The problem with big wrecks, apart from the very real consequences for the immediate participants, is that everyone else stops what they're doing to gawk. They stop thinking about the task at hand.
This spectacular accident happened in Alberta, Canada when the driver of the semi took his eyes off the road to reach for a demanding cellphone.
Little actions can have huge unintended consequences for the participants, and if everyone else rubbernecks, traffic can back up for miles. Commerce grinds to a halt.
This morning, that's what's happening in Washington. Washington Mutual failed last night. The administration didn't come away from meetings with Congress and the Federal Reserve with a consensus plan for the $700 billion dollar credit bailout.
None of it matters--not to you or to me. That's right. IT DOESN'T MATTER!
Oh, it will matter in the long run. But my business requires my total attention today. This morning. While we keep our eyes glued to the networks, the business of selling and financing real estate slows down and comes to a halt. That's only going to happen if we let it happen.
So here's what I'm going to do when I open the office at 8:30 this morning.
- Refresh. I'm going to thank God that I'm in the business I'm in right now. There are one million people in greater Tucson, and a lot of them need (and will happily pay for) my expertise.
- Refocus. In spite of wars, pestilence and famine somewhere else on the planet, my office will run the same way it has always run. It's quiet. My surroundings are conducive to business. I'm going to spend two hours on my lead tracker. I'm going to follow up with the realtors who referred me business yesterday. I'll update them and thank them. I'll email Title and ask for prelims.
In short, I won't take my eyes off the goal. The rest of the world can stop and stare at events beyond their control. I refuse to do so. My family is depending on me to do my job.
I'm Mike in Tucson, your preferred Tucson, Arizona mortgage lender.
Think of me as your local expert.
