Joe Peoples

Step 1: Accepting the Principle of Impermanence

Everything that is caused has a beginning, middle, and end.

In the language of Buddhism, it is impermanence. You know it firsthand with the changing of the seasons, the cycle of the day, and through birth, living, and dying. All of life's experiences come to an end. In this truth lies a great blessing.

Knowing that all things are impermanent gives you more confidence to take action, knowing that you will not lose anything.

Step 2: It is through your own experience that confidence is developed

Buddha invites all to come and see.

At no point in mindfulness practice are you expected to believe your teacher or the sangha leader. Your job is to come and see, meaning to come and put into practice the teachings and see how they work in your life. Your confidence comes from your direct experience and observations.

It is through your effort that confidence is grown.

Step 3: Place your attention on the four foundations of mindfulness (Body, Mind, Feelings, and Mental Objects)

As people, we experience the world through our bodies, feelings, and minds.

Mindfulness builds your ability to observe what is driving your actions. With practice and effort, you will begin to notice what you want and crave, what you avoid and fight, and what you were utterly unaware of.

This total awareness allows you to build the business of your dreams.

You will no longer be encumbered by holding on to false beliefs

“Because we unknowingly perceive ourselves and the world around us through thought patterns that are limited, habitual, and conditioned by delusions, our perception and subsequent mental conceptualization of reality is scattered and confused” - Bhante Gunaratana

The spiritual practices of mindfulness taught by Buddha are just as effective for building a successful Real Estate Business.

Like in the quote above, limited beliefs about yourself, the clients, the tools, and business practices keep many agents stuck in a cycle of struggle and fear of failure. Add to that poor habits that have no chance of helping them achieve the success they desire. Lastly, there is delusion—not knowing what you don't know.

Mindfulness is a universal tool that can be leveraged for your business success.

"The breath is the one object that is both consistently present and yet also changing in a way that naturally draws the mind's attention" - Bhante Gunaratana

The key to achieving business growth and personal fulfilment is to harness the power of "Mindfulness of the Breath."

You begin with the breath because it is the one thing that was with you when you were born, and it is the last thing to leave you when you die. It is the object that you will use as your anchor. Your breath is where you will observe the rising and falling of movements, feelings, perceptions, thoughts, and consciousness.

From this place, you will lay the foundation for business and personal success.

I have spent the first twenty years as a real estate professional without a process for intentionally processing what is going on in my business at the moment.

It is common to start something new and follow the people around you. Whoever is the number one agent or the set of instructions your new boss gives you. Your career begins with no instructions, as the power of learning to be mindful.

How to "Be Where Your Feet Are"

It wasn't until I started on my journey to become a business and life coach that I discovered the power of having a process for being mindful, grounded, attentive, and centered on the moment.

I learned that mindfulness helps us freeze-frame what we are currently experiencing.

As a new agent, there is so much coming at you. You have to learn how to do the work of delivering brokerage services to buyers and sellers. You need to learn who is your ideal customer, How to market to them and finally how to do direct out reach. At the same time, you need to show yourself that this new business will deliver on your hopes and dreams.

Slowing down to learn how to notice what is happening will allow you to speed up your progress in both learning and execution.

Mindfulness grants you the insight into the three characteristics of all things.

In all things, there is a beginning, middle, and end. Or to say it another way, all worldly things are impermanent. Where you are as a new agent is temporary. You will not be a beginner forever. You are experiencing the business for the first time. The truth is, when you see that all things go through the three basic phases of Creation, Existence, and Ending.

You have no need to be attached or distracted by your current situation of being new to the business.