Be happy in 2009...

According to a recent INMAN News article by Bernice Ross - national speaker and CEO of Realestatecoach.com, is the author of "Waging War on Real Estate's Discounters" and "Who's the Best Person to Sell My House?" - there is hope for 2009 -- plenty of opportunities for qualified buyers; a declining REO/foreclosure inventory; an increase in the availability of credit making it easier for people to purchase; and families getting loan workouts that not only let them stay in their homes but preserve their neighborhoods as well.

No matter what the market does, she goes on to say; there are always opportunities. People still relocate, get married, have children, etc. It saddens me to see so many people becoming "victims" of the market. She states that her clients do not want to work with someone who is angry or depressed. Instead, they want someone who has the professional skills and a "take-charge-and-get-it-done" attitude.

Whether you’re a seller or an agent, being an angry or pessimistic "victim" of today's market can carry a cost, she says. If you focus on negative events, that negativity can spiral into more negative events. Psychologists call this a self-fulfilling prophecy -- what we expect to happen can steer actions toward making that prediction a reality. Several studies have explored connections between optimism and overall health and longevity, and whether positive thinking may be a contributor to wellness.

What can you do to increase your level of optimism? First, many events are beyond our control, such as terrorist attacks, the financial meltdown, natural disasters, loss of loved ones, etc. What we can control is our response to those events. When we experience a loss, we can wallow in our anger, fear or sadness, or we can look back at both the good and the bad in the situation, identify what we have learned, and then formulate at least one action step to take now to move beyond the situation. The key is to stay committed to moving forward and not sliding back into pessimism.

The other key factor in coping with tough times is to control our environment. According to philosopher Buckminster Fuller, "Environment is stronger than will." In other words, attempting to control your thoughts or actions is not enough. You must also control your environment. If your environment at work or at home is hostile or down, maybe getting away from that for a while will help you or, even better, doing something to change the environment by being happy, upbeat and positive and complimentary around your co-workers and family.

The burning issue is what will you choose for yourself in 2009 -- anger, fear, pessimism? Or will you choose an attitude that searches for opportunity in the challenges you face and is optimistic about better times ahead?

This article reignited the perpetual battle that I have between Mr. Grumpy and Mr. Happy – the two sides of my slightly bi-polar personality. Fortunately I have Pollyanna at home and Little Mary Sunshine at the office to keep Mr. Grumpy at bay. When someone asks me about how the real estate business is going, I say great, we’re selling more houses than ever. It’s true. Many are foreclosed properties; but, hey, they’re selling and the inventory is coming down, which is a precursor to a recovery. Yea, Mr. Happy!

Bernice can be reached at bernice@realestatecoach.com or visit her blog at LuxuryClues.com.