We did get to take a mini-vacation to Branson, MO, these last few days. But, I wouldn’t say that it necessarily rejeuvenated me like I hoped it would. I had a CRAZY working weekend doing leasing prior to the trip, when I was so busy I literally did not have the time to even drive myself to my own leasing appointments! Michael did the driving–I handled the phone, notes, appointments, showings, and leasing applications. As a result, we made some much-needed good money, but we didn’t get any further on the House 17 remodel.

As any busy person knows, you pay for a vacation not just with money. You also pay with your days leading up to the vacation and the days following. You pay by working extra hours and cramming in more clients to try to compensate for the days you’re going to miss. Given that this is “high season” for landlords and leasing agents alike, every call had to be returned and every possible showing done. I’m expecting about four commissions and another five applications from the latter part of this past week through the weekend. But, I probably handled about 40 calls a day for Saturday and Sunday. Each one of those went like this: “What’s the range you’d like to spend on rent every month? What areas do you like? How many bedrooms do you need? OK, why don’t you drive by this address and that address and see if you like them? If you do, please give me a call back so that we can schedule a showing.” I had that script going through my head all last night! The prospective tenants that called back were usually grilled further before the actual showing was scheduled, “Have you ever been evicted? Do you have steady employment? How about pets?” Some houses don’t warrant that line of questioning–if they don’t hesitate when you say $1850/month, they’re going to check out fine. At least, that’s been my experience.

As much as it seems like I’ve found myself a job, it’s not really quite like that. I’m enjoying myself for the time being! I’m the hunting type–I like hunting for good deals when I invest just as I enjoy hunting for good tenants for the dwindling list of available houses my broker asked me to lease for her. There are two or three other leasing agents at any given time. We split the days accordingly. But, I’ve noticed that the other agents have one tenant application in process amongst them! I’ve closed four just recently with five or more in the works. Finally, I’m regaining confidence and a better professional self-image! I’m feeling capable and gratified.

Another side effect of this leasing gig is that my phone never stops ringing. Luckily, my CIO (Michael, my fiance) installed an application on my phone that silences the ring between certain non-business hours except for those people who are “whitelisted”, like my immediate family. Otherwise, I’d be awakened at all hours. Tenants are weird that way. I think they call at strange hours hoping to just leave a message. Or, maybe, they just call whenever the LSD wears off….

We went to our favorite Mexican restaurant for Cinco de Mayo, which we love for its authentic flavor. I’m not a fan of Tex-Mex (can you say GREASY!?!). I like Southwestern, but will drive many miles for mole (pronounced “Mo-lay”) sauces made from cacao, dried chilis, other spices, and ground nuts; ceviche, which is raw seafood like white fish, shrimp, scallops, and baby octopus “cooked” in citrus juices using no heat; and margaritas (also spelled margheritas?) from top-shelf tequilas. The ambiance at this particular favorite restaurant of ours can’t be beaten, either. Located right on the fire and fountain show on Taneycomo Lake at The Branson Landing, it has a flare that makes every visit memorable. We leave with a heady, exhilarated feeling every time! (This paragraph was written specifically for Clifford.)

But, I still had to work now and then during our trip. The number of voicemails collected on my phone were well into the double digits every time I stopped to check. As a result, I don’t feel as well-rested as I could be. I think the only solution is to pick up and go to a beach with no cell reception for a week.

On the way home, I decided to read some exerpts from a book I go back to now and then. I’m not kidding or exaggerating when I tell you that this book changes my life every time I read it. When I adopt the attitudes and positive thinking that is contained within, I see MEASURABLE differences in my life. I’m terrible about obsessing about our finances and investments. But, when I do, I only seem to make myself miserable. Nothing ever seems to go as planned, which causes another downward spiral of obsession. And, so on, and so on. I get to points where colors no longer seem as bright. I can’t see beauty or feel joy. I have trouble enjoying the simple things of life. Michael, our dog, and I will be sitting at a coffee shop somewhere when he’ll say something to the effect that this is a very special moment he’ll remember forever. And, I’ll think, “Really? I can’t see why! I’m miserable!” I’ll realize I’d been sitting there quietly wasting a perfectly wonderful time, nit-picking our finances or deals, and worrying over every little detail. I am a control freak. And, that simply comes from a fear of failure or a fear of lack. Logically, those problems don’t just go away. I’m not going to wake up one morning and poof!, be free of those fears and bad habits. I have to make a choice day by day, sometimes minute by minute. After all, it takes only as much effort to choose positive habits as it does negative ones–so, why not choose to be positive in life? If you have similar problems, you’ll benefit from reading “Your Best Life Now” by Joel Osteen. I don’t feel that he hits me over the head with preaching or Christian jargon. In fact, I think he appeals to my logic when addressing my emotions. Seriously, every time I pick up this book again, it changes my life. I’m going to re-read it and re-read it and re-read it until these lessons are part of me this time!

May 7th, 2008
Categories: Uncategorized . Author: Trisha

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