Turn off the TV and read, study, watch videos on things you want in life.”
John Salkowski is the author of three books on leadership and selling and is a motivational speaker and the founder of JRS Realty in suburban Philadelphia. John markets a comprehensive marketing program for real estate agents. In 2017 John released “SOLD! Listing to Closing: The Ultimate Home Sellers Guide.” The book serves as a guide for homeowners but is also white-labeled as part of his marketing program for real estate seller’s agents. John also serves as a trainer, and coach to executives and business people and is focused on helping clients achieve higher professional performance. John runs popular blog that focuses on real estate marketing. Salkowski served as a police officer for 13 years in the greater Philadelphia area. John received a criminal justice degree from Montgomery County Community College and attended the Business Administration program at the University of Alabama. When he’s not working hard growing his businesses, Salkowski enjoys CrossFit, reading, writing, and travelling with his daughter Alexa.
Where did the idea for JRS Realty Group come from?
I wanted to brand a company and not myself from the very beginning because I knew I would eventually open my own brokerage. With that thought it mind The JRS Realty Group was born.
What does your typical day look like and how do you make it productive?
My typical day consists of getting up at 6am and read for an hour. I read articles on leadership, entrepreneurship, reading about other successful entrepreneurs, real estate, marketing. At 7am I check emails that are pertinent in response. At 8am I get ready for the gym. Leave for gym at 8:30. I CrossFit so the Workout of the day starts at 9am. Workout until 10am. Come home, shower, eat breakfast, prepare my lunch and leave for office at 11:00. Arrive at office at 11:30, go on appointments, make follow up calls, negotiate offers, speak with clients, field calls, office work, paperwork. My day is very structured. I do not allow interruptions to affect my day. Everything is scheduled as much as it can be.
How do you bring ideas to life?
When I have an idea that I want to implement, I write it down immediately, so I remember to follow up on it. I block out time just like an appointment with no interruptions to work on that idea until completion. This is what it takes to write a book as well.
What’s one trend that excites you?
The one trend that comes to my mind instantly is why are some people more successful, wealthier than others. I study this trend every every day by either reading or researching.
What is one habit of yours that makes you more productive as an entrepreneur?
Mastering my time. We all have the same amount of time in a day. Why do others accomplish more than others? I do not multi task. I work on one thing until completion. Then move onto the next task. I do not allow any interruptions when on a task. Once I mastered this discipline everything changed for me.
What advice would you give your younger self?
Seek out a mentor. A mentor that is doing and accomplishing what you want in life. Model after them. Read more. Surround yourself with successful people. Turn off the TV and read, study, watch videos on things you want in life.
Tell us something that’s true that almost nobody agrees with you on?
What you put in your mind is just as important as what you put in your body. Most people that don’t study success disagree. They say that you must be informed. I refuse to be informed by any news media. It’s all drama & negativity and I refuse both in my life.
As an entrepreneur, what is the one thing you do over and over and recommend everyone else do?
Work on the muscle of discipline. Without discipline you will miss out on so much. Such as success. Take a weakness of themselves and work on that with pig headed discipline until it is overcome & becomes a habit. Easy is not always better. Work on the muscle of decision making & leadership. Practice making tough decisions quickly and sticking to that decision. Deciding quickly builds character & leadership. People love working with decisive people. Avoid the analysis paralysis mentality.
What is one strategy that has helped you grow your business?
Building systems that are duplicatable & repeatable. Break down one of your successful processes into bite size chucks so that anyone could handle & do. If one person left their job today, have a system in place that anyone could jump into that role & be successful. A great book to read is the Emyth by Michael Gerber.
What is one failure you had as an entrepreneur, and how did you overcome it?
Treating my business like a hobby. This was a mindset shift. I stopped shooting from the hip. I was working by the seat of my pants taking things as they come. Jumping from one shiny object to another. Once I changed this mindset and created building systems & processes in my business, it all changed for me.
What is one business idea that you’re willing to give away to our readers?
Not sure on this one.
What is the best $100 you recently spent? What and why?
Treating an elderly couple who appeared in their 80’s to lunch. A couple I did not know. A few times a year I will be eating out and see someone (always elderly) eating out as well and something in my gut tells me to pay their bill. I have a soft spot for children, pets & elderly folks. It’s instinctual. When it talks to me I listen.
What is one piece of software or a web service that helps you be productive? How do you use it?
My CRM. It keeps me organized, task oriented and reminds me what to do, when to do it.
What is the one book that you recommend our community should read and why?
The first book I would encourage anyone to read if they want to break into entrepreneurship is Rich Dad Poor Dad by Robert Kiyosaki (not sure the spelling). This book changed my life.
What is your favorite quote?
It is a quote I created and live by it every day in my business & with clients: When preparation meets opportunity, success is inevitable.
Key Learnings:
Being interviewed forces you to verbalize things you know about yourself and it is surprising how much you learn from that
Connect:
www.jrsrealtygroup.com
JRS Realty Group on Facebook:
JRS Realty Group on Twitter:
Steve (Stefan) Junge hails from Germany and helps with the day-to-day publishing of interviews on IdeaMensch. While he and Mario don’t share a favorite soccer club, their enthusiasm to help entrepreneurs is a shared passion.