It is a new year, and everyone I have spoken with is excited to tackle new goals living their personal and business lives in a deeper way this year.  All of us have had challenges in 2021, and when New Year’s day came along, many of us took the opportunity to reset, write new goals and begin anew.  Very often, however, it isn’t long before life turns us sideways and our goals that we set can seem out of reach.  As team leaders, Scott and I have spent hours upon hours reflecting on this topic and discussing with our team why this happens.  How do we stay motivated long enough to achieve our goals in a constantly changing and challenging environment? 

One of our teammates, Lauren, gave birth to a beautiful baby girl in the final days of 2021.  We are SO excited for her and the new experiences her family will have in the first couple of years!  I am reminded of the determination and delight when a baby takes her first step.  Even if she falls, almost immediately afterward, a small twinkle can be seen in her eyes as she smiles and realizes she can tackle such a challenging goal.  She has achieved, even if in the smallest way, and that achievement will motivate her to keep exploring.  Achievement makes a difference.  But is there more to the story?

In the baby’s first step scenario, imagine now that a parent is close by witnessing the child’s first stride across the floor and as the child’s foot lands in a stable position, the parent cheers with a broad smile from ear to ear.  Research shows the child will be extra motivated to try again, despite all the effort and concentration it will take before she is able to walk with confidence.  Recognition of achievement, then, makes a big difference along the path to mastery.  But is there still more to the story?

I believe there is.  In this scenario, the parent is offering recognition and support regardless of the baby’s outcome.  It is the effort, not the result, that is being celebrated.  Perhaps this baby is fiery and one small step lights her desire to try again and again, but then she falls flat on her face and cries.  She is now frustrated.  The parent that recognizes progress will still cheer even though she falls.  The parent may offer a cart or small walker the child can hold onto until she is ready to walk with both hands free.  This PROGRESS is celebrated as much as if she had walked on her own and that is precisely why she will build confidence to keep trying UNTIL she is successful at her task.  Repeated recognition of progress leads to success.

At first, we may recognize our own progress well, and it’s enough to keep us on track.  But if we haven’t shared our goals with a group of people we can count on, we end up frustrated and at high risk of giving up. The real magic happens when we are part of a group that will recognize and remind us of our progress repeatedly, no matter how many times we fall.  Have you thought about moving but haven’t been able to make progress?  Lean into us to help you achieve your goal in 2022! 

This week we’ll send out our E-newsletter including the stats for Mecklenburg County single family sales comparing December stats to the previous month and again to the same month last year. Here’s a sneak peek:

• Home sales are down 1% from last month but up 8% from last year.
• Average sales price is up 5% from last month and 23% from last year.
• Median sales price is even from last month and up 22% from last year.
• Average price per square foot is up 2% from last month and 22% from last year.
• Average time on market is up 20% from last month, but down 18% from last year.
• Pending home sales are down 11% from last month and even from this time last year.
• Supply is down 17% from last month and 13% from last year.
• Mortgage rates at 3.1% are up 1% from last month and down from 3.6% this time last year.
• Average house payment is up 5% from last month and 29% from last year.

Photo by Alexander Dummer on Unsplash