Who’s to blame? We seem to be in a world of judgement and casting blame. Every day, we encounter circumstances failing to happen according to our well-intentioned plans. Critics salivate at the first whiff of disarray, and they POUNCE! Who will take responsibility for this train wreck? I believe it’s situations like this which bare the strength and integrity of all of us. Some folks are quick to point fingers. Others will instantly claim . . . “not my fault because that’s not in my job description!” This is a human condition that’s not new or recent, and the best Leaders understand the value of these “learning opportunities”. Yes! Leaders appreciate these emotionally charged times because it is when under extreme pressure they are able to witness who their team members are. The efficien... 09/25/2019

and there’s always a but . . . These days, it’s easy to brag on Nashville. For sure, there are myriad impressive things we hear daily about Nashville’s propulsion to the top. There are just as many things we don’t hear about Nashville’s race to the bottom. Our newly elected John Cooper seems to have a “healthier” perspective than the outgoing Mayor. Our public employees are over-worked and underpaid (Teachers, Police, 1st Responders, etc) Inside the downtown core, we’re veritable whores for any companies that let it be known that they may be leaning towards establishing offices here. Never mind the minor detail that the city is swimming in debt even as we offer these large incentives. Absent are any visible signs that “preservation of the heart and soul of Nashville’s communities” matte... 09/23/2019

I am a certifiable invitaholic! Every day, I invite folks to engage . . . with me and others. My why boils down to indefatigable curiosity. This is a life-long pursuit to learn and experience things that are new to me. Each of us has a circle of family, friends, work associates, acquaintances AKA a SOR (Sphere of Relationships). These are our “peeps”, and our total resource is our membership. Our respective circles overlap-intersect in myriad ways, and the more we interact with each other, the richer our lives will be. Every person and relationship has its own unique breath over time. Our connections strengthen as we discover mutual passion and take “personal ownership” of this passion through appropriate action. The most powerful appropriate action is an invitation to a gathering of pe... 09/19/2019

The 1 Star Review Reality CheckThis morning, I posted this message on Facebook: “Thinking about taking my F150 to a West Nashville Mechanic for service and repairs rather than driving to Franklin dealership . . . any recommendations? I was considering Terry’s but am a little concerned about some of the reviews” I knew about Terry’s Service Center because I drive by it every time I go to COSTCO. It looks like a popular and clean operation . . . I checked the reviews and most were VERY positive 5 Star reviews . . . What troubled me was the visceral nature of the (very few) 1 Star reviews. After reading these stories of negative experiences, I couldn’t help but think there had to be some merit to them, so I published the post. Within minutes, 2 of of my Facebook friends (who I actually kno... 09/18/2019

Yesterday, I facilitated a meeting with the theme “All Things Digital” This meeting is the bi-monthly rendition called “Small Broker Roundtable” at Greater Nashville REALTORS. The mission is to provide a safe place for Principal Brokers/Owners with 50 or fewer Affiliate agent members to gather, connect, and explore issues and opportunities we are facing in our market. I decided to have some fun and lean towards the “Firehose to the mouth” tactic with full intent to overwhelm even the most tech savvy Real Estate Professionals. So . . . I hit the internet and found over 140 “useful” websites and/or apps. We began with 2 questions: What’s your favorite Digital Tool? What’s your largest frustration with Technology? “Too Much – Too fast” “Too many options” “Sometimes technology creates more ... 09/17/2019

What are your favorite Digital Tools? Every time I think I’ve found the BEST Tech Tools, someone tells me about others. For sure, we could all make a full time pursuit of staying on the bleeding edge of technology. Of course, as with all things, there is a line of demarcation over which the benefits of adopting new technology provides diminishing returns. Just ask any economist you know. Where’s that fine line? Most folks have settled on the tech tools they’ve used for years without much thought as to what better tools might be out there waiting to be discovered. After all, it’s oh-so-comfortable and safe not to rock the boat . . . if it ain’t broken, why fix it, eh? Yeah! We don’t like change, and the “learning curve” of installing new technology represents pain that we most often choo... 09/16/2019

Every day, each and every person on this planet encounters myriad issues and opportunities as we tumble through this thing called life. Even those with the most steadfast commitment to moving forward on a well defined path can easily “lose their way” (or momentum) when confronted with distractions and obstacles. In this, our hyper-connected environment, our path is a veritable gauntlet of temptation and unforeseen complexity . . . As the difficulty of moving forward increases, our proclivity towards the siren call of all the bright, shiny objects/new opportunities also increases. What’s at stake is our ability to FINISH . . . ANYTHING. It’s as if the whole Universe is conspiring to obstruct our path to completion such that our frustration level requires us to abandon the mission. Are yo... 09/11/2019

Exuberance is contagious! Exciting stuff (and people) are fun! Fun is infectious . . . attractive and even beautiful. We want to be all that, and we crave hanging out with with people who are lovers of life. Where do we sign up for this exclusive club? This part is the most difficult yet easiest of all . . . Membership is automatic in the instant that we choose to celebrate – well – everything and everyone for what and who they are. This is acceptance – warts and all! The only rule in the book is to practice the fine art of letting go. Non-attachment to the outcomes . . . Truth without judgement . . . Here’s the whopper . . . all of this can – POOF – disappear into the thin ether instantly upon an alternative choice. It IS this simple! Happiness IS a choice that can, in a micro-second, ... 09/10/2019

When you’re opting in or enrolling in a new subscription, convenience is amazing. On-line enrollment is FAST and EASY and EXCITING! One click from the front facing sales page is the Credit Card entry portal. A few more “selection” clicks, and you’re DONE! Later . . . When you don’t need the service anymore, most companies seem to go the route of making it nearly impossible to cancel. In fact, many companies make it impressively inconvenient to complete a disconnect order. Today, I decided to cancel my membership to the Middle TN YMCA because I have been getting my exercise differently (Hiking and working out at home). I thought I would use their swimming pool but it turned out I wasn’t motivated to swim, so they were happily collecting monthly $63. That’s my fault. I bought something I ... 09/09/2019

Two kinds of 9 to 5 job Seth Godin NAILED some thoughts I’ve been thinking that I was having difficulty articulating: “The eight-hour workday is precious and humane, and difficult to find in an era of always-on communication.” “the contributor who brings so much emotional energy, thoughtfulness, risk-taking and passion to the job that they leave nothing in reserve.” “More hours is the only option if you’re not willing to put your heart into it.” Last Sunday, my friend Buck treated me with VIP Backstage Passes to the Finale day of Nashville’s best musical festival Live on the Green. We literally had the best seats in the venue – Stage side. For us, The best part about the show wasn’t the music (which was FABULOUS) . . . It was the people we met and got to know because the volume of the m... 09/06/2019

The Perfection TrapEvery morning, I do a Facebook Live broadcast while driving to the office. This is “raw” (unedited) stream of consciousness thinking spilling out of my (not quite fully awake) brain. Some days are better than others. Here’s a link to Http://BarrysDriveTime.com where you will see 378 videos . . . The quality of content and production ranges from ridiculously poor to “game changing” brilliance, and NONE of these videos come anywhere near what anyone might consider to be . . . “Perfection” I’ve learned not to get caught up in the minutia of “doing it with perfection” because my goal is to deliver relevant, inspiring, transparent messages using real life scenarios. I guess what I am doing is “documenting” the “Wins, Losses, and Draws” that occur as Barry Owen flows throug... 09/05/2019

I was feeling fat and lazy the past few months. The truth is that I had not been exercising enough and was in a spiralling down “food quality” trend. Please indulge me as I divulge my “excuse” for letting myself go . . . It’s been stifling HOT and HUMID here in Nashville for a LOOOONG time, so exercising outside was out of the question. A couple months ago, I signed up for a membership at the YMCA and declared that I would develop a habit of going to the gym and swimming and all that . . . It didn’t happen because I don’t have the proper gear – No tennis shoes – No swim goggles – and it’s been VERY easy not to have the time to go to the gym. So . . . The YMCA gets my monthly $65 donation, and my physical deterioration continues unfettered. In the interest of “being comfortable”, I’ve ma... 09/03/2019

This is for anybody considering earning a Real Estate Sales License in Tennessee. I’m writing this today because I am aware that there are MANY newly licensed agents out there who did not do this essential part of launching a successful real estate sales career. Every Real Estate office is uniquely not for everyone. For you to succeed in this exciting occupational pursuit, it’s vital that you enter with curiosity and eyes wide open. Before you do this, please consider the following 20 things to think about. WHY do you want to do this? Will this be a new Career for you or a part time gig? Do you know what you have to do to get this license? (I’ve copied the Requirements of the TN Real Estate Commission at the bottom of this post) Once you have the license in-hand, do you have a plan for ... 08/30/2019

Is playing to win a short-sighted strategy? When we always focus on the WIN, we’re subjecting ourselves to the probability of many disappointments over time. This “WIN or BUST” mindset creates conditions ripe for “Roller-Coaster Performance”. When we win, we are high on life . . . When we lose, we are “defeated”. Of course, winning is more enjoyable for most non-masochists. Being defeated seldom feels good and indubitable tosses into the grief cycle (Denial, Anger, Bargaining, Depression, Acceptance). Isn’t it exhausting to ride this roller-coaster of extreme highs (WINS) plummeting to devastating lows (losses) when the only “acceptable” outcome is a WIN? So . . . ALL of the eggs are in the WIN basket, and there are no excuses for losing, because when we lose, we are “LOSERS”. Who wants... 08/29/2019

The benefits of being “TOO BUSY”  You get to be choosy! When you’re “TOO BUSY”, it’s much easier to say “No!” to “Got a minute?”s. Suddenly the IMPORTANT things become more clear. Focus shifts from “doing what’s on the list” towards the things we “get” to do because they matter (more). You can unapologetically and confidently set appointments instead flying by the seat of your pants. When you’re TOO BUSY and you know it, you must pause for a moment upon completion of every “thing to do” just for a minute or 2 to shift mindset to the next important thing. You’ve gotta accept the reality that you probably won’t get it ALL done today, give yourself permission to “erase and replace”TODO’s” to defer them to a time in the future. You become more attentive to the important distinction between ... 08/28/2019

Who is this about?I took a deep breath (and a walk around the office) before sitting down to write this. I am a member of MANY on-line forums . . . and “real in-person” gatherings. All of them have clearly defined themes which serve a variety of populations. The ones relevant to me are about Open Space Technology, Real estate sales and Brokerage, Entrepreneurs launching and building businesses, myriad others relating to “Quality of life” (Motivational) , and ancillary businesses and/or web tools to support these main pursuits. Over the years, I’ve noticed many of these forums morphing from being about “supporting” each other to . . . something else. The naysayers, combatants, egotists (Knowitalls) seem to be “winning” in terms of filling these spaces. Do nice guys really finish last? Do... 08/27/2019

Always remember that every new week provides new possibilities. This is vibrant thinking . . . that you might not ever have thought of goals commensurate with your human potential. I’m thinking about “Goals” this morning. Goals can be “Limiting Beliefs” if not coming from the heart. Great marketers aren’t dumb! They know that we’re not selling houses any more than Auto Manufacturers are selling Automobiles . . . We are all selling Lifestyle. So . . . When we set goals, we’re potentially veering off course when we set goals for a certain number of transactions or volume sold. This is one subtle differentiation of Pareto Realty VS many other Real Estate Firms . . . We DO talk a lot about selling more houses and jest about my (Principal Broker/Owner) need for new shoes, but what we are rea... 08/26/2019

The first time I brought a friend to visit my Father, the first words out of Dad’s mouth were:“Ask me anything – I know EVERYTHING.” Everyone in the family rolled eyeballs and left the scene, so my friend could receive the full “treatment”. Of course, Dad was right . . . He’s always right! Dad’s not a narcissistic egomaniac . . . In fact, he is a wonderful man with a HUGE heart who happens to know everything of importance to him. I haven’t known my Father for my entire life. He and my Mother divorced when I was @ 4 years old, and he departed for the better part of 20 years . . . This story has potential to get lengthy, so I’ll spare you the intricate details, but my Brother Cam “found” Dad and we all reconnected in the early 1980s. When I first “met” Dad, I felt like I was meeting mysel... 08/22/2019

This is an unapologetic plug for the power of “Time Blocking” Above is my calendar for next week. For years, I resisted the siren call of the practice of Time Blocking. After all, I was pretty much born an entrepreneur which (by definition) translates to being “FREE” to do as I please and ever imagining new and different (out of the box) ways things can be done. While that’s been fun through the years, there’s one very important piece that seldom happened . . . I rarely FINISHED what I started, because there were so many bright, shiny objects (squirrels) popping up in my peripheral field of vision which would distract my attention on the task at hand thereby shifting my focus elsewhere. I am still afflict by this condition as are SO many of my friends and colleagues . . . Birds of a fea... 08/20/2019

Don’t be smallAs I was doing my normal Monday “spool-up”, I was overwhelmed. I literally had a moment of panic when I looked at this daunting list of large projects I’m tackling simultaneously.   How can I possibly get all of this done?   Then I remembered that “We are all meant to shine”My panic quickly subsided when I realized how fortunate I am to be practicing my version of shining in spite of the FEAR I sometimes feel that I might not succeed.Worse yet . . . a fear of actually succeeding.Everyone’s definition of “Shining” is different. Today, I hereby invite YOU to pause for as long as you need to liberate yourself from any FEARS. When you get this, you’ll become a magnet attracting the right people into your life, as your liberation spawns other people’s liberation. Don’t play sma... 08/19/2019