It doesn’t take much for any of us to understand that we are changing. Some is for the good and some seems, well, painful at best. Change is inevitable. Many times we don’t see opportunity, but just one more thing to do, and then we resist it. However, if you will look at change as opportunity, you will find that you will be on a faster track to success. And, your Website is a perfect example of how this is so.

I find that many people built their website several years ago and then just left it, thinking that they would just get more business. These are generally the same people who have had the same business cards with the same picture on it for the last 10 years, because they hesitated to give them out freely. I think it is funny that people want to see themselves as fresh and young, but their websites look tired and old. Why? I find that these people are resistant to change, or at the very least try to ignore that change is occurring. It is true no one wants to see the wrinkles, the sagging cheek bones, and the more pronounced crows feet when they look in the mirror. Do you think the consumer wants to look at some tired, sagging, old looking website?

What about your website? Are you using yesterday’s technology? Is it just not important? Is it enough to say "I have a website"? I have traveled to many Michael Russer’s (a.k.a. Mr. Internet®) workshops and boot camps. In these sessions he uses a technique, borrowed from the ESPN® folks known as the "Hot Seat". In these "Hot Seat" sessions Michael analyzes how well the website functions and appeals to the consumer. I am always amazed when people spend thousands, tens of thousands and in one case I personally know, over one hundred thousand dollars on a website, only to find that it is either not really functional, or it is outdated.

Like the inevitable changes in life, so there is inevitable change on the internet. You must adapt to it, or your website and your web business will end prematurely and painfully. As much time as you spend trying to fight your own personal age, or trying to add new technology to your office, you also need to give your website a regular face lift, and internal lift. If you ignore it, someone else will take your business, you will have become outdated and you missed opportunity. If you resist it, then you might as well get out of the real estate game, because this is the new direction of real estate, and you lost opportunity. If you embrace it, you have opportunities that you never new existed.

Ladies and Gentlemen, the psychology of change is the same on the web as it is in life. There comes a point when either you except, reject, or ignore it, but change is inevitable. Do you know what the biggest obstacle is for people when it comes to change? Attitude. I find that people who have an attitudes of acceptance and excitement when it comes to change deal with it best, and become the most effective at making life and business work for them. Does your website reflect your excitement and acceptance of change? Or does your website say to people, "I still live in days past"?

Need some help changing your attitude? Okay then let me try to help you.

1. Admit you have a bad attitude toward change.
   Question: Does the future excite or scare you or do just try to ignore it?

2. Recognize your own obstacles toward change.
   Question: Do I surround myself with memories or new moments?

3. Start with small changes first.
   Don’t try doing everything at once, that can be overwhelming, but make a little change, maybe put a new logo on the website, maybe freshen up the content. Talk to a new web designer.

4. Stay the course of change.
   This isn’t going to be easy, you are trying to create a new habit of embracing change. If you didn’t succeed in one moment, there are plenty more moments to come where you can start over, but don’t quit. It is always easier to go back than to go forward; however, I have never seen anyone become victorious by looking backwards.

5. Remind yourself this is an opportunity, not drudgery.
   Always look for the opportunity.  Sure it may look like work, but in reality you are increasing the opportunity for a lot more business, which will create less work in the future.

6. Look for a new way to change every day.
   What can you do today, that is a positive change to affect tomorrow? Wow! If we all did that what a better place we would be in.

7. Encourage your staff to embrace change.
   The one thing that will help you is if the other people you are around are willing to embrace change too. If you are surrounding yourself with people who see change as a negative, either they need to take your lead or they have to go.

8. The infusion of youth.
   I have found when you bring in youthful excited people you should let them try something new. They know alot about the web and the next generation of consumer. They are willing to take risks, while we hold on to the railings. Be willing to let them succeed and fail, you will want to try new things too.

9. Live it.
   The attitude of change is a life style. You can start with your website, but you need to live it out in everyday life. Embrace change with grace, and people will see the change in your face.

Jay Izso a,k.a. "Dr. Jay" has his Masters of Science degree in Psychology from Washington State University. He was a former instructor of Human Learning and Motivation, Experimental Psychology, and Statistics at Washington State and North Carolina State University. He has been part of the Linda Craft Top 50 Internationally Ranked RE/MAX Team located in Raleigh, NC, since 1996 where he developed Linda’s award winning websites and cutting edge technologies.  He is also head coach for the Mr. Internet® Total Solutions Coaching program. Many of his articles and writings and observations can be read at www.realestatepsychologist.com.