by: Brian North photo by: Jeff Beene What a week… I was asked yesterday what I feel the overall feeling of our agents with respect to market conditions is. My one-on-ones with some of you this week are predominantly filled with patience, discussions of filling the pipeline, mindset strength, and general confidence. Our weekly market call, Coffee Talk, is vibrant, thoughtful, and delivered with a necessary mixed tone. Lenders are matter-of-fact and optimistic about the road ahead. John Angelo continues to deliver the fact that we are headed toward a “normal” market. Mike D’Elena shares that while things are changing and there’s seemingly a lack of urgency, there are some opportunities showing themselves in the market in the form of price reductions. Bradley Opitz, while direct and bearish, continues to believe that this version of a potential recession will be moderate. On social media your innovation is world-class, your content is best of breed, you’re speaking with confidence, your body language is strong, and your messages are filled with heart. Our classes seem to be hitting right where they need to be, attendance is high, and collaboration is filled with commitment and care. In spite of change, you are confident and I am so happy. Keep doing exactly what you’re doing. One last thing, please keep your eyes are ears out for those who need a pick-me-up. Not everybody is winning, and not everybody is vocal about it. This is a place where we protect our own. Please help where you can or where time permits, and lastly lean on Monica, Michele, Julie, Jennifer, Stephanie, and myself to help if you cannot. Together we will thrive in this market filled with opportunity. Have you been to the gym lately? Frankly, it’s not really my thing, but I know I must exercise. If I have to work on cardio, I like to hike, run, or surf (when I can). If I need to work on strength, I like H.I.T. training. But, what about the brain? What about the heart (emotionally)? What about communication? What about creativity? What gym can you go to for these muscles, and what exercises can you do? I am certain that these parts of ourselves need to be exercised, and I’m committed to creating a gym where that can happen. You’ve maybe heard me mention lately that in creative space I feel I’ve been thinking a bit in gray. In order for me to find my highest and best creatively, I need to think in color. So, yesterday I went to Michael’s, the craft store, and purchased a sketchbook and soft pastels. If I’m going to think in color, then it’s time to do whatever I can to exercise the part of my brain that thinks in color. I drew a banana, a water bottle, and a butterfly. WOW! A banana, a water bottle, and a butterfly? That’s what’s going to create a new way of thinking? Absolutely, it will. Like anything, I will start clunky and with practice, will get better. It’s already therapeutic and gives me something to take my mind off of the minute-to-minute. When I am weak, self-audit, and identify a need to grow, I exercise. I know, I must be strong and it doesn’t stop at diet and the gym. Look inward, listen to the messages, identify where you’re weak, then get into "the gym". If you can’t find a gym that will support the figurative muscles you need to work, then create one. Have a beautiful day identifying where you can use a little strength training and share it with someone. Have fun creating your new gym for the muscles you need to work and get in there are get it done. Oh yeah, have fun. Life is long, and the market will change again, and again, and again, and again, so let’s act like we’ve been there before and will be there again. Change is what’s normal, your commitment to exercise is what’s not.