This past weekend it was my privilege to host a dinner in honor of my parents for the celebration of their fiftieth wedding anniversary. We had a great time reflecting on Mom and Dad’s journey together, what they have accomplished so far, and the impact of their relationship on family, friends and community. I am deeply blessed to be the son of Ray and Jean Woody.
For this week’s blog, I share a few of the qualities of their marriage that carry over into my professional life, and I hope you will find some application as well.
Friction: Healthy relationships both personal and professional have friction. Successful real estate partners have a process for expressing opinions, working through differences, and reaching an agreement that works for both the client and the agent. One of the things that so impresses me about my parents is the combination of their strong wills as individuals mixed with a deep commitment to team consensus. My Dad thinks like a mathematician; my mom sees the world as an artist. They each have a perspective that can annoy, but also compliment the other. Likewise in business, we can find better solutions by harmonizing our ideas with others rather than succeeding in the promotion of our own. I am hard-headed on this subject, but I am grateful for my own partner in life who is patiently helping me learn.
Laughter: My parents have taught me to laugh in all circumstances. Right now the real estate market is challenging for all of us. Budget cuts, fewer resources, and more difficulty in creating transactions that close – these are the realities of 2009 in our industry. Laughter is one of the great things we need to lighten the load and cheer the sole. I encourage you to find a way to laugh at yourself and with others on a daily basis. Remember the old saying, “A smile costs nothing, but gives much.”
Flexibility: changing times require changing approaches. My mom is 69 and Dad is 75, yet they have embraced the Internet age. My Dad keeps up with colleagues by e-mail, and he recently learned his way through a high definition TV. My mom is playing international Bridge online and participating in Internet video calls to her grandchildren attending college. There are new techniques and tools entering our market every day. Old people complain a bit and ignore the changes; the young at heart embrace the changes and add them to their tool boxes.
Giving: My parents are the most generous people I know. Throughout their marriage, they have given a large percentage of their income to charity. They have also provided no-interest loans in a variety of situations. They see wealth as a tool of stewardship and not as a possession to clutch. I really admire this quality. I think it is important to ask every day, “What did I give?” and “Who did I help?” Here’s one of the fundamentals of our craft shared by the remarkable salesman, Zig Ziglar: “You can have everything in life you want, if you will just help other people get what they want.”
Thanks, Mom and Dad, for all the lessons. I will do my best to keep practicing what you have so graciously imparted for marriage and for work.
For this week’s blog, I share a few of the qualities of their marriage that carry over into my professional life, and I hope you will find some application as well.
Friction: Healthy relationships both personal and professional have friction. Successful real estate partners have a process for expressing opinions, working through differences, and reaching an agreement that works for both the client and the agent. One of the things that so impresses me about my parents is the combination of their strong wills as individuals mixed with a deep commitment to team consensus. My Dad thinks like a mathematician; my mom sees the world as an artist. They each have a perspective that can annoy, but also compliment the other. Likewise in business, we can find better solutions by harmonizing our ideas with others rather than succeeding in the promotion of our own. I am hard-headed on this subject, but I am grateful for my own partner in life who is patiently helping me learn.
Laughter: My parents have taught me to laugh in all circumstances. Right now the real estate market is challenging for all of us. Budget cuts, fewer resources, and more difficulty in creating transactions that close – these are the realities of 2009 in our industry. Laughter is one of the great things we need to lighten the load and cheer the sole. I encourage you to find a way to laugh at yourself and with others on a daily basis. Remember the old saying, “A smile costs nothing, but gives much.”
Flexibility: changing times require changing approaches. My mom is 69 and Dad is 75, yet they have embraced the Internet age. My Dad keeps up with colleagues by e-mail, and he recently learned his way through a high definition TV. My mom is playing international Bridge online and participating in Internet video calls to her grandchildren attending college. There are new techniques and tools entering our market every day. Old people complain a bit and ignore the changes; the young at heart embrace the changes and add them to their tool boxes.
Giving: My parents are the most generous people I know. Throughout their marriage, they have given a large percentage of their income to charity. They have also provided no-interest loans in a variety of situations. They see wealth as a tool of stewardship and not as a possession to clutch. I really admire this quality. I think it is important to ask every day, “What did I give?” and “Who did I help?” Here’s one of the fundamentals of our craft shared by the remarkable salesman, Zig Ziglar: “You can have everything in life you want, if you will just help other people get what they want.”
Thanks, Mom and Dad, for all the lessons. I will do my best to keep practicing what you have so graciously imparted for marriage and for work.
You are very fortunate to have such an amazing example of these qualities! What a blessing for you. Happy 50th to your parents!
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