In this 255th episode of Monday Morning Pep Talk, I’m diving deep into one of my most impactful guiding principles: “High performance starts with elimination.” As @MatthewMcConaughey wisely said, achieving extraordinary results isn’t about doing more—it’s about choosing less with intention. This approach is what sets those who make incremental progress apart from those who achieve exponential growth.

Over time, I’ve discovered that success doesn’t come from cramming your schedule or tackling every opportunity. Real success lies in freeing yourself from low-value activities to create a laser focus on what truly matters. In this episode, I reveal how the “less is more” philosophy can revolutionize your business and life.

Before we dive into today’s call, I want to remind you of my professional purpose: to help you, the full-service, full-fee Advisor, optimize productivity and become the best version of yourself. Why? “Because Happy Advisors Sell More Real Estate.” My aim is to teach you how to navigate daily challenges and opportunities effectively. Listen to this as if you’re in a one-on-one coaching session with me.

Today, we’ll explore five key areas where applying “elimination” can jumpstart or maintain the momentum needed to excel as an ELP and super-achiever. These areas include:

1. Prune Your CRM: Remove low-value contacts to focus on your most promising leads.
2. Remove Low Impact, High Cost Items: Identify and cut initiatives that don’t deliver high ROI.
3. Declutter Your Environment: Create a workspace that promotes productivity and clarity.
4. Eliminate Unproductive Habits: Take small steps to replace negative patterns with supportive ones.
5. Clean Up Your Current Pipeline – Inventory Management: Assess your clients and listings to streamline your efforts and maximize results.

Each of these steps is designed to help you “right size” your life and business so you can Fly Light. Protect the progress you make by setting strong boundaries and making decisive choices. Remember, every decision impacts your energy and focus, and as a “happy advisor who sells more real estate,” those decisions are crucial. As @GregMcKeown teaches in Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less, success isn’t about doing everything—it’s about focusing on the right things. Simplify your priorities, set clear boundaries, and craft a life and business that aligns with purpose and impact.

Email me at jim@askjimmiller.com to subscribe for more resources, insights, and weekly coaching. Visit my website at www.askjimmiller.com for additional content and updates. If the content becomes overwhelming or no longer serves you, you can unsubscribe anytime.

Monday Morning Pep Talk #255  | High Performance Starts with Elimination 🛫 | Streamline for Success

Welcome to Monday Morning Pep Talk, Episode 256! Today, we’re unlocking one of the most powerful habits you can add to your productivity toolbox in 2024: the weekly planning session. While many high achievers have a weekly review, few formalize it as a dedicated practice—and that’s where the transformation begins. This tool will help you win your week with intention, focus, and clarity, setting you up to stay aligned with your goals and make tangible progress.

Before diving in, I want to remind you of my purpose: to help you, the full-service, full-fee advisor, optimize your productivity and grow into the best version of yourself. Why? Happy Advisors Sell More Real Estate. My mission is to provide you with strategies for handling the daily challenges and opportunities that shape your business. So as we go through this, imagine we’re in a one-on-one coaching session—here to elevate your approach.

Here’s how to set up a weekly planning session that will revolutionize your productivity and help you “win the week”:

1. Set the Stage for Success – Choose a consistent time each weekend or Monday morning to plan. Find a quiet space, gather your calendar, to-do lists, and templates, and treat this time like an essential meeting with yourself.
2. Reflect on the Past Week – Look back at wins, challenges, and lessons. This helps you pinpoint what worked, where you can adjust, and what to prioritize. Check texts, DMs, and your calendar for anything missed.
3. Organize and Prioritize – A streamlined inbox and to-do list create clarity. Address urgent emails, sort tasks by priority, and clear out clutter. Use the two-minute rule to handle tasks quickly and keep momentum.
4. Set Key Weekly Priorities – With the previous week reviewed, identify specific, impactful goals. Think quality over quantity—focus on actions that align with your big-picture objectives and move you forward.
5. Time Blocking for Intentional Focus – Block out time for top priorities and group similar tasks to reduce distractions. Add buffer time for transitions and breaks to sustain energy throughout the day.

Finally, align your weekly plan with your three-year vision. Review your goals, blocks, and tasks to ensure each week supports your longer-term goals. This weekly planning isn’t just setting up your week—it’s crafting the path that leads you closer to your vision.

For weekly resources and insights, email me at jim@askjimmiller.com to subscribe. And if at any time the content no longer serves you, you can unsubscribe to adjust your focus as needed.

#WinTheWeek #WeeklyPlanningSession #UnlockProductivity #MondayMotivation #RealEstateCoaching #FlyLight #AdvisorTips #SuccessMindset #JimMillerCoaching #ProductivityHacks #IntentionalLiving #PlanYourSuccess #BusinessProductivity #FocusForSuccess #RealEstateSuccess #HighPerformanceHabits #OptimizeYourLife #GoalSetting #LeadershipDevelopment #PeakPerformance #ProfessionalGrowth #EliteAdvisor #StrategicPlanning #MindfulLeadership #TimeBlocking #PathToSuccess #PurposeDrivenLife #AchieveYourVision #marketing #topofmind #realtormarketing #realtorsuccess #realtorcoach #successcoach #businesscoach #realtortips #realtorlife #askjimmiller #jamesonsir #sothebysrealty #sothebys #eliterealtor #salestips #salesstrategy #salescoach #realtorsuccesstips #buildmomentum #referralbased #marketingtips #openforbusiness #takeflight #sothebysinternationalrealty #jimmiller #jimmillerchicago #realtorsofinstagram #referralbasedrealtor #realtormarketingtips #realtorplan #mindset #selfimprovement #realtor

Win the Week with a Weekly Planning Session 🛫 | Monday Morning Pep Talk # 256 🎧

Welcome to Monday Morning Pep Talk! In Episode 267, I’m tackling a question I hear all the time:

"Where do I start with a CRM?"

Many advisors struggle with setting up their CRM. They know they need it but feel overwhelmed about where to begin. If that sounds like you, you’re not alone.

A well-structured CRM is the foundation of a predictable and enjoyable business—helping you stay top of mind, build trust, and create consistent opportunities. But getting started is often the hardest part.

This episode will give you a step-by-step roadmap to set up your CRM without the overwhelm.

📌 What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

✔️ The five key lists every real estate advisor needs in their CRM
✔️ How to pull and organize contacts from email, phone, social media, and past transactions
✔️ Why a structured CRM leads to more repeat and referral business
✔️ How to take action immediately instead of waiting for a perfect database

🚀 Step 1: Define Your Five Key Lists

Before adding names to your CRM, you need clarity on who belongs there. The Take Flight framework organizes contacts into five essential lists:

✅ Top 100 Clients – Your most loyal, high-producing clients.
✅ Top 100 Referral Partners – Trusted professionals who send you business.
✅ Warm List – People likely to buy or sell in 12 months.
✅ Hot List – Active clients planning to buy or sell in 90 days.
✅ Local Collaborative Brokers – Market peers who provide insights and share inventory.

A CRM isn’t just about collecting names—it’s about staying connected to the right people.

🔎 Step 2: Mine Your Data Sources

Now that you know who belongs in your CRM, it’s time to pull their information systematically:

📩 Email & Calendar: Search for keywords like client, closing, contract, referral.
📱 Phone & Texts: Check frequent contacts—who do you engage with regularly?
🔗 Social Media: Review LinkedIn, Instagram DMs, and Facebook messages.
📑 Past Transactions: Pull MLS data from the last 3–5 years for past buyers and sellers.
🎟 Networking & Events: Consider past mastermind groups, conferences, and coaching programs.

A structured process ensures you’re capturing high-value contacts—not just filling a database.

📲 Step 3: Take Action As You Build

A common mistake? Waiting until your CRM is fully built before reaching out.

🚨 Don’t do that.
If a name surfaces, reach out immediately—send a quick text, check in, or schedule a coffee. Your CRM isn’t just for storing contacts—it’s for relationship management.

📊 Why This Matters: The ROI of a Well-Maintained CRM
Advisors who actively nurture their database see:
✔️ Higher conversion rates
✔️ More repeat business
✔️ Stronger referral pipelines

A CRM isn’t just an admin task—it’s a game changer for long-term success.

📌 Final Thought: Start NOW ✈️

This episode gives you the blueprint—now it’s time to execute. A strong CRM creates a predictable, enjoyable business when built with small, intentional steps.

📩 Get More Coaching & Resources

📬 Join My Email List:
https://askjimmiller.com/contact/

📲 Follow Me on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/askjimmiller/

🔗 Connect on LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jimmillerchicago/

✈️ Where Do I Start? (CRM Strategy for Real Estate Advisors) | Monday Morning Pep Talk # 267

Welcome to Monday Morning Pep Talk! In Episode 268, I’m covering a simple but powerful principle that separates top advisors from the rest:

📌 Delivering the right message to the right person at the right time.

Your CRM isn’t just a database—it’s a tool that, when used correctly, builds trust, drives engagement, and increases referrals. But too often, advisors send generic messages, missing opportunities or even damaging their brand.

This episode breaks down how to structure your CRM so that every outreach is intentional, personal, and impactful.

📌 What You’ll Learn in This Episode:
✔️ Why segmenting your CRM into five key lists makes all the difference
✔️ How to refine messaging with strategic tags and filters
✔️ The secret to using notes effectively to deepen relationships
✔️ How a well-maintained CRM leads to better conversion rates and stronger trust

🚀 Step 1: Segment Your Database for Precision
Before sending another email or making another call, organize your contacts into five key lists to ensure your outreach is intentional:

✅ Top 100 Clients – Your most valuable past clients and VIPs
✅ Top 100 Referral Partners – People who consistently send business your way
✅ Warm List – Future clients likely to buy or sell within the next 12 months
✅ Hot List – Clients preparing to transact within the next 30, 60, or 90 days
✅ Local Collaborative Brokers – Trusted brokers you work with on pricing, inventory, and deals

This segmentation ensures you’re always speaking to the right audience.

🔎 Step 2: Use Tags for Hyper-Specific Messaging
Once you have your five lists, take it a step further with CRM tags. Tags allow you to personalize outreach based on:

🏡 Neighborhood & Price Point – Send market data or property alerts tailored to their interests
🎟 Events & Open Houses – Target clients with invitations based on past engagement
🎄 Holiday Gifting & Cards – Easily pull a list for thoughtful, seasonal follow-ups
📚 Shared Interests – Whether they’re sports fans, dog lovers, or wine enthusiasts, tagging personal details allows for authentic connections

Using smart segmentation + tagging means no more random emails—just strategic, value-driven communication.

📲 Step 3: Take Notes & Track Conversations
If you’re not logging details after every client conversation, you’re losing business.

Taking notes on goals, preferences, and life updates allows you to:

✔️ Personalize your follow-ups
✔️ Anticipate client needs before they even ask
✔️ Build stronger relationships that lead to long-term referrals

The best advisors don’t just remember names—they remember the details that matter.

📊 Why This Matters: Your CRM is an Asset, Not a Task
🔹 68% of real estate business comes from repeat and referral clients.
🔹 A well-maintained CRM increases conversion rates, builds trust, and drives long-term growth.
🔹 Advisors who master strategic follow-up don’t chase business—it comes to them.

This isn’t about collecting data—it’s about using it to strengthen your business.

📌 Final Thought: Start NOW
Your CRM should be more than a list of names—it should be the foundation of a high-performance, relationship-driven business.

Refine your database.
Be intentional with your outreach.
Commit to tracking every meaningful conversation.

Over time, you’ll see stronger relationships, higher engagement, and a business that runs on trust and authenticity.

👉 Subscribe & turn on notifications so you never miss a Monday Morning Pep Talk!

📩 Get More Coaching & Resources
📬 Join My Weekly Email List: www.askjimmiller.com
📧 Email Me: Jim@askjimmiller.com
📲 Follow Me on Instagram: www.instagram.com/askjimmiller
🔗 Connect on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/jimmillerchicago
🎧 Listen on Apple Podcasts: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ask-jim-miller/id1490481207
🎵 Stream on Spotify: open.spotify.com/show/639ZlTcWjTNW9Cdq8QkwQJ


Right Person, Right Message, Right Time | Monday Morning Pep Talk #268

Jim Miller is a success mentor and life coach who guides top real estate brokers from around the country while managing 2.3B+ in sales production as Designated Managing Broker with Jameson Sotheby’s International Realty in Chicago, Illinois.  He is also recognized as a top real estate coach to top Sotheby's International Realty brokers in 35 luxury markets.

New tracks tagged #FlyLight