My great Uncle Boyd was a Dentist.I was an invincible and VERY rough and tumble youth. My Grand Parents and Great Uncle lived in 2 side-by-side houses on a beautiful 4 acre property on one of Nashville’s premier streets. The family had owned those properties “forever”, and my Great Aunt and Grand Mother were both born and raised in the older of the 2 houses. I remember stories of surviving the great depression by raising Chickens and “living off the land” with a magnificent garden. I was most amazed by the asparagus growing along the fence row. I loved going to Sunday lunch EVERY Sunday and was amazed by their “clicker” (TV remote control) . . . and that day when I visited, and they showed me their new COLOR TV (The first in the neighborhood. (Yes! I AM “that OLD”) One day, while playin... 01/06/2020

Monday Morning Coffee – Let’s GO!Wednesday of this week is the first day of 2020! I’m not sure why, but I sense a universal perspective of “positivity” for this year. Of course, there will be plenty “issues and opportunities” for all of us to reckon with throughout the year, yet I don’t sense the trepidation that I’ve felt in many years past. I’m learning more every day about the power of “Happyness” . . . One Happy person has potential to completely transform a group facing dire circumstances from doom and gloom defeatism to wonderment of possibilities. Out of this wonderment emerges the most powerful emotion (IMHO) . . . HOPE! When there’s hope, average, downtrodden, common folks orchestrate amazing accomplishments. Once on the other side of the drama, we often wonder how we got “HERE... 12/30/2019

12/26/2019 and all’s quiet here in Pareto Realty HQ Should we be worried? Where’s the buzz? Will this holiday lull slow or break that great momentum we had heading for a STRONG finish for 2019? Nah! Chill! Relax and enjoy the peace and quiet while we’ve got it. If you feel the need (like I), to occupy your attention with internal brainstorming and strategizing . . . to Prepare for: “On you mark – Get set – Let’s GO!” You get to decide what happens on January 2nd, and NO one can restrain you when that starting pistol barks. You will have spooled your quad turbo-chargers and will launch with such force that witnesses will cringe and get out of your way. It’s this kind of self-talk that pulls us out of our comfortable cocoons and invites us to spread our wings and SOAR. Show us what you ca... 12/26/2019

My Father’s fascination with Professional Basketball I’ll never forget Dad’s excitement when he witnessed Michael Jordan lead his team seemingly effortlessly and without duress or mishap through so many games . . . Dad’s excitement was REAL because this (state of flow) is SUCH a rare happening. I think I remember that he mentions this in one of his books – maybe “Wave Rider”. This was 30ish years ago, and it literally reshaped my perception of High Performance. I wanted (craved) to learn about this thing called “flow”. How can we experience FLOW more often because it’s so inherently rare and fleeting? (enigmatic) Unpredictable . . . Like Spirit and inspired creativity, it just happens. We don’t just know what it looks like . . . We also recognize its energy and the pure exhilaration we ... 12/24/2019

Christmas Eve Eve, and here I am in the office doing what I do pretty much every “working day.” As I was rolling down the driveway this morning, so was my (ONLY) neighbor Randy in his mule. I like Randy, and we seldom cross paths close enough to talk, so when we do, we seize the moment and catch up. Mostly, we talk about family and things that happen in the Hollow . . . Today we talked about Joy and Happiness. Randy lost his sister a few months ago, and this was our first encounter since her departure. The first thing he said to me with tears in his eyes was: “I guess you heard I lost my sister?” I said: “Of course! Betty (another neighbor) called me that morning and Vicki (Randy’s wife) stopped by to let me know.” We’re all family in the Waller “Owen Hollow! With a glimmer of a warm sm... 12/23/2019

Making your case “Conventional wisdom: Find a large group of people. Explain why you’re better. Prove that you are the right answer. Done. How it actually works: Earn attention from precisely the right people. Gain trust. Tell a story. Create tension. Relieve the tension by gaining commitment. Deliver work that’s remarkable. They spread the word.” YES! Seth Godin NAILED it! Early this week, I finally succumbed to the reality that would not likely EVER “get” quickbooks. Truth is . . . I don’t speak it’s language. It’s so “robust”, I’m overwhelmed and frustrated with my inability to use it effectively. Why was I using it? Because conventional wisdom is that “EVERYONE” uses Quickbooks . . . that is . . . if they want to be a cool business owner. I queried the awesome IBN (Independent Broke... 12/20/2019

Cell phone service and internet/TV carriers are famous for rewarding NEW customers more than existing customers. These are the companies which have bought into the race to the bottom with SCALE and VOLUME focus. For these companies, every day is a new day to conceive and offer an unending array of #toogoodtobetrue AMAZING incentives to entice us to leave our current provider. I seldom pay attention because I know what’s happening . . . bait and switch marketing . . . There’s ALWAYS a “hitch”. For those people who LOVE a GREAT deal and have no loyalty in their DNA, these schemes are alluring and sexy. They frequent the revolving door of getting more stuff for less money regardless of the inconvenience of never ending change. This is #thrillofthehunt living at its finest. Meanwhile, the r... 12/18/2019

The statistics are unfathomable . . . So I’m not going to tackle reporting those in detail. Instead, let’s talk about things from a more holistic approach. What kind of market is this? (STRONG) Where are the HOT spots? (EVERYWHERE in Middle TN) When will things turn – cool down? (NOT in the foreseeable future) From the perspective of this native Nashvillian (Yes – There ARE some folks living here who grew up here), How does it feel to experience all of this change/growth? (Exhilarating and overwhelming) Do we lament the quickly transformation of every nook an cranny, or do we embrace and celebrate the relatively newfound fame and fortune? (We’re resigned to the reality that this movement has HUGE momentum and is not going to taper any time soon) What’s next? (NOBODY knows . . . The Mant... 12/17/2019

Nashville homes for sale - Home prices in Nashville Davidson county continue to rise with the median price of homes sold in November showing an increase of 8.9% compared to the same period of 2018. The absorption rate of single family homes in Nashville is still at only 2 months and the list price to sales price ratio is 99%. It seems that the prediction of a recession was incorrect and sales are still at very high levels for winter months. 838 homes closed during the month of November compared to 835 for the same month last year 1666 homes are currently listed for sale in Nashville the median price of Nashville homes sold was $333,805 compared to $307,500 the previous November the absorption rate of homes based on November sales and current inventory is still only 2 months Nashville re... 12/14/2019

A step – In the wrong direction“One small step for (a) man – One giant leap for Mankind” When a business focuses on improving “convenience” in the purchasing process, who benefits? Under the guise of “Convenience”, I believe many companies are missing the point. The more I think about all of the ways those who “serve” us consumers more “conveniently” are actually stepping in the wrong direction. How is pumping your own fuel more convenient . . . or learning the Self-Check-out at the grocery . . . or placing your order at the kiosk . . . or ordering on-line for pick-up or delivery? So, how is it more convenient for the customer to have less interaction with the “expert” in every transaction? What if you have a question that’s never been asked before, so there’s not (yet) an answer in the... 12/11/2019

How many shots attempted result in a puck finding the back of the net? For the 2018-19 season, the Nashville Predators had 2678 Shots on goal. They scored 236 goals . . . 8.8% success. I’ve watched a lot of Hockey this year, and have been fascinated by the seemingly zero correlation between shots attempted and goals scored in any given game. Some games will have 40+ shots with not much showing on the score board, while others shoot minimally and rack up double digit points. As much as we’d like to say it boils down to luck or skill or divine intervention, there’s no rhyme or reason at the end of the game. When the coaches and players answer the question: “Why didn’t you win this game?” the answer is usually something along the lines of: “Well – This just wasn’t our night.” These are the... 12/10/2019

We all get into “FUNKS” occasionally! Think back to your most recent funk and think about how that affected you. Your mind awash with doom and gloom and negative self talk. Words like “Can’t” and “foolish” and “Stupid” and “I know better than to have done this” “What have I gotten myself into?” This is usually lonely stuff that we do our best to mask so others won’t notice . . . because you know they’ll ask you what’s the matter . . . and the thing you least want to talk about is WHY you are in this funk . . . because you might not even know yourself why the funky frame of mind. Odds are good, it started with some relatively benign thing that happened which you allowed to “spool up” to a fever pitch such that it’s consuming your total being to the point that you feel emotionally and phy... 12/05/2019

When you’ve got a great reason to move! Around this time of year, all of us REALTORS go to parties and gatherings, and pretty much everyone we see asks: “How’s the Real Estate Market?” I respond: “The real estate market is GREAT! Why do you ask? Are you contemplating a move?” Often, the response to this question is another question? “Is NOW a good time to sell? I’ve heard the worst time to sell a house in during the holidays. Is this true?” My response: “When you have a great reason to sell your house is the best time to sell!” The things is . . . Unless you’re committed to making a move, odds are not great that you’ll have a smooth experience. We don’t know why, but we see this frequently. I say more about this in this morning’s http://Barrysdrivetime.com Video!   Published by Barry Ow... 12/03/2019

The World Happiness Festival 2020 is published to be March 16-22, 2020 . . .BUT . . . It’s already under way and gaining momentum in Nashville, TNI'm pinching myself to be sure this isn't a dream . . . I have earned the amazing opportunity to Host the World Happiness Festival 2020 - Nashville Agora.This will a FIRST for Nashville, and it will be a "First of its kind" because we are going to do this differently than any other Agora . . . We will be Opening Space each day. Click this link to join the conversation in the Nashville Agora Facebook Group (You’ve gotta request membership to participate). We are actively seeking any/all Local Middle Tennessee “Collaborators” to invite other “People of Influence” (Connectors) to help us attract all the right people to participate. While the even... 12/03/2019

Auto-RenewalThis week, 3 Auto-Renewal notices will save me over $500 in 2020. 2 of the 3 were services to which I knowingly subscribed . . . The 3rd was a service I didn’t even know I was paying. Apparently, I opted in to a “Free Trial” and failed to cancel within the prescribed 30 days. That got me thinking . . . I wonder if there are more of these on other accounts or credit cards? This is my Thanksgiving gift to you today! A gentle nudge to prompt you to check all of your various accounts to learn if there’s “fat” you can trim from your budget. (Deep apologies for my reference to “trimming fat” on the day before Thanksgiving) I wish you a fabulous Thanksgiving with friends and family. I am ever grateful! b Published by Barry Owen Strategist-CEO of Pareto Realty Real estate sales Prof... 11/27/2019

Let’s GO!When you stumble into a fabulous new “concept” that you’re SO excited about that you cannot suppress your enthusiasm, DON’T hold yourself (and others) back. A few weeks ago at the World Open Space on Open Space, I met a cool guy from Portugal. His name is Luis Gallardo , and he is the Happiest person I’ve ever met. I wondered why? How could any human be SO HAPPY? His happiness is infectious. I heard a few people talking about him, and the word “Happiness” was spoken multiple times. When I returned to Nashville, I was working hard to get back to business, but I was finding myself distracted . . . I felt compelled to learn more about Luis. What is this thing he’s created? Is it legal? Next thing I knew, my friend and colleague Suzanne Daigle connected me about . . . Luis! I start... 11/26/2019

Since 2015 . . . Seth Godin has posted this post on the Monday before Thanksgiving! Every year, I forward this to everyone I know because I believe that, whether you read any part of this message or do the whole gambit of reading it around the Thanksgiving Table, good will come.Happy Thanksgiving! “If every day were Thanksgiving   In three days . . . just about everyone in the United States will celebrate the best holiday of the year: Thanksgiving. I’m hoping that this year, you and your family will help me start a new holiday tradition. At its best, this is a holiday about gratitude, about family and about possibility. It brings people together to not only celebrate the end of the harvest, but to look one in another in the eye and share something magical. In a digital age, one where hu... 11/25/2019

My personal rule is not to buy on impulse. Often, the Universe conspires to cause me to violate this rule. There are some times when I am unsuspecting and vulnerable to these “attacks”. I fall for the “GREAT DEAL!” or “If you don’t buy this NOW, you’re gonna miss a HUGE opportunity because supplies are limited.” Or the timing just happens to be “perfect” . . . An unexpected financial gain shows up just as that “PERFECT” widget becomes available. “All the COOL people like me already own one of these.” “We’ll make it VERY convenient for you buy this from us.” There are a few companies here in Nashville who are proliferating the radio, Billboards, Bus space with ads inviting Home Owners to “Sell your house without the hassle”. All you’ve gotta do is tell them your address and answer a few ... 11/21/2019

Inviting conversationIn your daily interactions, how many of the words you speak are inviting conversation? Monologue or Dialogue? Do you tend to talk TO – AT – or WITH most other people? Do you find yourself conversing differently with different people? For those people you talk TO or AT, why not WITH? Are some people not deserving of engaged interpersonal communication? Are they “less” in some way? Is the differentiation due to Status or perceived “worthiness” relative to knowledge or expertise of the topic of discussion? Is it possible that ALL people have worthy insight in conversations in which they chose to participate . . . because they have enough passion for the topic to show up, be present, and claim their voice? Sure! Some folks’ speech is less than eloquent with limited voca... 11/20/2019

Well – That digital experiment was entertainingIf you’re still playing the SEO (Search Engine Optimization) game, STOP! The odds are VERY slim that you’ll be discovered as a result of the time, energy, and money you’re squandering. Consider Seth Godin’s post this morning: The Google tax Here are a few enlightening highlights: “The tax we each pay so that companies can bid against each other to buy traffic from Google.” “They’ve become the internet’s landlord.” “the model of bidding for attention is so economically compelling (because attention is so scarce), that companies are going to be paying ever more to reach people in this way–or allow their competitors to do so.” “Google has made it ever more difficult for sites to be found, previously successful businesses like Groupon, Traveloc... 11/19/2019