It’s time to ask this question

reverse mortgage news blog

Current events are forcing many to ask this question

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Current events are forcing many to reevaluate many things. Where we live, how we work, and what’s no longer necessary. Much of what we’ve taken for granted has either fundamentally changed or ceases to exist. On the surface, such questions lead one to conclude these are terrifying times. Yes while unsettling they in fact present an opportunity.

Many, like myself, have family members living in expensive metropolitan areas who now find working from home is their ‘new normal’. Naturally, they are asking if the high cost of living and traffic is worthwhile since they can essentially work from anywhere. Perhaps a more picturesque location and a better quality of life may motivate them to relocate.

Unlike any other time we have the opportunity to face the most primary of questions- “is this necessary?”. While pruning away the excesses of daily life may be unpleasant at the moment it allows us to redirect our limited energies to more fruitful endeavors. Personally, this is not a process I naturally gravitate toward. Yet when faced with such decisions I often reflect on the words of the philosopher-king and Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius.

“Because most of what we say and do is not essential. If you can eliminate it, you’ll have more time and more tranquility. Ask yourself at every moment, is this necessary.”
– Marcus Aurelius, Meditations.

Our days often run on autopilot, and sometimes our business does as well. Running on pure instinct is the surest way to stagnation and burn-out.

With that in mind here are some general questions that can be applied to your personal or professional life, and of course more business-specific questions for reverse mortgage professionals.

General & Personal

Professional

Why am I doing this now?

How much time do I invest in prospecting?

Is this the best use of my time?

Am I too dependent on refinance transactions?

What’s the immediate benefit?

When’s the last time I sat down with another professional financial advisor or CPA?

What’s the long-term benefit?

Do those in my community know what I do?

Does this move me toward my goals?

Should I work from home indefinitely?

What can’t I do if I do this instead?

Have I ever spoke on my local radio or television news stations?

What does life require of me?

Am I connected to other reverse professionals?

What gets the lion’s share of my energy?

How do I spend most of my workday?

Is this necessary or essential?

Will this help me grow my business & income?

These questions will force you to face three things: (1) your perception of what’s happening, (2) the actions you are committed to taking, and (3) your will to consistently make a positive change over time.

So ask away. Turn off the daily autopilot and begin to scrutinize just what it is you’re doing and why.

 

8 Productivity Hacks

8 Ways to Get More Productive Starting Now

I know, you’re busy, very busy, and perhaps even stressed. As a HECM professional you have quite a bit to juggle: inbound calls, outbound sales calls, applications to review, proposals to send, Zoom meetings, etc. As the demands increase in our time we have two choices; prepare with efficiency or accept that you’ll miss potential opportunities.

Here are just a few ways each of us can become more highly organized and position ourselves for success in the coming months.

1- Get your email in order. We’ve covered some great ways to fully manage and get control of your email. One is Inbox Zero which was developed by productivity guru Merlin Mann. Basically you decide immediately whether to delete, delegate (forward), do it, or defer it to a later date. Some simple folders in your email program will make a world of difference.

2- Paperwork Zen Master. Nothing stresses out professionals like stacks of unfinished business on their desks. Here’s how to use the 43 folders system. (older video)

3- Media Blackout. Social media that is. Schedule times during the day at which you will check your social media accounts such as Linkedin, Facebook, Twitter, and more. Also, turn off social media notifications on your phone and desktop computer. Each distraction will add up to minutes and hours lost during the day.

4- Use the phone. The appearance of email ‘conversations’ is a mere illusion. The longer the email chain the more irritated I become. If you notice a notable long email chain suggest a short group conference call. If you have a detailed message perhaps just picking up the phone would save you and the recipient considerable time. Phone calls allow both parties to pick up on the tone of the conversation which is often lost in written communications.

5- Check and process your mail. Each day check your snail mail (remember the post office?) and immediately trash, save or file for action at a later date.

6- Plan a day ahead. Productive professionals have a habit of planning out the next day before they leave the office. Take a moment and look at your inbox, your 43 folder files, and emails, and then time block what needs to be accomplished in addition to any meetings already scheduled. You will be less distracted when you get home.  Your family will thank you.

7- Be judgmental. Not in a negative sense but learn to judge quickly what is important, what can wait, and what does not deserve your time or attention. The quicker you learn to filter what is relevant the more time you will have to focus on building your business. 

8- Keep a time diary. It’s simple really. If you have a calendar with a lot of blank spots for today, no worries. Just note as a calendar event how you actually end up spending your time. I’ve done this for years and it helps me see where I am investing time and what I can discard.

Six Ways to Slay Productivity Killers


Taking back control of your time

Do you want to succeed?

Here are the 7 C’s of Success

Managing your busy schedule

5 Steps to Regain Control of Your Schedule

How to get out of a rut


We all can find ourselves in a rut. Here’s how to break free

Did you forget?


Did you forget what used to work?

In the rush of life, we often lose sight of the activities that we used to enjoy and that brought us business and a sense of purpose…

Awareness & Anxiety

reverse mortgage news


Informed but not worried

Being aware of what’s happening in the world at large can help one be prepared, but it can also lead to anxiety. Uncertainty is a fact of life yet preparation, planning doesn’t have to include needless worry. 

What if they’re wrong?


When common knowledge & the status quo are wrong

History is replete with examples of when commonly accepted wisdom was flat out wrong. Remember the doctors who treated an ailing President George Washington with bloodletting- so much so that they hastened his demise?  What about the use of home equity or reverse mortgages?

What will you do next?


Reacting is normal but what’s next?

When the stock market tanks 800 points in one day or your family doctor tells you that your recent bloodwork is concerning you naturally react to a stressful situation. The Greeks and early Stoics called this ‘phantasiai’, or the immediate impression you form. The question is what will you do next?