Gratitude might be the best gift ever. Have you ever asked yourself what really makes you happy? If so, your answer is mostly likely not “material things,” is it? I know it’s not for me. For me, it’s the small things in life… like today’s milestone.

Do yourself a favor and listen to that nagging voice in your head that says, “I know I really SHOULD do this kind of stuff.” Agents who succeed regardless of market conditions are experts at this type of relationship management.

Resentment is a deal killer. Whether between managing brokers and agents, agents and other agents, or between spouses, resentment is one of the most corrosive elements in a relationship. Sometimes called the “silent killer,” resentment is largely the result of unaired grievances or poor communication.

Greatness is not the result of a single, monumental act. It is earned through continuously applied effort, over time. This is a good news/bad news situation, depending on your perspective.

Traditional real estate headshots, while “professional” don’t really tell much of a story. If you’ve seen one, you’ve seen them all… and that’s not great for differentiating yourself on signs or online…

Since candid feedback is a vital part of improving your abilities as a real estate professional, learning how to build a great survey will help you understand a variety of areas of your real estate business: From open houses to listing presentations, you can learn more through effective surveys.

Ideation, the process of brainstorming and coming up with ideas, can be a lot of fun. The real challenge is following through with the idea, through the muck of implementation, setbacks, changes in direction, and (occasionally) failure.

When the world seems to be moving too fast to keep track, keep in mind that the underlying principles of great building exceptional relationships has never changed. You have the power to grow your garden and go the distance. All of the tools and tips we feature should be applied in service of the common sense basics of uncommon client care. Add up enough common sense and it starts to seem like genius.

How do you know which sorts of deals are worth your time? If you’ve been “going by your gut” on which transactions have been the “best” for you, you’re probably working too hard for too little money.

Some cause happiness wherever they go; others whenever they go. What do you do to deflect your detractors? How do you handle insults? What’s the best method for reacting? Should you react?