It’s that time of year again. It’s getting dark earlier, Walgreen’s already has Christmas decorations set up in the store and its not even Halloween yet. Other signs of “the end of the year” are everywhere. People are planning Thanksgiving trips, holiday parties and shopping lists are being created. It’s the time of year when most real estate agents put things on “cruise control”, relax for the rest of the year with the false hope that “next year will be my year.” Those crazy thoughts creep into our minds, “after the holidays I’ll get focused again”. After the election “things will settle down.” When the stock market recovers “more people will be interested in buying real estate.” Blah, blah, blah, blah, blah.

Here’s the reality that every top producer in this business understands. Today is the most important day in the success of your business… not tomorrow or next week or “after the holidays.” Today is what you have. Today is where you should be focused. Today you should make up your mind to be your best. Today is the day you should be creating results.

There is still over 20% of the calendar year left to go in 2008. A full 1/5th of your production, results and profitability are available to you by just staying focused for the rest of the year. You know that most other agents are checking out. You know that most other agents will be finding excuses for their lack of production for the rest of the year. So use that to your advantage. Work smarter and harder than your competitors right now. There’s no valid reason to wait until next year.

Here’s some typical excuses many agents are using right now to avoid building their businesses as well as some solutions you should be implementing.

So why don’t you celebrate “New Years” today, instead of January 1st. Get focused today, make your prospecting calls today. Call your past clients today. Farm your neighborhood(s) today. If you wait until January 1st, it may be too late.