Posts by "Barb Freestone" http://www.aaronline.com Barb Freestone is AAR’s Vice President – Professional Development. She has been with the association for over 25 years. Barb oversees the Graduate REALTOR® Institute (GRI) designation program in Arizona; coordinates AAR’s Winter Conference, Leadership Conference and Industry Partners Conference; and manages the education classes held throughout the state in partnership with Arizona’s local associations.

As American Idol starts to wind down with only 4 contestants left, it is getting much harder to watch. I am an American Idol junkie and a secret shower singer. My husband is astounded at my inability to carry a tune or pick out the beat. He was a drummer and this is close to a cardinal sin to him. Luckily he overlooks it and recognizes my other talents and charms.

The reason I find it hard to watch is because some of these talented singers may lose faith in continuing to pursue their dreams. Some may think the hard part is reaching for your dreams but I think the hard part is letting yourself dream. Mary Tyler Moore once said “having a dream is what keeps you alive”. Isn’t that the truth? A dream causes us to set goals and make plans. It motivates us, keeps us focused, and challenges us. A dream allows us to be bold enough to let go of our fears and insecurities and to believe that we have what it takes to be something, do something, have something.

If we fail to dream, we think we will never fail. Isn’t failing really opportunities? The opportunity to be creative, to look at new possibilities, and to take turns on a road that we may not have thought possible. Just like the incredibly talented contestants on American Idol, many people who had a dream of homeownership may have given up. How many people are afraid now to dream of owning a home? Yes, the economy is not positive. Yes, it is getting tougher to qualify for a loan. Yes, the media seems to focus on the number of consumers losing their homes. But you can change that. Don’t let consumers give up or fail to dream. Through your experience and knowledge as a REALTOR, you can help the dreams stay alive. How? Continue to educate yourself. No, don’t just continue, step it up! Now is the time to challenge yourself. Attend classes that teach you about market conditions, new lending products, new practices, laws, and regulations. But don’t just take what is convenient or free. Don’t cheat yourself or take the easy road.

The American Idol contestants have trusted advisors, and so do you. Your REALTOR associations (national, state and local) are your coaches/advisors. We are here to give you the best and highest quality programs possible. Programs that focus on today’s issues and today’s practices, using experienced instructors who have a proven track record in “educating”. Your REALTOR associations are vigilant watch dogs on the industry, and we have dedicated ourselves to be a partner in your career. We are your biggest champions and want you to succeed! Take your career seriously…spend your money and time wisely…choose your education opportunities carefully and wisely. Choose REALTOR education programs. Keep the dream of homeownership alive! As I end this post I’d like to share a poem that Jim Hogan handed out at our recent Instructor Development Workshop, author unknown…

“I am Real Estate”
I am the basis of all wealth
The heritage of the wise, the thrifty and the prudent
I am the poor man’s joy and comfort
The rich man’s prize
The right hand of capital
The silent partner of many thousands of successful men
I am the solace of the widow
The comfort of old age
The cornerstone of security against misfortune and want
I am handed down to children
Through countless generations
As a thing of greatest worth
I am the choicest fruit of toil
Credit respects me
Yet I am humble
I stand before every man bidding him to know me for what I am and possess me
I grow and increase in value
Through countless days
Though I may seem dormant
My worth increases, never failing, never ceasing
Time is my aid
And population heaps my gain
Fire and the elements I defy
For they cannot destroy me
My possessors learn to believe in me
Invariably they become envied
While all things wither and decay
I survive
The centuries find me younger
Increasing in strength
The thriftless speak ill of me
The charlatans of finance attack me
I am trustworthy
I am sound
Unfailing I triumph
And detractors are disproved
Minerals and oils come from me
I am solid
I am producer of food
The basis for ships and factories
And the foundation of banks
Yet I am so common
That thousands unknowingly and unthinkingly
Pass me by every day
I am your future
I am real estate

Sweet dreams!

Posts by "Barb Freestone" http://www.aaronline.com Barb Freestone is AAR’s Vice President – Professional Development. She has been with the association for over 25 years. Barb oversees the Graduate REALTOR® Institute (GRI) designation program in Arizona; coordinates AAR’s Winter Conference, Leadership Conference and Industry Partners Conference; and manages the education classes held throughout the state in partnership with Arizona’s local associations.

I recently read that teaching institutions are training teachers to be the “guide on the side” rather than the “sage on the stage.” “Guide on the side” instruction facilitates active learning–engagement of the learner as an active participant in the learning process. Providing meaning and purpose for learning is a strong component of this teaching philosophy. Too often, instructors just deliver information, and although the information is current and pertains to the industry, it fails to connect the dots for the students.

When I think back to the education classes that have been the most beneficial to me, I realize they fit the “guide on the side” model. When was the last time you left a real estate education class and said to yourself, “Wow! That was the best class I have attended”? When was the last time you left knowing what to change in your business to apply the information you learned?

I’d love to hear your thoughts about Arizona continuing education classes you’ve attended.  How many classes have you attended that had a “guide on the side?”

Posts by "Barb Freestone" http://www.aaronline.com Barb Freestone is AAR’s Vice President – Professional Development. She has been with the association for over 25 years. Barb oversees the Graduate REALTOR® Institute (GRI) designation program in Arizona; coordinates AAR’s Winter Conference, Leadership Conference and Industry Partners Conference; and manages the education classes held throughout the state in partnership with Arizona’s local associations.

Image courtesy of Flickr user extravigator

I waited with excited anticipation to visit a new restaurant in town. You know the one—the restaurant that everyone was talking about, but that’s a little pricey. One by one, I listened to colleagues make plans to go to dinner at the restaurant. I could actually taste the entrees in my head as they described the menu. I daydreamed about my trip to the restaurant. When would it be? What would I wear? (My husband has gotten used to the notion that dining out for me is always a great opportunity to dress up.) What would I eat?

Finally it was my turn. My husband announced that he had organized an evening with friends and made reservations at the restaurant. I knew I was in for a fine dining experience. I already knew what I was going to order. My expectations swelled as we were seated – the ambiance alone was a prelude of what was to come.

As we began the second course, the unthinkable happened. Our friend summoned the waiter and proceeded to complain about his dish. My heart sank, color drained from my face, I couldn’t breathe. How could he complain about his mashed potatoes and insist his dish be taken back to the kitchen? I was so embarrassed.

But then I realized the value he brought to this establishment. After all, he had expectations, and they were not met. He was providing an opportunity to raise the quality and standards for the restaurant. What was wrong with expressing his honest opinion?

The fact is, nothing was wrong with it, and we all should be comfortable and open with providing honest feedback when we have an experience that does not meet our expectations. I then realized that can relate to real estate education.

How many times do you leave a class disappointed? How many classes do you attend only because you need to renew your license and have no expectation of learning? In fact, how many classes do you attend with the silent hope that you will get through class without napping?

When it came time to fill out the class and instructor evaluation, you probably quickly checked off excellent or good. After all, you really weren’t there to learn or fine-tune a skill set based on previous classes you have attended during your career in real estate. What was the point?

The point is, we can only elevate real estate education if we all do our part. A real estate school should offer classes that are relevant, up-to-date and appropriate to your experience and skill level. A real estate school should hire instructors who have the necessary skills to stimulate your desire to learn, engage you during the class and teach relevant material. The instructor should have a mastery of adult learning principles and curriculum design skills.

In the book “Telling Ain’t Training,” four key principles of adult instruction are summarized as:

• Readiness: Training must clearly address learners’ needs so that they will be ready to learn.
• Experience: Training must respect and build on the life experience learners bring to the learning session.
• Autonomy: Training must invite learners to participate in shaping the direction, content and activities of the learning experience.
• Action: The connection between the training and the application of what is learned must be clear.

When was the last time you were in a class with an instructor who involved the learners in the learning process through planned activities? Used a variety of teaching methods? Taught to all participants, not just those who showed interest? Presented key points by using examples as illustrations?

When was the last time you attended a class that you knew exactly what the learning objectives of the course were? When you left the class feeling you learned something that you could apply to your business, that would enhance your skills, that would help manage your risk?

Before you attend another class, take a few minutes to identify what you want to learn and find the class that will deliver. You have an opportunity to elevate the standards of real estate education in Arizona. You have the right to demand relevant content and delivery that stimulates your interest. You have a duty to yourself to attend classes that meet your expectations and that you freely want to attend because you see the value in the class. And you have an obligation to provide honest feedback to the instructor and school whether the class falls short or exceeds your expectations.

In the coming months, I will be telling you more about AAR’s new Course Certification program, which is designed to raise the real estate education standards for real estate professionals in Arizona.

In the meantime, don’t be afraid to send the dish back to the kitchen.