I don’t know about you, but I find myself taking things too seriously at the office sometimes or with business in general. At times and in certain settings, this may be appropriate, but all too often, it’s not. It’s like a battle of professional vs. casual and finally realizing I don’t even know where the line exists between the two anymore. I have come to realize that while each client or colleague might prefer a different approach, most just prefer that we are casual in business. That is, being professional, but also personable and not taking things too seriously.
Loosening up at the office can support relaxation and actually help you socially attract more clients, while also building a deeper relationship with colleagues. We’ve all been there before. If we’re uptight or too serious, we might overreact when things go wrong, or become too sensitive and get irritated. At the end of the day, these behaviors produce results that are certainly less productive than we had hoped for. What then is the purpose of these behaviors if the outcome is negative? Issues will arise and how we deal with them is what matters.
Try relaxing this summer at the office. Give it a month by being intentional about it every day and see what happens. Yes, work hard of course, but don’t take things too seriously. Step outside and smell the fresh air and enjoy sunlight if you find yourself turning into a Diva. Small temporary issues you face are just that … small and temporary. The sun will rise and the sun will set. Enjoy both and find enjoyment and peace in everything you do. You’ll be surprised by the number of people you’ll attract in both new clients and new friends.
Andy W. Harris, CRMS is president and owner of Lake Oswego, Ore.-based Vantage Mortgage Group Inc. and 2010-2011 president of the Oregon Association of Mortgage Professionals. He may be reached by phone at (877) 496-0431, e-mail [email protected] or visit www.vantagemortgagegroup.com.
This article originally appeared in the August 2015 print edition of National Mortgage Professional Magazine.
