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5 Steps to Persevere in the Midst of Adversity
From time to time we all can feel like giving up, throwing in the towel and walking away. It may be the challenges of our profession, a relationship or business venture. It’s not so much about those days when we don’t feel like getting out of bed but a persistent sense that we may have lost our purpose and our way. If you find your self in such a predicament congratulations! You are only human and there is a way out.
The way out is not quitting but taking some practical steps to keep moving forward. All of us can find ourselves wondering the wilderness of doubt and discouragement. The trick is to learn to persevere until we reach the other side victorious. Here are a few tips. 1. Remember Why. Stop and ask yourself why you do what you do. For many it is the desire to help and truly impact senior’s lives in a positive way. Yes it is harder now to do so but we still can. Revisiting our motivation serves as a compass to help us set our path. 2. Embrace the uncomfortable. Originating HECM loans was much easier a few short years ago….
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9 Comments
Great life reminders Shannon. Thanks for your continued diligence on topics that impact the industry and those that serve.
Thank you very much Torrey. We are honored to serve such a dedicated group of professionals.
AFTER GIVING MOTIVATIONAL MEETINGS FOR OVER 20 YEARS ,,, I HAVE TO JUDGE YOUR MESSAGES AS THE BEST,,,YOU WOULD MAKE ZIG ZIGGLER AND THE REST OF THEM PROUD ,,,,
HAVE A GOD WEEKEND AND KEEP UP THE GOOD STUFF ,,,,,, CLIFF
Thank you Cliff. I appreciate your kind words. Here’s to pressing upward and onward.
With how the industry has changed, it is not inappropriate for originators to look at their situation and assess their future.
As many wise sages have recommended, one should take a sheet of paper and divide it into two columns. One column should be labeled “Reasons for Staying” and the other, “Reasons for Leaving.” Over a week, these columns should be filled in to the extent that one has significant reasons. Then the lists should be reviewed a few days later and the columns weighted and evaluated. For many the deciding factor will be lower income with no simple way to make up needed cash flow.
What should not be done is to reach a hasty conclusion without careful analysis. Good luck to all in deciding the direction of their future.
One thing, Shannon, you didn’t mention was the influence of a great manager. As in any time of trial, a great leader can make the difference between despair and perseverence, between defeat and conquest. Following is an email sent by my manager, Neil Sweren, who is a truly exceptional leader:
What Makes Us Think We Are so Special?
What makes us think we are so special? All mortgages are harder for consumers to get…programs and guidelines change constantly. They must in order for us to remain in business. There is no reason for us to expect the HECM to exist without tweaks and adjustments as well.
Critics tend to be the noisy ones – but it is important we recognize rhetoric as the noise it is. Changes will come; they are both expected and necessary. The sky, however, remains firmly in place above our heads.
Our borrowers will need to do a bit more to qualify in the future…loan amounts may go down.
That isn’t news; it’s just evolution.
Laurie,
Thank you so much for sharing that email. Your manager is spot on with a message rooted in both hope and truth. Please pass on my compliments.
Shannon,
You did an excellent job pointing out why and how we should not throw in the towel, I applaud you.
You are right, we all have felt one time or another to give up and call it quits. However, when ever I feel like that I remember the last senior I helped and changed their life’s for the better. Or, I remember the husband and wife that were in their late 70’s that were in debt and their home was going into foreclosure, I was able to stop the foreclosure and pay off most of their debts. These folks call me every week just to talk.
I am a strong believer that if you are in this business for the right reasons, you will never give up when it is all said and over with.
The challenges are going to be tough one’s down the road and those that can get through them and keep remembering why they are in the Reverse mortgage industry in the first place, will be in the business tomorrow , the next day and the next day. And you know what, these individuals will be more successful because of it!
Hang in there, think positive and remember, there is a solution and a remedy for every problem or difficulty that we face in life. Sometime we have to look a little harder than normal, walk strong!
John A. Smaldone
My response is pray you will understand your role. If, as John says, you are in the business for the right reasons, and this is part of God’s plan for you, it will be so. I love what I do and am pushing forward to let our local environment know I am here to assist them in obtaining THEIR best financial solutions. Whether they do a reverse mortgage or not. I do Believe that most of us have a hard time, myself included, adjusting to what is, compared with what was. Moving forward and looking back to….I could have qualified you a few months ago, is ghostal (new word) We have to move forward and accept some things. “God grant me the Serenity to accept the things I cannot change, The Courage to change the things I can, and the Wisdom to know the Difference”. Thanks for your continued support and words of encouragement and wisdom.