An Election Year

Hello all,

"An Election Year"

There is an old saying in the sales world that there are two things you don't talk about at a cocktail party (you can now through in, "or post on Facebook") and that is Religion or Politics. However when a political event might have an impact on our business it is worth following. In regards to the macro economy big business has been sitting on piles of cash for sometime waiting to see the outcome of the election. Usually in a recovery the money would be flowing into research and development, mergers and acquisitions... This years election has so much riding on it for big business that they simply are taking a wait and see attitude which combined with gridlock in the government has stalled the recovery. What does this mean for housing? To be honest I am not sure and we need to keep an eye on it. In the micro economy people tend to get a little nervous with their wallet as the election approaches. Uncertainty can kill any rally. We had a good winter, a great spring and we are having a good summer but will it have legs through the fall and the election? Low interest rates, low inventory and pent up demand are all in our favor so the odds are good. But... and what I am suggesting is let's store a couple of nuts just in case we have a little pull back this fall. Either way, I really believe that after the election when people realize that their world is not coming to an end because their candidate did not when we are off to the races with a long sustained recovery in housing. 

Enjoy the coffee,

Joe

INSPIRATION FOR TODAY:

"Leaders are like eagles. They don't flock - you find them one at a time."

~ Unattributed

BE FREE!

In Stephen Covey's "Seven Habits," he talks about focusing on the important to the exclusion of the unimportant. In his own words, "The main thing is to keep the main thing the main thing."

See if you recognize which motivational trainer espoused this similar philosophy:

"There are things within your power, and there are things beyond your power. Within your power are opinion, aim, desire, aversion; in a word, whatever affairs are your own. Beyond your power are body, property, reputation, office; in a word, affairs not properly your own. Concern yourself only with what is within your power.

The essence of good consists of things within your own power; with them there is no room for envy or emulation. For your part, do not desire to be a general, or a senator, or a consul, but to be free; and the only way to do this is a disregard of things which do not lie within your own power."

If you guessed Zig Ziglar, Howard Brinton, or Anthony Robbins, guess again. Its author referred to it as a "field manual for soldiers." It was carried by Frederick the Great on all his campaigns. It was written by the Stoic philosopher Epictetus.

Stephen Covey conveys a similar message when he suggests drawing two concentric circles with a dot in the middle. He equates the dot in the middle to you, the first circle as your area of influence, and the outside circle as your area of concern. He suggests that you concentrate only on the circle of influence, things which you have the power to influence or change. He advises that you disregard those in the area of concern over which you have no influence or power.

YOUR CHALLENGE FOR THIS WEEK:

How much time and energy are you wasting through worry and concern over things you cannot control? Focus your energy and your life on the "main thing" beginning now - then watch your circle of influence begin to grow. Do it now!