Last month, our family embarked on a vacation to our nations's capital, Washington, D.C. We were eager to explore beyond the iconic monuments, Smithsonian museums, and government buildings that typically define the city. In our quest for a unique experience, we stumbled upon the Planet Word Museum, a place that promised to immerse us in a world of language and words. Little did we know that this interactive museum leave us with a profound sense of joy and curiosity. Planet Word, unlike any other museum we've visited, offered a fully interactive experience centered around language and words. What captivated us the most was its inclusive approach, celebrating languages from all corners of the globe, not just English. For hours, we delved into the rich tapestry of diverse languages, marveling at the nuances that make each one unique. The "Word Wall" was a highlight, providing an engaging journey through the evolution of the English language. From the roots of words to the intricate web of etymology, it was a fascinating exploration of how our language has evolved over centuries. This dynamic exhibit transformed what could be a dry subject into an animated and captivating experience. Karaoke, typically associated with entertainment, took on an educational twist at Planet Word. We discovered how certain language conventions play a pivotal role in making songs resonate with audiences, turning our impromptu singing sessions into a learning adventure. It was a delightful surprise to see the intersection of language and music seamlessly integrated into the museum's offerings. I even got up and sang “Stop in the Name of Love!” as well as “Me & Julio Down by the Schoolyard.” Absolutely no photos of that! One of the most enchanting aspects of Planet Word was the interactive library, where words truly came to life. Visitors could interact with exhibits that breathed life into literary works, sparking curiosity and a newfound appreciation for the power of words. It was a testament to the museum's commitment to making language not just a study but a vibrant, living entity. Leaving Planet Word we couldn’t stop talking about the different things that struck each of us in the museum. We had not only enjoyed a day of interactive learning but had also satisfied our curiosity and love of literature and language. The museum had successfully transformed what could be perceived as a niche topic into a universally appealing adventure. Reflecting on our experience, I can’t help but draw parallels between Planet Word's impact on us and the essence of effective branding. One of the most effective ways the museum created a cohesive experience is the consistency of the typefaces, colors, and messaging throughout. The museum has created an environment that not only educates but also leaves you with the inability to stop thinking about the experience. This is the epitome of good branding – the ability to evoke emotions and cultivate a desire to return for more. As a marketer of your own brand, how are you achieving this in your business? It can be overwhelming to try and make every piece of your marketing “sing the same song” while also standing out. What story you are telling, or what song are you singing? When people hear it, do they immediately associate with YOU?

Every year, Carrie and I pick a word. It's not just any word—it's like our North Star, steering our goals and sealing our commitment to ourselves and our business. Last year, 2023, was all about fine-tuning at Post & Beam. We dove deep, really getting to grips with what our clients need and crave from us. This wasn't just enlightening; it reshaped our services. We refined our website too, making sure it's a reflection of who we are, who we cater to, and the unique ways we make a mark. That's why for 2024, our guiding words are FOCUS and SOLIDIFY. These aren't just words; they're our roadmap to making 2024 a year where we grow personally and Post & Beam becomes a distinguished name in real estate. Carrie's guiding word: FOCUS Fitness: while last year my word was movement, this year I'm focusing on my overall fitness. There was a time when I was in fantastic shape, and there is absolutely no reason why I can't be that way again. Own my nutritional choices: nutrition has always been my stumbling block. Instead of following another fad diet trend (I've done them all!) I'm focusing on whole foods that nourish my body—allowing for treats when they're worth it, not because I'm stressed, sad, or tired. Carve out time for creativity. While this seems unusual because my job is to be creative, it's not the same as the creativity that lights a fire within me. There are two things I love to do: weaving and furniture building or refinishing. I'm putting it on my calendar this year, like an appointment. Unburden. I carry a heavy mental load as a mom, wife, business partner/ owner, daughter, sister, and friend. I will focus on unburdening my mind of the people, things, and tasks that aren't good for my soul. Self-care: this one is huge for me. I have let my self-care slide for too long. Doctor appointments, therapy, and meditation are all a part of my non-negotiables for 2024. Christine's guiding word: SOLIDIFY Strengthen my relationships by actively listening. Active listening means asking questions, being present, and learning when someone needs help or a hug, knowing that I want to leave them feeling seen, heard, and acknowledged. Own my position as a leader and a real estate marketer so that I meet every challenge and opportunity with thought, expertise, and integrity. Live my values every day, ensuring that my actions and decisions align with my core beliefs and fostering trust and respect among colleagues and clients. Inspire others to believe in themselves by sharing my knowledge and experiences, encouraging them to pursue their goals confidently, and never giving up. Distinguish myself by being true to myself and maintaining authenticity in my interactions and decisions. Intensify the momentum of Post & Beam so that it solidifies our reputation as a trusted and fun team that delivers on our promise to every client. Focus on my core competencies, honing my skills and knowledge to solidify what I'm known for. Yet to be determined: Embrace continuous growth and always be flexible and open to new ideas, making mistakes, and learning. As we step into 2024 with Focus and Solidify as our guiding words, we're excited to see where they will take us both personally and professionally. Do you have a guiding word? We'd love to know. Drop it in the comments.

The stories you tell yourself and the language that you use can impact your attitude and performance. Here's how to keep self-talk positive. As published in Inman News on July 21, 2023 I’ve been discussing becoming an entrepreneur since 2004, when I played with the idea of opening a yoga studio, but I never believed I would succeed. Over the years, self-sabotaging thoughts held me back from showing up in my most authentic way. For a long time, I believed I had to show up as someone other than me to compete, be accepted, or achieve my goals. I read a book years ago by Shirzad Chamine called Positive Intelligence. The premise is that we all have a judge within us, and our judge has nine accomplice saboteurs designed to support the judge by keeping us safe and protecting us from pain, rejection and failure. They show up in our heads as negative self-talk. Do any of these sound familiar? “I’m not qualified enough.” “I’m such an idiot.” “I just don’t have what it takes.” “I suck at this.” “Others are better than me.” “I won’t be happy until…” These self-limiting beliefs prevent you from taking advantage of opportunities, taking chances, believing in yourself and reaching your full potential. Ultimately these saboteurs lead to negative feelings like fear, disappointment, guilt, shame, resentment, and anger. Positive Intelligence helped me get on the path of being aware when I was having self-sabotaging thoughts, and I learned to apply strategies to redirect them. Here are seven strategies that help me keep negative self-talk at bay: Bring awareness to the negative dialogue. Awareness is half the battle. Once you become aware that your saboteurs are influencing you, you have choices and the power to shift your thinking. Notice and name them. When you begin to notice your saboteur’s powers, use visualization. Imagine if they are human, animal, or even supernatural. Imagine all the details about their appearance, like their height, hair color, eye color, what they’re wearing, etc. Next, give your saboteur a name. The mere act of creating a being outside of yourself weakens their power over you. Breathe and come back into your body. When you feel the emotion of your saboteur arise, bring breath into your awareness. Take long, slow inhales and exhales, and notice your chest expand and contract as you do so. Then wiggle your fingers and toes and notice what it feels like as the calmness takes over. Count back. Mel Robbins wrote an entire book around this. Counting back slows your mind and can be enough distraction to change your thinking. Try counting 5-4-3-2-1 and say, “Right now, this is enough.” Get curious about what’s happening. When you become uncomfortable, step outside the situation and ask yourself, “What is it about this situation that I need to understand?” or “What is the other person perceiving that I am not?” Employ empathy. If they feel good, you feel good. Will fighting for and winning that parking space make you feel better, or is it possible that you’ll feel better “giving it” to the other person? Flash forward. Have you ever heard this statement: Nobody on their deathbed said, “I wish I had spent more time at the office“? Can you fast forward to the end of a difficult situation and ask yourself, “How do I want this other person (my client, teammate, or friend) to feel at the end of this?” Then ask yourself, “What actions do I need to take to make that happen?” None of these things are easy. Some of them probably feel weird and uncomfortable, but with practice and commitment, you can shift the negative self-talk to empowering self-talk that makes you feel confident, strong, and in control. The key is to take the first step and don’t give up. Try. Then fall, and try again. It takes 21 days to form a habit, and even then, you’ll do great for a while before you fall again. However, each time you get back up, it will get a little easier. How will you shift your negative self-talk so you can reach your full potential?

2023 was nothing short of epic for our podcast, Know Like Trust for Real Estate. We connected with 22 brilliant minds, diving deep into the business of real estate and personal growth. I'm excited to bring you our top 5 episodes - the ones that resonated most with our listeners. These are the conversations that sparked ideas, offered solid strategies, and inspired action in real estate and beyond. #5 Expert Tips for Securing Podcast Interviews with Christina Lenkowski Christina Lenkowski, is a publicity maven. Her energy was motivating and her expert advice was gold. If you're looking to leverage podcasts to build your brand, this is the episode for you. Listen to the episode here. #4 House Hunting for Your Niche with Michele Bellisari Michele Bellisari, the niche expert, unpacked the art of finding and flourishing in your real estate niche. This episode is a goldmine for anyone aiming to carve out a unique space in the competitive real estate market. Tune in to Michele's wisdom here. #3 How to Become a Successful Real Estate Agent with Shelley Zavitz Shelley Zavitz is likely one of the most generous, funny and smart real estate agents on the planet. She made it her mission to help new real estate pros not make the same mistakes she did. This episode is a treasure trove of practical advice for both rookies and veterans in the field. Catch Shelley's tips here. #2 Consistent Branding with Carrie Edwards and Me In this episode, my fab biz partner and friend, Carrie Edwards joined me to dissect the importance of consistent branding in real estate. It's all about creating a brand that resonates and remains memorable in the hearts and minds of your audience. Revisit our branding conversation here. #1 The Power of Positive Self-Talk with Peloton Instructor, Christine D'Ercole Topping our list is the inspiring session with Peloton instructor, Christine D'Ercole. Christine innately knows what you're thinking and feeling and validates you - plain and simple. Her insights on positive self-talk are not just transformative for your career but for your life. This is an inspirational conversation and a must-listen for everyone striving for personal and professional growth. Experience more of Christine D'Ercole here. 2023 was a year filled with learning, growth, and inspiration, thanks to these phenomenal conversations. I hope these episodes fuel your drive and equip you with strategies to excel in real estate and beyond. Here's to another year of insightful discussions and breakthroughs in 2024!

Welcome to the last step, your BONUS tip in our series, 10-Step Countdown to building your 2024 Marketing plan! Time blocking is like having a GPS for your day. It helps you navigate your schedule efficiently. Here's how to make it a habit: Plan your day in blocks of focused time. Prioritize tasks and allocate specific time slots. Minimize distractions to boost productivity. Mastering your schedule leads to a balanced life. Want to dive deeper into time management or get help crafting a 12-month personal plan, schedule a chat with us. We offer one-on-one and group workshops. And don't forget to take advantage of our lowest prices of the season, available for a limited time. Save $30 on our signature digital course, Clicks to Closings with code: HOLIDAY23 Buy One Marketing Tool and Get One FREE with code: HOLIDAYBOGO

Welcome to Step 10 in our series, 10-Step Countdown to building your 2024 Marketing plan! Welcome to Day 10 / Step 10 on the road to building your 2024 Marketing plan! You made it! But wait, we have something extra special we’re delivering tomorrow so make sure to check your inbox for a BONUS tip. Your well-being is the foundation of your success. Like the oxygen mask in an airplane, self-care is essential. Here's how to prioritize it: Put boundaries in place. Engage in activities that rejuvenate you. Incorporate movement into each day.. Remember, self-care is a necessity, not a luxury. Need more self-care strategies or help crafting a 12-month personal plan, schedule a chat with us. We offer one-on-one and group workshops. And don't forget to take advantage of our lowest prices of the season, available for a limited time. Save $30 on our signature digital course, Clicks to Closings with code: HOLIDAY23 Buy One Marketing Tool and Get One FREE with code: HOLIDAYBOGO

Welcome to Step 9 in our series, 10-Step Countdown to building your 2024 Marketing plan! Elevate your marketing game with a robust digital strategy. It's like having a megaphone that reaches your ideal customer and build the know, like trust factor. Here’s how: Create compelling video content. Share your expertise through blogging. Launch or contribute to a podcast. Your marketing activities should tell your unique story. Struggling with ideas or need help crafting a 12-month personal plan, schedule a chat with us. We offer one-on-one and group workshops. And don't forget to take advantage of our lowest prices of the season, available for a limited time. Save $30 on our signature digital course, Clicks to Closings with code: HOLIDAY23 Buy One Marketing Tool and Get One FREE with code: HOLIDAYBOGO

Welcome to Step 8 in our series, 10-Step Countdown to building your 2024 Marketing plan! Expanding your network is like exploring new horizons. It opens doors to fresh opportunities for new business and referrals. Here's how to build meaningful connections: Join professional groups and community events. Partner with local businesses. Showcase your expertise and skills. Every new connection is a potential pathway to growth. Need more ideas on building your network or help crafting a 12-month personal plan, schedule a chat with us. We offer one-on-one and group workshops. And don't forget to take advantage of our lowest prices of the season, available for a limited time. Save $30 on our signature digital course, Clicks to Closings with code: HOLIDAY23 Buy One Marketing Tool and Get One FREE with code: HOLIDAYBOGO

Welcome to Step 7 in our series, 10-Step Countdown to building your 2024 Marketing plan! Nurturing relationships is like watering a garden; it leads to growth. Deepen your connections with these tips: Engage authentically online through newsletters and social media. Connect offline with thoughtful gestures and events. Foster personal connections with consistent communication. Building deep relationships solidifies your referral business. Want to explore more ways to nurture your network or get help crafting a 12-month personal plan, schedule a chat with us. We offer one-on-one and group workshops. And don't forget to take advantage of our lowest prices of the season, available for a limited time. Save $30 on our signature digital course, Clicks to Closings with code: HOLIDAY23 Buy One Marketing Tool and Get One FREE with code: HOLIDAYBOGO

Welcome to Step 6 in our series, 10-Step Countdown to building your 2024 Marketing plan! Reflecting on your past strategies is key to future success. The Stop/Start/Continue exercise fine-tunes your approach. Here's how to do it: Identify what didn't work (Stop). Explore new strategies (Start). Recognize what worked well (Continue). This exercise is your compass for strategic direction. Need guidance on refining your strategy or help crafting a 12-month personal plan, schedule a chat with us. We offer one-on-one and group workshops. And don't forget to take advantage of our lowest prices of the season, available for a limited time. Save $30 on our signature digital course, Clicks to Closings with code: HOLIDAY23 Buy One Marketing Tool and Get One FREE with code: HOLIDAYBOGO

Welcome to Step 5 in our series, 10-Step Countdown to building your 2024 Marketing plan! Your value statement is your business anthem. It tells the world who you serve, how you're different, and the promises you fulfill. Here's how to craft a compelling one: Identify your unique strengths and services. Align them with your ideal client's needs. Communicate how you solve their problems uniquely. A strong value statement sets you apart in a crowded market. Struggling to find the right words or need help crafting a 12-month personal plan, schedule a chat with us. We offer one-on-one and group workshops. And don't forget to take advantage of our lowest prices of the season, available for a limited time. Save $30 on our signature digital course, Clicks to Closings with code: HOLIDAY23 Buy One Marketing Tool and Get One FREE with code: HOLIDAYBOGO

Welcome to Step 4 in our series, 10-Step Countdown to building your 2024 Marketing plan! A SWOT Analysis is like having X-ray vision for your business. It uncovers your strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats. Here's how to leverage this tool: List your business's strengths and use them to your advantage! Acknowledge all things you love to procrastinate and plan to delegate and automate. Spot opportunities for growth. Be aware of external threats and strategize. Understanding your business inside out paves the way for strategic growth. Need a hand with your SWOT Analysis or help crafting a 12-month personal plan, schedule a chat with us. We offer one-on-one and group workshops. And don't forget to take advantage of our lowest prices of the season, available for a limited time. Save $30 on our signature digital course, Clicks to Closings with code: HOLIDAY23 Buy One Marketing Tool and Get One FREE with code: HOLIDAYBOGO