Asyoutrytoreadthis,youmaybestruggling.Youwouldhaouvehateditinthemiddleageswhen thingswerewrittenthiswaytosavepreciousroomonparchment.Doesyourlifeeverfeelthis way?Istherejusttoolittletimeandroomforyoutofeelrelaxed?Treatyourselftosomespace???.

1. Clear The Space. Declutter with a vengeance. Time and space are closely related. If you have enough space, time isn't a problem. What is taking up space in your life? When our file drawers are stuffed, our closets are full and our minds are cluttered, there is no room for fresh new business, outfits or ideas. Do a Spring Clean Sweep!

COACHES ACTION TIP> Choose 4 areas to impact this month. Maybe your file cabinet, your closet, your desk or your commitments that no longer are a joy. Block the time in your monthly calendar now to declutter each area (Even 30 minutes or an hour can have an impact). You can use this exercise to raise your standards as well. Perhaps there are perfectly good clothes in your closet that just don't represent the image of who you are this year. Give them away! Better to have just a few things you really love, that really make you feel great than to hold onto the mediocre. Are there other areas of your life that need a good cleaning out? I use a 100 point assessment called the Clean Sweep from Coachu with my coaching clients that puts you on track to get the natty little things that subtly drain energy handled. If you are ready to "go for it, email or call me with your snail mail address

2. Think of the People What people around you are opportunities? Which are distractions? Let go of those clients that are taking up space and are not truly motivated. You should not be the most motivated person in the transaction! Let go of the energy drainers. As others do their spring cleaning, thoughts of moving often begin to germinate. It's a good time to call your sphere of influence. Wood Allen said "80% is just showing up!" Be obvious! Be There!

COACHES ACTION TIP> Spring Clean your mailing lists. Send out a first class mailing, with an "address correction requested" to your database at least once a year. As always, following a mailing with phone calls will generate a 300% better return. Remember, every mailing should create value?. offer information or a service that sets you apart and is seen as a benefit by your target market.

3. Create a reserve! Have you ever noticed that when you do clear some space, it just fills right back up? I think this is why we don't even attempt to do this on a regular basis. This is valuable to notice, however, for two reasons. The first is that you actually do create a vacuum that attracts new stuff. Letting go of the old stuff, makes room for the new! The second reason is that when you start to notice this phenomenon, you can get choosy about what you fill it back up with. So, if you resign from that committee that you've been on forever but doesn't excite you anymore, you have freed up several hours every month. Don't let it fill up by default. Choose somethingto replace it with or better yet, block it as "R&D" time. All great businesses know the value of Research and Development.

COACHES ACTION TIP> Let go of 3 commitments this month that you don't reallywant to do. Just Say No! when someone asks you to take on something you aren't wild about. Then spend at least a 2 hour block of time on R&D. Find a mastermind group. Or brainstorm with some friends, surf the web, go to the library and read some journals or magazines that doesn't pertain to your business. List the 5 trends you see that are changing the way you do business. Then play with outrageous ideas that would have you better positioned for these trends. Read some Tom Peters!

"If we had no winter, the spring would not be so pleasant: if we did not sometimes taste of adversity, prosperity would not be so welcome." -     Anne Bradstreet

     "You have to list to last" We've all heard this. Listings allow you to control your time. Top agents have traditionally focused on the listing side of thebusiness. A shift to the buyer side is happening with many top agents. What isbehind the shift and should you jump on the band wagon? What is changing?
     The trend is a combination between the competitiveness that is driving lower listing commissions coupled with a buyer who is more educated . These buyers have searched the web, checked out school scores, taken virtual tours of homes, narrowed down the choices to those which fit their criteria. They are qualified & motivated and they want a buyers agent to negotiate for them. They don't need a tour guide. They want a sophisticated agent who will give them plenty of information and make it easy for them. These buyers often contact the agent through their web site. These buyers will want to stay in touch at their convenience by email during the buying process. They will expect you to be able to attach photos and documents. I personally believe there is a lot of evidence to support the benefits of building a strong foundation of listings as we have traditionally done.
     When you create a reserve of salable listings, then you are free to get picky with the buyers you work with. The new buyer profile of an educated, technologically savvy buyer does offers new opportunities for those agents who have positioned themselves to offer and deliver services tailored to those needs. Rethinking your services and your listings/sales ratio cannot be taken for granted. Review your marketing plan at least quarterly and see how this fitsfor you and your market!

1. This month's RECOMMENDED BOOK: The E-Myth Revisited, by Michael Gerber If you feel as if the tail is wagging the dog, this book is a must read! This book provides a structure for any entrepreneur or sales professional to structure their business so that the business serves your needs, rather than vice versa. Visit my website at www.joeann.com and check out the FUN page.  Some great books to feed your mind! There are links that take directly to the book Amazon.com. Order online and receive your books within a couple of days.