From the desk of 2019 RRC President Michael Burkhard, CRS
The start of each New Year presents an opportunity to create a new path—one that will inspire us, challenge us and encourage us to set and achieve new goals—and one that will ultimately pave the way for success.
So, how do we accomplish this? What can we do to remain steadfast and focused? What happens if we encounter obstacles? How do we ensure that we are making progress and moving in the direction we intended? There are many possibilities to consider. You can choose to go it alone. You can choose to quit in the face of adversity. You can choose to do absolutely nothing.
If none of these options appeal to you, there is another one to consider. You can choose to strengthen connections.
Taking a proactive approach in life, both personally and professionally, is the best way to attain, develop and strengthen connections. As residential real estate agents, Council members and Certified Residential Specialists, our connections—and our commitment to those connections—are what set us apart from other industry professionals. Although the ways in which we interact with each other have evolved—from face-to-face conversations, phone calls and emails to text and social media messages—one thing remains constant: connections are more vital now than ever before.
How can we continue to build relationships in an industry and world that are both rapidly evolving? The answer is simple. Go back to the basics. Reach out to your fellow CRS peers for referrals. Make the time to network. Register for RRC courses. Attend a Council-sponsored or State RRC event. Be a mentor to a new REALTOR® or designee. Simply share your knowledge and passion for the profession with all those around you.
When we consciously make the effort to connect and engage with others, when we set out to advance ourselves as individuals and when we foster a sense of community, our clients, our families, our friends and our careers will benefit the most. We will be stronger, wiser, confident and ready to face the path that lies before us.
The path will certainly be long. There may be setbacks. There may be uncertainty. There may be some regrets. But in the end, the people you meet and engage along the way, the connections you nourish and strengthen throughout each year will be the foundation and the motivation that ultimately lead you to success.
