Eight Things For Your 'Do Not Do’ List

I’m guessing that you have some sort of to-do list that you work from every day. It could be written on a legal pad, electronic calendar, phone app or maybe just a list you keep in your head.
But, do you have a “do not do” list?
This would be a list of things that impede your productivity. Hinder your personal relationships. And make you crazy. In the mortgage business, you are way too busy doing the things you have to do, let alone worrying about the things that waste your time.
Consider making a commitment not to:
1. Check your phone messages/email when talking to someone else. I can see you smiling to yourself right now. I know you’ve done it. You’ve glanced down at your phone while talking with someone else—either face to face or while you were on the telephone. The phone does not care that you are not paying attention to it. Other people do, and they care that you are not paying attention to them.
2. Multitask during meetings or seminars. Have you walked out of a meeting to take an “important” phone call? Or sat in seminar and texted rate information to real estate agents? You’d be amazed at the amount of information and opportunities you miss when trying to do two or three things at once.
3. Think about things that don’t make a difference in your everyday life. There’s always one client, one real estate agent, one person who makes you crazy. It’s hard to do, but stop the madness. They are not thinking about you. Give your time and attention to people you like and who really care about you.
4. Use too many ways to have people communicate with you. One minute you get a text message. Then a couple of emails. Oh, and a private message on Facebook. A LinkedIn post. Call on your cell phone. Call on your home phone. Call on your office phone. Voice messages for the missed calls. To simplify your life, consider asking your customers and real estate agents to call just one phone number and use one email address. For family and friends, another phone number/email address/text. Check those regularly and don’t worry about the rest. Those other things don’t make you money.
5. Let your past determine your future. Learn from your mistakes. Turn the lesson into an opportunity. Then don’t dwell on it—move on. Move forward and don’t let the mistakes or errors define you.
6. Wait until you are 100% sure of yourself. I hate to burst your bubble, but you’ll never be 100% sure of anything. Of a marketing campaign. Of the real estate office that promised you a ton of business. What you can do is prepare the best way you know how. If it fails, consider it a learning experience—not a failure. Stop waiting and start doing.
7. Talk about other people. What I mean is “gossip.” If you can’t say something to the person face to face, you are not being productive—and may even start rumors that you’ll regret later. Oh, not to mention that people will respect and trust you for not talking behind someone’s back.
8. Agree to something when you really didn’t want to. Saying “no” is really hard to do, especially if asked by a friend or family member. Explain the reason why you are not able to accommodate them. They may be upset—but not for long. In fact, you will be more upset because you agreed to do something you really didn’t want to do—when you could have spent your time marketing or with family and friends.
I’m sure there are more things you could add to your “do not do” list. I hope I got you thinking about the things that waste your time. And to quote the old saying, time is money!
So, what would you add to the “do not do” list? Email Karen@LoanOfficerTraining.com. I’d love to hear from you.