Comments on: The Most Important Skill

By: Marc Rasmussen

Marc Rasmussen — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 20:11:00 +0000

What amazed me is that some of the highest producing agents barely know how to use email or their cell phone. You have to love referral business.

By: Christopher Mancini

Christopher Mancini — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 01:56:14 +0000

Great post. It is amazing how little people try to learn new things. Even when there is the opportunity for improving their career, most people are reluctant. I know my parents, even though they had miserable jobs, made no money what so ever. They continued to do the same routine of wake up, go to work, come home, have dinner, watch tv and go to bed. It was rather disturbing. I think that is why I work so hard and never stop learning. I do not want that life.

Chris

By: Glenn fm Naples

Glenn fm Naples — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 22:28:58 +0000

Teresa – the picture really caught my attention. Yes, we have a great opportunity to learn something new everyday. Learning something new each day, is like investing in one’s self – it can be a great investment.

Buyers in today’s real estate market can be picky due to the inventory of available properties. I truly wonder if their reaction had been the same, if there was less inventory on the market?

By: Bill Lublin

Bill Lublin — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 20:56:45 +0000

Teresa ;
You are so much fun to read that I almost want to buy you an “H” (yes, I would spend the extra money for a capital and you wouldn’t even have to use it until the next person misspelled your name)

I think that the point you make is so basic that its scary – people that don’t like new things don;t learn much – people that like new things like to learn- travel, technology, the web- its all form not substance -

My son’s father in law doesn’t have an internet connection, but he is constantly learning and growing – instead of the web he uses the library, instead of using his cell phone, he’s teaching himself to play the guitar, instead of taking a digital photo, he’ll paint or draw – but its still treating life as a journey with endless posibilities.

First we don’t know what we don’t know
Then we learn what we don’t know
Then we learn how to do things with thought an effort
Then we learn how to do them effortlessly

and then, if we want to enjoy life to the fullest – we start all over again

By: Jill Foster

Jill Foster — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 18:35:22 +0000

Thx for the post. It’s thought provoking. And I’m wondering if people who resist learning new things are particular types of learners aka just audio or visual or tactile. I wonder too if the issue of confidence or lack thereof impacts a person’s ability or willingness to engage in different concepts. Hmm.

My working theory is people are stuck in a poor habit – consciously or not – which causes them to shy away from learning new frontiers. It doesn’t seem as simple as people refuse consciously to not learn.

Ah then again, there’s your clients who rejected a potential home because they don’t want to learn wall papering, etc. I’d like to think they’re overly attached to that ‘perfect home’ concept from the get go. Maybe I’m realizing my own resistance to the notion that some folks want to avoid learning.

…working through the hypotheticals still. Thx for post.

By: Teresa Boardman

Teresa Boardman — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 17:17:05 +0000

Benn – I see email and phones as being necessary in our jobs to sell real estate. I don’t agree with the old fashioned notion that face to face is more important. I work with many people who are on a mission and they are on the internet. They expect me to be on the internet for them helping and don’t necessarily need to see my face.

Mathew – that is where my frustration comes in sometimes. Too many people say “can’t” instead of trying to learn. Can’t is one of the worst four letter words in the English language.

By: ines

ines — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 16:57:34 +0000

some of us could be considered professional learners! You and I and many others know that the Internet is an amazing source of information, but how are those people that can’t work their voice mail going to turn on a computer and actually surf the web?

I agree with Matthew about the “willingness to learn” and not a challenge of generations. That photo is amazing…..The iphone takes some pretty amazing light paintings without the need for slow shutter speed.

By: Charleston real estate blog

Charleston real estate blog — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 15:56:33 +0000

Teresa, I wouldn’t call the desire for knowledge or the ability to learn a *skill* but everyone would be better as a result.

By: Matthew Rathbun

Matthew Rathbun — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 14:48:12 +0000

This is my argument that technology and Social Media is not a challenge of generations, but of a willingness to learn. I’m with Benn, most don’t learn because they are making do with what they currently know and don’t see the value. I have yet to figure out how to motivate someone to be motivated for knowledge. Maybe it’s because I can’t understand and therefore don’t try very hard.

By: Benn Rosales

Benn Rosales — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 14:45:00 +0000

None of the things you’ve mentioned are necessary to sell real estate. That is why so many get away with not learning. What leaves me blank is how dire it is to communicate with your clients. How are clients not let down by such a sweeping lack of communication? How in the world are you not pressed by the sheer desire of others to communicate with you? Anyone who has left their cell phone somewhere for an afternoon by accident can attest to how day shattering it can be w/o such an important piece of technology, so how is it so many can live w/o it? I am a firm believer that once you embrace a technology, one becomes dependent on it and cannot live without it. Those that do not have it do not know what they’re missing, or do they?

In other words, is there an urgency to check and respond to email if there is no email? Maybe they know more than we- maybe they are the better hands on agents… hrm.