Washington Mortgage Planner-straight up mortgage advice and commentary

Good morning! I was thinking yesterday (always a dangerous thought because it usually leads to a blog!) about how we in the real estate business should approach our job. Of course it brought up the question "Are you working your job or it it working you"?

I'm aware that the last couple years have been tough and I know that I'm also looking forward to better times ahead. Personally, I don't have much historical perspective. I started in April 2006, am not a quick starter, and by the time I figured it out things were almost at a standstill. The one thing I probably did right is I continued to work my job as if it was a career.

I think this is important. My office has shrunk from probably 18 people originating loans down to 5 over the past couple of years. Most of the people who left were younger and got used to a big paycheck without building their business. When I was counselled by two friends to go into the mortgage business, I took the plunge and tried to make it a career.

That's the difference and what I mean by working your job. I am always impressed when I meet a realtor, for example, and they're wearing their badge and talking about their Open Houses. To me that means commitment. Let's face it. We all have a choice and if we don't decide to work our job it will work us. Rich Sweum here on Active Rain recently came up with 30 things we can all do to keep our head in the game. Thanks, Rich. That list helped me get focused again. I'm curious what you're doing to stay sharp. I believe that for those of us who stick with it, and maintain our focus, good times will come again. And probably sooner than we might imagine. Have a great Thanksgiving and keep working your job. Or it will work you! Take care.