As the owner of RE/MAX North Professionals in the Burlington, Vermont area, it was recently mandated that I attend a broker owner meeting in New York City.  After an early morning Jetblue flight and a short train ride, I found myself in the middle of the once seedy but now tourist friendly Time Square.

Although not knowing exactly what to expect, I was excited for day 1 of the 2 day conference.  Real estate industry heavy hitters from throughout North American shared ideas on how even a relatively small real estate company from Vermont could grow its business.  The concept of "grow or die" kept echoing through my head.  Fortunately my company has enjoyed substantial growth every year, but I’m ready to take our company to a level not yet reached in the Vermont market.  Even though the speakers shared incredible ideas that I could implement in my own business, it wasn’t until the nest day when two powerful keynote speakers made me realize just how big this could become.

In May, I had had the opportunity to be introduced to John Assaraf from the amazingly successful The Secret book and film.  At that time, I was fascinated with what he had to say.  I hung on his every word and soon thereafter bought his coaching program, The Foundation.  At 9 in the morning, a treatise on quantum physic’s effect on business success may be a little on the heavy side for a Vermont Realtor, but once again I was mesmerized but the idea that our brain is an amazingly powerful tool that totally controls the quality of our life.

Being that this was my second meeting with John in a matter of months, and I had studied his materials, I actually understood a good portion of what he was sharing with us.  In May, John reawakened in my practice of daily affirmations, vision boards, mediation and other methods that help bridge between the left and right side of the brain.  After just a few months of actually engaging in these mind expanding practices, I can personally attest that they work.

The next speaker was Jack Canfield; best known as the author of the giant best seller Chicken Soup for the Soul as well as scores of other "Chicken Soup" titles.  To date his books have been devoured by over 100 million readers throughout the world.  Jack also shared some of the secrets of his success, starting with a few ideas from his highly acclaimed book The Success Principles.  Although I an the of RE/MAX, I am more widely known as The Condo Guy.  Each and every week, my teams meets on Tuesday morning to discuss ways in which we can better serve the public.  Each week,  we have assigned homework that often includes chapters from this book.  Interestingly enough, while real estate sales are down 22% here in Vermont, my team’s sales are actually up 39%.  While Jack Canfield wasn’t the one that met with our buyers and sellers, his materials have helped to share our attitude and I know I prefer a 39% increase over a decline any day!

Both of these world renowned speakers focus on "The Law of Attraction", which is the most important component of The Secret.  It could have been an odd coincidence, or perhaps this stuff really works, but here I was at the Marriott in a large ballroom set for lunch.  While I was enjoying a salad, a man asked if the chair next to mine was taken.  After saying, :please join us" and turning around, I realized I was speaking to none other than Jack Canfield.  One more seat remained unclaimed, and moments later we were joined by John Assaraf.  The table was now complete.

It’s strange that while their presentations were inspiring, it was the conversation over lunch that gave me a better sense as to whom they are a human beings.  What sets them apart from 99% of the population?  I will never forget when another Realtor turned to Jack and said, "May I share with you a story that is a bit boring?".  His response was a quick, "I hope it isn’t boring".  He wasn’t being rude, but his sentiment was clear.  Time is so valuable why not share intriguing sentiments rather than mundane ones?  Why not create a life of magnificence rather than the bland?

By the end of lunch, I knew about their children in school, I knew some of their dreams and I knew that even these exceptional people reach glass ceilings.

After a great couple of days, I am back in little old Vermont, ready for the continued growth of my real estate business, but even more ready to take greater control of the direction of my life.  I don’t have all the answers and probably never will, but it is nice reaching a higher level of clarity.

 As always, I’ll talk with you soon!

~ Bill Desautels 

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