Be Uncommon
"Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might ..." -- Ecclesiastes 9:10a, ESV
These past few weeks have challenged small business owners -- and humanity! -- in unprecedented ways. I firmly believe that one of the best way to love and serve humanity is to keep moving forward to improve our lives, families and businesses however and wherever we can. For me, I haven't taken this time as a vacation. In fact, I have encouraged my team members, business partners, and friends to BE UNCOMMON. How? By staying positive, maintaining constant forward motion, and seeking wise counsel.
UNCOMMON leaders work hard and stay positive. Yes, I have had moments of freak-out in the middle of the night or needed to talk long, long walks around my neighborhood to clear my head. Each morning, as the sun rises, however, I have found that if I do the next right thing, many of my fears are unrealized. Not only that, as I look back at the day's labor, I find that strength and presence of mind has helped me to lead others forward in their calling, no matter how big their struggle. In the Bible, when David is faced with the utter devastation of his home village and the kidnapping of all of the wives and children of himself and his men, it is said that he "strengthened himself in the LORD his God" (I Samuel 30:6, ESV). For me, I accomplish this through prayer, Scripture reading, uplifting podcasts and personal daily video posts to social media that remind me of my calling.
UNCOMMON leaders maintain constant forward motion. From the moment I wake up until the moment I fall asleep, I am working the phones and social media to network and mastermind with others. Who can I help? Who can help me? Who can I connect with to encourage or be encouraged? I'm also taking great care to keep my morning routine intact -- waking up early, reading/meditating/praying, and working out in my basement while listening to podcasts. I have found that by staying in constant forward motion and doing the next right thing, my business is growing daily in new and creative ways even with the drastic, minute-by-minute changes that are affecting us all. Now is not the time to relax and rest -- it is time to throw ourselves wholeheartedly into disciplined, creative, uncommon industry in order to provide for our families and communities no matter what circumstances will arrive. Yes, avenues and opportunities are being closed off at every turn. But at the very same time, new possibilities for connection and growth are always out there if we can just keep one foot in front of the other; if we can just make one more call or send one more message of connection.
How Can We Look for Opportunities in Hard Times?
UNCOMMON leaders seek wise counsel from those who are more successful or more experienced than I am in crisis. Many of my friends weathered the downturn in 2008, and have unique insights into how their businesses survived the Great Recession. Others have information from industries outside my area of expertise, or have honed their skill in pockets of leadership or community connection that I have yet to explore. Already I am learning so much about increasing my online presence, making wise personal and business financial decisions, and even -- and especially -- discovering new insights into the hearts and minds of my wife and six children. This time of quarantine is an unprecedented opportunity to mastermind with and learn from top professionals who have an openness to conversation and cross-communication like never before. In fact, in order to keep these incredible discussions going, some top-tier real estate professionals and I have started the Uncommon Real Estate Podcast and Uncommon Real Estate Linked In and groups as a way for these creative minds to explore and learn together. Please join the conversation here. https://www.facebook.com/groups/687786885295804/
If you've read this far, it is clear that you yourself have an UNCOMMON love of learning and passion to pursue creative and positive change in your world. Please reach out and connect with me, join the Uncommon Real Estate group for more insights, listen and subscribe to our new Uncommon Real Estate Podcast and share your own tools for growth in uncommon times here!
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A nationally certified Life Coach with a Doctorate in Leadership, Dr. Chris Craddock is a Realtor and entrepreneur who runs multiple successful businesses in the Washington DC Metro area (and Richmond, VA). Chris’ accomplishments span from receiving multiple Quadruple Platinum Awards through Keller Williams (the highest award at his brokerage) to being a member of Gary Keller's Top 100. He is a consistent multi-million dollar producer whose team, The Redux Group, sold just under $120 million in volume in 2019. Chris is the host of the Uncommon Real Estate podcast has been married for almost 20 years and is the proud father to six beautiful children.