I think that when we initiate pastimes that are of great interest to us, then they can lead to so much more! For both the body, mind and soul (and pocket!).
I had recently been cleaning out a closet of treasures (ha!! – only to me!), and came across a newsletter I had produced back in 2000 on behalf of the Adirondack Luge Club “On the Fast Track”. I had both suggested it, was the Editor, and became engrossed in the writing and production (and cost) of same. I loved creating topics, reaching out to the luge club members, and endeavoring to get as many involved by highlighting their accomplishments, their knowledge and expertise. I wanted them all to feel loved by the club, and I hope I succeeded!
I obtained advertising, created articles, posted recipes (always loved cooking!) and simply had fun!
Upon getting my ‘feet wet’, I wrote to the then Governor (George E. Pataki), and thanked him for everything he had been doing for the Adirondack community and for the sport of luge “you have been a driving force in getting the new track, and in securing the money sorely needed to build it…” I offered him an honorary membership and the following was an excerpt of Governor Pataki’s response:
“It is certainly an honor for me to be a member of the Adirondack Luge Club, and thank you for your kind words of support regarding New York’s commitment in rebuilding the legendary Mount Van Hoevenberg facility. I am so pleased to hear that your club is working hard to increase membership. Every young person that we can keep busy and enthused about sport is a young person headed in the right direction. By keeping kids active, no matter what the sport, the arts, music or other after school activities, we are ensuring that they will carry on the benefits of the hard work and dedication as they grow older. Your organization should feel proud that they are having such a positive influence on the young people of our State. The facility improvements in Lake Placid have long been a goal of our Administration. Lake Placid is a global community and needs to maintain its reputation to lure international competition to the region, while at the same time strengthening the region’s economic well-being.
New Yorker’s were thrilled to see the Goodwill Games come off so well and there s more in store. Every time large televised events and activities take place, the word is getting out about how great Lake Placid is. That is good news for the entire State.
The New York Olympic Regional Development (ORDA) will continue to provide excellent training and competitive events for your club members, as well as all those who train through the doors of the Olympic Training Center. Coupled with ORDA’s efforts to give tourist the thrill of riding down the new track, training opportunities for our youth will be further enhanced by the utilization of the world’s newest luge/bobsled track.
Thank you once again for the membership card, and of course your kind words of encouragement. George E. Pataki, Governor of the State of New York.”
Well, after that, I impishly then wrote to the White House and President Clinton who had visited Lake Placid celebrating the President’s Birthday, inviting both the President and Mrs. Clinton to luge “as a way to forget the pressures of work and to reaaally let your (their) hair down”. I did receive a response sending their best wishes for the club!
I designed and created luge club merchandise to better aid the advancement of the club, and when I left, I donated all of the merchandise remaining to the club for their monetary benefit. My son had joined the Great Britain Luge team and so it was time for me to move on.
I am writing this as little did I know that in initiating this venture (between being a mom, and office manager!), when I started in real estate 2 years later, I diverted all of my creativity into real estate. I started this blog site in 2008, later became the New York State Certified Residential Specialist Public Relations Chairperson, Communications Chairperson (yes another newsletter!!), and then The New York State CRS of the year in 2015, and simply dived into everything real estate. I would create area slideshows (yes back in 2008!), created web sites for my listings, and gave my all to marketing my listed properties on behalf of my clients.
My company now creates web sites for our listings, we have area videos already produced, fantastic company and worldwide marketing (4th largest affiliate of Sotheby’s worldwide), but I still have my blog site ! Over the years, I have been a consistent top agent in the area ( one of the Top 100 agents in my company for the past 3 years since they initiated congratulating same).
My point is this – when you do something you truly like – the sky is the limit! You can start off with a hobby, an interest but it can lead to doing what you really wish to do – in my case Real Estate!
Licensed Real Estate Associate Broker, ABR, CBR, CDPE, CRS, GREEN, GRI, SRES (ha!)
