Hello Everyone,

I was given the opportunity to be a guest author on a well syndicated blog on social media and marketing. This is my first guest blog post. Please check it out and comment. Thanks to all of my fellow Activerain bloggers..

Here is the link:

http://osakabentures.com/2012/01/social-ghosts-catching-the-eye-of-big-companies/

Remember, Work Smart and Live Well

Hello Everyone,

Well if some of you have wondered where I have been, alot has gone on over the last year. My life was turned upside down in many ways, but I am still here, praise God!!!

I have come back and I am better than ever. I know I had started by bringing you blogs on marketing and technology and how to develop your real estate business. These are all things I love. I went through a very dark time this year and now as I pop out the other side I have made some life direction changes.

Here are a few of them:

1. I am working on some books - Self Help, Business, Innovation, and Social Media. My goal is to have my first one finished and work on getting it published in 2012.. Best seller world here I come.

2. I am working in Tech Start-ups. One of my real passions is innovation and the tech world is so ripe.. I am working on many things one of which is a social media site that I hope can topple Facebook.

3. Social Media - My first book may be on Social Media and I have reinvigorated my research of new technologies.

4. Mentoring - I have some crazy stuff in store for Real Estate, and am finally getting my stuff together that I ahve worked for years building. Since I have kept many things to myself though I share a lot, I am going to mentor people in Real Estate because it is a small part of my focus on a local level.

5. Networking - I am in need and search of the top minds and people who I can collaborate with on projects and who can help me further my projects. My goal is to network with top notch people because my talents have been wasted thus far.

So expect me to be much more active as I am putting everything together. I think the big thing is I was holding back in so many areas of my life and I feel I am now at a place in my life where I need to do the things I am passionate about... Life is short (My wife and son both almost died this year and our family was sent in a tailspin).

Shalom!

Hello Everyone,

I just finished Drive by Daniel Pink. I liked this book, if had some good information. It did seem to get a little muffled in the middle. Many times I find that the summary of the book at the end is more powerful than 90% of the text. That being said. The core of this book is about challenging the way we think about motivation in the business setting.

They compare extrinsic motivation and intrinsic motivation and explain what environments or task are better suited for each strategy. The one method fits all method of motivation not only doesn't work, but may actually lead to less production in certain tasks. The basic concept is that all things being the same, being self driven and motivated is still the premium choice. I would have liked if they had gone into more detail on how to encourage self motivation and how to develop it in ourselves and others instead of just pointing to the need of it.

Take Aways - Mindset is important (this didn't come directly from the book, but this was the feeling I got after seeing how important intrinsic motivation really was). Getting people to be on board with something is more effective than a carrot and stick approach. People will work harder for something they care about than something they are just getting paid to do.

Overall I gave this book 7 out of 10 stars. Worth the read, but needed some more material on how to activate our own drive and cultivate the intrinsic drive in others.

You can download the book free with a free trial of Audible which is what I use by clickingthe link below:

Try Audible Now and Get A FREE Audiobook! 

You can buy the book and read sample pages from it here

You can see my top rated books and the reviews here.

Remember Work Smart and Live Well!

Spokane WA Real Estate Expert - Ross Quintana

Hello Everyone,

Well it is that time today, paint the face.. Build the nachos, and grab a cold beer... It's the Superbowl! In the midst of yelling at referees and cheering d-fense, there may be a good real estate lesson for us to learn from the Superbowl.

Everyone gets excited about the Superbowl even if they don't care about football. Most people don't watch the games throughout the season, but everyone focuses on the Superbowl. I see this same pattern in real estate.

There are thousands of Realtors that start the year like all of the NFL teams with hopes of having a great year, but the fact is only a handfull will do what it takes to make it to the Superbowl. Most people focus on the paycheck and the clients that are ready to transact, but very few Realtors focus on the games or critical wins along the way that make the Superbowl possible. What I mean by this is that many Realtors want a paycheck and the sale, but very few I have met really have a schedule and plan for success to get to cashing those paychecks. Without the consistent wins in regular season when no one cares, you will never make it to the Superbowl which for us is a paycheck.

You don't just get to the Superbowl, and you don't just get sales and listings. The real game of real estate is played every day in your daily habits and small wins along the way. Get a game plan, make a schedule for your business. Practice scripts and presentations and track your record of how many new clients you win. Every lead is like a play. Each prospect is going to seek to stop you and just because you win a play doesn't mean you move forward to a score with that client. It takes one good play after another to advance the lead. 

Realize how much it took for each team to get the Superbowl and the year of hard work they put in and treat your business the same way. Make a plan, fight for every inch in your business and you will win clients and those will add up to sales. If you have enough sales in the year you may win it all. Go out an make your business more predictable this year by having a plan, practicing, and moving forward inch by inch with one ultimate goal in mind..... to Win the Superbowl.

Remember, Work Smart and Live Well!

Hello Everyone,

I just finished watching this film and it was excellent! I rated it 9 out of 10 stars - This film explains the history, intended scope, and misuse and social and political abuse of corporations in our modern society. Very eye opening and well made. A must watch for everyone if nothing else, just to raise awareness. I highly recommend this movie.

Here is the trailer:

Here is a link to buy the Corporation DVD and see other of my favorite movies and reviews.

Here is a link to buy the book The Corporation

Here is a link to the The Corporation - Movie Official Website