Friday, August 30, 2013

Watermelon Margaritas

Watermelon Margaritas

by Dave
Watermelon Margarita
Kids are headed back to school and Thanksgiving Decorations are already starting to show up in stores, sigh, Labor Day weekend might be your one last short at summer, so before this fleeting season is over, promise me you'll make up a batch of these margaritas before it's too late.
Watermelon Infused Tequila1 part watermelon
2 parts tequila
Cube watermelon into a lidded container. Cover with tequila, close the lid, and let sit on a cool, dark spot for at least 3 days, 5 is better,
Using a fine mesh strainer, strain the watermelon from infused tequila. Be careful not to crush the watermelon, as the extra liquid will just dilute the tequila and not add a whole lot of flavor. Discard the watermelon. Note that you will end up with more liquid than you started with, so I refilled the tequila bottle and poured the rest into a mason jar (seemed fitting).
Store in the fridge until ready to use.
Math note: I used one of the body-sized 1.75L bottles of Kirkland Silver Tequila. So 1.75L divided by 2 equals .875L, or pretty darned close to a gringo quart of watermelon.
Watermelon Margaritas
2 double old fashion glasses
4 ounces infused tequila, strained
Juice of 1 lime (about 1/4 cup)
1/4 cup simple syrup (recipe follows)
2 teaspoons orange liqueur
Course salt or Tajín seasoning
Simple Syrup
Bring 2 cups water to a boil. Stir in 2 cups of granulated sugar. Reduce heat to low and stir just until the sugar dissolves completely. Remove from heat and let cool. Pour off into a sealable container (again, I used a mason jar) and store in fridge until ready to use.
Rim the glasses with salt or Tajín (or a bit of both) and fill with ice. Combine tequila, lime juice, syrup, and orange liqueur. Divide into glasses. Enjoy!

Lisa Ekanger Your Hometown Realtor!

Staying Afloat amidst the Spin...


Staying Afloat amidst the SpinTaking Things Personally
by Madisyn Taylor

Try not to take everything personally, things that people say and do don’t always have anything to do with you.


Every time you interact with others, you have the choice to listen to, acknowledge, and let go of their words, or you can take what they are saying personally. Taking things personally is often the result of perceiving a person’s actions or words as an affront or slight. In order to take something personally, you must read negative intent in an individual’s words or actions. But what people do and say has no bearing upon you and is usually based on their own experiences, emotions, and perceptions. If you attempt to take what they do or say personally, you may end up feeling hurt without reason.

If you are tempted to take a comment or action personally, creating some distance between yourself and the other person can help you. Try to determine what is at the root of your feelings. Ask yourself if the other person’s words or actions are just reinforcing some insecurity within you or if you can really be sure that an offense was intended. You may even want to ask them what they meant. Finally, put yourself in the other person’s shoes. Instead of taking their words as the truth, or as a personal affront, remember that whatever was said or done is based on their opinion and is more reflective of what is going on inside of them, rather than having anything to do with you. You may have been an easy target for someone having a bad day, and their comments may have been offered with no ill intentions.

When you recognize that what anyone says or does doesn’t necessarily have anything to do with you, you will no longer feel hurt or attacked. While it’s easy to take things personally, you should never let anyone’s perceptions or actions affect how you see yourself or your worth. Your life is personal to you, and it is up to you to influence your own value and sense of well-being.

Lisa Ekanger Your Hometown Realtor!

Wednesday, August 28, 2013

Tuesday, August 27, 2013

Maybe we all carry around inside us one day we wish we could keep forever.

“What if you could pick one day of your life, and everything would stop changing, every day would be similar and comparable to that one day, you'd always have the same people with you?

If you could do that, would you do it?

Would you pick that day and make that choice? We crave for things to stop changing, we wish that things would never change. But if we got what we wanted, there are so many things that are better, that we would never, ever know about. Sure, things would stay the same as that one wonderful day, but then there would be nothing else out there, ever. So can you remember the very first day when everything really did begin to change?

Is there a thing that can remind you?

Mine is a blue rose, and that's when everything began to change because that's the day I began to believe in things I never believed in before; the day I found three blue roses. Think about your first day of change, can you remember all the new heights you've soared since that day? All the new people? All the better things and times?

Would you throw all of that time away?

I wouldn't. Instead, I want to finally accept all the things that I couldn't change, which led to me being right here, right now. Maybe we all carry around inside us one day we wish we could keep forever, something we wished never did change. It's time to let go of that day, and soar.”
― C. JoyBell C.


Lisa Ekanger Your Hometown Realtor!

Just Listed! 1780 Henbert Ct, West Bloomfield, MI | Powered by Postlets

1780 Henbert Ct, West Bloomfield, MI | Powered by Postlets

Lisa Ekanger Your Hometown Realtor!

Peeling Away the Layers.

Peeling Away the LayersTrees Shedding Their Bark
by Madisyn Taylor

Like a tree our growth depends upon our ability to soften, loosen, and shed boundaries and defenses we no longer need.


Trees grow up through their branches and down through their roots into the earth. They also grow wider with each passing year. As they do, they shed the bark that served to protect them but now is no longer big enough to contain them. In the same way, we create boundaries and develop defenses to protect ourselves and then, at a certain point, we outgrow them. If we don’t allow ourselves to shed our protective layer, we can’t expand to our full potential.

Trees need their protective bark to enable the delicate process of growth and renewal to unfold without threat. Likewise, we need our boundaries and defenses so that the more vulnerable parts of ourselves can safely heal and unfold. But our growth also depends upon our ability to soften, loosen, and shed boundaries and defenses we no longer need. It is often the case in life that structures we put in place to help us grow eventually become constricting.

Unlike a tree, we must consciously decide when it’s time to shed our bark and expand our boundaries, so we can move into our next ring of growth. Many spiritual teachers have suggested that our egos don’t disappear so much as they become large enough to hold more than just our small sense of self—the boundary of self widens to contain people and beings other than just “me.” Each time we shed a layer of defensiveness or ease up on a boundary that we no longer need, we metaphorically become bigger people. With this in mind, it is important that we take time to question our boundaries and defenses. While it is essential to set and honor the protective barriers we have put in place, it is equally important that we soften and release them when the time comes. In doing so, we create the space for our next phase of growth.



Lisa Ekanger Your Hometown Realtor!

Thursday, August 22, 2013

And all at once you realize it, you are home..

By Mastin Kipp

You are not an island. None of us are.
 
We are meant to be with people and to thrive together. By our nature we are Tribal creatures.
 
Caroline Myss once said,
 
"You only rise as high as the tribe you're in." This correlates directly to one of my favorite Will Smith quotes: "You will see how far in life you'll go with the 5 people you spend the most amount of time with."
 
In my journey, coming from Kansas to Los Angeles (and being an only child), I've always been a loner. I didn't feel like I belonged in Kansas. I didn't resonate with most of the folks there. In coming to L.A., it's taken me almost 10 years to find my tribe.
 
When you're surrounded by the right people who believe what you believe and support your dreams, you can thrive.
 
But when you're surrounded by people who don't share your values or believe what you believe or who are naysayers to your dreams, it can be extremely discouraging and lead to depression and dis-ease.
 
For me, I knew I didn't belong in Kansas. I knew I belonged in L.A. But it wasn't about location.
 
It wasn’t until I realized that I belonged to myself and figured out what my values were, what I wanted from life, what my purpose is and the like, that I found my Tribe.
 
I'm still kind of new to the Tribe I've found. I've known most of my current friends for less than a few years, but it feels like a homecoming having them in my life. We love each other, we support each other and as friends, we belong together.
 
Sometimes you have to lose yourself to find yourself (Click to tweet) It can be scary doing this.
 
You may have to go against the wishes of your parents, loved ones or even religion to follow your dream.
 
But your dream is the universe calling you. And once you realize it, you will be home - within yourself and with those you love. Instead of believing what you believe because someone told you to, you will believe what you believe because you have your own life experience on which to base your beliefs.
 
This is the path of self-realization - to believe what you believe because you have worked it out for yourself, and to find out what it feels like to truly belong to yourself - and then find the tribe where you belong.
 
When you belong to yourself, you are no longer mad at parents or loved ones who don't understand you. You are free to love them as they are, because you don't need them to see you, because you see yourself. You're free to love unconditionally and not let their judgments dictate your path.
 
Ask the universe to show you how you can belong to yourself. The answers will reveal themselves and your perfect group of friends, colleagues and allies will emerge.
 

Lisa Ekanger Your Hometown Realtor!

For Management Eyes Only…

My Number One Goal

by Mike Pallin

My #1 goal is to put myself out of business. Now that may seem like a paradox to you, or at the very least, unbelievable, but it is the plain truth.

Isn’t that the objective of training? For the training to be so complete, effective and permanent that no further training is required?  The truth is I only see the vast majority of my students one time. I only get one real shot at them, so to speak. One chance to make a major difference. There are those who repeat the program, and those who join the Wickman family for our events, coaching and social media interaction. Every organization worth its salt has the true acolytes who comprise the amen chorus, to borrow a concept from organized religion. We have even been labeled ‘cult-like’ by some outsiders who experience the zeal and enthusiasm of our get-togethers.  But I am off point here. Let me get back to my two greatest challenges.

Here they are, and quite frankly I cannot tell which of the two is the greater challenge.

The first is that I cannot convince an agent to enroll in The Floyd Wickman Program unless they physically attend a Special Event – our free, three hour introductory seminar. For the student to feel comfortable self-investing, they must know the value of what they are getting. As Floyd has observed many times, “Everything is too expensive until you know what you are getting.” And they must be comfortable with me as their trainer; they must feel they are going to be in good hands. If they are not at the Event, this is next to impossible.

And yet, here is my first big challenge. Too often, leadership within a company decides in advance for the agents by not getting them to the Event. Leadership takes away the opportunity for the agent to make up his/her own mind. Leadership says stuff like:

  • “I know they won’t pay for training.”
  • “I can’t even get them to come to our in-house training, and that’s free.”
  • “They are all seminared out.”
  • “We’re just too busy now.”
  • And here’s my favorite, “I don’t want my agents spending money on training.”

The irony is when I ask the Leader of a company, “Do you want the Program?” They always say, “Yes,” and then the yes is followed with a but.   This is from leaders who on average still have less than 20% of their agents closing more than 80% of the transactions; leaders who lose 2 out of 3 agents within two years; leaders who cannot make a profit from residential resale, and must supplement their income with ancillary services or their own personal production.

The truth is that most companies don’t need more people, they just need more from the people they already have. And my challenge is not that the agents won’t sign up for training when they are in the room with me for three hours at a Special Event. My challenge is that leadership too often decides, “My agents won’t take it,” and doesn’t even give them a chance to sign up. Through good markets and bad, my sign-up ratio hasn’t changed.

Two examples. The leader of the #1 franchise company in Texas and the Carolinas said, “We can’t even get them to pay for our training, and it’s less than half of what you  charge.” So we made a bet. Here was the bet. You put 180 agents in a room with me for three hours, and I guarantee you we will have a program, regardless of how many sign up. They did, and 89 signed up. We had a great program.

The leader of the #1 independent company in Indiana stood up at the Event and asked, “If I gave you a $200,000 relo listing, how many of you would pay me a 25% referral fee?” Every had went up. He then said, “Take this program and get your own listings and it will be less than paying me a referral fee.” Our averaged student gets three listings in 6 weeks. They had a great program.

That is my first challenge.

The second challenge comes after the program. There is a wonderful line in the latest Bourne movie, where the man who created Jason Bourne, the perfect assassin, is chiding the CIA chief for misusing Jason. He says, “I gave you a Ferrari, and you used it like a lawnmower.”

I recently asked a client (one of the largest independent companies in the Midwest, and one of the Top 50 Brokers in the US) how they found their branch managers. He said, “In most cases, we promoted the tallest midget.”

Floyd’s program creates motivated, focused, competent salespeople with great work habits. What happens to a motivated, focused, competent salesperson when you put them back in an environment that produces mostly unmotivated, unfocused, incompetent salespeople? They revert to their old ways, because they are allowed to revert. As Floyd says, “If you give people the option to fail, 70% of them will take it every time. Why? Because it’s a heck of a lot easier.”

My second greatest challenge is convincing leaders that their managers have to manage differently; to adopt the way we manage their salespeople during the program. Oddly enough, it’s not that much of a change. The agents prefer it and are familiar with it. It’s more fun, and ultimately it’s a lot easier than replacing 2 out of 3 people every two years.

Floyd’s personal mentor, Zig Ziglar, used to conclude his keynote speeches with the old water pump analogy. He would take out an actual pump to illustrate ‘priming’ the pump to get the flow of water started. His point was that to get momentum started takes great effort, but to maintain momentum just takes minimum effort.

We get the momentum started during the program. After the program, it just takes maintenance, with a little bit of accountability for activity and results, and a little bit of teamwork. The program is a great model for how to manage salespeople once they are trained.

I believe if a real estate organization brought the Floyd Wickman Program in every two years and (take a deep breath) required all agents in the bottom half of production to at least attend the Special Event, and if they didn’t sign up, explain how they were going to improve their production; and required their branch managers to get their people to the Event and attend every session (by the way, it’s free to them!) to learn the Wickman system of managing salespeople; I believe that organization would flourish and prosper and ultimately not need me.

 
Lisa Ekanger Your Hometown Realtor!

Tuesday, August 20, 2013

I went from zero, to my own hero.

Lisa Ekanger Your Hometown Realtor!

Before we embark upon the journey...Begin with Yourself

Begin with YourselfThe Journey of Finding a Relationship
by Madisyn Taylor

The journey to finding a relationship is just that, a journey that uses all of our life wisdom and experiences.


Before we embark upon the journey of finding the relationship that is right for us, we may want to take the opportunity to refine our concept of who we are and our ideas of what we want from life. That way, we are clearer on the kind of person we want to attract into our lives. Part of the journey of finding a mate is learning how to become our own mate. When we can learn to meet our needs without relying on someone else to complete us, we don’t have to form relationships from the space of needing our emptiness to be filled. We can also discover our intrinsic value, separate from what someone else might be reflecting back to us. Getting to know who we are and learning to love ourselves creates a solid foundation of self that we can bring to any relationship.

We are fortunate to live in a time when relationships can unfold at a pace that is right for us and take unique forms. Friendship, dating, open relationships, long term relationships, long distance relationships, or committed relationships — we are free to choose the kind of relationships that we want. If you want to be in relationship, but haven’t found the right one for you, remember that the universe works in perfect order and, therefore, right now your life is unfolding exactly as it is meant to be. Maybe all this time has been part of your preparation period for meeting your intended partner. Even the relationships in our lives that haven’t worked out as we had hoped serve us by teaching us to make better choices in our next relationships.

Finding the relationship we want can come early or later in life. It may even happen again and again in one lifetime. There is no right or wrong for how to find a relationship nor is there a timeline that you have to follow. Follow your heart, listen to your inner voice, continue to become your own soul mate, and stay open to love. The journey of finding the right relationship begins with being in right relationship with yourself.


Lisa Ekanger Your Hometown Realtor!

Friday, August 16, 2013

We all hit bumps in the road of life, how do you bounce back?

By M. Kipp

We all hit bumps in the road of life. I am a big believer that it's not how hard you fall, but how high you bounce back.
 
I have written a lot (because it's SO important) about how the only thing we can really control in our lives is our perception of the events of our lives. We have influence over some things in our lives, but mostly we are powerless to control much. That is why attitude and perception are everything.
 
So when you hit a road bump, when you get thrown off, when you get depressed - what do we do? HOW do we bounce back?
 
Well, some of us don't want to bounce back. Some of us would rather keep suppressing our emotions and working on ourselves, so these folks keep stuffing down parts of themselves that are dying to be seen, recognized and expressed. The path to self-destruction is filled with avoidance of yourself. That's what addiction really is - avoidance of ourselves to our own detriment. There are LOTS of ways to be addicted. You can be addicted to substances, alcohol, people, work, fame, success, attention, flirting with people, sugar, food and lots of other things.
 
When we hit a rough patch in life, instead of just letting ourselves feel, we can choose one of the above addictions and keep avoiding what's within us. This is not what The Uni-verse has in mind for you. No amount of chocolate, sex, alcohol, success, people or drugs can silence the Whisper of The Uni-verse within you OR your emotions.
 
So, today, instead of running, I have another suggestion. My suggestion is that it's time to stop running from The Uni-verse and your emotions and just face them. Be still. Get quiet and listen. Let yourself get angry, let yourself get sad. Face the truth; go through the eye of the needle; feel the pain and know that it will slowly fade. The short-term pain of facing a truth FAR outweighs the long-term pain of believing a lie. (Click to tweet)
 
I have found a system that has helped me truly face my emotions and feelings instead of running from them. So I am going to give you some tips on HOW to feel your feelings and remain sane through the process:
 
1. Go 100% sober from your distraction of choice. For 30 days give up the cigarettes, the alcohol, the lover, the sugar and the chase.
 
2. Breathe - our bodies need breath in a major way. Most of us don't breathe properly and deprive our body from this life giving source. The best way I know how to fill your body up with breath is with Kundalini Yoga. Do 3 classes a week for 30 days. It will change your life.
 
3. Drink up - hydrate. Dehydration can lead to all kinds of negative side effects, including depression and low energy.
 
Drink 1 liter of ALKALINE water for every 40 lbs you weigh.
 
4. Exercise - Move your body 3-4 days a week for at least 30 minutes.
 
5. Eat an alkaline diet. This is a great way to bring your body back into alignment. I suggest reading Crazy Sexy DietThe pH Miracle and/or The Body Ecology Diet and following them.
 
6. Write your feelings down every morning. Journal for 10-30 minutes in the AM and just let out how you feel on the page. Daily purging really helps.
 
7. Get a therapist, mentor or coach to help guide you through this process. It REALLY helps to have someone be an outside observer.
 
8. If you are addicted to drugs, food, alcohol or sex - get to a 12-step meeting for your addiction. Shared experience helps.
 
9. Only hang out with friends who uplift you. Take a break from any negative people in your life.
 
10. Write your goals down. Imagine your best life and write down what you really want your life to be like. Many of us have no clear vision of the kind of life we want to create and as a result, don't create it.
 
11. When you start to have anxiety, sadness or any "negative" emotion, instead of reaching for the pills, the sugar or the drink, just let yourself feel your feelings.
 
Love yourself through that process. Let yourself feel. It's not a bad thing to get angry, sad or to cry. It's NORMAL and human.
 
When we don't let ourselves feel, we cut ourselves off from our core and The Uni-verse. It's VITAL that you let yourself feel your feelings and not run. Remember when you're in the middle of those gnarly feelings - this too will pass - it gets better. Be brave and feel - no more running.
 
12. Hang in places of high vibrations - sacred spaces, yoga studios, nature, with awesome friends, bible studies, churches, etc. Go where the Love is.
 
I hope these tips help you break through. These are some of the most powerful tools I know to connect back to who you really are, to be able to hear The Uni-verse and stay sane in the process.
 

Lisa Ekanger Your Hometown Realtor!

Thursday, August 15, 2013

What a day in the life of a trainer is like.

By Mike Pallin, Master Trainer, President and Talent Scout of The Floyd Wickman Team

I am often asked what a day in the life of a trainer is like, and I am eager to share this little story with you. This is my routine when out on the road teaching a Floyd Wickman Program.

Wake up early. Train the brain. Recite the Master Salesperson’s Pledge, usually three times, before I get out of bed. This year I am also reading the scrolls from Og Mandino’s, Greatest Salesman In The World. Then I write in a journal. Whatever comes to mind. It’s more about keeping the creativity channel open than about content.

And then I walk. Get ready for class. Check email and voice mail and Floyd’s post on facebook. Eat. Get to class by 8:00 am.

Students, managers, sponsors begin arriving. Some with questions. Some to review a dialogue or tool they’re not clear on how to use yet. Some to share a success story.

I really like the few minutes before a session starts. They are like the calm before the storm. At Session 1, I’m reconnecting with the people I met two weeks ago at the Event, and they are brimming with anticipation and a head full of questions. By Session 3, it’s like an Amway love-in. By Session 7 graduation day, we’re family. Lots of hugs and high fives.

The session begins with a little P.E.P. talk. That stands for Putting Everything (Into) Perspective. Spaced training is developmental work, and just like working out at the gym, the hardest time to stay motivated is before you see the results but you already feel the pain. So, at the beginning of each week, it’s my job to help our students see the end result in advance. Not everyone is patient enough to trust that the end result will be worth all the hard work.

Then I turn it over to the Team Leaders for the Team huddles. Teams gather in the corners, out in the hall, under the stairs, and gather all the SMART Numbers (activity and results) for the previous week. They share Success Stories, and do a little troubleshooting to make sure everyone is up to speed. When we all come back together, each Team reports their numbers and I get to award the traveling trophies to the Team with the best per person production; the Most Improved Team; and the Team with the most enthusiasm.

The rest of the day is for teaching. We teach, demonstrate, role-play, critique. Just like lather, rinse and repeat. All of the dialogues, tools, systems and techniques.

There are two really unique advantages in teaching Floyd’s Program. One is that every session is like a speaking engagement without having to worry about who will show up, how the room is set up, what time we get started, and all those little details you sweat when it’s a one-time speech. And the other is that the material is so rich and multi-layered, that it never, ever gets repetitive. In twenty-seven years of teaching Floyd Wickman Programs, I am always pleasantly surprised. And ultimately the best part is that it is easy for people to learn.

If you are a trainer and you care about getting results, in other words you care more about their performance than your performance, teaching Floyd’s Program is a dream come true. It’s really the best of both worlds.

When the session is finished, usually around 3:00 pm, I always stay after for those who ask for extra help. We usually don’t have time to answer individual questions during the session, but I am happy to stay until midnight if I am asked.

Then it’s either homeward-bound, or on to the next program.

Oh, did I mention how much fun it is to see the light bulbs going off? That magic moment when someone “gets it.” Or that agent who has been struggling to stay afloat who all of a sudden takes off and produces like gangbusters. Or those thank-you’s that say, “You changed my life.”

There is no feeling in the world like knowing that you are making a positive difference for people who really want and need to succeed.

Lisa Ekanger Your Hometown Realtor!

Self-Confidence Formula!

"Resolve to throw off the influences of any unfortunate environment, and to build your own life to order. Taking inventory of mental assets and liabilities, you may discover that your greatest weakness is lack of self-confidence.
 
Self-Confidence Formula (abridged)
 
"I fully realize that no wealth of position can long endure, unless built upon truth and justice; therefore, I will engage in no transaction which does not benefit all whom it affects. I will succeed by attracting to myself the forces I wish to use, and the cooperation of other people. I will induce others to serve me, because of my willingness to serve others. I will eliminate hatred, envy, jealously, selfishness, and cynicism, by developing love for all humanity, because I know that a negative attitude towards others can never bring me success. I will cause others to believe in me, because I will believe in them, and in myself. I will sign my name to this formula, commit it to memory, and repeat it aloud once a day, with full faith that it will gradually influence my thoughts and actions so that I will become a self-reliant and successful person."
 
- Napoleon Hill

Lisa Ekanger Your Hometown Realtor!

Wednesday, August 14, 2013

Spoiling our children ...

By Madisyn Taylor
Spoiling our children with new things stems from our feeling of lack in our own childhood.


One of the greatest things about children is that they have the ability to entertain themselves for long periods of time with something as simple as a cardboard box, a container, or a set of measuring spoons. It makes you wonder why we feel the need to buy them so many toys that they won’t even have time to play with them all before they grow out of them. Often, if we take the time to question our compulsion to constantly give our children new toys and clothes, and to spoil them with food that is not even good for them, we will find that we are trying to fill up the space to avoid our own difficult feelings and pain. If you feel yourself wanting to spoil your child with material possessions, take a moment and see if you can feel where your motivation is coming from.

We may be inundating our children with things they don’t need out of our own desire to create a feeling of abundance that was lacking in our own childhood, or out of a need to feel liked by our children. Both of these motives tend to be unconscious, stemming from unresolved issues from our own upbringing or even our adult life. These unresolved feelings naturally come up when we find ourselves in the role of a parent, often as our child reaches the age we were when these traumas were most pronounced. Spoiling your children will not save you or make your pain disappear, only acknowledging and working on your emotional issues can do that. What our children really need us to provide for them is both a sense of safety and a sense of freedom and love of which there can never be too much. If we are able to do this well, material possessions need not take center stage.

We all want to provide our children with a good and happy life, but most of us know deep down that material possessions play a very small role. We confuse our children when we seek to make them happy through buying them things. When we do this, they take our cue that happiness comes in the form of toys and treats, rather than in the joy of being alive, surrounded by love, and free to explore the world.


Lisa Ekanger Your Hometown Realtor!

If you knew you could spend 3 days to learn skills that will change your life, would you? Well, then read on!


  •  
    • (floydwickman.com)
    • If you knew you could spend 3 days with legendary sales trainer and Hall of Fame speaker Floyd Wickman to learn skills that will change your life, would you?
      Floyd's traveled the globe teaching the best in the business, and now he's bringing his most powerful lessons to you through the Floyd Wickman Academy.

      Let Floyd show you how to:
      ...
      * Make your presentations so powerful, the sale is a foregone conclusion
      * Captivate your staff and turn them into top producers
      * Elevate your stature among your colleagues and peers
      * Learn the three powerful E words to Empower, Enthrall and Entertain everyone you meet

      Graduates say their experience with Floyd was a "Life Changing Event," and we expect it will be the same for you.

      For more, click on the link below.
      http://floydwickman.com/speakers-academy/
      See More
    1275 S Huron Street, Ypsilanti, Michigan 48197
     

  • Lisa Ekanger Your Hometown Realtor!

    Tuesday, August 13, 2013

    Management Strategies for Today’s Brokers and Managers ~ By Floyd Wickman

    Management Strategies for Today’s Brokers and Managers

    By Floyd Wickman

    As we head into the fall season, there is a lot of buzz out there from brokers eager to build and strengthen their organizations so that they can better compete and help their agents succeed more, faster than they ever could in the past.  My advice to you?  Build from the bottom up.

    Why? “Pulling” your organization up from the top is hard to do – there’s too much weight.  Instead – grab that bottom 50% of your organization and teach THEM to succeed, to have good time management habits and to be unafraid (in fact FEARLESS is even better) to prospect and you’ll see more results in less time.  That’s something I’m passionate about.  Helping those agents that everyone (including themselves sometimes) has given up on, bypassed or forgotten is in large part the foundation of the programs that we developed.

    It’s one thing to teach the top producers.  Those sales professionals who have their heads together, skills under their belt and have the experience and wisdom to keep learning and fine tuning.  But for new agents and those who are floundering – you’ve got to go beyond idea sharing.  You’ve got to BUILD the foundation under them so that they have the ability, like we always laugh about in our c lasses, to ‘parachute in anywhere in the world with a phone and their skills and make a living.’  THAT’S the kind of salespeople we help to create by giving agents both the CONFIDENCE and COMPETENCE to produce at a higher level.

    Most self-help programs don’t work MOST of the time for MOST of the people for a variety of reasons.  One of the biggest reasons is that the lessons and activities are OPTIONAL.  That’s why, as we talked about in another blog –the first thing you’ve got to do for that bottom half of your agents is to REMOVE that option to fail.

    Secondly, teach the SKILLS they need to succeed such as closing, prospecting, presenting, objection handling and negotiating in a way they can not only learn them –but absorb them and create good habits.  That’s why we teach all our courses as SPACED training in a learn, practice, role-play, apply approach.

    Thirdly, give them the resources to sustain their new skills long into the future – so there is PERMANENCE to their success strategies.  And lastly, make them part of a TEAM.  Individuals with a common goal and a passion to reach that goal.

    In today’s market, you can’t leave anything to chance.  Can’t trust that agents can just learn as they go or that struggling agents will miraculously rise to the top.  To turn that bottom half of your company into producers you can be proud of and successes you can share – be sure to put the above four elements in place.  And if you want the inside scoop on how we do just that – give us a call at 800-910-5351 for a no-pressure, no-stress conversation about what we can do for YOUR organization.  Building dream teams is one of our favorite things!

    Love,



    Lisa Ekanger Your Hometown Realtor!

    Monday, August 12, 2013

    Pecan Pie Cupcakes!

    Pecan Pie Cupcakes

    Ingredients:

    1 cup chopped pecans...
    1/2 cup all-purpose flour
    1 cup packed brown sugar
    2/3 cup butter, melted
    2 eggs

    Directions:

    Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

    In a medium bowl, combine all ingredients and mix well.

    Spray a miniature muffin tin with non-stick cooking spray. (The spray with flour in it works best!)

    Fill each 3/4 full.

    Bake in preheated oven for approx 18 minutes.

    NOTE: Generously spray your pan with cooking spray with flour. Once they come out of the oven let them cool for one minute then flip them out onto a cooling rack. If they cool in the pan they'll have to be chiseled out.

    Also don't fill the pan to the very top, they will overflow if you do.

    Lisa Ekanger Your Hometown Realtor!

    Friday, August 9, 2013

    American Girl.

    Lisa Ekanger Your Hometown Realtor!

    Composing Bliss.

    Composing BlissPoetry as Meditation
    by Madisyn Taylor

    Sculpting your thoughts into a poem can take you on a journey where your conscious mind is momentarily cast adrift.


    The creation of any kind of art can be as much a form of meditation as a vehicle for self-expression. Energetically splashing colors of paint onto a canvas can be like casting the weight of the world off your shoulders, while raising your voice to hit the high notes of a song can inspire you to release your fears so you can reach new heights in your own life. And then there is the act of meditation that can take place when you create poetry. Sculpting your thoughts and emotions into a poem can take you on a journey into your inner universe where your conscious mind is momentarily cast adrift.

    Like other forms of meditation, writing poetry requires that you stay fully present during the process, rather than focusing on any outcome. In doing so, you release any inhibitions or ideas of “what needs to happen,” so that your thoughts can flow freely through you. When you write poetry, you are able to see the reflections of your innermost self imprinted on a page.

    If you’d like to experience poetry as a meditation practice, you might want to try this exercise: Set aside twenty minutes where you can be alone in a quiet space. You may want to look at poems other people have written to see if there is a style of poetry you would like to try. You can also try writing in freeform. The structure of the poem will then organically reveal itself to you. When you are ready, sit down with pen and paper and let the words flow. Don’t think about what you are going to say next, and don’t worry about spelling, grammar, or logic. Instead, be as descriptive, visually precise, rhythmic, or lyrical as you want to be. When you feel complete, put the pen down, and read over what you’ve written. Appreciate this work of art you have created. You may even find that thoughts and emotions you had repressed before are now making themselves known so you can process and release them. Writing poetry as a form of meditation lets you slow down your mind long enough! for you to get out of your own way, so that your soul can freely express its deepest yearnings.


    Lisa Ekanger Your Hometown Realtor!

    Aim a little higher.

    It's perfectly normal, Friend, that when waiting for a really big dream to come true it seems like it's taking forever, you wonder if you're doing something wrong, and you feel like you should just be happy with less.

    But I promise you, no matter how long it takes, once it happens it'll seem as if time flew, you'll wonder how you ever doubted yourself, and you'll feel like you should have aimed a little higher.

    Aim a little higher, Friend -
        The Universe


    Lisa Ekanger Your Hometown Realtor!

    Thursday, August 8, 2013

    Examine your thoughts.

    From TDL

    Question:

    My 19th wedding anniversary just passed and my husband let the day pass with no acknowledgement of it, no card or note, not a single flower, we didn’t even eat dinner due to his friends being over drinking beer because they helped him move a shed that he was supposed to move over a week ago and took them two minutes to do. I feel very sad and hurt that my husband did not deem the day special enough to spend quality time with me. I am the go-getter and usually if I don’t do it or initiate it, nothing gets done. I know better than to expect him to do special things for me but the truth is I truly crave his thoughtfulness even when I know it isn’t who he is. He is a good man don’t get me wrong but I have tried many many times to communicate how this hurts me and yet it continues.
    I can’t change him, only myself- what is the lesson I’m supposed to learn and how do I heal my broken heart? Is it me, am I being a drama queen or am I justified in feeling let down? I’m tired of repeating this pattern and I know I’m choosing this fight but what can I do to change the way I feel? Even though he is good to me and our family, when he doesn’t make occasions special, it makes me feel all the time in between is a lie.
    I welcome any feedback even if it is against me. Just trying to understand and heal.



    Answer:

    Firstly, Congratulations on 19 years of marriage!! I understand and feel your hurt. I've had similar experiences too, feelings of not being valued. The hard truth is, no one can make us feel undervalued unless we believe it ourselves. This is discussed frequently on this website and in this forum and there is a lot of great advice to be found here but I can give you my perspective! You have to love and honor yourself first! When your heart is full with self-love you won't need anyone to do, say or be anything other than what they are. For me, reading Byron Katie's book "Loving What Is" and doing what she calls "the work" on my relationships was really life-changing. When we discover that it is only our thoughts about someone or something that causes us pain we can steadily bring the truth to light. Essentially it says to examine your thoughts about the person who upsets you and why. Ask yourself are your judgements about them really true? How do you treat the person when you think these thoughts? And then "turn it around". Apply the same judgements to yourself. "My husband should" (insert judgement here) then becomes "I should (insert same judgement here)". It is really powerful and will reveal the truth EVERY TIME. BE the change you want from the other! I also recently read that "the people in our lives only play the role we asked them to play." I truly believe this. Your husband is playing exactly the role he (and you!) agreed to be in your life. And giving you the opportunity to show up for yourself. Because the truth is YOU ARE ALL YOU WILL EVER NEED! The heavens open up when this happens! You will shower your husband with every ounce of gratitude in your heart! Blessings to you and I hope this helps!

    Lisa Ekanger Your Hometown Realtor!

    Tuesday, August 6, 2013

    Learn to shield.

    by Madisyn Taylor


    In order to protect ourselves from taking on any negative energy from other people or situations; we can learn to shield.


    There are times when you may find that being around certain individuals or groups of people leaves you with feelings of discomfort. It may be that spending time with a particular friend feels draining or that dealing with a specific coworker exhausts you. Being around toxic or angry people is also draining. And you may even find that being surrounded by a crowd of people lowers your energy levels rather than perks you up. This is not that unusual. Each of us radiates energy and is capable of being influenced by the energy of other people. It is important to learn how to shield yourself, so you don’t unknowingly take on someone else’s energy. While some people know how to instinctively protect themselves from being adversely affected by energy, most of us need to discover and practice the technique that works best.

    There are a number of ways to avoid being affected by people’s energy. Shielding is one preventative technique you can use. Center yourself and envision being enveloped in a cocoon of loving and protective light. This protective layer should allow you to consciously regulate the energy around you. The intent to shield oneself is all you need for this technique to work. You can even create a trigger word to assist you in quickly creating a shield. Say this word each time you create a new shield, until the word and the shield become automatically associated in your mind. If you run into a person whose energy you find draining, you may want to cleanse your own energy field after your encounter. Sage, cold showers, singing, mineral water baths, spending time in nature, and a simple break to recharge are all ways to accomplish this.

    While it is important to know how to shield yourself from energy, there are those energies that you may not want to shut out. The energy of laughter from a newborn baby, the feeling of joy radiating from someone in love, and the frequency of calm emanating from an enlightened teacher are just some of the energies coming from others that you may want to have around you.


    Lisa Ekanger Your Hometown Realtor!

    Some good advice from my mentor Mike Palin.

    Some Good Advice
    By Mike Pallin

    My friend John (not his real name) calls yesterday. Says he needs to vent. This is most unusual. John is one of the happiest souls I know, and one of the really good guys. His story unfolds, and before he is halfway through, I can tell how it will end.

    It seems his Associate Pastor, after serving John’s congregation for four years, has taken a new position. It is a promotion, as he will be the only Pastor for his new congregation.

    He bought his current home from John four years ago. They have since become friends. They’ve shared dinners together and John is very active in church leadership, and volunteers frequently.

    On the way out of church Sunday after the announcement, John asks him what he plans to do with the house, is there anything I can do to help with your move? The Pastor looks John in the eye and says, no we are holding on to the house until next spring, and then we’ll decide what to do.

    If you’ve been in real estate longer than 2 weeks, you’ve already guessed where this is going, haven’t you?

    John finds out later that he already listed the house with someone else. His Pastor!

    My friend John is feeling hurt, confused, disappointed, shocked – to say the least, unpleasantly surprised. Was it something I said or did?

    As has happened so often for me as a friend, coach, advisor or confidante to many salespeople, I find myself in the position of therapist. Don’t get me wrong, I am grateful and humbled that so many people trust me and seek my advice.

    I know how Floyd Wickman feels toward his long-time mentor and friend, Zig Ziglar, for always being a patient listener and adviser. It is how I feel towards Floyd for always being my ace in the hole. And now it is my turn to be of help.

    So I listen to John, as I do every Friday to my coaching students when the same disappointment happens to them; as I do when one of our trainers is unpleasantly surprised by someone they thought of as a client.

    What do you do when you have served someone faithfully, loyally, truthfully, graciously – only to be rejected or taken for granted or even worse, lied to?

    Well, first you do what John wisely did. Find someone you trust and vent. Get it off your chest. Take all those feelings of hurt and betrayal and just get them out of your system. Confidentially.

    Then write it out. Write a long letter to the person who has done you wrong. Express all those wicked, hateful, unforgiving feelings. Get down and dirty. Let them know just exactly how much they have hurt you. Really tell them off.

    Then burn it. Or shred it. Or bury it in the back yard. Symbolically let it go.  DO NOT, I repeat, DO NOT hit send. DO NOT go on Facebook or Twitter.

    If you have created enough distance and perspective, use Floyd’s famous AHA systemAdversity Handling Analysis – and see if you can discover something useful to learn from this, and prevent it from happening again.

    And, finally, send them flowers. Wish them luck. God speed. I will always be grateful for our friendship.

    Remember those wonderfully comforting clichés. I print them out and post them around my office, on the visor in the car, laminated on a pocket card and carried attached to my key chain.

    Take The Highest Road With The Longest View.  You Can’t Get Them All. You Don’t Need Them All. You Don’t Even Want Them All.  Not Forgiving Someone Is Like Taking Poison Thinking The Other Person Will Die From It.  This Too Shall Pass. Nothing Lasts. Not the Good. Not the Bad.

    And my personal favorite from Floyd:

    Learn From It.  Let Go.  And Go On.

    Lisa Ekanger Your Hometown Realtor!

    Monday, August 5, 2013

    We spend the rest of our time playing “catch up”.

    By Madisyn Taylor

    It can be easy for us to walk through the world and our lives without really being present. While dwelling on the past and living for the future are common pastimes, it is physically impossible to live anywhere but the present moment. We cannot step out our front door and take a left turn to May of last year, any more than we can take a right turn to December 2010. Nevertheless, we can easily miss the future we are waiting for as it becomes the now we are too busy to pay attention to. We then spend the rest of our time playing “catch up” to the moment that we just let pass by. During moments like these, it is important to remember that there is only Now.

    In order to feel more at home in the present moment, it is important to try to stay aware, open, and receptive. Being in the present moment requires our full attention so that we are fully awake to experience it. When we are fully present, our minds do not wander. We are focused on what is going on right now, rather than thinking about what just happened or worrying about what is going to happen next. Being present lets us experience each moment in our lives in a way that cannot be fully lived through memory or fantasy.

    When we begin to corral our attention into the present moment, it can be almost overwhelming to be here. There is a state of stillness that has to happen that can take some getting used to, and the mind chatter that so often gets us into our heads and out of the present moment doesn’t have as much to do. We may feel a lack of control because we aren’t busy planning our next move, assessing our current situation, or anticipating the future. Instead, being present requires that we be flexible, creative, attentive, and spontaneous. Each present moment is completely new, and nothing like it has happened or will ever happen again. As you move through your day, remember to stay present in each moment. In doing so, you will live your life without having to wait for the future or yearn for the past. Life happens to us when we happen to life in the Now. 


    Lisa Ekanger Your Hometown Realtor!

    Easy Chicken-Sausage Gumbo


    Quick & Easy Chicken-Sausage Gumbo

    This is a Southern Living recipe. It is delicous and easy!

    1/2
    lb light smoked sausage, cut into 1/2 inch thick slices
    1-3
    tablespoon vegetable oil
    5
    tablespoons all-purpose flour
    1
    cup coarsely chopped onions
    1
    cup chopped celery
    2
    cloves garlic, pressed
    1
    medium green bell pepper, chopped
    2
    1 (28
    ounce) can diced tomatoes
    1-2
    teaspoon creole seasoning
    4
    cups chopped cooked chicken
     

    1. Cook sausage over high heat in Dutch oven 5 minutes, stirring often.
    2. Remove sausage with a slotted spoon.
    3. Drain on paper towels.
    4. Add enough oil to drippings in Dutch oven to equal 3 tablespoons, and whisk in flour; cook over medium-high heat, whisking constantly, 5 minutes.
    5. Add onion and next 3 ingredients; cook 5 minutes, stirring often.
    6. Stir in broth and next 2 ingredients.
    7. Bring to a boil; cover, reduce heat, and simmer 5 minutes.
    8. Add sausage and chicken; simmer, covered, 5 minutes.
    9. Serve over rice.


    Lisa Ekanger Your Hometown Realtor!

    Saturday, August 3, 2013

    For Levi & Kelly ~ Love Mom

    (¯`v´¯)
    `*.¸.*´ ¸.•´ ¸.•*¨)¸.•*¨) (¸.•´(¸.• (¸.•´¸¸.•¨¯`•.¸¸.

    “Only once in your life, I truly believe, you find someone who can completely turn your world around. You tell them things that you’ve never shared with another soul and they absorb everything you say and actually want to hear more. You share hopes for the future, dreams that will never come true, goals that were never achieved and the many disappointments life has thrown at you. When something wonderful happens, you can’t wait to tell them about it, knowing they will share in your excitement. They are not embarrassed to cry with you when you are hurting or laugh with you when you make a fool of yourself. Never do they hurt your feelings or make you feel like you are not good enough, but rather they build you up and show you the things about yourself that make you special and even beautiful. There is never any pressure, jealousy or competition but only a quiet calmness when they are around. You can be yourself and not worry about what they will think of you because they love you for who you are. The things that seem insignificant to most people such as a note, song or walk become invaluable treasures kept safe in your heart to cherish forever. Memories of your childhood come back and are so clear and vivid it’s like being young again. Colours seem brighter and more brilliant. Laughter seems part of daily life where before it was infrequent or didn’t exist at all. A phone call or two during the day helps to get you through a long day’s work and always brings a smile to your face. In their presence, there’s no need for continuous conversation, but you find you’re quite content in just having them nearby. Things that never interested you before become fascinating because you know they are important to this person who is so special to you. You think of this person on every occasion and in everything you do. Simple things bring them to mind like a pale blue sky, gentle wind or even a storm cloud on the horizon. You open your heart knowing that there’s a chance it may be broken one day and in opening your heart, you experience a love and joy that you never dreamed possible. You find that being vulnerable is the only way to allow your heart to feel true pleasure that’s so real it scares you. You find strength in knowing you have a true friend and possibly a soul mate who will remain loyal to the end. Life seems completely different, exciting and worthwhile. Your only hope and security is in knowing that they are a part of your life.”
    Bob Marley

    Lisa Ekanger Your Hometown Realtor!

    I realize that all my “faults” are actually the Universe’s unique way of expressing itself through me.


    “Today I affirm that there is nothing in me but love. This love comes from total acceptance of myself and the understanding that I am a perfectly imperfect human being.  I will walk through today and allow myself to fully express my perfection. I realize that all my “faults” are actually the Universe’s unique way of expressing itself through me. I let go of self judgment and any projected judgments of others that I have chosen to believe and finally allow myself to just be what I truly am: infinite. As this is true for me, so it is true for all other beings on the planet. I will choose to accept everyone in my life with the same radical acceptance I have for myself knowing that we are all perfectly imperfect human beings simply doing the best we can. And so it is.”
    - Jackson Kiddard

    Lisa Ekanger Your Hometown Realtor!