Change and uncertainty kindles anxiety in most individuals. And real estate agents are no different.
With the NAR settlement becoming public last Friday, anxiety in the real estate industry is, once again, heightened.
Do you have a strategy for addressing the anxiety your agents are feeling right now?
If not, author Stephanie Vozza suggests you may want to focus on fostering optimism.
Researchers have long documented that optimistic people are also more successful, enjoy better health, and live longer, more productive lives.
But what if you’re not an optimistic person?
True, some people are naturally more optimistic, however someone who is negative or pessimistic can control it and improve upon it.
Like any healthy habit, optimism is something you need to practice every day.
If you’re responsible for leading your agents through this difficult time, here’s some good news:
Optimism can be learned, diminishes your anxiety, and attracts others who want what you have found.
So how do you foster optimism? Here are some of the ideas Stephanie outlined:
Listen and show interest in others. People often think they’re alone in their struggles. When they hear about others who’ve experienced hardship (and survived), it gives them hope, and hope is the foundation of optimism.
Donate your time and energy. Whether it’s helping at the local food bank or being available to people you know, giving back is a habit optimistic people practice. The spirit of altruism makes you feel optimistic about your own life.
Surround yourself with upbeat people and ignore naysayers. You’re the sum of the people with whom you spend the most time. When you’re with other optimists, you’ll absorb their energy.
If optimism is one of your core strengths, you’ll establish yourself as someone who can lead the way when anxiety is high.
