"Don't piss on my leg and tell me its raining."

"Don't piss on my leg and tell me it's raining!" I heard these words spoken by Billy Ray Cyrus in some sappy doctor show he used to play on years ago. I love this line! And, however crude, this expression often comes to mind when I'm with someone who is dancing around the truth.

I know this comes as a shock to you; but I make mistakes. I know, right? Shocking. What's more, I know you also make mistakes. Don't you find that when someone simply admits to a mistake and apologizes you are ready to accept that? It's when anyone tries to weasel out or shift the blame that our b.s. detectors go off (as they should) and make us wonder what else the person is not honest about.

We learn far more from our mistakes and failures than from successes; but that's a blog for another day.

Recently I had someone ask me to e-mail them forms to extend their listing. I promised to do so on Monday as I had to access their hard copy file in my office. Obviously I didn't cue a reminder on my outlook calendar because on Tuesday I received a curt e-mail saying no form had been sent. Now, how childish was it that I first thought of an excuse? Ummm....having trouble with my computer.....What, am I six years old? Of course I simply said, "I am SO sorry; I forgot." Done. Sent the paperwork and all proceeded.

As I write this I ponder on the host of knots professional and personal that would be smoothed out by a simple admission of a mistake and a simple apology for any negative impact the mistake made.

Another great statement from gypsy fortune telling cards: "Lies have short legs." As concerns real estate someone always finds out what the seller might be hoping to hide. (Neighbours are often a treasure trove of information!) And, heaven help us all when a client tries to hide information from their Realtor! One of the beauties of organized Real Estate is that Realtors bind themselves and their clients to truthful information with property disclosure statement and properly written contracts.

An awesome Realtor will always err on the side of disclosure and questions. The fearful always avoid asking the hard questions. An awesome Realtor as your advocate stands between you and anyone trying to "piss on your leg and tell you it's raining."

Life and business are far easier and far more lovable when authentic and honest. It serves no one to be a know it all, never make a mistake kind of nutter. It serves no one if a mistake or problem is uncovered to try to duck and avoid doing everything possible to aid in fixing what's broken.