5 Things Uniquely Successful People Never Do

January 15, 2014

5 Things Uniquely Successful People Never Do

Uniquely successful people succeed because of the structures that govern how they think, how they work, how they play, how they interact with family, friends and colleagues.  Here are five traits we see regularly. I hope you can use some of these concepts to get more out of your lives and achieve a more successful 2014.

Uniquely successful people never start the day after 9 a.m.  They start much earlier.  They get to work early because they want alone time -- time without interruptions of meetings, phone calls, email or staff wanting answers. They use their alone time to think about the challenges of the day or to contemplate plans for the future.  Alone time is good for you.

Uniquely successful people never see problems; they see opportunities. Problems are challenges, to be sure. However, successful people see them as great tools to expand their success. A problem within a group at a company could be resolved with better communication. Or a business problem properly debated could lead to higher order thinking.  Often times it can mean the idea doesn't work, but a tweak can turn it into a far better result.

Uniquely successful people never go it alone. They assemble experts and trusted advisors to share ideas, pare problems to the essentials and delegate instructions that will equally save time and solve challenges. Uniquely successful people -- and this is important -- are never defensive. They thrive on constructive criticism; it leads to better decisions. Richard Branson, the great English entrepreneur, has said he's succeeded because of the spirited give-and-take between himself and his team.

Uniquely successful people never do anything without a written plan.  A plan can be as all-encompassing as the steps it will take to become CEO of a large company or as basic as tackling a home improvement project.  Plans should be written with as many specifics as possible, including potential obstacles, solutions to consider and necessary action steps. The writing forces you to first articulate a goal and then the steps needed to achieve the goal. The most successful people take the plan a step further.  They use their written plans to review and measure their progress and stay focused on the most important task. Furthermore, they understand the consequences of failing and the rewards of achievement. 

Uniquely successful people never forget their loved ones.  Balancing the passion in business with the loved ones in our lives is no easy task.  Time with family opens yourself to new ideas.  Last week I had a phone call with a client who took a small skiing trip over the holidays. He was excited to share his stories with me of getting the little ones into skiing gear, watching them have fun on the slopes, cooking meals together, the laughter and the stories.  But what he appreciated most was the opportunity to see how his life fits in with the bigger picture. Not a bad thing.

Ron Goldstein,MBA
Certified Luxury Broker@KoenigRubloff-Berkshire Hathaway affiliate
Principal, Silver Professionals

chicagoluxuryrealty.com silverprofessionals.com
(o)312-264-5846 (c)312-771-7190 (f)312-264-5746
Offices in Chicago and St. Petersburg
Connecting people w/ jobs & homes!

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Shop for your fresh produce across the street@Green City Mkt. in this 3/2 in the heart Lincoln Pk. priced right!

 Shop for your fresh produce across the street@Green City Mkt. in this 3/2 in the heart Lincoln Pk priced right!

One magnificent lifestyle, envision the sunrise over the lake as you dine al fresco on your 24 ft private deck. Stunning east, lake/park view from floor to ceiling windows of this 3br/2ba, 1600 sf nirvana across from Green City Market/Lincoln Park 200. Hardwood floors, chef's kitchen, tons of storage/closets. 
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6 Plush Upgrades that wont break the bank!

 

6 Plush Upgrades that wont break the bank!

A little luxury goes a long way toward making your home truly your castle — and more marketable when it’s time to sell.

Every remodel should add value to your home; that’s our mantra. But HouseLogic knows that some luxuries just make your home life sweeter and easier — and there’s terrific value in that, too.

Here are some of our favorite remodeling splurges that are great for your life now and someday may pique a buyer’s interest.

Central vacs store dust in a collection bin that's usually in a basement or garage (aka away from you), a feature much appreciated by allergy sufferers. Image: Karen Bertelsen

1. Central Vac (aka Whole-House Vacuum)

What: A super-suction, built-in vacuum system that features convenient inlet ports throughout the house where you plug in 25-to-50-foot lightweight vacuum hoses. The collection bin is usually located in a basement or garage.

Why: No more dragging heavy vacuum cleaners up and down stairs and throughout the house. With central vacs all you need to schlepp is a lightweight hose fitted with a power brush.

Central vacs have up to five times the suction power of portable vacuums, and they store dust far away from where it’s collected — great for allergy sufferers. Some high-tech systems have retractable hoses that disappear into the wall.

Tip: Make sure you have enough ports — at least one for every 500 sq. ft.

How much: $1,500-$2,500 to retrofit a house; add about $500 for retractable hose.


Up the relaxation factor by turning your shower stall into a steam room. If you're building from scratch, slope the ceiling so the condensation runs off. Image: Case Design Remodeling Inc, Bethesda

2. Steam Shower

What: A sealed shower attached to a steam generator that turns the stall into a steam room. You can build a steam shower from scratch or buy a prefab fiberglass unit.

Why: Steam relaxes, opens sinuses, soothes muscles, and cleans pores. Installing a steam shower is a major project that includes wiring for the generator; vapor-proofing walls, floors, and ceiling; installing a tightly-fitting door; and having a bathroom fan outside the shower to suck up the extra humidity.

Tip: A sloped ceiling in the shower room ensures that condensation runs off.

How much: Fiberglass unit: $1,000-$5,000; framed-in unit and generator: $7,000-$10,000.

Thin radiant mats can be installed under bathroom tiles to pleasantly heat the floor -- a dream come true for many homeowners, especially in the middle of winter. Image: Warmboard

3. Heated Bathroom Floors

What: Thin, thermostatically-controlled electric radiant mats that install under tile.

Why: No more cold tootsies when stepping out of the shower in the morning. Many systems come with timers so warm bathroom floors await you each morning.

Tip: Heated floors help stem mold growth in humid places.

How much: $15.59/sq. ft. for material and installation (not counting cost of tile or adding 20-amp GFCI dedicated circuit with 110 volts, $97-$245).

A skylight in a bathroom provides plenty of natural light while maintaining much-needed privacy. Image: Batim Studio

4. Super Skylights

What: Roof windows that let sunlight in. Upscale models feature insulated glass, solar-powered shades, and rain sensors that’ll automatically close an open skylight in bad weather.

Why: Nobody likes dark, dreary rooms and hallways. Skylights let the sun shine into areas you can’t brighten with windows — hallways, interior rooms, even closets. Skylights save you money on heating, cooling, and lighting bills.

Tip: If you plan to open and close skylights, order screens to keep out bugs and roof debris.

How much: $500-$3,500 (depending on size, glazing, and complexity) installed.

When Kimberly of Serendipity Refined designed her master bath, she treated herself to a towel warming drawer, which she says is especially nice during Chicago winters. Image: SerendipityRefined.com  

5. Towel Warming Drawer

What: A stainless steel, heated drawer that slips into cabinetry, plugs into an outlet, and warms towels.

Why: Because there’s nothing more snuggly than wrapping a warm towel around you after a bath or shower.

Tip: Towels take time to heat up — some people say as much as 45 minutes — so you’ll have to plan ahead to have a toasty one ready when you are.

How much: $1,700-$3,400.

6. Whole-House Electrostatic Filters

What: Also called “electrostatic precipitators,” these dust-removing wonders are incorporated into your HVAC ductwork. They charge polluted air with a high-voltage current, and then collect particles on plates with the opposite charge. Great at removing tiny particles that slip through regular fiberglass filters.

Why: Whole-house electrostatic filters remove smoke, dust mites, pet dander, pollen, and dust, improving air quality and health. But they also create ozone as a byproduct which is a lung irritant, so the health benefits could be a wash.

Tip: The filters last indefinitely, but you’ll have to clean the plates, some say as often as once a week; others advise every 2-3 months.

How much: $600-$1,000 installed.

Ron Goldstein,MBA
Certified Luxury Broker@KoenigRubloff-Berkshire Hathaway affiliate
Principal, Silver Professionals
chicagoluxuryrealty.com silverprofessionals.com
(o)312-264-5846 (c)312-771-7190 (f)312-264-5746
Offices in Chicago and St. Petersburg
Connecting people w/ jobs & homes!

Carpe Diem- Thought leadership & June Real Estate Newsletter from your trusted advisor

 

June 2014

MARKET UPDATE   How's the Market? We hear this question all the time, and we’re sure you do too. We thought you might like to know how we look at our current market conditions. The extreme winter weather adversely affected sales, and we are seeing increased activity now as a result of pent-up demand. Closed and pending sales increased in most segments of the market. Agents’ biggest complaint in most markets continues to be too little inventory of homes on the market. After area-wide price increases of 11% in 2013 vs. 2012 prices, we are seeing continued increases this year. In the city of Chicago, the median price rose a whopping 26% in March. Our average sales price across the company rose from $428,469 in the first quarter of 2013 compared to $472,909 in the same time period in 2014, an increase of 10.4%. To read more How's the Market?, click here.   The KoenigRubloff Report, an Invaluable Real Estate Market Tool! As the housing market recovers, it’s essential to keep up with pricing and sales trends in your neighborhood.  As your broker, it’s my job to help educate you on this changing market and how that impacts you.  Our KoenigRubloff Report provides timely information including market statistics and a longer-term perspective to help you analyze trends. Contact me to get your weekly reports delivered via email. Sign up here or contact me today.   Good to Know   Condominium Inventory Low If you’re looking for a condominium in Chicago, you might have to wait! Inventory is low, demand is on the rise and developers are planning for the future. To read more, please check out this story from Crain's Chicago Business.  Spring Decorating Trends New interior designer trends are popping up this spring and as many people seek to re-invent the look of their residence or a particular room this season, various color schemes are popular ways to liven up a space. Pantone’s Color Of The Year for 2014 is orchid, a rich purple with pink undertones. HGTV offers great ideas to refresh your home's interior.   Under Contract! 2550 lakeview and 865 LaSalle   Community Profiles Get to know the many unique communities throughout the Chicago area, Southeastern Wisconsin and Harbor Country Michigan.   Carpe Diem Real Estate Blog   10 Cool Ideas for Backyard Retreats and Playhouses http://carpediemrealestate.blogspot.com/2014/05/10-cool-ideas-for-backyard-retreats-and.html Planning summer Bashes? Light it up! http://carpediemrealestate.blogspot.com/2014/05/planning-summer-bashes-light-it-up.html   Ron Goldstein Broker Associate RGoldstein@koenigrubloff.com 3127717190 www.chicagoluxuryrealty.com

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