Say what you mean and mean what you say.

For crying out loud....say what you mean and mean what you say!  It is so refreshingly rich to have someone promise and deliver on great service.  And, so sadly disappointing to have someone promise to follow through with some action only to find out that it never happened.

Today I'm working on a domino set of transactions involving 2 lawyers and a Notary.  A couple of days ago I contacted the person working on the first file to let them know that all expediency was very appreciated as moves were waiting for sales to register.  At 1:30 this afternoon the middle lawyer still hadn't received proceeds from the first file holder.  I called to find that the person working on the first file was at lunch....and hadn't let anyone know time was of the essence....and the funds were already there but just hadn't been sent over yet.  Guess how impressed I was?

Genetically I've been blessed to have very little gray hair.  Today a crop was added!  Why?  Because someone was casual about delivering on their promised action.  By dropping the ball, several other people were stressed and inconvenienced.

If you're not going to do something; don't say you will.  If you promise you'll do something, come hell or high water you'd best find a way to do it.  It's not only your reputation professionally and personally on the line -- it's your own self confidence and pride of workmanship.

The only way to become trusted is to have proven consistently over a period of time that you're trustworthy!  And all trust can disappear in a New York Second as soon as any of us drop the ball.  (A New York Second, by the way, is the length of time between the stop light turning green and the sound of the first blaring horn!)

Ending on a happy note, I contacted the Blackfin Restaurant in Comox last night to arrange for a gift card for a client that lives there.  I was called back within 30 minutes and the card was sent within the hour.  The service was impeccable.  And, guess what?  I'm going to tell everyone I know to dine at the Blackfin in Comox!  This based on the quality of 2 minutes on the phone, 2 e-mails and priceless follow through (and the preliminary recommendation of a local!)

Where's your pride?

Regardless of what anyone does for a living, one thing that shines through is their pride in their efforts.  Maybe that shows in the proprietor sweeping their walk or the receptionist going the extra mile to connect you with the best person for your needs.  There are no "stupid" jobs.  There are no jobs that don't deserve your best effort.  Why?  Well, how you do one thing is how you do everything.  If you have no pride in workmanship when you are doing repetative day to day things or menial tasks, you can't suddenly be proud of your work when you decide you're doing something "important." 

One of my greatest delights is in coming across anyone excelling in attitude and skill at what they do.  Please take the time to compliment these folks; the cashiers who really keep the line flowing and smile at the ready; the hardware store clerk who really knows their products and lines you up with the best value; the mechanic who gives you a fix to meet your budget; the vet who really likes your dog....I could go on and on.

Pride in workmanship is something no one can take away from you, and it always stands out and helps to make someones day to be a part of.

Whether you drive a old Chevy or a new BMW, whether you live in a mobile or a penthouse, whether you are the boss or on the assembly line, the pride you take in how you care for your world shines through.

So it is with great Realtors who treat their profession as a service industry that deals in sales.  Pride is demonstrated in follow through, communication, ingenuity, persistence, courage and kindness.  The sale of a humble home is treated with the same respect as a multi-million dollar transaction. 

Hats off to all of you out there who show day in and day out what you're made of and how you care for your world!