GOOD MORNING FROM ELITE AGENT

Not loving your office Kris Kringle? Problem solved - today is National Re-Gifting Day. That glittery mug, the third set of hand creams, or the “quirky” socks no one asked for can be set free today with zero guilt. And speaking of gifts worth celebrating, tomorrow we reveal our TOP 50 INFLUENCERS list for 2024.

A huge thank you to everyone who voted in the People’s Choice category — with hundreds of nominations, you’ve helped shine a light on those who went above and beyond this year.

Today’s read time: 5 minutes, 1 seconds.

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MOTIVATION

THE POWER TO CHOOSE

Ever found yourself stuck in traffic, cursing your luck and feeling like a victim of circumstances? That's exactly when you need to remember you have a choice in how you respond.

This psychological principle, championed by leadership expert and 2024 Elite Retreat fan favourite Paul McGee, centres around a simple yet powerful formula: E + R = O (Event + Response = Outcome). It's not what happens to us that determines our success - it's how we choose to respond.

Research consistently shows that people who take ownership of their responses to situations, rather than adopting a victim mentality, demonstrate higher resilience and achieve better outcomes. This is particularly relevant in high-pressure environments like real estate (and the seafood queue on Christmas Eve!), where market conditions are often beyond our control.

Let's explore how you can leverage the power of choice to transform your results...

Three ways you can leverage the Power of Choice:

Transform your communication impact

Want to make your message more memorable? Remember SLIM: Say Less, Impact More. Instead of drowning clients in property details, focus on creating mental images that resonate.

Try this: Rather than listing features, ask questions like "How would you see yourself using this space?" or "What would your Sunday mornings look like in this kitchen?" This approach engages imagination and emotion, making your communication more impactful.

Convert "worthy worry" into action

Not all worry is bad. The key is distinguishing between "worthy worry" (concerns you can act on) and "worthless worry" (things outside your control).

When market conditions worry you, ask yourself: "Is this something I can influence?" If yes, channel that energy into action. If not, practice letting go and focusing on what you can control.

Choose your daily attitude

Every day is a "choose day" (C-H-O-O-S-E). Instead of waiting for perfect conditions or bigger opportunities, decide to make the most of each moment.

For example, rather than lamenting a slow market, choose to use that time for skill development, relationship building, or market research. Your response to current conditions shapes your future outcomes.

Bottom line: While you can't control every event in your life, you always have a choice in how you respond. That choice, more than any external circumstance, determines your success.

Remember: The most powerful choice you can make is deciding not to wear the "victim t-shirt" and instead taking ownership of your responses. As McGee says, "You're not responsible for other people's behaviour—only your own."

Hear more from Paul McGee on the Elevate Podcast here.

ICYMI, yesterday Katie Cotton discussed why we need to build a bigger house.

TOGETHER WITH CALL ME SUCCESSFUL

Former NRL player turned real estate leader Matt Srama shares the secrets behind his winning formula in this episode, hosted by Daniel Petch. From athletic discipline to strategic marketing, Matt reveals how he’s redefined what it means to be a high-performance buyer’s agent in a fiercely competitive market.

This episode also dives into Matt’s “PIE” framework, (Process, Ideation, and Expectation), which helps real estate pros simplify their marketing game. He also opens up about building a standout personal brand, fostering a winning team culture, and using authenticity as his superpower in business and on social media.

Listen to this episode of Call Me Successful here

SMART SNIPPETS

Sydney's affordable housing gets a boost
The City of Sydney is doubling down on housing affordability with a new scheme that could help more people. The new plan standardises developer contributions at 20% and adds a 2% levy on non-residential spaces in the city centre. Two recent Green Square projects alone will deliver 366 new affordable units, showing promising early results.

Building a Brand That Resonates in 2025
A strong personal brand can help you stand out in a competitive market and connect authentically with clients. But where do you start, and how do you keep it consistent? Michael Choi offers some practical insights on building a personal brand that resonates with your community and supports long-term success. Read more here.

Houses trump apartments in long-term gains
New Zealand's property market shows houses significantly outperforming apartments over the past 17 years, with house prices soaring 102.6% compared to apartments' 82.8% growth. The difference comes down to the land value, with standalone homes benefiting more. For first-time buyers though, Auckland apartments still offer an attractive entry point at 29.3% below house prices.

CELEBRITY HOMES

Fancy a swim … Libby Trickett lists Noosa townhouse

Olympic gold medallist Libby Trickett and her husband Luke are selling their four-bedroom, fully-renovated townhouse near Little Cove Beach, Noosa Heads.

MOVERS + SHAKERS

Oliver Hume strengthens leadership team.
Marketing veteran Mitchy Koper and economist Matthew Bell join as National Head of Corporate Affairs and Chief Economist as the group looks to expand its leadership team. More here.

Success doesn’t rest on weekends! 
Get the latest on top agent and agency moves every Sunday with our weekly roundup in Movers & Shakers. Subscribe now.

SOUND WAVES

Why taking a break could be the best thing for your career

Not sure how to wind down? This curated listen reports on that professionals skip taking holidays, but research shows they are vital for wellbeing and productivity, helping prevent burnout and improve performance.

Dive straight into the listen below or the deeper dive here.

Read the article from Every Woman here

AGENTS ON SOCIAL

Ryan Serhant recently shared a light-hearted take on the occasional “white lie” in real estate, aka, the little nudges we give to keep things moving.

Really, it’s not quite about being dishonest; it’s about keeping spirits high and the deal alive. 🤥😆

@ryanserhant

Am I the only one? #tellmewithouttellingme #realestateagent #fyp

Seen an Agent On Socialwe should include? Let us know here (email link)

Wishing you a productive day

Elite Agent is crewed by Mark Edwards, Catherine Nikas-Boulos, Rowan Crosby, Giverny Pringle, Charmagne Arrubio and Samantha McLean. We aim to uplift the real estate industry by delivering forward-thinking, hype-free news and education that fosters knowledge and fuels ambition.

Stories marked with * are sponsored, including 'Together With' and the weekday 'Movers & Shakers' sections. Interested in promoting your brand to Elite Agent’s audience? Learn more at eliteagent.com/advertise.

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