Jump Back in the Game!

Here’s the thing about us humans: our minds can be fickle, unpredictable. We can be on top of our game one day, and be questioning everything we do the next. You could be sticking to your routine and having tremendous success, then for any number of reasons, go into a slump.  Regardless of how successful we might be, nobody is immune to the vagaries of the mind, or can avoid setbacks.

So, let’s say you’re in a prospecting funk. What do you do to get your prospecting mojo back? What do you need to do to shake it off, and get back in the game?

Here are a few tips:

• Be realistic: The first rule of thumb when going through a rough patch is to simply acknowledge it. Giving voice to a problem is the best way to de-energize it. Top performers, highly-driven professionals, often feel as if they are totally immune to setbacks. This can create denial, or internalizing feelings which has long-term consequences. Be realistic with what’s happening and move on.
• Reflect on your accomplishments: Take time to reflect on what you’ve accomplished in your career. Give yourself credit for creating a solid business by sticking to routine, being disciplined and using your available tools. Past success does not guarantee freedom from future setbacks and disappointments, but should always serve as a reminder of what you are capable of at any time.
• Remember the basics: Your success is not about being lucky. It’s about sticking to a plan, to essential habits and practices, routines that manifest in success. As you reflect on your past accomplishments, focus on those essential habits and practices. Have you strayed from what was working? If so, get back to those basics. Perhaps it’s getting up an hour earlier or getting in a morning workout, using affirmations or maybe role-playing. Real estate is a business that rewards those who stick to the basics.
• Remember-you’re not alone: Everyone goes through periods of frustration, discouragement and doubt. Again, it’s part of the human condition. For some, it’s a blip in time. For others, it can become an ugly monster. This is why it’s important to have a network of people who you trust, and who know this business. Whether its role-playing partners or coaches or just other agents in your office, have someone with whom you can reach out to if you’re going through a funk. While it’s good to get things off your chest, you’ll likely find it’s equally helpful to hear that others have experienced the same mental and emotional dips in the past. And you’ll be reminded that you’re not alone.

Baseball is an interesting case study in mental discipline. Slumps are pretty much a given, and in many cases legendary depending on the player or circumstance. Henry Aaron, who broke Babe Ruth’s home run record and went on to hit 755 home runs, was one of those Hall-of-Fame players legendary for prolonged slumps. And here’s what he had to say about those slumps:

“My motto was always to keep swinging. Whether I was in a slump or feeling badly or having trouble off the field, the only thing was to keep swinging.”

So, if you fall into a slump, remember to acknowledge it, get back in the game and keep swinging.

Doug Spak

Doug Spak has over four decades of experience as an advertising copywriter, agency creative director, blogger, and content creator. He joined Vulcan7 as a Content Specialist in 2016. In addition to ongoing website copy refreshes, Doug has produced over 300 blog posts while developing content for Vulcan7’s social media platforms.