This happened last night on my way home from work, and the business application to the story hit me like a ton of bricks. I've got to pay attention if I'm to navigate this real estate market and survive. We're talking survival here. Staying alive. Reaching our objectives. Paying the bills and keeping the doors to our businesses open.
See if this resonates with you.
The story:
5:40 p.m. Rush hour traffic on a main east west artery through town. 4 lanes.
I saw the approaching minivan in my mirror. It passed me on the right, doing about 40. Traffic was doing about 35.
As I glanced over, I was more than mildly surprised to see the driver reading a paperback novel that she was holding against the steering wheel.
My point & shoot Lumix rides shotgun with me on the passenger seat, and it's set to take a 3-photo sequence. I rolled down the passenger side window and waited for an opportunity.
Half a block down the road, I captured this photo. Notice three things: (1) the minivan's front wheel is a blur at the speed we're travelling, (2) the level of traffic in my passenger side mirror, and (3) the drivers' focus--look at her eyes.
The allegory:
I'm doing this with my business some days. Why, you ask? I do it because I can. I'm good at what I do.
(I know how to drive. I drive this road every day.) I do it because my business, like yours, is repetitious and sometimes boring. It's fallen into a pattern.
We've been working long enough that we can do parts of our business without thinking about actually doing it. Without concentrating. Without focusing on the task at hand.
I can't say what it might be for you. For me, the allegory is is to my marketing. It's on autopilot. I'm on autopilot. I know how to do this stuff.
If you think for a minute, you'll see an allegory in your business. Let's all focus today, and "arrive alive."
I'm Mike in Tucson, your preferred Tucson, AZ Mortgage lender.
Think of me as your Tucson mortgage expert.
Call me if I can help you with a purchase or refi mortgage:
(520) 349-9090
Holy cow Mike that sounds like an accident waiting to happen!
Bill,
That's what I'm thinking about me if I don't pay closer attention to my business! :) I hope she got home safely.
Mike in Tucson
Conducting your business on "autodrive" comes with experience.
We don't "try" things. We just do what we know works.
Taking chances with advertising, marketing, transactions, etc. is risky and sort of like driving with a book under your knows, an accident about to happen.
Fabulous photos.
Lenn,
Thanks! It's always an honor to have you comment.
Mike in Tucson
Mike this is an excellent post and like you, some of my business practices are repetitive from the natural course of doing things over the years but I still have to focus on where my business comes from as well as my business practices. BTW I never TXT while driving, that is an accident that will happen! Sooner and NOT later!
Russell,
The title came from an officer in California who had pulled me over for changing lanes without signaling on a busy freeway. I was in a company car, and we were pulled over in a Gore area. I had put the car in park (I thought) and he pulled up to within inches of me. After we talked (he talked) he got back in his car to write me up. I took my foot off the brake. The car was actually in reverse. OOPS!
"You've got to pay attention" he roared. "It's the main thing." I never did get the ticket. LOL
Mike in Tucson
Mike,
Many people abhor change so doing the same thing over and over is comforting. Over time though, I believe the risk takers will cut into your business.
That must be one good book to take your life in your hands reading it.
Rich
Rich,
I never did find out what she was reading. I don't think she ever saw me.
Mike in Tucson
Mike, the bottom line is we have to stay focused and keep our eyes on the road. Thanks.
If our focus is distracted then more than likely we will not meet our goals. We need to put our energy effort and focus on the task at hand, whatever your individual task may be.
Good post!
I wonder if she was reading "How to Survive in Real Estate" LOL Seriously, not funny, she could have been badly hurt and worse yet, seriously injured someone else, even a child. Lady, have you heard of "books on the go", put in a CD for heaven's sake.
Mike - I see this every now and then, but I also see people texting in traffic, and searching for tunes on thier Ipod. As far as business goes, i agree, take you eye off the ball, and i will take it.
Mike, isn't it a little dangerous taking pictures while you drive? Just kidding :-) If you want to be consistently successful, then you must change and grow and not fall into doing just the status quo.
You are right on. I say things some times and then later the buyer or seller tell me what I said and it is quite different. I need to make sure people understand and I need to pay more attention to how I do business. I wonder if she is one of the ladies I see on the highway doing her makeup on the way to work in the morning.
Hi Mike - Now there's a candidate for audio books if I ever saw one! Great allegory to business. I know I've needed to focus, regroup, focus, regroup time and time again these past 2 1/2 years.
Karen,
Audible.com, anyone?!
Terry,
I wonder if by chance she will come across this post? :)
Lara,
I wondered the same thing. :) Steering with my knees, right hand on the shutter, left hand working the focus part... :)
Larry,
A candidate for traffic survival school?
Donna,
Yup! Audible.com
Tony & Libby,
Thanks!
IMF,
It makes you wonder...
Michael,
You hit the nail on the head. Thanks for commenting.
Mike in Tucson
HI MIKE! Geez. I think her sister lives here on the eastide! Now about the allegory, when we think that we don't need to think anymore, we get off track.... by accident. -- Gab
Gab,
The license plate is FROG.
Mike in Tucson
Mike,
And I thought cell phones were bad!!! :) Thanks, Fran
Oh my! Been tempted to do this a couple of times when I was "in the middle" of a good book but seriously....waaaay too dangerous.
Wow - is it me or are the graphics we have to enter under our posts (to prevent spam) getting more complicated? Mine for this post is grumixameira!
Rita,
Don't do it... :)
Fran,
We're just old farts who don't know how to multi-task!
Mike in Tucson
Mike in Tucson: I guess she has never been in an accident. This post really sheds some light on where I am headed. I took a moment to think about what you were writing about and to double check what I am doing is what I had intended on doing with my 2009 business plan. Autopilot is great, but the pilot needs to come back and check to make sure everything is heading on the same path.
Mike,
Just as US Airways Flight 1549 shows, even the most experienced pilot must, on occasion, turn off the auto-pilot and take control of the machine they are driving - otherwise, the consequences could be dire.
Good job here!
Maryellen
Maryellen,
Yes they can. Sad about that flight.
Michelle,
I appreciate your candor. See you soon on your blog.
Mike in Tucson
Of course she didn't see you, she was focused on her book. I have seen this on the freeway up here, a guy reading the newspaper. That's really scary. (the other is women putting on makeup.)
Doreen,
It's a scary thing indeed!
Mike in Tucson
after your cow blog, I am keeping my eyes on the REAR view mirror instead, that is what I care about most!
Janie,
Don't listen to them when they tell you to keep your head down...
Mike in Tucson