Theory #5

At both the beginning and end of the day, it is my firm belief that in order to succeed in commercial leasing, life and in business, a major component of doing so is all about being a part of the solution and not part or all of the problem. For no better way of putting it, you need to “just deal with it” and navigate to the best of your ability and skill set the metaphorical 40 foot wave of life which seemingly on occasion finds a way without warning, to rain down on your close to crossing the goal line real estate transactions!

With that all said, it brings to mind what I like to call my “Winston Wolf, Vivian Greene, Forrest Gump and Gene Kelly Be Part of the Solution Theory.” In adapting the theory as your mantra, as the bridge to ultimately closing your deals, real estate professionals need to:

1. embody the character Winston Wolf from Pulp Fiction and practice his mantra of “I Solve Problems”;
2. embrace the words of poet Vivian Greene and her advice “Life isn’t about waiting for the storm to pass. It’s about learning how to dance in the rain.” It is advice that not only serves me well in life, but also when the context of the times requires a lease and/or mortgage restructuring;
3. channel Tom Hanks’ character Forrest Gump from when he went on a run one day that turned into 3 years, 2 months, 14 days and 16 hours and acknowledge (like the bandanna wearing dude looking for some inspiration for a bumper sticker slogan from Forrest, as Forrest simultaneously stepped in a big pile of dog poop) that like life and shit, “it happens” and deal with it; and
4. know that notwithstanding a few dark clouds surrounding your transaction, try and bring a sunny and optimistic approach to the deal by tap dancing and resolving the issues at hand like Hollywood legend Gene Kelly in the 1950’s classic “Singin’ in the Rain.”