A Sleepy, Creepy Halloween
“On mounting a rising ground, which brought the figure of his fellow traveler in relief against the sky, gigantic in height, and muffled in a cloak, Ichabod was horror-struck on perceiving that he was headless! But his horror was still more increased on observing that the head, which should have rested on his shoulders, was carried before him on the pommel of his saddle!”
~Washington Irving, “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow”
THE CHOICE of performing a trick or receiving a treat was optional in my pre-millennial costumed days. Back then, “All Hallows Eve” was preceded by “Mischief Night” – a vandalizing but tame alternative where you’d soap up a nasty neighbor’s windows, or T.P. their trees in lieu of a chocolaty Snickers or Clark bar (two big favorites of mine). Parents then didn’t follow you around door-to-door. Instead, we marauded the neighborhoods in flash-lit, giggly groups, spooking those who answered the door, invite you in, then try to guess your identity beneath that sweaty rubber mask – such were those carefree, (seemingly) safer times of childhood innocence and aspirations (some say naivete). Indeed, the chilled night of haunting wanderlust was as alluring as the prospect of a pillowcase full of caramel apples, ginger snaps, candy corn, and nickel candy. I’d eat half of it before going home.
DECADES LATER . . . similarly scary but intriguing opportunities (and questions) confront us:
- Are you still out there roaming the marketplace, despite the chill, banging on doors, seeking new customers (treats)? OR relying solely on technology and texts (trickery) to open strange doors? A hologram Halloween?
- Can people readily identify you as a qualified, successful real estate professional? OR an imposter hiding behind sappy slogans and personal bombast to mask mediocrity or incompetence?
A “cult” (good habit) of prospecting (door-knocking) started many years ago on “All Hallows Eve.” Does the opportunity of a bigger, tastier bag of treats still allure you? True, the neighborhoods may not be as innocent, friendly or walkable as they used to be, but no less alluring and emboldening if you venture out into them. P.S. you may be the only one out there.
AUTUMN is a perfect time for prospecting… and personal business planning. Whether it’s a group exercise at your office, or a solo adventure you partake in the quiet of your home, you should seriously ponder the months and years to come. Set bigger, better goals! Then goal-set a plan to achieve them! How much time are you willing to devote to real estate? Which business activities will you do consistently? With planning, commitment, then action, you can ensure more bountiful (less scary) evenings.
[“The Legend of Sleepy Hollow” is a popular short story published in 1820 by American author, Washington Irving. Along with Irving’s companion piece, “Rip Van Winkle,” it is among the earliest examples of American fiction with enduring popularity, particularly around Halloween. Irving’s depiction of regional NY (Dutch) culture – his themes of progress versus tradition, supernatural intervention in the commonplace, and the plight of the outsider within a homogenous community permeate both stories, and helped develop a unique sense of American culture and individualism during the early 19th century. If you’ve never been there, the trip to Tarrytown NY and Ichabod Crane’s moonlit haunting places will keep you forever watchful.]