It has been said that attitude is everything. Platitudes are often of little value, but they also can remind me of inspiring truths.

I think attitude is everything. It’s fundamental to operating a real estate brokerage. It’s important in having positive relationships, in making new friends, and in relating to family. Life is all about relationships, so a positive attitude is vital to a healthy and happy life.

As a lawyer I saw negative attitudes all the time, not so much in my own clients, but in opposing parties and their lawyers. In real estate sales and as a Realtor now, I see negative attitudes.

Here’s where negative thinking in real estate sales can be self-destructive. For buyers and sellers it can hinder a person’s ability to see clearly on issues of price, effective vs. ineffective marketing, market variables, understanding comps, negotiating the best price, and managing conflict.

But here’s where it gets interesting to me, and I’m talking about the behind the scenes “stuff” in real estate sales. Agents who are negative, have a critical spirit, or have other attitude issues, are not nearly as effective and successful as they could be for their clients. There is a night and day difference between people with negative and positive attitudes.

In sales of any kind, this is absolutely critical. People don’t like to be around people with deep issues of bitterness, unforgiveness, selfishness, jealousy, and anger. These are self-destructive, but we get very good as masking such secret sins, and putting on our best face to sell to the public.

On the other hand, a person who is emotionally, psychologically, and spiritually healthy will be a delight to be around, and this person is much more likely to be a success for his clients in real estate. A happy salesman is a much more powerful saleman. People love to be around someone who is truly happy. People may not articulate such things, but they don’t have to. The subconscious is constantly collecting such information.

I love to be around positive people. So do buyers. So do sellers. Who doesn’t?

[The photo above is Bristol Marunde, professional mixed martial arts fighter, aka cagefighter. Just another of 1,000's of photos this proud father has taken of him over the years. This was a recent fight in Shelton, Washington. P.S. His next fight in June 7th at the Emerald Queens Casino in Fife, Washington.]

I took this photo at his Saturday night fight in Shelton, Washington, April 5, 2008, while three famous fighters, Matt Hume, Rich Franklin, and Frank Mir watched Bristol’s fight ringside. Bristol is my son.

It was an intense grueling two rounds as Bristol faced Noah Inhofer (Miletich Fighting Systems) , who took repeated punches from Bristol throughout the fight. Bristol has incredible power, speed, and technique, and Noah did extremely well facing a steady onslaught of punishment. Bristol clearly dominated the fight, but Noah did rock Bristol a couple of times with quick strikes to the face, a strong kick to the abdomen, and a solid kick to Bristol’s left leg.

Most of the fight Noah was in defensive mode, largely because Bristol’s attacks were intense and unrelenting for two rounds. They call it cage fighting, because both fighters are inside a cage from which there is no escape. Wherever Noah went, Bristol was there hammering, and when he wasn’t throwing vicious punches, he was slamming Noah to the mat and showing the hundreds of fight fans what grappling and submission fighting is all about.

As I watched the fight, it occurred to me that Noah was facing his worse nightmare by trading blows with Bristol, unless it was grappling on the mat with Bristol. Come to think of it, getting in the cage with Bristol was probably not the safest thing Noah has done.

Just before the starting bell rang for the third round, Noah’s corner announced that he could not come out.

I talked with Noah after the fight. He was very gracious and even apologetic for not being able to come out for the third round. He said he had been temporarily blinded in one of his eyes. We figured out that was because Noah had been hit so many times by Bristol’s deadly strikes to the temple area around the side of his head. Congratulations Bristol for a well earned victory, and an honorable mention to Noah who fought well under the circumstances.

For you fight fans, see more of Bristol Marunde cage fighter photos from the Little Creek Casino in Shelton, Washington.

[While most of Chuck's writing focuses on his expertise in real estate, Chuck has also been a featured author and photographer for Ultimate Grappling Magazine.]