MOTIVATIONAL SPEAKER, AUTHOR & SUCCESS COACH

July 2020 Newsletter FOCUS: Take charge of your time

 

February 2017 newsletter

 

 

Focus: Take charge of your time

 

A key component of success in any career is single-minded focus. Warren Buffett and Bill Gates, two of the world’s wealthiest people, have said that they owe their success to this trait. According to Buffett biographer Alice Schroeder, in 1991 when Bill Gates’ dad asked Buffett and Gates to name the most important factor in their success, they both gave the same answer: “Focus.”

 

In the dictionary focus comes before success, and the same thing is true in life. If you intend to take charge of your career, you must be laser-focused on your mission and your objectives.

 

One of my favorite motivational thought leaders, Tony Robbins, says it best: “Most people have no idea of the giant capacity we can immediately command when we focus all of our resources on mastering a single area of our lives.”

 

Robbins’ statement defines my career. For more than 30 years I have been laser-focused on one industry – real estate. I have been introduced to a variety of business opportunities, get-rich-quick schemes, and partnerships along the way. Some of those things grabbed my attention for a short time, but I always knew that if I focused on selling real estate and training real estate agents I would eventually become an expert. Instead of allowing myself to become sidetracked, I took charge of my career by staying focused.

 

If your career involves leadership, sales, or service, you probably have had many opportunities to become sidetracked. You may have switched companies or careers at some point, but that’s not a problem if you are able to stay focused on what matters most.

 

“The successful warrior is the average man with laser-like focus.”

– Bruce Lee 

 

I believe that author Jack Canfield was right on target when he said, “Successful people maintain a positive focus in life no matter what is going on around them. They stay focused on their past successes rather than their past failures, and on the next action steps they need to take to get them closer to the fulfillment of their goals rather than all the other distractions that life presents to them.”

 

Throughout my career in real estate I have tried to keep things as simple as possible and to avoid overthinking the obvious. I focused on doing two things: building a company and coaching Realtors. In the first half of my career I often wondered whether keeping things simple was really the best way to do business. I became more confident that I was on the right track when I started reading more and more about business leaders who had built their careers the same way. Jack Welch, the CEO of General Electric, bragged about his focus on keeping things simple. One of my all-time favorite sports icons, Vince Lombardi, former decorated head coach of the Green Bay Packers, described his way of thinking as “single-minded focus.”

 

Based on my own experience, I am convinced that success depends on constantly keeping our eyes on the prize and not allowing our focus to drift.

 

“That’s been one of my mantras – focus and simplicity. Simple can be harder than complex: You have to work hard to get your thinking clean to make it simple. But it’s worth it in the end because once you get there, you can move mountains.”  

– Steve Jobs

 

Say it with me, everyone:

“I can move mountains if I am focused and take charge of my time.”

 

One more time… out loud, please:

“I CAN MOVE MOUNTAINS IF I AM FOCUSED AND TAKE CHARGE OF MY TIME.”

 

Now, that had to feel good!

 

If not now, then when? And if not you, then who?

 

Van Deeb is a coach, speaker, and author who is recognized as an authority on helping people reach their goals, create a written plan, build confidence, and live a more productive and fulfilled life. His proven methods helped Van build one of the largest real estate companies in the country, growing his business from just himself to an agency with 350 associates. Invite Van to present a workshop, keynote, or event at your company. Contact Van at his direct line: 402-680-8448, through email: van@vandeeb.com, or on the Web at www.vandeeb.com

 

 

What People in the Audience are Saying…

With Van's passion, humor and experience you can be assured of one thing- your audience is going to get fired-up, built-up, and fully charged –up. As an entrepreneur at the top of his game Van is in the unique position of being able to "talk the talk" because he has "walked the walk". Over the years he has been a great inspiration to me and my staff. Van is a speaker with charisma, humility and impact and he's a difference maker in the lives of the people he touches…"

—George Akers // President, First Mortgage Corp.

I wanted to thank you for coming and speaking with our company today. I thought your presentation was awesome! I was really motivated and inspired by your thoughts and ideas. I will use this motivation to grow my business and my personal life.”

—Justin Pauls // Realtor, Tampa, Florida

We are delighted you will be accepting the award for Omaha’s Top 25 fastest growing companies. Congratulations on your outstanding growth and we wish you continued success.”

—Tracey Fortina // Omaha Chamber of Commerce

Thank you for running such a class act company. It is an honor and a pleasure to be associated with someone such as yourself. I know you are probably one of the most respected businessmen in the region.”

—Dustin Talacko // Realtor, Omaha, Nebraska

Congratulations on writing “Selling from the heart” and thank you for sharing a copy with me. Your class has been one of the most enjoyable classes I’ve ever taken. Your enthusiasm and passion for your work are awesome. But the most refreshing part of the class was your delightful sense of humor. Thank you again for being a fantastic teacher.”

—Linda Reismeiler // Student at Randall School of Real Estate, Omaha, Nebraska

Kudos to you, Van, for reaching a major goal. But more than that...For successfully building one of Omaha’s best companies from scratch and making it thrive even in less than ideal market conditions. You have realized the American Dream...And brought it home to many, many others. My best to you!”

—Todd Andrews, Anchor and Producer, KETV Omaha

Having you here again was such a blessing to so many! As I looked at the pictures, I could see just how interested each and every person was in what you had to say!

This has been such a gift to our agents when they need it the most. The fact that you come, you are so genuine and caring, you are so honest, you are not trying to sell anything and your passion to help each and every person believe in themselves and become the best they can be is HUGE! The timing is perfect for us all helping and caring about each other, so, thank YOU from the bottom of my heart for giving of yourself to help all of us!”

—Carolyn Summerton // First Mortgage Company of Idaho

I enjoyed your seminar and its focus. I was on the fence whether or not to attend and decided why not? I could have sat through an all day session if there was one, usually I end up at the seminars that start with a focus and quickly go astray. I found with yours time flew by too fast and it was already time to go but I wasn’t ready to go.”

—Scott Asbill, CDPE // Associate Broker, Realtor