For those of you who don't know "Taking a Mulligan" is a golf term. You're allowed to take another shot after making an errant one on your first try. Sort of like a do-over for the social golfer.
Life doesn't always let you take a Mulligan
Our industry has a lot of demands on our time and on the time of our families. Most of them aren't discretionary since we're independent contractors and have to be available when the demands of the job and our clients insist. Don't get me wrong here, there's plenty of idle time when we wish we were busier. It turns out to be more of a scheduling problem in the real estate industry.
- I need to see houses this weekend.
- I want to write an offer tonight.
- The home inspection can only be tomorrow.
- etc.
These are the last two verses of "Cats In The Cradle" by Harry Chapin, 1974. The rest of the song is a build up to the last verse where it should hit home to those of us who may not value our time with family as much as we should.
"And as I hung up the phone it occurred to me
He'd grown up just like me
My boy was just like me
And the cat's in the cradle and the silver spoon
Little boy blue and the man on the moon
When you comin' home son?
I don't know when, but we'll get together then son
You know we'll have a good time then"
The song is about a father who's life just sort of got away from him because he was always too busy for the family. As his son grows up he finds his son doesn't really have the time for him now.
To see Harry singing it click below.
To read the lyrics click the link below, "The Cat's In The Cradle." I mean really read the lyrics, and remember what's important in your life.
http://www.lyricsdepot.com/harry-chapin/cats-in-the-cradle.html
Whenever my life gets out of balance I try and remember Harry's song.
Rich Iarossi is a full time licensed REALTOR®, working in Crofton, MD. My coverage areas are: Anne Arundel, Prince George’s, Howard, Calvert, Queen Anne, and Baltimore City and County. I specialize in residential real estate, working with both buyers and sellers. Use the registration free search on my website at www.RichSellsHomes.com. If you’re not already working with a REALTOR®...I can help. Call me at 443-995-9595 (Cell) or 410-451-6255 (Office).
SKYPE ME: RichSellsHomes
I agree that life is best when it's in balance but sometimes you have to do what you have to do. It can be very difficult to make choices and with every choice, there is a cost. Everyone has to decide for themselves when that cost gets to be to high.
Hi Richard, Very good post. I do agree with these facts. Keep posting best.
Best - Sash
Life is not a dress rehearsal. Some things in life can't be rescheduled, like your child's graduation, a wedding anniversary, etc.
Life is short as illustrated in the Harry Chapin song. Your "Taking a Mulligan" observation is great Richard. We are lucky that there are some things that we can get a "redo" in. But we don't have time machines to go back and correct all of the "If Only" or "I Should Have" moments in our lives.
There are no real estate emergencies. So don't compromise those things in life that you can't get back once the sun goes down.
Good post! Once actions are done we generally don't have many opportunities for "do overs." We need to use our best judgment and act on it. We also need to take care of those things that are important in life first; our priorities are important as well as defining.
Cindy: Everything we do in life is a choice, and you're right, there is a cost for every choice we make.
Sasha: Thanks! I will keep posting.
Mary: With all the supposed time saving devices everyone has, our lives just seem to be getting busier and busier.
Rob/Jeannie: I wish I did have a time machine sometimes. Being in a service industry we do let others define what's an emergency frequently.
Jon: Action without judgement is pretty scary. I believe that a lot of people really don't identify what their priorites are...it's just too easy to deal "at the moment."
Ouch, I was just listening to this song yesterday and thinking about my daughter growing up so fast....
It's quite a juggle, isn't it?
Good post! Thanks for the reminder! Now I know what a Mulligan is. Milligan was the maiden name of my ex mother in law.
Sal: Thanks for stopping by to comment. I grew up in Bergen County, Elmwood Park. Still have fond memories.
Ed: Slow down for what's really important.
Mirela: You must have been listening to an oldies station. Kids do grow up fast. Don't miss the important times.