The only barrier standing between where we are and where we would like to be is ourselves.

This is a hard truth for many people.

Recently I had a conversation with a realtor at a social event. This woman explained to me that these are difficult times in which to sell real estate. According to her, “no one” is buying houses anymore, the economy sucks, mortgage rates are on the rise and almost no one has a job.

A quick search of the Calgary Real Estate Board website revealed that more than 1,300 homes were sold last month and, while that number was significantly lower than October 2017, it certainly highlights the inaccuracy of that realtor’s assessment that “no one” is buying houses.

Unless one really wealthy person bought all 1,300 of homes last month, as well as buying roughly the same number in September, there is a lot of activity taking place, and some realtors are making sales.

This agent’s dilemma has nothing whatsoever to do with either the economy or the real estate market. The real estate market is the real estate market, and the economy is the economy. There is absolutely nothing we can do about either. We have no control.

The Only Thing We Can Control

But there is something over which we have complete control: our mindset. What we choose to believe will cause us to burst into action, work harder, become more resourceful and succeed, or cause us to buy into the belief that “no one” is buying homes, and therefore any effort to change reality is futile.

Negative, critical, unproductive thoughts will always find their way into our heads, and we need to stop them in their tracks.

Whatever we are focusing on, in the moment, is where our energy will flow and, consequently we will conduct themselves in accordance with our focus.

I know other realtors who are enjoying a banner year.

They have no inside information unavailable to the above-mentioned agent. They do not have access to better properties at better prices than she does.  They are as aware as she is that many people have lost their jobs, that the economy is not booming, and that mortgage rates have risen.

Like her, they know the criteria for mortgage qualification has changed, yet they’re undaunted in their pursuit of the next sale.

They focus relentlessly on the next sale.

They replace all negative thoughts with upbeat and inspiring ones. If negative thoughts do emerge, they refocus their energy to where it will do them the most good – obtaining listings and showing properties to prospective buyers.

The secret lies not in preventing negative, energy-sapping thoughts into our being, it lies in instantly recognizing them for what they are and immediately replacing them with focused, powerful thoughts that consistently move them in the direction of their goals.

As always, this reinforces how we choose to see the world and how we will experience the world.

If you are not happy with your experience, consider changing your view.  You will not be sorry.

Till we read again.