What Problems Reveal About Ourselves

[vimeo id=”161996762″ width=”625″ height=”352″]

Open-Mtg-2018-Join-Us

How we deal with problems reveals much

reverse mortgage newsWhether it is in the course of originating reverse mortgages or personally we all encounter problems. I’ll be honest, I’m not a big fan of problems but they seem to still like me. Problems are instructive. How we deal with problems reflects on who we are.

Problems come in all shapes and sizes: problem conditions with a loan, a borrower angry with their appraised value, unmet expectations or an argument with our spouse. How we deal with our problems not only reveals our character strengths and weaknesses but also determines our level of success.

Here are some common ways we can deal with problems that are revealing.

Blame

To blame is to shift responsibility to another. Finger pointing may be cathartic but never produces positive results. At its core blame is manipulation, not a trait anyone wants to have attributed to them. How often can we say ‘my bad’ or ‘I am sorry’?

Acceptance

Leaders don’t just work, good leaders do the hard thing. Accepting responsibility for a problem shows leadership, confidence and honesty. Mature leaders..

Download a transcript of this episode here.

Looking for more reverse mortgage news, commentary and technology? Visit ReverseFocus.com today.

Allergic Reactions

[vimeo id=”161114149″ width=”625″ height=”352″]

Open-Mtg-2018-Join-Us


Challenging Denial? Proceed with Caution

reverse mortgage newsIt’s springtime here in the western U.S. where the sun shines, flowers and trees bloom and allergy season begins. In fact as I speak my car is covered with the yellow telltale powder of tree pollen. While physical allergies are easy to identify and treat, what about allergic reactions to truth?

Physical allergies are triggered when a person comes in contact with a substance that triggers a a reactions, most commonly a release of histamines that seek to protect your immune system. The problem for those who have allergies their bodies have confused harmless substances as potential threats creating a defensive response. Psychological allergies are quite another matter. Each of us have our hard-wired responses to perceived threats, unsettling information or personal conflict. Some our own responses  could be likened to an allergic reaction.

The same can be said with the prospective borrowers we meet. If we do not tread carefully when exposing the truth that more funds are needed to fund their retirement the feedback can be less than pleasant…

Download a transcript of this episode here.

Looking for more reverse mortgage news, commentary and technology? Visit ReverseFocus.com today.

Jump Start Your Day

[vimeo id=”160296062″ width=”625″ height=”352″]
<h2Open-Mtg-2018-Find-Place


7am-alarm-clock5 Steps for A Great Day…

Getting your day started can feel like pushing a truck uphill. Most of what we call a ‘good day’ is often judged by how we feel the day began and ended.

Here are 5 practical ways you can jump start your day for greater productivity and happiness.

1. Fuel up. Too often we skip breakfast thinking that we can run on pure determination or caffeine alone. Just as we would never leave the house in our car with an near empty gas tank we should fuel up our tank with a balanced meal high in protein balanced with complex carbs and healthy fats. Many busy professionals I know will make a balanced breakfast shake if cooking is impractical.

2. Eat the frog. Speaking of meals how about frogs? Not literally of course. Eating the frog is a phrase often used by…

Download a transcript of this episode here.

Looking for more reverse mortgage news, commentary and technology? Visit ReverseFocus.com today.

Time for a Tuneup?

[vimeo id=”159411568″ width=”625″ height=”352″]

Open-Mtg-2018-Knock


3 Steps for Self-Care & Success…

Maintenance conceptIt’s part of our regimen as car owners: maintenance and regular tune ups and oil changes. The question is do we give more attention to our vehicles than we do our own personal and mental well being?

Not unlike a car if your run yourself at high RPMs, overlook periodic maintenance or drive until the wheels fall off, you will not last long as a reverse mortgage professional. Apathy, burnout and a short fuse are sure signs that you need to apply some self maintenance sooner than later.

Here are 3 ways to tune yourself up.

1. Sleep. I used to pride myself on running on five hours of sleep, that is until I crashed and burned. The intrusion of portable electronic devices have crept into our bedrooms. How often do you

 

Download a transcript of this episode here.

Looking for more reverse mortgage news, commentary and technology? Visit ReverseFocus.com today.

Why Saying ‘Yes’ is Hurting Your Business

[vimeo id=”158420730″ width=”625″ height=”352″]

Open-Mtg-2018-Join-Us


No May Be the Best Thing to Say…

We are in the people business. The business of selling, educating and assisting older homeowners get a reverse mortgage. As salespeople we love not only to hear the word “yes” but we love to tell our customers the same.yes-no-seesaw

Wouldn’t it be wonderful if every age-eligible homeowner qualified for a reverse mortgage? How about most? The advent of the financial assessment and other changes to the HECM program have collectively changed many of our yeses into maybes. Here are some reasons saying yes is hurting your business.

1. Resources. If you are still primarily attracting the needs-based borrower with few assets, a high mortgage balance and a checkered credit history you may want to help but you may be only hurting yourself and other potential borrowers. Time is one of the most valuable resources you have and if you spend it trying to qualify borrowers who are problematic you have robbed yourself of the opportunity to help qualified homeowners. Consider the time, the cost to your company to process and underwrite. It’s not about discriminating but marketing to the most likely borrower to qualify.

2. Credibility. Nothing stings more for applicants than being denied. Lest we forget, applying for a reverse mortgage is an emotional process. Be careful what…

 

Download a transcript of this episode here.

Looking for more reverse mortgage news, commentary and technology? Visit ReverseFocus.com today.

Why Do You Do It?

[vimeo id=”157653632″ width=”625″ height=”352″]

Open-Mtg-2018-Find-Place


Why Do You Go to Work?

reverse mortgage newsIf you ask someone why they go to work you will get a variety of answers but one is most common…money. With the increasing complexity that comes with originating reverse mortgages it’s fair to ask the question, “why do I do what I do?’

Some may jokingly say “I owe, I owe, so off to work I go” when speaking to the reason they get up and go to work each day. Certainly each of us have bills to pay. While such a crass statement may be humorous the truth is the motivation of money falls flat for long term satisfaction, achievement and purpose. That leaves us again with the question, why do you do what you do? You see the key is repetition. The more we ask ourselves this the more likely we are to uncover the true motivations why we have chosen to work as reverse mortgage professionals.

In professions that present unique challenges you will most likely find the ‘mission-driven’ individual. These folks could work anywhere but know that they will only find satisfaction in working in a field that supports their inner desire to work toward a greater good. In our industry that mission is to…

Download a transcript of this episode here.

Looking for more reverse mortgage news, commentary and technology? Visit ReverseFocus.com today.

 

8 Productivity Game Changers

[vimeo id=”156773019″ width=”625″ height=”352″]

Open-Mtg-2018-Knock


8 Ways to Unleash Your Personal Productivity

Beyond strategy, drive and opportunity is one factor that will build or destroy your success as a reverse mortgage professional. reverse mortgage news

Last week I read an article by Bruna Martinuzzi which captured the twelve productivity tips from extremely busy individuals. How do businesspeople who are at the top of their game manage their time? Bestselling author and speaker Brian Tracy says “personal productivity is a key differentiator between those who succeed in their chosen field and those who do not.” Here are 12 tips each of us should consider implementing or improving.

1. Single Purpose Focus. Pick one thing and just do that. Laser focus brings clarity, vision in our efforts to be the absolute best at what we do.

2. Block out distractions. Every distraction can cost you the ten to fifteen minutes it may take to get your mind back on the task at hand. Time block your calendar with your top priorities, lock the door when needed and turn off the email and phones periodically.

3. Create rituals. Before you leave the office determine what your top priority is for the following day. If you are time blocking it should be on your calendar. When you arrive the next morning accomplish that key task.

4. Early to rise. One of our most innovative and successful founding fathers Benjamin Franklin had it right when he said “early to bed and early…

 

Download a transcript of this episode here.

Looking for more reverse mortgage news, commentary and technology? Visit ReverseFocus.com today.

 

How to be a Reverse Mortgage Celebrity

[vimeo id=”155915262″ width=”625″ height=”352″]

Open-Mtg-2018-Join-Us


Practical Tips to becoming your own celebrity spokesperson

You’ve seen them on television and read about them in our industry’s news wire, celebrity spokespersons. The question is how can you become your area’s local reverse mortgage celebrity?

celebrity-hatFew of us have the financial means to launch a national television campaign, take out a full page ad in a national publication or make a public splash in the national consciousness, however you can become the best known celebrity advocating reverse mortgage in your local area. How?

Here’s how to become your local reverse mortgage celebrity:

First and foremost branding. You can affix a magnet placard to the sides of your car, wrap your vehicle with reverse mortgage graphics or simply create a snazzy rear window screen graphic. Be sure to include a value proposition, your name and a call to action for others to call you. You may even consider creating your own jacket, collared shirt or vest advertising your services. Can you imagine the numerous spontaneous conversations that you could have while in line at the grocery store, bank or post office? Don’t miss the opportunity your public presence has to brand you as the go-to person for all things reverse.

Second: Make friends, especially in the media…

 

Download a transcript of this episode here.

Looking for more reverse mortgage news, commentary and technology? Visit ReverseFocus.com today.

Are You Fully Present?

[vimeo id=”155060962″ width=”625″ height=”352″]

Open-Mtg-2018-Find-Place


4 Steps to Intentional ‘Conscious’ Living

Do you grapple with the ever-present need to be connected to every tidbit of information? What’s going on with my friends social media accounts? What’s the latest political or economic news? What is the latest development in the reverse fully-presentmortgage industry? While the desire to absorb information is helpful to stay informed it can also take us directly out of the present moment.

Here are some tips I have learned from my friend and hard-earned personal lessons I’ve taken with me along the way.

1- Setup Filters. Ask yourself the question “is this information useful to me?”. Much of what we spend our mental energy on is fluff, filler and background noise. Will what you are doing help you be a better husband, wife, parent or coworker? Does this information encourage me or drag me down into cynicism and despair?

2- Just one thing. Seems odd but try to do just one thing at a time versus trying to mentally unwind one issue while your hands are busy doing something else.

Download a transcript of this episode here.

Looking for more reverse mortgage news, commentary and technology? Visit ReverseFocus.com today.

Meetings: The Death of Productivity

[vimeo id=”153314714″ width=”625″ height=”352″]

Open-Mtg-2018-Find-Place


Getting Control of Meetings

reverse mortgage news
Have you ever done this in a meeting?

Meetings. If you work in a large company or have you can empathize with the statement that meetings are the bane of productivity. Meetings do not have to be a productivity killer with some simple, intentional pre-planning.

Meetings are necessary when working with a team of other professionals. They serve to shape strategy, improve efficiencies and address challenges. Ironically meetings can become time-wasters in their own rite.

20 years ago I was a marketing manager for a large nonprofit. Each Monday we would have a management meeting and every time I left feeling frustrated that I just wasted another 2 hours of my day that would inevitably push me into the late evening hours. That experience taught me several valuable lessons. Here are a few tips to get the most from your meetings or ideas to respectfully suggest.

1. Create an Agenda. Seems basic but many meetings lack a clear and defined roadmap or agenda and consequently end up in the weeds of the irrelevant. Laser focus is required for efficient meetings. The agenda should be specific enough so all participants now what is to be discussed. If someone gets off topic add it to a list of ‘parking lot’ topics which can be addressed in the future.

2. After Action Reports. One of the greatest tools for meetings is the…

Download a transcript of this episode here.

Looking for more reverse mortgage news, commentary and technology? Visit ReverseFocus.com today.