If you've been in the mortgage business for more than a day, chances are, you've come to realize that being a "successful" loan officer isn't just about how many deals you close, the volume you fund or how fat your bank account is (although all of those are important). Let's be real: creating your BEST LIFE and achieving true "success", both personally and professionally, requires an "X Factor" beyond just your bottom line. What's the secret to creating sustainable growth that has you fired up and fulfilled, instead of bored or burnt out? How do you build a business that sets you free, instead of one that enslaves you? How do you create a healthy balance between work and family? How can you finally break free from Stress Prison, and unlock your power to live your BEST LIFE, full of fun, flow and fulfillment? If those questions sound meaningful to you, you've come to the right place. The Legendary Lender Podcast will inspire you to stop settling for second best, and live your BEST LIFE now!
Episodes
Aug 31, 2021
Aug 31, 2021
1 hr 2 min
“Freedom comes from structure.”
–Jed Barker
It may sound counterintuitive, but in order to find freedom, you have to first have structure. At Best Life, we don’t live to work, we work to live, and today’s episode is dedicated to giving you tips that will help you create structure in your business so that you can live the life you deserve!
To start off, we explain why you should work less. We know from experience that being available to your clients 24/7 may be a path to success in business (although we argue that it’s more likely to cause burnout than anything else), but it’s certainly not a path to success in life. Our discussion then shifts to the importance of a Magic Morning Routine (and what our morning rituals look like) and incorporating an Hour of Power into your day (if you don’t know what this is, you need this episode more than you think!). We end the show by sharing the OQP rule with you, as well as the many reasons why you should be embracing systems automation delegation.
If your goal is to reach a point of emotional and financial freedom (and let’s be honest, why wouldn’t it be?), this episode will help you on your way, so be sure not to miss it!
“You want to think of structure as a habit. Once you own it, it owns you.”
–Doren Aldana
Show Notes:
[0:46] – An introduction to today’s topic.
[03:58] – Al explains how structure provides freedom.
[05:17] – Having structure is not the same as having a to-do list.
[08:00] – Jed shares a common mistake that people make when running their own businesses.
[09:28] – A profound moment from Doren’s high school days that taught him about structure.
[11:44] – How to make a habit out of being structured.
[12:42] – Why you should work less!
[13:20] – An explanation of Parkinson’s Law.
[15:16] – Boundaries that Jed puts in place to ensure he has enough time off, and what he does in his free time.
[17:28] – Responses that Jed usually receives when he says no to weekend work.
[19:27] – How Al’s feelings about being available to work at all hours have changed over time.
[22:07] – A vice that Al sees people turn to when they are burnt out.
[23:09] – Why Al is happy to have lost some of the realtor partners he worked with at the beginning of his career.
[23:55] – The importance of making the most of your mornings.
[25:45] – Examples of things to do in the mornings which will bring magic into your day.
[27:25] – Jed’s take on exercising in the morning.
[29:43] – Work that Al has done to enhance his spiritual growth and personal development.
[30:48] – How Al has designed his home to cater to his morning routine, and what this routine consists of.
[33:00] – Confidence that Al feels in his ability to help others live their best lives.
[34:23] – The link between the Magic Morning Routine and the Hour of Power.
[35:41] – Types of clients who you should be working with.
[36:31] – What your Hour of Power should consist of.
[37:24] – When you should hold your Hour of Power, and why this is such an important part of your business.
[40:52] – Respect that you need to show yourself.
[43:02] – The industry professionals with who mortgage brokers need to form relationships.
[45:04] – How to turn the tables so that realtors need you, instead of the other way around
[45:26] – Doren explains what the OQP rule is.
[47:22] – Why you shouldn’t spend time with toxic, negative people.
[48:25] – How to attract the right kind of people into your life.
[50:40] – Systems automation delegation; the final structures that lead to maximum fun, freedom, fulfilment, and flow.
[52:38] – The value of working backwards from your ultimate goal.
[53:30] – An example of how to utilize technology to your advantage in the mortgage loan industry.
[54:41] – Complexities that exist within the mortgage loan industry, and how loan officers simplify these for our clients.
[57:06] – What we, at Best Life, offer our clients in terms of systems automatic delegation.
“We work for the good things in our life, so we should have the good things in our life
or else we’re just working for nothing.”
–Jed Barker
Links and Resources:
The Legendary Lender Home Page
Mortgage Marketing Coach on Facebook
Aug 24, 2021
Aug 24, 2021
56 min
If you feel like your best life is just out of reach, that may be because you have been duped by some common myths which are preventing you from shedding the stressed, overworked version of yourself, and replacing him or her with the joyous, and fulfilled version. In today’s episode, we’re going to bust five of these debilitating myths, and carve out a pathway for you to create the life you desire and deserve.
Our conversation begins with a discussion about the importance that people attribute to brand names, when in fact, your own personal brand is what really matters! We then shift to a discussion about why buying leads isn’t a good idea, and how approach is likely to cause more harm than good. Myth number 3 is one that Al himself knows all too well; the dangerous trap of thinking that in order to be successful you need to spend all your time working. In reality, there is no badge for doing things the hard way, and no nobility in answering work calls when you should be spending time with your family.
Another belief which we disprove on the show today is that customer service is the number one key to success. This is very far from the truth, and if you tune in today, we’ll let you in on what the most profitable activity in your mortgage loan business really is, and the relatively simple solution to getting it right!
“You’re the magic. And until and unless you embrace that truth,
you’re going to forever hold yourself back from creating your best life.”
– Doren Aldana
Show Notes:
[1:38] – Myth 1: My Company’s Logo and Brand Name is the Secret to My Success.
[4:01] – Elements that are much more important than your brand name, from Jed’s personal experience.
[05:31] – Doren uses real world examples to show why a big brand name isn’t a make or break for success.
[07:35] – What strategic pre-eminence means.
[09:18] – How your mindset influences your reality.
[10:53] – Myth 2: Paid Advertising or Buying Leads is Smart as Long as They Make a Profit.
[11:30] – The important factor that people leave out of the equation when they consider Myth 2 to be true.
[12:42] – Why Al wouldn’t wish the job of buying leads onto his enemies (if he had any).
[13:38] – Reasons that bought leads are often of low quality.
[15:53] – Jed’s experience of buying leads, and why he moved away from leads and onto referrals.
[16:39] – Key aspects of Jed’s success with organic referrals.
[19:56] – What your best life should and shouldn’t consist of.
[20:32] – Myth 3: It Takes Years of Experience, Hustle, and Constant Grinding to See Success.
[21:14] – Why Myth 3 is such a common belief, and the danger of allowing this erroneous mentality to govern your life.
[23:19] – Jed shares another false mindset that often traps people who are new to the mortgage loan industry.
[25:39] – The difference between working hard and working smart, and society’s unhealthy admiration of the former.
[27:20] – Two key learnings Al took from a seminar he recently attended.
[29:03] – Respect for your time starts with you.
[32:07] – How Al justified the crazy hours he used to work, and the realization that made him change his ways.
[33:32] – Myth 4: Being Good at Customer Service is the Key to Success.
[34:04] – Why attracting clients is as important as your proficiency at doing loans.
[36:34] – Customer service is just one element of a much broader scope of work that needs to be done in order to achieve success.
[38:08] – Jed’s opinion on the value of customer service.
[38:46] – The problem with starting out slow in your mortgage loan career.
[41:25] – Why you need to understand that if you are in the mortgage loan industry, you are also in the marketing industry.
[43:37] – The single most profitable activity in your mortgage loan business.
[44:13] – Skills that Al recommends anyone in the mortgage loan industry acquires.
[47:06] – Jed offers his take on the best way of marketing your business.
[49:34] – The value of building great relationships, to you and those around you.
[52:26] – Reasons that people often don’t get what they want.
[53:57] – How Best Life Mortgage can help you create your best life!
“You can always make more money, but you can’t get your time back.”
– Doren Aldana
Links and Resources:
Aug 17, 2021
Aug 17, 2021
1 hr 4 min
Choosing the mortgage company that you are going to hang you license with is not a decision to be taken lightly. There is such a wide range of mortgage companies out there, and there are a multitude of factors which should have a bearing on your decision. In this episode of The Legendary Lender, we talk you through the five essential elements which we think you should take into consideration before jumping into anything.
Despite what many people may think, the comp plan is not the main factor that determines whether a company will offer you the satisfaction that you are looking for. What matters more is the leadership, the company culture, the marketing strategy that they utilize, and the operation support that they offer. Today you will hear about why these factors matter, and how Best Life differentiates itself from standard mortgage brokers in all these categories.
Your best life doesn’t just happen by chance, it happens because of how proactive you are in designing it. That starts with making choices about where you put your time and energy, and we are here to guide you in the direction of a life that not only offers you financial freedom, but fulfilment in all other areas as well.
“Without a doubt, everything rises and falls on leadership.” – Al Rodriguez
Show Notes:
[1:00] – What you can expect to learn about in today’s episode.
[3:18] – A common mistake that Al notices people make when choosing a mortgage company to hang their license.
[7:10] – Leadership is the first factor that you need to take into consideration before choosing a company to hang your license with.
[8:34] – The experience Al had working under someone who was ill-equipped to be a leader.
[10:54] – How a good leader can completely change your life.
[13:22] – Qualities that you should be looking for in a leader.
[15:54] – The importance of marketing in the mortgage business.
[18:00] – What your marketing strategy should not consist of.
[20:03] – Doren explains where the most valuable asset of your business lies.
[23:00] – How to strategically attract referral partners.
[25:25] – The limited power of internal reviews.
[28:40] – Structure is essential when it comes to good marketing.
[29:43] – Operation support is key factor number three.
[30:50] – Why Al believes in the mortgage brokerage model.
[32:58] – How Best Life differentiates itself from other mortgage broker services.
[35:16] – The link between operation support and marketing.
[36:40] – Why you need to start with the end in mind.
[38:53] – “Punching-a-clock support” versus entrepreneurial support.
[41:08] – Meaning behind the idea of culture.
[41:44] – The culture that defines Best Life.
[44:44] – The types of people who will not be a good fit for Best Life.
[46:08] – Values that are integral to Best Life.
[48:30] – A question to ask to determine whether a company is culturally a good fit for you.
[50:16] – What you can expect from a discovery call with Best Life.
[51:26] – Al explains what Best Life’s reward program consists of.
[52:16] – How recognition is built into the Best Life culture.
[55:08] – What it means to “give trophy’s the size of men.”
[55:38] – The average basis point comp plans that Doren is aware of, and how Best Life compares.
[57:53] – A recap of what you should be looking for when deciding which mortgage company to hang your license with.
[58:44] – Trust you gut!
[59:50] – What Best Life can offer you.
[01:02:22] – Where you can find more information about Best Life, or get in touch.
“Leadership is not just leadership in business, it’s leadership in life.”
- Doren Aldana
Links and Resources:
The Legendary Lender Home Page
Aug 10, 2021
Aug 10, 2021
45 min
Have you reached your fed-up threshold? Are you tired of settling for good, rather than aiming for great? Are you ready to leave your comfort zone? If you answered yes to any of these questions, then this episode will inspire you to make use of those feelings and take the leap from a good life to Best Life.
Although it sounds like a simple thing, the skill of decision-making is what differentiates champions from the rest of the population, in business and in life. In today’s episode, we discuss how champions make decisions, the mindset that guides their decision-making process, and how you can become one of them.
The power lies entirely within you to stop worrying about what you can’t change, focus on what you can, and change your life, and the lives of those around you, for the better.
“When you make a decision to win, you’re cutting off from any other possibility other than winning. Period. End of story.” - Doren Aldana
Show Notes:
[1:02] – An introduction to today’s topic: How to harness the power of decision.
[2:01] – Doren, Al, and Jed share their definitions of decision.
[5:06] – What Al expects to happen in the mortgage industry if people do not become more decisive.
[6:19] - Al shares the “dog and the nail story” to highlight how pain and decisions are inextricably linked.
[8:50] – The human tendency to avoid dealing with difficult truths and stay in our comfort zones.
[10:36] – Doren explains what the fed-up threshold is.
[12:08] – Realization’s that people need to have in order to get the most out of coaching.
[14:36] – Jed opens up about the low point of his career, and what he learned from The Richest Man in Babylon.
[17:25] – Parallels between Jed’s story and Doren and Al’s stories.
[19:43] – For most people, good is good enough, but those aren’t the people who will benefit from Best Life Mortgage.
[22:30] – How champions make decisions differently from the rest of the population.
[23:57] – One of the most frustrating things that Al sees in coaching sessions.
[26:47] – The value of being able to make decisions quickly.
[31:01] – Why people join Best Life.
[31:59] – Doren explains the biggest learning people have when they join Best Life.
[34:06] – Don’t let the current of average pull you in.
[35:54] – Where “Best Life country” is, and why you are likely if you live there.
[37:06] – How Best Life is making the world a better place.
[39:17] – A guarantee that whoever you are, you will learn something from Best Life.
[41:34] – Why the grass appears to be greener on the other side of the fence.
“When you have the combination of resolve and disgust, that’s a powerful combination for transformation.” - Doren Aldana
Links and Resources:
The Legendary Lender Home Page
Mortgage Marketing Coach on Facebook
The Richest Man in Babylon by George S. Clason
Jul 6, 2021
Jul 6, 2021
1 hr 13 min
Before we can talk about growth, we can’t afford to be breeding stagnation. Many of us are unwittingly breeding stagnation and we just don’t realize that we are the source of it. This stagnation can be something you aren’t even aware of at first. But how does this stagnation start? Is it the loss of control that Jed describes? Is it the muck and mire that Al describes? The truth is, it can show up in different ways for everyone, but it all boils down to experiencing the same old thing with the same results with the same fear.
We are here to tell you today that there’s more out there and you are not even scratching the surface of what is possible. In today’s episode, we discuss the signs and symptoms of stagnation and how it not only affects your business success but also your mental health and wellbeing. A combination of complacency, delusional optimism, and fear are hurting your success and causing the “suck of stagnation.”
Well then what can you do about this? Listen on to find out how finding a commitment to a higher purpose, surrounding yourself with winners, and developing a growth mindset are the keys to consistent growth.
“Before we can talk about growth, we can’t afford to be breeding stagnation.
Many of us are unwittingly breeding stagnation and we just don’t realize that we are the source of it.”
-Doren Aldana
Show Notes:
[2:24] - Doren, Al, and Jed are all very familiar with stagnation on all fronts.
[3:35] - Jed describes stagnation as a loss of control. The pressure and anxiety is overwhelming.
[4:48] - When there’s hope for the future, there’s power in the present. If you switch this, what does it mean if there’s no hope for the future?
[5:45] - The suck of stagnation does not just apply to the mortgage business.
[6:48] - Al creates an analogy to bodies of water. There’s muck in the stagnant water but moving water creates life.
[9:02] - We can see the symptoms of stagnation but might not see the solution.
[10:46] - Many of us are unwittingly the source of stagnation.
[11:23] - One of the symptoms of stagnation is complacency. Al explains this as giving up without realizing that you’re giving up.
[12:32] - “Complacency first starts by comparing yourself to the masses or the average. Why would you do that? You’ve given yourself your own self-imposed ceiling.” - Al Rodriguez
[14:20] - What is holding you back from success? Complacency happens in all aspects of life.
[17:36] - Part of the goal for Best Life Mortgage is to help people create their best lives but each person needs to internally discover this.
[20:01] - There’s a purpose that is aligned with love. A symptom of complacency is missing this piece.
[20:57] - We have to have a little bit of delusional optimism in this business, but what is too much and how can it breed stagnation?
[22:56 ] - Jed explains that optimism can be a superpower. But when it can go awry is when we don’t have a plan to go with optimism.
[24:41] - Delusional optimism is hard to admit when you realize it.
[25:38] - Al considers delusional optimism a virus in this industry.
[27:20] - Al gives examples of things people think that indicate they are delusionally optimistic.
[29:01] - Playing inside our comfort zone will not let us accomplish our dream.
[30:00] - You need to be willing to embrace the truth. Don’t let the truth upset you. You can’t change your reality unless you embrace it.
[31:09] - Fear has a multitude of faces. How does fear have anything to do with stagnation?
[33:09] - There is even a fear of being too busy. Don’t wait till fear is over. Feel the fear and do it anyway.
[34:19] - Al describes the type of fear that he experienced at 19 years old starting in this business.
[35:45] - When you are fearful of something, the more practice helps eliminate the fear. It may come back, but it is helpful to overcome.
[37:04] - Jed shares how he sacrificed fear as a way to get closer to God and the experience was impactful.
[38:45] - Doren describes the fear barrier that people tend to struggle getting past.
[40:38] - What contributes to growth? One is the commitment to a higher purpose.
[41:39] - What is Jed’s commitment to a higher purpose? He shares a relatable story and blessing.
[43:19] - Another huge purpose that Jed is passionate to work for is Best Life’s Mortgage giving back.
[45:10] - What is the goal of Best Life Mortgage? For every 7 closed loans, money is donated to rescue children from sex and human trafficking.
[46:34] - You have to be in the right environment and culture. Are you with the right people?
[48:42] - Al explains what happens when fear holds you back from your higher purpose.
[50:23] - Doren shares a story about a new mortgage professional working with Best Life.
[51:58] - Doren’s story demonstrates the power of a commitment to a higher purpose.
[52:27] - Growth mindset is another contributing factor to consistent growth.
[54:10] - Al connects growth mindset to culture. Our environment has an effect on your mindset.
[56:02] - Growth mindset is a community event as well as an internalized practice.
[58:07] - In the past, Jed admits that he hasn’t invested in himself and worked on his own growth. He demonstrates the impact the investments have had on him.
[60:08] - Outward growth starts with inner growth.
[61:51] - Fear and insecurity has a domino effect on our mindset and cultivating culture.
[64:33] - Make sure you are not the highest producer in your group of people. It is so easy to fall into stagnation and nothing you can look up to or aspire to be.
[67:02] - It’s okay to copy the people who are successful. There is no plagiarism here.
“Complacency first starts by comparing yourself to the masses or the average.
Why would you do that? You’ve given yourself your own self-imposed ceiling.”
-Al Rodriguez
Links and Resources:
The Legendary Lender Home Page
Mortgage Marketing Coach on Facebook
Jun 29, 2021
Jun 29, 2021
58 min
This episode may strike a nerve. We hope it does! As Al points out in this conversation, society tends to cheer us on when we work too many hours, even though we know it leads to stress and burnout. Not only that, but you’re spending too many hours away from your loved ones and your best life. So many mortgage professionals never attain true freedom and stay spinning their wheels in the same old spot year after year. Sound familiar?
In today’s episode, we are serving up the keys on a silver platter. These are keys to crack the freedom code and this is where we think we may strike that nerve. Many times we hear mortgage pros say they know these things already. But are you living by this or are you still pushing paper? Your time is better spent on the shortest path to the cash and you know you are capable of greatness.
Listen on as we describe true financial freedom and freedom of time, the latter being the most life-changing. It’s all a balance of upleveling your income but using resources to create more time for yourself and your loved ones. Best Life Mortgage has all the strategies and automation to make this freedom attainable.
“Freedom isn’t just financial freedom. What I have found through the years is that freedom with money does not mean success. Freedom is a balance of upleveling your income but using the resources to create time freedom.”
-Al Rodriguez
Show Notes:
[2:18] - 20 years of experience can be the same thing each year. Or it can be year after year of growth.
[5:07] - Freedom isn’t just financial freedom. Freedom is a balance of upleveling your income but using the resources to create time freedom.
[7:11] - Al shares a personal story about having all the things he wanted and the money to do it with, but didn’t take a single vacation in over 7 years.
[8:15] - There are two types of people in this business: the practice builder and the business builder.
[10:01] - When you “wear all the hats,” you can’t be present on your off time, vacations, or time with your family.
[11:05] - Working this way leads to stress and burnout.
[12:28] - What if your whole day is doing what you love?
[13:43] - Al explains what is at stake if you don’t take this shift seriously. If you are the type to do everything, even the paper pushing, you will be spinning your wheels.
[15:41] - Instead of spending two solid days building a database, Al delegated the task to an assistant and saved 6-10 hours of work but the task gets done.
[16:35] - Al shares the story of a loan officer in Texas whose work-life balance is not where it should be.
[17:55] - From the outside looking in on social media, you don’t see the inner turmoil and unhappiness of those who work too much.
[19:23] - It is not just time stolen from you, but you are not living life for your purpose.
[20:11] - The first key in cracking the freedom code is: making freedom a priority.
[21:47] - Begin with the end in mind. If you can’t see it, you’re not going to achieve it.
[23:26] - Don’t do what the masses are doing. Make a to-do list and a not to-do list.
[24:39] - People tend to hire too late and when they do, they hire out of burnout.
[27:10] - Having a priority around freedom means setting yourself up to support your freedom. Hire a virtual assistant and get used to delegating.
[29:51] - Leverage is so liberating, even if you just dial it in a little bit.
[30:46] - Cold-calling is okay, but if there’s no freedom or leverage there.
[32:32] - With Al’s strategy for marketing, you only spend the time working with the ones that respond and want to work with you.
[34:11] - Doren shares a case-study about using campaign automation by someone new to the business. He generated 3 million in 3 months.
[36:25] - Lead conversion is the next key to cracking the freedom code.
[38:38] - Al shares how automation creates lead conversion.
[40:14] - With Best Life Mortgage, all you have to do is strike the match. The automation aspect is a game-changer.
[41:22] - The best quality leads to focus on and are the easiest to convert are referrals and repeats.
[42:22] - The next key is “Leverage Your Time.” This has a lot of different facets.
[43:01] - Doren gives examples of how to leverage your time.
[43:58] - Best Life is designed to help loan officers earn 6 figures and work fewer than 35 hours a week.
[45:10] - What you should be spending your time on are the activities that create income.
[46:10] - Al explains how you can leverage your time with Best Life Mortgage’s program and automation. Why reinvent the wheel?
[47:25] - When we look at social media and see how much time someone has spent to earn money, society cheers them on.
[48:41] - When you are a slave to your business, it causes so much distress when you miss a call. You need to leverage your time.
[50:24] - There are a lot of little things that make the difference between average and champion.
[51:47] - Why would you keep banging your head on the wall when you could have the formula handed to you?
[53:03] - What is your freedom money? What amount is it and how can you get there in fewer than 35 hours a week?
“Activity doesn’t equal productivity.”
-Doren Aldana
Links and Resources:
The Legendary Lender Home Page
Mortgage Marketing Coach on Facebook
Jun 10, 2021
Jun 10, 2021
57 min
“Start thinking less like an operator and more like an entrepreneur. Focus on setting up a business that sets you free and not a business that enslaves you.” - Doren Aldana
Welcome back to The Legendary Lender Podcast! Today we are discussing a very compelling and valuable topic to anyone in this business and that is the fastest way to break the ten deals a month barrier. So often, we meet mortgage professionals who just don’t see how it is possible, but it is attainable with some game-changing shifts in mindset.
Using a memorable analogy, we’ve got three brakes to release in your business and three throttles to accelerate. That means that there are many common things loan officers are doing that are actually holding them back. Let’s release the brakes on those and focus our attention on the things that will push your business forward: the throttles. In this episode, we discuss what the brakes and throttles are, why they have an impact, and real-life personal stories that exemplify each strategy.
Remember that the goal is to always work smarter and not harder. Unfortunately, many mortgage professionals are doing things the hard way and it is causing them to sacrifice time with their loved ones to pay the bills. That’s not living your best life. So listen on to find out the areas to focus your time and energy on and where you can make changes in your strategies to find the shortest path to the cash.
“If doing loans paid you $200 to $500 an hour to do discovery calls with realtors and to treat your customers right and close loans, why would you do $10 an hour quality work?” - Al Rodriguez
Show Notes:
[2:12] - There are three throttles and three ways to release the brakes.
[2:52] - The first brake to release is: Working in your business rather than working on your business.
[4:21] - Al shares how no matter how many years of experience he has, working on the business with Doren and Jed has been a completely different experience.
[6:09] - Working in your business is a stepping stone to working on your business. Jed admits that his struggle is when to give things up and delegate.
[7:30] - Jed is an active loan officer and averages between 10-20 deals per month. He is a control freak, but recognizes that delegating tasks will help him keep those numbers up.
[9:22] - Doren recommends the book The E-Myth Revisited by Michael Gerber for that entrepreneurial mindset.
[10:29] - What is the difference between an operator mindset and the entrepreneurial mindset? To get to 10+ deals per month, we need to shift our mindset.
[11:38] - The second brake to release yourself from is inconspicuous. That is “stepping over dollars to pick up dimes.” Doren gives some examples.
[13:05] - Al shares a story of a mortgage professional spending time on tasks that could have been done by someone else so he could focus on more important things.
[16:01] - Jed worked with Doren to boost his 2 deals per month to 20. He was able to do this by narrowing his focus.
[17:19] - Jed’s strategy in the beginning was all over the place and he explains how that was not worth his time and money.
[18:01] - By taking the time to create a relationship with realtors, Jed has proven to them that he wants to help and is driven to provide the best service.
[19:23] - The next brake to release is “waiting for the phone to ring.” How many hours of your work week are dedicated to lead generation?
[20:43] - You’re not in the mortgage business. You’re in the marketing business.
[22:49] - Sometimes you have to step out of your comfort zone.
[23:40] - Jed shares that the fear of failure is the main thing that
[24:18] - Jed lists some ideas on how to make this automated and easier. His automatic campaigns took the reluctance of cold calling out of the picture.
[26:11] - It doesn’t take much to make a game-changing shift to your lifestyle.
[27:34] - Something to “throttle” or accelerate is to attract without cold calling.
[29:02] - Al explains what they do at Best Life Mortgage to provide coaching and training by working fewer than 35 hours a week.
[30:42] - Al also recommends the automation strategy but also emphasizes the importance of following through.
[33:04] - Doren explains what he calls “elegant simplicity” and the shortest path to the cash.
[34:40] - It’s not just one thing that you can do. You should be using social media to attract people and befriending realtors.
[37:07] - There’s only so much help you can get with attracting others. You have to attract others with your relationship building and mindset.
[37:40] - Another throttle is “less paper pushing and more rain making.”
[38:58] - If you don’t have great processing, you are the processor.
[39:43] - Al shares the stories of loan officers who are doing more than they should.
[41:29] - Many mortgage professionals seem to be assisting the processor instead of the other way around.
[43:18] - Jed shares a personal story of having an issue with his processor and decided to do everything himself. He admits that he is happy that he did that but is very glad to be stepping out of that responsibility.
[45:34] - Everyone needs a series of technologies and people to process loans.
[47:06] - The third throttle is mastery mentors. Not all mentors are created equally.
[47:59] - Look for a mentor that is relevant and cutting edge. Is your mentor equipped to help you maximize your income and worthy of emulation?
[49:47] - It’s not all about technique. Mentors should be all around what you want to emulate. Work with the people who help you get there.
[51:36] - Having a mentor is Al’s number one recommendation for everyone to have for their business.
[52:21] - If you are licensed in Texas, South Carolina, or Florida and are ambitious to make a lot more money with a growth mindset, the team invites you to take the next step with Best Life Mortgage to see if you are the best fit.
“Working in your business is a stepping stone to working on your business.” - Jed Barker
Links and Resources:
Jun 1, 2021
Jun 1, 2021
1 hr 24 sec
“Before you can have your best life, you need to have clarity on what that life looks like.” - Doren Aldana
Welcome to the inaugural episode of The Legendary Lender powered by Best Life Mortgage. We are Doren Aldana, Jed Barker, and Al Rodriguez and together we have a mission to elevate this industry and community. We want to bring light and leadership to this industry and what better way to start than connecting with you through The Legendary Lender Podcast?
In today’s episode we start with a very compelling topic. We have found that most mortgage pros never achieve their best life. There are a lot of different reasons this could happen, but today we’ve narrowed it down to the top five reasons why. Listen on as we unpack why so many mortgage professionals feel unfulfilled, overworked, burnt out, and wind up leaving the profession in 2 years or less. Don’t let that be you. Through a clear vision, the right mentorship, and aligning your beliefs to your dream, you can achieve your best life.
“We want to bring light and leadership to this industry with high-level thinking and strategic thinking that helps you live your best life.” - Doren Aldana
Show Notes:
[1:29] - Welcome to the inaugural episode of The Legendary Lender! Doren introduces the mission of the podcast.
[3:04] - Doren shares how he, Jed, and Al became business partners and started this journey together.
[5:14] - With Jed’s idea to create a national mortgage company, he and Doren decided that it would be mission-minded from the start by creating a tithing company.
[5:54] - Al became part of the picture as well. His articulation, kind-heartedness, and energy brought a lot to the team.
[7:40] - Jed introduces himself and explains his background and vision for the Best Life Mortgage company.
[12:12] - Al takes the mic to share his experience in this field and his passion to help others through Best Life Mortgage.
[14:20] - “We want you to do more than okay. We want you to do more than just business. The Best Life comes down to experience, growth, and contributions.” - Al Rodriguez
[16:10] - Through The Legendary Lender Podcast, the team will bring proven strategies to avoid burnout and can increase your production but without increasing the number of hours.
[18:01] - The first reason most lenders do not reach their best life is because they are lacking vision.
[19:41] - How can lack of vision impact the quality of life and the potential that people can step into as they move forward in their mortgage career?
[22:24] - Some people are afraid to be successful.
[24:08] - There’s different grades and degrees of vision. Your results will be on par with the level of your vision.
[25:58] - The next reason Doren shares as one that prevents mortgage pros from ever achieving their best life is limiting beliefs.
[28:41] - Al explains how limiting beliefs happen at all levels.
[32:06] - Jed has stopped thinking about selling as something he does to earn money and has shifted into thinking about how he can bless others.
[33:21] - Selling is serving when you have the right belief.
[34:43] - The third reason people don’t achieve their best life is weak marketing.
[35:46] - Loan officers need to realize they’re in the marketing business rather than the mortgage business
[37:53] - Jed compares the clarity needed in a loan officer’s marketing to his experience in the alarm sales business. Clarity provides a foundation for success.
[39:42] - When moving to this career, Jed was lost and he sought knowledge and training. He had to quiet the noise and through Doren’s help, he was able to develop relationships and focus on one thing at a time.
[40:51] - Jed admits that he is simple. He wants one way that works over multiple ways that spread out his focus.
[42:09] - What is the shortest path to the cash?
[43:49] - “Working hard is how most mortgage loan officers do it. Working smart is how we teach.” - Al Rodriguez
[45:45] - The fifth reason most mortgage pros don’t reach their best life is that they are mentored by people who mean well but are overworked and not demonstrating the smart way to level up. We can’t give what we don’t have.
[46:33] - “We can’t give what we don’t have. Is the leadership living their best life themselves and can they help me do likewise?” - Doren Aldana
[48:05] - This is one of the most overlooked aspects to success in this business. Al shares a personal story about one of his first mentors that opened his eyes to this.
[50:51] - There might come a time where you become the most successful in your circle and this stunts your growth. You need to always look around and seek coaching.
[54:05] - There is value in making strategic investments in yourself.
[56:00] - You can book a discovery call by going to The Legendary Lender website.
“We want you to do more than okay. We want you to do more than just business. The Best Life comes down to experience, growth, and contributions.” - Al Rodriguez
Links and Resources: