Have we been SCAMMED by SCANS? QR CODES UPDATE!

Maybe you read my post on QR CODES when I was as excited as a kid on Christmas morning! Well, I have to post and share with you some sad, sad news....




NOW I feel like the little kid at Christmas that's motor scooter battery just died after only 15 minutes of riding it or the time that I ran out of the Betty Crocker packs for my Easy Oven...I mean... Gut wrenching torture...WHO DOES THAT TO ME...kind of feeling? Do you recall this? As a child it is one thing, but as a professional adult...I am perplexed to say the least.

I mean really...how can something so good be so true anyway? Didn't our parents teach us that?



Long story short. Ha! My blogs are never short...



I researched and researched QR CODES. I was determined to be the QUEEN of TECHNOLOGY and be the speaker/REALTOR of choice when it came to sharing the function and use of marketing and lead generation with Scan Life and QR CODES! I wrote a blog here, I stood on stage and shared to 1000's of people the new and exciting tech toy that will get you more business and make you more money!



Yes, they are really high tech! Yes, they are a great conversation piece on your listing appointments, on your signs, on your business cards, on billboards, social media, ads on paper, ads online...Anywhere you put your personal QR code it will drive business right to you...however...NEW TO ME and NOW maybe new to you...



ARE THEY FREE? NO!

WERE THEY? YES!

Congrats to the maker of the great tool and as always business is business and anything worth having will usually cost you. I just feel used!

Now...making sure I double explain this...The APP for scan codes is FREE! REPEAT: THE APP IS FREE to download on your smart phone...The codes you create online for others to scan...they appear free. There is nothing of cost on the site. There is nothing but code makers and code links from SMS, contact codes, direct web link codes, phone contact codes and much more! BUT...You got it...THEY ARE NOT FREE!



Now, I am not ditching the idea of having these but I honestly feel I have been SCAMMED. I was definitly hooked, realed in and now STUCK! (yes...signs made, cards made etc.)



What ONCE WAS FREE...is no longer...The system has targeted REALTORS use for them and now have a nice annual fee for up to 10 codes and an even nicer hefty fee for more than 10 codes...they were even so kind to email me a marketing report on how to use them...Sorry... I was way ahead of that....



NOT HAPPY! NOPE! NOT at all...However...will I continue them?

Swallow hard...think a while....I do not know.

I do not write this to bash! I write this to inform. I know many that have taken this new tool and ran with it...if you are one of them...be on the look out for your phone call once your code starts getting noticed!



Fly under the radar and maybe you will not get the call but as a LEAD GENERATOR and I hope that as a good REALTOR should be...that is what you are and "We don't go for flying under the radar"!



As a fellow rainmaker shared with me, "Once you have an engine in place to process transactions from leads, the focus must be on lead generation to fuel the engine!"



So, gas up baby! Pick your choice of fuel and like real gas these days SCAN CODES are going to cost you!



Evaluate and decide...we must get the most BANG for our BUCK these days! Is this new tech tool worthy not that is NOT FREE! How do you feel...Professional to professional...I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW~



DISCLOSURE: I am NOT affiliated with the company that produces these, My intentions are NOT to steer you to use or cough...now purchase scan codes for your business...I am seeking any news you can share...



Signing off...tryin not to be too pouty before Christmas...



Elizabeth Ward Small, REALTOR

HE AIN'T GOT NO FLEAS!

I have to share this! Page 52 in Chapter two of Andy Albright's book reads:




A favorite saying of mine is, "A dog in the hunt ain't got no fleas." When a bird or rabbit dog works, he is aware of nothing else. The same dog in a kennel, if he has fleas, will let them bother him. he will sit and scratch. However, that same flea-ridden dog does not know fleas exist when he is on the hunt. HE IS THAT FOCUSED!



This great book continues on and then says "A man in touch with the work he was designed to do, is like a A DOG IN THE HUNT!

I share this so if you ever see me post on facebook or say: I ain't got no fleas or You sure don't have no fleas! You will now know what I am talking about and that my friend will be a GOOD THING!


________________________________________________



FOCUS! FOCUS! FOCUS!



I am still reading the book and already highly encourage you to as well!

A Visit to Pleasure Island In More Ways than One!

This past weekend our family packed it all up and pulled out of the driveway for destination: OCEAN WAVES and SAND BETWEEN TOES!

In debating where to land we thought it would be fun to take the kids to the place that Lynn and I shared our first weekend together...Carolina Beach. It has been years since we visited Brits Doughnuts, the boardwalk of memories and of course, the sunset cruise down the Cape Fear...

We joined up with family at one of the neatest places...If looking for a great all in one places to stay you have to check out Golden Sands in Carolina Beach. The hotel is right on a pier that has a tiki bar restaurant hopping and drinks pouring ALL day and night! We enjoyed a great band and evening of jamming while watching surfers and the sun set.

I was amazed in the changes of such a small town. Everything seemed so new and clean. Much of the old sections of downtown were repainted and the entire town seemed NEW!

The one thing that looked the same, smelled the same and tasted the same was the famous Brits doughnuts. There is much to learn from the history of Brits. KISS method proven again...Keep IT Simple Sister! The menu offers 3 choices. The same and only one style of doughnut, coffee, milk. They make 36 at a time and start early and finish at night when they decide it is time to go home (after the line is finally gone down!)

Yes, I had my share of them. They are a classic and no diet should erase such pleasures...

The weekend was refreshing and it proved another point to me...Everyone needs to recharge!

I hope you get a chance one day to visit Pleasure Island. Your kids will love you for it and your belly will love the BRITTS!

TA TA!

Liz

Do not be Confused...WINNING IS EVERYTHING!

There is nothing like football camp. Watching drills and new plays and hearing the coach yell for three hours straight takes me back to those years I was being molded myself to some being of "Greatness"!

As the mother of a 15 year old it was a pleasant surprise to finally hear a coach on the field that understood for once the true meaning to real life and real success. As I watched the boys run faster and harder on the field I could hear the coach demanding the same request out of every young ear that was tuned in to him...

"YOU WANT TO WIN? YOU WANT TO WALK OFF THAT FIELD ON FRIDAY NIGHT A WINNER? IF YOU WANT TO WIN ON FRIDAY NIGHTS, YOU HAVE TO WANT TO WIN RIGHT NOW! GIVE ME ALL YOU HAVE! WIN THIS DRILL, RIGHT NOW! WHO IS THE WINNER? WINNING IS EVERYDAY IN EVERYTHING YOU DO! DO NOT SLOW DOWN! PUSH IT! PUSH IT! PUSH IT! YOU HAVE TO WANT THIS! FEEL IT, PUSH IT! COME ON BOYS!"

Now, as I write this I am sure there will be some that may disagree...Those of you may be the coaches that taught my son and said "Give it the best you can and that is all I expect!"Ahhhhhh, How sweet.. As ture as those words are you have to understand that to WIN it takes a bit more than that! Giving the best we can is one thing but it will only get you so far. I speak from truth and understanding of this all to well. If you want to win in life, I believe that with every ounce in your body that you have to have that passion and drive to WIN and to WIN EVERYDAY in everything you do...You also need to undertant that more often in our adult life the competition is only against one person: SELF!

If you can learn to WIN in the game against SELF you have learned to WIN in EVERYTHING ELSE that you attempt. Being in shape, working environments, relationships, etc...

So how do you go about learning to WIN against SELF? There are many factors to gain full control of your mind but the two most important factors I have found in life is right here:

WAKE UP and HAVE CONFIDENCE!

One of the 1st Keys of  The 3 B Method: Living Life Busy, Balanced and Blessed is WAKE UP! You can go through minutes, hours, days, weeks, months and sadly for some YEARS being alive and going through the motions of life and never really being AWAKE! You can rise up out of bed everyday and go from one place to another somewhat LOST and somewhat confused in life...You can easily miss out on some of the most important events in life and some of the most important people...

Think about it...How many times have you driven on a long trip to suddenly get to an exit and go, "WOW! How did I get here?" I hear this often from women that look in the mirror and do not recognize the women looking back at them...

You see, this happens all the time in everyone's life that is going from event to event without a plan, without a purpose. You may think you are awake...but are you REALLY? Do you know what your plan is in life for yourself for the next 6 hours, the next week, the next month, the entire year, 5 years, 10 years...Goal setting, dreaming big and putting events into action are all parts to WAKING UP!

A study was once conducted on 8th grade boys. It asked them what plans they had for after they graduated. They had to write a paper based on what goals they had...The same boys were followed throughout High School and the results were astounding...The boys that wrote IN DETAIL of the plans they had were all in place and some moving far beyond the potential they ever dreamed...The ones that were not sure were still 4 years later...just not sure...

You see...WAKING UP is very important no matter the age...


NOW THAT YOU ARE AWAKE....HAVE CONFIDENCE: You have to believe in yourself, love yourself and be happy with yourself! If you want a magnetic personality you have to create that energy and make that energy vibrate out of who you are in everything you do! I have always felt confidence has an equal link to acceptance. The problem is that people have allowed thier confidence to be built or destroyed based on the acceptance of others when the TRUTH is that the only acceptance should be with yourself and your creator.

So please, do not be confused! Doing your best is great! It will get you far...However, if you want to live a life of abundance, joy and pleasure than you need to make sure you put your game gear on everyday and PLAY to WIN!

 Winning IS everything! 

Looking in the mirror and giving yourself the 1st place trophy at the end of the day is entirely up to you! GO FOR IT!

Tuesday Thoughts...

                               Why do people seek Happiness when Happiness is actually a choice?

Choices....Ahhhhh...The secret of life and how we live...

Happy Tuesday! God Bless!

LIFE UPDATE: MOVING FORWARD!

What a Monday! I love life and love all of the curve balls that are being thrown at me right now! I have to accept that and keep moving! My goal is to hit a home run on ALL of the pitches! The high balls, the low balls, the fast balls and the knock you down balls! You see, Every step is a step to move forward! Even when life has you upside down and you are holding on for dear life you have to be thankful you have something to hold on too!

Life is choice, every second of it! Choose wise...Choose Happiness! HIT HOMERUNS!

Most of you know I treat my blog somewhat like a diary...So, here we go:

Dear Diary,

Here is an overview on life for Liz...

Business LIFE:
Real Estate is picking up: Activity Breeds Activity! Shake tree's and make it happen has always been my take on this business! Knowledge is POWER and before 2010 ends I hope to get my belly full of some new and refreshing classes to help me broaden and expand my knowledge and get more homes sold in 2011! Wouldn't it be great to break my best year of 23 Million! YES IT WOULD! To do this being debt free would be EVEN BETTER!

SendOutCards is a blessing for me EVERYDAY! I love to wake and send a card from my laptop and know that in just a few days a real card will arrive to someone that needed to hear from me! There are SO many great new things with this company and for anyone out there looking for extra bling bling cha ching! NOW IS THE TIME!

Just today they launched an IPAD challenge! If you sign up and get 3 more and are one of the 1st 50 to also sign 3: you will have a FREE IPAD! Now, I had to think...COOL challenge but the best part to the WHY an IPAD is that I know they have been in the works with Apple to have a SendOutCards application on the Iphone...MMMMMMM...it is all fitting like a puzzle! SWEET! The IPAD most be the launch of the SOC APP! How cool would it be to leave your client from lunch...Before you leave the hotel send a thank you card right from your phone or IPAD?

So, do you want a chance to win a FREE IPAD...If so click here to see what SOC is about and send a FREE card on me...If you have questions call ME! 336-516-4506! Oh - here is the link:

https://www.sendoutcards.com/storefront/makeyourcardnow/

I love that people can NOW just go to my site and SEND one card including gifts and be a customer on a pay as you go retail basis if needed! So, if you send cards..please save your gas and money and send cards via me for less than 3.00 a card including the STAMP!

Speaking and Training: Bookings are coming in and webinars are starting back! My BUSINESS BOOTCAMPS are getting lots of calls!

Family Life! Summer is flying by! Garrett is in Drivers ED! Watch out roads! McKenzie has the life of a vampire! She is UP all night having sleepovers and they DO NOT SLEEP! Yes, that may be why I am up blogging and sending out emails at 3AM! Red eyes, appointments all day tomorrow but YIPPEE! I am loving life!

Training Life! Break time is over! Eating clean, training hard again! I am trying some new things for cardio and being out of the gym to do these things has been VERY refreshing for me! Parks have great trails to hike and bike! So GET OUT and smell the fresh air!

Bucket List Update:

My 90 days to debt free is underway! I can't wait to share with you if it works for me!
IT WILL! I know it will! If interested in joining me on this feel free to email me or call...

Skydiving plans are underway for the FALL!

Concert with the kids is looking like Lady GAGA in Charlotte or RDU!

Avon Cancer walk is in the FALL and my dad wants to join me! Sweet!

Jen Hendershott's Body Building Show that started my whole get my butt in shape plan is in late October so....yes...I will be there! On stage....ummmmmmmm...we will see!



Life is what we make it! Make Yours GREAT!

Liz

PS - I miss you Grandpa

Stumbling Blocks to Stepping Stones: 6 Character Defects that could Hinder Your Success in Life...

"Take the stumbling blocks out of the way." Isa 57:14

When waking each day to follow the will of God we have to wake with a clean and clear heart and mind. To wake with a clean and clear heart and mind, one must go to bed with just that...

I could blog to you about sleep patterns and the habits that you could develop to sleep better but I felt lead tonight to share with you a lesson in life that I am practicing on removing stumbling blocks from my life. The six defects in character that I am about to share with you come from a daily devotional from Safehouse Outreach. I have added and removed from the message...My prayer is that by sharing it that it reaches someone that needs the message just as I needed it when I discovered it...Who knows, it may actually help you sleep better! It sure has helped me!

None of us are perfect. Life is not perfect. We were designed to live and to learn. Stumbling blocks can come in many shapes and sizes in life. The ones I want to share with you now are the stumbling blocks within our character that keep us from living our God given purpose. There are six common ones and as you read this ask yourself if you recognize any or for some ALL of them in your own life? If so, your prayer is to ask God to help you to go to work on removing them...Ask him to reveal them in ways that will jump out of you so BIG that there will be no way you would not recognize it...Ask your spouse, partner or loved one to help you identify if any or all of the six defects are seen in you, in your actions and in your life in general...By realizing them and removing them you are opening your life to much greater success in all areas! Do you want better relationships at home, at work, with family and friends? Take a look deep inside yourself and let's move forward to a closer relationship with your true self...the person that you were born to be...not the the one that this WORLD has created...

The first one is PRIDE. God hates all forms of pride. His word says "with humility...regard one another as more important than yourselves" (PHP 2:3) It is PRIDE that toppled satan from the number two position in Heaven, and PRIDE will topple you too if you let it. (notice the no capitalization is not in error - I will not give him any glory by capitalizing his given name...)

The second is INSECURITY. Insecurity is doubt. Insecure people are often not willing to take risk. They have fear and anxiety. Insecure people will often complain about what they have NOT got in life, yet they are afraid to take risk or embrace change to do something about it. Insecure people will make excuses to remain comfortable. The beginning of INSECURITY, FEAR AND ANXIETY is the end of FAITH... The beginning of FAITH is the end of FEAR and ANXIETY and INSECURITY! God wants us to step out in FAITH and depend only on him and his word...Open your Bible and see what he has to share with you...You may be amazed at what you will learn and what He has wanted to share...One of my favorite sayings is "Living in the Will of God is the safest place to LIVE."

The third is MOODINESS...Confidence is never built on a person that is fickle...Moody people are like the wind. You never know which way they will blow. You also never know which mood they are in and that often causes stress in a relationship...The Lord wants to bless us with abundance but he also wants us to be able to handle the many blessings he will give us. Moodiness in your life will not allow you to ever stand on solid ground. You are shifting sand...Be honest with what, whom or why you are moody. Moodiness can often be a symptom of a sad and lonely disease called "emptiness". God in your life will never allow you to be empty. He wants to complete you and move you to a solid foundation...If your friends are falling off like leaves on a tree in the Winter and you have been moody...a simple apology and forgiveness can go along ways...With GOD, an apology and asking for forgiveness is eternal...a clean slate, a new beginning...You have to love that!

The fourth stumbling block in character is PERFECTIONISM...Perfectionist can't affirm themselves, therefore it's difficult for them to affirm anybody else. The need to perform flawlessly can stifle your creativity and can turn people off! Accept that you may want to be the best you can but accept less than perfect and learn to not control EVERYTHING...let life just happen and learn to go with the flow...

The fifth is a challenge...OVER-SENSITIVITY. Over sensitive people are always licking their wounds and looking inward; they will very often be unaware of the needs of others...They may be the sweetest of people and super kind but they are emotionally exhausting to be around. Ironically, they never understand why they are so lonely. If you think this could be you...simply ask an honest friend...Do not hold it against them if they tell you the truth. It may be the start to repair a relationship that is in much need of this type of communication...

The last and often the most damaging stumbling block in ones life is NEGATIVITY...Oh how this one can take a hold of you and ruin everything in your life...Negativity is like a cancer that can spread so fast...It alone can even kill you. It can weaken your heart, slow down your mind and allow you be blind to so much in life...A negative person says NO to life in general...They often have a "my way or the highway" style in actions...AVOID these people like the plague because negativity is very contagious if you are not careful...The most important thing you can do is realize that negativity is a CHOICE...also realize that association with these people is a choice as well! If you fell negativity has a hold of your life take steps to wake and pray for God to show you the positive side of life...REFUSE to be negative about anything and everything. ACCEPT things in a new light...

 Another one of my favorite sayings, so much of one that I have a full size poster in a my workroom goes like this..."Why do people seek happiness when happiness is simply a choice?" CHOOSE TO BE HAPPY!

Each of these defects in character are a choice...We can realize them and remove them from our actions and take the steps to live a life that is FULL and JOYFUL! A life that GOd designed for you to be fullo f great abundance and victory. God so wants to bless us...Shall we allow him this? Why are you holding back? What has kept you from the truth? Ask God to help you...pray to him for answers to turn your stumbling blocks into stepping stones...

Have a blessed week!

Liz


For your own subscription to the great daily devotions from Safehouse Outreach you may contact Philip:

SafeHouse Outreach
89 Ellis St. NE
Atlanta, GA 30303-2402
404-523-2221
http://www.safehouseoutreach.org/