October 14th 2008
Some East Bay Real Estate Is On The Slippery Slide Of FEAR!
Once you get on the Slipper Slide Of Fear, it is difficult to get off! Please stay off that slippery slide!
So, I picked up USA Today last Saturday on my flight to the Luxury Real Estate Fall Conference in Philadelphia where I was a presenter. The USA Today headline was, “FEAR is a slippery slide!” In some of my past comments I have used the sailor’s mantra, “Do not be fearful!” It still applies today, in spite of an almost 900 point recovery on the Dow Jones the past two days. Don’t forget…once one steps on the “slippery slide” of fear, the momentum carries you away very quickly.
The voice of experience, the voice of the local authority, and the voice of credibility can still prevail. And, we are the ones that need to be that voice. I just completed a walk from the Philadelphia Ritz Carlton to Constitution Hall, the Liberty Bell, and other reminders of the work our founding farthers did on 
our behalf 230+ years ago. What an inspiring day! ( You may recall this is the organization who is the acknowledged authority of luxury real estate! It was founded by Brian Losh with a vision of connecting the best luxury Realtors in the world - 1,900 members from 63 countries.)
Do you think they were afraid? Of course they were. But, the consequences of letting fear paralyze them from action was not an acceptable option. Instead of the “slippery slide” of fear taking them away from the liberty and freedom they so dearly wanted for our country, they discovered - step by step, the actions needed to create the most incredible democracy in our world’s history. It was very hard. Thousands of lives were lost as part of that payment for liberty. And, the founding fathers never lost site of end result that was required - FREEDOM!
There is a book I have enjoyed reading several times - “The Tipping Point”. They have a very insightful analysis of Paul Revere’s ride in Boston a few days before the Revolutionary War was officially declared. His ride was so effective that it mobilized the citizens along his route in a manner that called them to action in stopping the British from confiscating their arms stored in Concord. Did you know there was a second rider who was sent in a different direction to alert another section of Massachusetts immediately prepare to defend Concord. Does anyone remember his name? In fact, I had never heard of him before I read “The Tipping Piont”. He was totally and utterly ineffective to a 
call to arms.
What was the difference between these two men with similar intentions? Paul Revere was one of the most respected local authorities on what was happening within the colonies which he believed required a liberation movement to break away from British Rule - even if it meant war. I would like to be as effective as Paul Revere during these uncertain economic times. We are the local citizens calling our “citizens” to action in order to work through the financial crisis we are in. Will you join me as we serve our clients and communities, and help them off the “Slipper Slide Of Fear?” ( You get bonus points if you email me with the other freedom rider’s name whose ride was a waste of time. ) Contact me with your thoughts. Until next time…
