned for that week… or twelve days. The sad part is that we reserve that creativity for just once a year.

What rejuvenates you? What makes for fun and a good time daily? How can you escape the drudgery work and experience personal freedom?

Vacation, Staycation or financial freedom, you only have one life to live, it seems a shame to only live it twelve days a year. Let’s have lunch at the park and feed the ducks.

I love you — Bryan

This is not a threat. Nor is it an attempt to scare you. It is simply a fact that if you forget or ignore you will suffer severe negative consequences in your life.
 
Your “core” is the centermost part of you being, your body, your business. It is what holds your gut in, literally supports your vital organs, and maximizes your body function. How can you tell if your core is strengthened? Look at your gut, feel your abs, your back, your chest. It is easy to see.
 
It is well known that people with a gut are at risk for all kinds of health issues. Neglected health can deteriorate into a host of medical issues.
 
It is well known, in business, that if you neglect the core issues of your business your business will die on the vine.
 
It is well known that if you ignore the core values of your key relationships that you will live in virtual isolation.
 
So what do you do to strengthen the core of your “physical” being? There is only one answer for this; regular consistent exercise. I first learned about strengthen my core doing Pilates. Now, in addition to my cardio routine (which has an element of core strengthening in it) I make sure that my strength training focuses on my core in addition to arms and legs. Exercise must be a daily habit!
 
So what do you do to strengthen the core of your business? The core of every business is the people you work with, your clients, staff you manage, etc. Systems and hierarchy are peripheral. With out people and sales industry is in the dust. In my real estate brokerage we call it lead generation, but basically it is just getting out and talking with as many people as possible every day. No lead generation means no business! PERIOD!
 
So what do you do to strengthen the core of your relationships? In case you don’t know… the core of every relationship is the dreams you share in common. Not his dream or her dream…. but OUR dreams. This is true in every relationship. Strengthen the core of your relationship by dreaming about life together and following through on it. Answer this question: What gives our relationship and love meaning in this life?
 
For me the fundament core issue is God who wants me to be the best, make a difference in the world, HELP ONE, and love deeper. I can not do this unless I am constantly and consistently developing my core, in my body, in my business and in my being.
 
Commit to ridding yourself of that disease generating weak core and promise/follow through on core strengthening. Strengthen your core… and THRIVE!
 
I love you — Bryan

I lost $18,000.00 yesterday… or did I?
 
$18,000.00 was the amount of the commission we would have made on the house we were selling to a client. At the last minute and without consulting us they bought a new home direct from the builder, by passing us, after two years and hundreds of hours working with the client. When our client called to inform and reassure us (“We still want to come by and see you when we are in the area”) well…you can imagine the shock and dismay associated with the event?
 
What happened?
 
It’s the old “don’t count your chickens before they hatch” lesson.
 
This is especially a problem for people who put all their eggs in one basket. In other word, the loss is so huge because they have placed all their hopes on the one deal, one thing, one person… often their only deal.
 
But you can’t do that in business and life.
 
Never place your hopes on the deal! Never be satisfied with just one or two deals in the pipeline.
 
Always trust your ability to generate more and keep funneling more and more into your pipeline. In business, you want to have so much coming down the line that if you happen to lose one, for whatever reason, you have ten more coming to you, it doesn’t make a difference.
 
The same is true in life, love and relationships. You can focus on one bad episode, one bad series of episodes, one bad year, and so on and feel a lot of pain. But…your success in life is not related to your failures. Let me say that again.
 
YOUR SUCCESS IN LIFE IS NOT RELATED TO YOUR FAILURES.
 
Failure is as common as the air you breath, as is loss, set backs, difficulties, and drama. So, what’s new?
 
Your success is related to who you are, your values, your character, your attitude, your dreams, your drive, how you HELP ONE, and your journey.
 
Place your hopes in God, the abilities and gifts you have, your persistence, and your love.
 
Keep moving forward. Don’t be surprised when people do human things. Love them, but don’t put your hopes in them.

I was surprised by the level of service on our vacation in Mexico and at the real estate training event the last two days. One was south of the boarder and the other was in the good old USA.

In Mexico we were surrounded by helpful individuals who were constantly trying to anticipate our needs to meet them, and this in spite of language and cultural barriers. I NEVER SAW ANY LAZINESS! Attentive, courteous, positive; I never heard a “No, Senior, I can’t do that.”

The same was true in my training of the last two days. It was smiles, forecasting the positive, anticipating how to help people in difficult financial trouble, empowering me to overcome extremely difficult obstacles.

Get this; I was trained how to help people avoid foreclosure on their homes. What could be worse than loosing your home! But the approach was positive, hopeful, with laughs and smiles!

The lesson of my Mexico vacation and my foreclosure training was this: helping people get what they want and need with a spirit of generosity, positive helpfulness, and even LOVE is critical to your success in business and life!

What is your approach to your business day and life? If it does not resemble my experience then you need to ask yourself “Now…why am I doing this?”

 If you’re not having a great attitude and if your not helping people, if it is “just a job” then it is time to start, change or move on… for your costumer’s, employer’s and definitely your own sake.

The one problem we had in Mexico will always cloud our memory. Staff stole an iPhone from our room!

Management was laisser-faire about it and did not try to get it back for us even when we provided evidence for them. The worse thing about it was that they lacked empathy. Ironically the lower paid staff was more helpful than the management. All they had to do was to be more caring about it.

Caring about the people you are with is critical of success in life and business. LACK OF CARING ALWAYS CLOUDS THE EXPERIENCE.

Do you care? Congratulations to the staff of Fiesta Americana Resort in Cabo Mexico and Partners First Pre-Foreclosure Specialist Certification for caring about people and helping to make a difference.

Go, thou, and do likewise!

I love you – Bryan Martin

ps If you know someone who is in trouble making their house payments, email me. I have a bunch of new options!

“Love Your Neighbor – HELP ONE”