Читать книгу Start With a Win - Adam Contos - Страница 9

Look in the mirror and make the conscious choice to say, “I can.” Congratulations. You're on the way to your first win.

Whatever you want to achieve in business and in life, the first step is believing in yourself. You choose to take control of your life—to succeed. That's not motivational-speak; that's real life. Wins begin with believing “I can” instead of embracing the excuses why you cannot.

I changed my own attitude and approach, and went from being a two-time college dropout to a street cop, deputy sheriff, SWAT team leader, and now CEO of a large multinational public holding company, the real estate industry giant RE/MAX.

A win isn't defined by dollars and cents or a destination; it's a journey—a series of experiences—that, done right, brings happiness along the way. No matter the business or the situation, a win simplified is a group of answers to these questions:

 What is the challenge?

 What is the necessary attitude to get started?

 What action or actions are necessary to overcome the challenge?

Whoever you are, whatever your circumstances, whatever your business, each of us has the power to transform our lives and the lives of those around us. We can learn to lead and strive to win in all we do; or we can take the easy way—follow the herd, accept our circumstances, and never achieve our potential. Whether the goal is to improve relationships in business or in our personal lives, the choice is ours to make every day.

This isn't a book about the mechanics of buying and selling real estate. This is a playbook to help you learn how to lead—to lead yourself and lead others. In turn, that leadership creates business and opportunities to do business because people understand that leaders are problem-solvers who get things done and done right.

Each day is a new opportunity to either choose to win or opt to embrace fear and approach the day with “I can't.” Which viewpoint will you take?

Business is no different. With the onset of the pandemic and quarantine in early 2020, the real estate industry, like so many others, all but shut down. Transactions screeched to a halt. RE/MAX had two choices: do nothing and ride it out, or address the challenges and look for opportunities. We chose the latter. Many franchises and agents relied on artificial intelligence data to assess the marketplace and on virtual tours and video links to connect with clients. These leaders found a way to make it happen instead of sitting on the sidelines and watching their businesses fall apart.

In these pages, I'll share with you the playbook to create your own wins. You'll learn the fundamentals and actions required to gain the necessary skills and confidence to transform your life. I'll share stories with practical applications and suggestions on how you, too, can start with a win.

Life is a series of missions—experiences and interactions—that shape who we are and how we respond to situations and people. Whether positive experiences or learnings (the not so positive experiences), missions lay the framework for the playbook of life. Every mission matters; it's an opportunity to learn and grow. When we think about a mission's specifics, we are psychologically training ourselves in how to respond to a similar situation in the future. Within each mission we take actions, which are the solutions to the challenges. Those solutions become part of our playbook of life.

This book will help you learn why dealing with your emotions—especially fear—often sets the playing field for a mission win or not. I'll share how every interaction and every mission is a learning experience. I spent two years on the streets of metropolitan Denver, Colorado, as an undercover narcotics cop buying drugs and perfecting my marketing skills. Those missions amounted to my own sales and marketing class, which I refer to as Narc Marketing 101—some of the best sales training possible.

Start With a Win will also help you better understand the importance of sharing your knowledge and allowing others to share their wisdom with you. As an off-duty deputy sheriff working a side job, I met my business mentor in the middle of the night on a golf course under construction at the base of the Colorado mountains. He helped me understand step by step how to be a great business leader. I'll share that same knowledge with you. Each chapter will include insights as well as personal stories and takeaways you can use in the quest for your own wins.

Don't let anyone tell you, “You can't.” You can! Now let's head out on your journey.