About 74% of us make New Year’s resolutions, according to statista.com, unfortunately, as they go on to state, only 8% of us actually achieve them.

Statistics show those that fail at keeping resolutions do so rather quickly, in fact, typically by February 1.

Resolving to do things differently in a new year has a 4,000 year-long history. Ancient Babylonians apparently started it, promising their gods that they will pay off their debts and “… return any objects they had borrowed,” according to Sarah, Pruitt, author of “Breaking History: Vanished!” writing at history.com.

So, why do we still make New Year’s resolutions? Especially when we have such a shoddy record of keeping them?

“One reason is the allure of starting from scratch …” and “… the idea of bettering ourselves is another motivator,” according to Margarita Tartakovsky, M.S. associate editor at psychcentral.com.

The desire to make resolutions isn’t a bad thing. In fact, continuing to make them in the face of the very real possibility that we won’t stick to them shows that we have faith in ourselves, that we can change those aspects of ourselves or lives that we don’t like.

Did you join the 74% and set some new year’s resolutions this year? If so, it’s not too late to change those resolutions into a more achievable form.

This year, try something different

Instead of big, lofty real estate business or personal goals, consider creating “micro-goals” instead. “You’ll be more likely to achieve them and see plans through,” suggests Emily VanSchmus at bhg.com.

Let’s face it, vowing to make a thousand cold calls a day is nuts. You’ll grow so weary of even looking at a telephone that the slightest distraction will lure you away.

A smaller goal, perhaps an extra 10 real estate cold calls per session, gives you a better chance of achieving your goal.

Who cares if January 1 has come and gone? That date “… isn’t the hard and fast rule when it comes to making lifestyle changes …” or creating new real estate business goals, according to VanSchmus.

For a 12-month strategic marketing plan, with small actionable tasks, there’s no better solution than the Free 2021 Real Estate Marketing Planner.

Now Let’s set some micro goals

We roamed around the interweb in search of advice for agents on making the “best” New Year’s resolutions and came up with a ton of lofty stuff. Here’s just one:

“Focus on customer experience and customer service”

Unfortunately, the author offered up no examples of how one should focus on a customer experience.

What is customer experience in real estate? I like to think of it as the after-effect of working with an agent. It’s illustrated in the client who raves about her agent.

Customer service is something a bit different; it revolves around the services you offer your clients.

A free market analysis, suggestions on staging and a listing in the MLS aren’t services. They’re job duties.

Services are something they won’t get from other agents, such as free staging, a free, pre-market home inspection, becoming a market maker by bringing your own list of buyers, or a complimentary professional house cleaning before listing.

Only you know how you can improve your clients’ experiences. If you’re going for the goal of improving customer services, choose one and resolve to offer it. To learn more about how to bring your own list of buyers and become a “Market Maker” be sure to read this article.

If you are still trying to work out your 2021 annual business goals, don’t forget to use the Free Interactive Real Estate Business Plan. It provides an easy breakdown of how many prospects, listings, closings, and so on are needed to reach your annual goals.

Need help targeting a specific niche of buyers or sellers? Use our prospect list tools to create the ideal list (it’s easy) or call our support team for assistance at 866.405.3638!

PLUS: When you have time…here are some additional helpful resources we’ve made available to support your success.

1. Become a Neighborhood Brand

Become branded in a specific neighborhood with a 12X15 marketing piece sent automatically each month to an exclusive carrier route. Watch this video to learn more or Click Here.

2. The Free Real Estate Mailing List Guide

The Real Estate Mailing List Guide outlines the top tools for generating targeted prospecting lists including Baby Boomers, Empty Nesters, Investors, Lifestyle Interests, High-Income Renters, Move-Up Markets, and more. The Guide also defines done-for-you marketing campaigns to match these markets. –Click Here

3. Become a Listing Legend Free eBook 

Ready to take a vertical leap in your real estate career? If you’re looking for inspiration…and the tools and methods to dominate a market and go to the top in real estate…you’ll find them in this free book. – Click Here

4. The Free Online ROI Calculator

Consistency and automation are the keys to success. Discover how effective direct mail marketing can dramatically increase your bottom line. Enter your statistics in our Free online ROI Calculator and click the ‘CALCULATE MY ROI’ button to see your results instantly! –Click Here

5. The Free Real Estate Marketing Guide “CRUSH IT” 

The “Crush It” Guide includes easy steps to launching an effective direct mail marketing campaign, how to create a targeted prospect list, the perfect way to layout marketing materials for success, seven opportunities available to target in your area right now. –Click Here