Thursday, December 12, 2013

BOLD Choices

I mentioned in my last post that things have been a little crazy in my life. Lots of changes....like a new career in real estate at the advanced age of 56. To help me make the most of the job shift, I've been involved in an intense class called BOLD. According to the class description, "BOLD conditions agents with powerful mindset exercises, language techniques, business-building strategies and live lead generation activities."

Boy, does it ever!

We met once a week to learn and practice our new tools. In between classes, one of our homework assignments was to make 100 contacts....20 a day. If we didn't make our 100 contacts, we received a foul. Five fouls and you're out. This became pivotal for me as the class progressed.

One of the things that surprised me the most about BOLD was the emphasis on mindset. Our coach, Kate, explained that everything is energy, and that we attract what we focus on. I've known this for awhile, but I didn't expect to hear it in a business class.

Now, understand, when I say I've known this for awhile, what I mean is that the idea has lived in my head. I didn't always own it.

I'll admit, when I began this 7 week journey, I was pretty intimidated by the talent in the room. I realize now this beginning mindset didn't help, by the way. I was setting myself up for defeat before I had even begun.) Many of the agents have been in the business for years (me = brand spankin' new) and had also attended BOLD before. And, frankly, as the class continued, my intimidation remained.

When I began the BOLD class, I was involved in another class for new agents, which also had homework. Between the two of them, I was completely overwhelmed (read: I didn't make my 100 contacts for 3 weeks = 3 fouls). Eventually, I dropped the other class (which I will pick back up in January) in order to focus on BOLD. That week, I made my 100 for the first time. Woohoooooo! 

And then the next week, I didn't (4 fouls at this point). 

I had lots of excuses when I failed/fouled: I'm too new.....I don't know how....It's hard....It's the holidays....I can't.....

And, when I went to class those weeks I didn't make my 100, I felt like a failure....a loser.....behind the eight ball before I got started.....I let my team down..... 

My mantra for most of my BOLD experience was, "Yeah, but......you don't understand....this is different.....I'm different...."

So, there I was, looking at my final week of the class.....and I needed to make my 100 contacts in order to graduate. I got 20 of them by making calls. It took me 6 hours. But 20 wasn't going to cut it; I needed 80 more. And then I remembered seeing an "F" by my name at the last session. I thought maybe it meant that I had already fouled out. I looked over my course materials and read that if you foul out, you would be asked to leave the class. I hadn't been asked to leave, so maybe I hadn't already fouled out. Still, I wasn't entirely sure. If I had, getting the rest of my contacts would be a moot effort.

And then the ice hit. A big storm rolled though coating everything with 2 inches ice. It was pretty, but very treacherous.

It was also the granddaddy of all excuses. Unprecedented amount of ice. Roads shut down. Everything was under ice.

i thought about going door-to-door but a friend had posted on Facebook how dangerous it was on the sidewalks. Remember, this was ice, not fun and fluffy like snow, so the even ground/grass was slick. 

So I stewed. I talked it over with The Husband. Should I or shouldn't I? What if I foul out? How would I feel? Maybe I've already fouled out? We agreed that, even if I fouled out, I had gained a wealth of information and tools for the future. This didn't bring me much comfort.

Then some actress on TV said, "I'm not a quitter." As usual, the Universe provided exactly what I needed.

So I bundled up and went door-to-door. I handed out cards and told people I would love to help them with their real estate needs. I slipped and fell (I wasn't hurt), and moved on to the next house. I talked to 37 people that day. One woman told me that, although she didn't need a realtor at that time, she would keep my card because she was impressed with my dedication and determination.

And I went out the next day. More surprised looks from the homeowners who couldn't believe this crazy woman was going door-to-door. I visited another 50 homes that day, bringing my grand total up to 107 contacts. 

I graduated, much to my surprise. But I gained so much more than a plastic trophy and certificate. 

I realized how much my mindset does matter. I saw how often I'm my own worst enemy, especially when I'm filled with fear and doubt. I knew I could have had a foul-free BOLD experience if I had gotten out of my own way. I remembered all the other times and situations where "I can't" was my mantra....and that I could have. 

I got it.

I have a new mindset today, thanks to BOLD. There are 27 BOLD laws (mottos/affirmations), but this is the one I will remember because of my experience: You can have reasons or results, but you can't have both.

The last 56 years have been filled with reasons; 2014 will be a year of results. 

Have you been challenged to do more than you think you can? Did you rise to the occasion?

Have you been there?

10 comments:

  1. Oh, honey. This inspired the bejeezus out of me. Thank you for posting it.

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  2. Oh...wow. I love you. And I needed this...this very moment. Heart-tears streaming down my face. I'm in a period of intense inner work to shift conditioning and patterns around "not enough"...I teach infinite possibility and I feel it for others and I often live it in spurts...but then an old thought pops in and I manifest "not enough'...and, it's not "okay"...because I have the tools and the belief and the heart...Here you are with an example I can feel into...I am so excited to see your year of results unfold...and I am delighted, honored, overjoyed to have read this today and to *know you*. You have no idea how much you have inspired me. Thank you for this gift. Truly.

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  3. Thank you for this. I am my own worst enemy and can talk myself out of anything. I use the words "I caaaannnn'tttt" quite often along with "what if I screw up" and "what if I look like an idiot." *sigh* But I know I can do more than I think I can. I am going to write down that BOLD law and make it my motto for this year.

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  4. You inspire me Claire… go Claire :-)

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  5. Thanks, Vanessa. I'm going! :)

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  6. LOTS of what ifs! OK, don't tell anyone, but there was a part of me that wanted to fall and break something (nothing major! LOL). Boy, THAT would show 'em! I've got some crazy things running through my head. I can so relate!

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  7. We'll be starting 2014 together, Joy! It's going to be a GREAT year!

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  8. I'm honored you read it and found it helpful. Thank you, Amy. :)

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  9. What a great post, thanks for sharing.

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  10. This is amazing, and just the kick in the skirt I need! Thank you!

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Yes! I've been there, Claire!