In our business, there are top earners, and there is everyone else…so what would it take to move from the latter to the former?   What is it that separates the champs from the chumps, and how can we start emulating the top 1%? What’s their secret sauce, and how can we get a hold of their recipe?   In this episode, I’m diving into the top 3 principles that allow the shining stars in our industry to prosper, so we can follow in their footsteps!    Rainmaking always pays better than paper pushing. -Doren Aldana   Takeaways    How to THINK like a top earner Are our dreams audacious enough to keep us inspired?    The fool-proof formula for prosperity What are the 3 things guaranteed to keep us fulfilled in every aspect of our lives?    Why delegation is non-negotiable for one percenters It’s one thing to fall under the 1% of income earners, but how can we put ourselves in a position to truly enjoy the fruits of our labor?

No one got into this business to be average, but most LOs slide down the path to mediocrity remarkably soon after getting started, and the majority of the time, that’s because of fear.    We aren’t always aware of it, but fear has the ability to stop us from achieving in all areas of life, business included, and if we don’t stop it in its tracks, it can completely sabotage our chances of success.   So, how do we kick that fear to the curb? Better yet, how do we identify when fear is what’s tripping us up in the first place?    In this second edition of my ‘Ask Me Anything’ series, I’m tackling your fear-based questions, so you can move beyond them, once and for all!  Own your winner’s identity and operate from a place of victory. -Doren Aldana   Takeaways    How to position ourselves as winners when dealing with Realtors Could our personalities be preventing more top producers from wanting to work with us?    How to overcome call reluctance Is there a way to pivot the way we think about prospecting, so instead of dreading it, we look forward to it?    The key to a more consistent pipeline Are we unwittingly sabotaging our pipelines by clinging to our comfort zones?

The mortgage industry is full of well-meaning, gifted LOs who end up kicked to the curb, and it’s all because they haven’t been able to avoid the landmines in our business.    The question is, what are those landmines, and why do so many mortgage pros end up succumbing to them?   If these deadly mistakes are so common, is it even possible to avoid them altogether?   In this episode, I’m outlining exactly where those dangerous slip ups lie, so more LOs have the ability to not just survive, but thrive in this business .    If you're not getting the results you want, chances are, your plan sucks. -Doren Aldana   Takeaways    Why a lack of plan is a ticking time bomb How can we expect to reach planet prosper if we don’t even have the roadmap to get there?   The only landmine deadlier than not having a plan Are we unwittingly sabotaging ourselves by having a bad plan in place?    Why execution is everything So, you have a plan. The question is, are you working it?

With a new year comes the opportunity to redefine our energies, and in 2022, I’m urging you all to adopt the energy of champions.    What would it take for us to believe we couldn’t fail this year? How can we get into the mindset that dictates success is not only achievable, but ours for the taking?    In this episode, I’m sharing how to start thinking like the WINNERS we’ve been called to be, so we can stop doing it the hard way, already!   "If you want to attract the 10s, you’ve got to BE a 10." -Doren Aldana   Takeaways    How to break the cycle of meetings that go NOWHERE How can we stop regurgitating the same-old, bare minimum speech every other LO is pitching and start showing Realtors the kickass value we bring to the table?    1 way to kick battery drainers to the curb, once and for all How can we align ourselves with the A-players, so we’re never at the mercy of unreliable Realtors again?    The truth about a rollercoaster income Is it really normal to have an inconsistent income, or could that be a symptom of a poor game plan? 

Stinkin’ thinkin’ only leads to stinkin’ results. When mediocre mind trash becomes the order of the day, even the most talented LOs will live a life of fruitless toil and frustration.    What are the most harmful lies we need to kick to the curb right now? How do we cut ties with struggle, strife and stress right at the source?    In today’s episode, I’m going to share how to stop feeding yourself mind trash, and adopt the thinking of champions and winners.    The fastest, surest path to mediocrity is being realistic or reasonable. -Doren Aldana   Takeaways    The real reason you keep leaving money on the table for competitors to grab How do we stop idling in the parking lot of mediocrity and get on the fast track to freedom money? How to stop paying tuition to the university of knowing nothing What steps can we take to crack the code on more money and freedom?    The mind blocks that make money elusive Is there anything wrong with wanting wealth, financial abundance and earning more than we need?

For most mortgage pros, the very idea of relocating is enough to leave them shaking in their boots.    What would it take for us to feel confident enough in our abilities that even if we had to move across state lines, we would crush it? Is it possible to dominate it in a whole new market, from the moment we step foot on the new territory?   In this episode, I’m sharing how to not only move into a new market, but build a next-level pipeline while doing it.    "It's certainly very doable to reach your income goals in record time, as long as you’re doing it the smart way." -Doren Aldana   Takeaways    How to pinpoint the top producers in a new market How can we get started on our outreach to the top dogs before we’ve even arrived in their markets?    How to work with the best and forget all the rest Is there a way to bypass the low-producing Realtors in our market from the get go?   The key to impressing Realtors in the first meeting So, we’ve enticed top producers into a meeting. How can we ensure it all goes smoothly once we’re in the same room?

For many mortgage pros, not achieving has nothing to do with a lack of motivation and everything to do with not knowing where we’re going wrong.    So, what are our biggest, most common missteps? More importantly, what can we do to quit making them, altogether?   In this episode, I’m kicking off my brand spanking new Q&A series by answering your questions on how to stop being your own bottleneck.    "Get intentional about your strategies. You have to be like a sniper in your business, vs. someone who is just spraying and praying." -Doren Aldana   Takeaways    What the fastest path to the cash is NOT What well-meaning strategies are we implementing that are doing more harm than good?    The key to using social media more effectively Are blog posts and a ton of content really going to help us see results right here, right now, or should we be doing something else?    How to step our game, stat How can we stop settling for ‘good’ and charge forth towards great?

When we’re constantly faced with rejection, it’s easy to feel like all agents are primadonnas and difficult to work with, but that simply isn’t true. Agents are human beings, just like us, and getting a good response from them simply requires some understanding on our part.    So, how can we get into the mind of a Realtor? How can we suss out what’s likely to get them hot for what we’ve got, and what should we avoid saying, altogether?   In this episode, I’m diving into the top 3 objections LOs are faced with, and how to overcome them, once and for all.   "Don’t blame, criticize, or cuss agents out for rejecting you. That’s exactly what we do, every time a store clerk asks if we need anything." -Doren Aldana     Takeaways   How to build a connection with top producers As the saying goes, birds of a feather flock together. How can we show Realtors that we’re in the same league as them?    How to come at a knee-jerk ‘no’ from a power position How can we fight the urge to crawl into a ball when we’re told ‘no’ and use rejection as a way to start a conversation?    What to say when we’re told to call back later So, we’ve been told to call back later. Is there a way to keep a top producer on the line just long enough to entice them?

There are times when fear can be helpful, but far too often, the fear we experience is based on our perceptions of what ‘could’ go wrong, and that holds us in place, too petrified to make any moves (let alone big, audacious ones that get us closer to our dreams!).    How can we get better at distinguishing which fears serve us, and which are only holding us back? What can we do to embolden ourselves to push past our anxieties, either way?    In this episode, I’m getting into the 3 ways fear stops us from reaching our full potential, and how to move beyond it for good.  "As you abide in that vibration of faith and flow, you attract everything you need to see your dream be fulfilled." -Doren Aldana     Takeaways    The true perils of survival mode Are we showing up as our winner selves, or as our wimp selves?    How to safeguard our power, peace and prosperity How can we get out of the grind and into a place of flow and faith?    How to stop letting fear stop us Is there a way to break free from the habit of telling ourselves stories that give our power away?

Everyone with an ounce of ambition ‘wants’ to be successful, but our industry’s statistics speak for themselves: most won’t be. The truth is, wanting to be successful may be a starting point, but in isolation, it just ain’t enough.    So, how can we stop thinking in terms of wanting to be successful, and turn that into a white-hot, can’t-live-without-it necessity? What’s the golden key to crack the code of turning half-baked interests into decisive action?    In this episode, I’m explaining why ‘wanting’ to be successful can only get us so far, and what we should be doing, instead!   "We can’t change our reality until we face our reality." -Doren Aldana     Takeaways    Why we need to re-examine our desires No one feels compelled to eat a 5-course dinner if they’ve already eaten a Happy Meal. Are we famished enough to do what it takes to attain our biggest goals, or are we curbing our hunger with small-fry wins?     The danger of ‘softening’ our problems Are we tolerating mediocrity because we’ve got into the habit of telling ourselves it’s not ‘that’ bad?   Why being interested just isn’t enough How can we expect to push through all our challenges if we’re interested in achieving our dreams, rather than being defiantly committed to making them a reality? 

We hear a lot about 'time management,' but the truth is, there is no way to manage time. All we can do is manage our activities within that time.    So, how can we manage those activities better to ensure we're not only getting maximum results, but having fun while doing it? Where are our present to-do lists going so wrong, to the point of failing us?    In this episode, I'm sharing how to get better at managing ourselves, so timing never has to stop us from reaching our full potential.   "It's not enough to fill your days with a bunch of tactics. You have to do the things that work." -Doren Aldana   Takeaways    How to start each day on the right foot We've all heard about the importance of a 'magic morning routine,' but what does that actually look like in practice?    Why we need to add an hour of POWER to our daily schedules Are we treating rainmaking activities like a luxury or a necessity?    How to pour more of our time into rainmaking Are we spending too much time on paper pushing? 

Even the most well-meaning, well-intentioned mortgage pro won’t be able to reach their dreams if they’re falling prey to stinkin’ thinking, so it’s imperative that we’re cultivating the mindsets of winners.    The question is, how does a winner think? More importantly, where are the mediocre majority going so wrong, and what can we do to shift the way we approach the business?    In this episode, I’m delving into the default excuses mortgage pros use that only hold us back from our full potential.   "Once you get your thinking aligned, it's just a matter of time before you get champion level results." -Doren Aldana Takeaways    The 1 thing that keeps us on the hamster wheel indefinitely How can we banish the idea that ‘more money means more work’ from our lexicon altogether?    Why being ‘realistic’ is the first step towards mediocrity Why are we settling for ‘reasonable’ goals when it’s possible to create a life of magic?   How to kick our concept of ‘greed’ to the curb Are we of the mind that attaining wealth is morally wrong?

We all want to be successful, but sometimes our aspirations are about more than better results. Sometimes, reaching our income goals is a necessity. The problem is, when we’re in survival mode, it can be difficult to have faith in our ability to make it happen.    How can we get ourselves to take the leap and do what we need to do when we can’t afford to fail? How can we push past the fears holding us back from true freedom?   In this episode, Senior LO at CMG Financial, Terri Core shares how she went from desperate and barely surviving, to totally thriving in the space of just 3 months.    "It’s time to bust out of ‘I can’t afford it’ prison and get out at Planet Prosper!" -Doren Aldana   Takeaways    How to maintain our integrity while pushing for more Do we really need to choose between our values and our goals, or is there a way to have it all?   How to banish self-limiting beliefs, for good! How can we get rid of imposter syndrome and the little voice telling us we can’t, once and for all?    The key to changing our perception of Realtors How can we go from working with Realtors because we have to, to aligning with them because we enjoy their company and have their respect?   Guest Bio -    Terri Core is a Senior Loan Officer at CMG Financial. While Terri has a history in the business, she stepped out amid the Financial Crisis to pursue a career in the education space. While she battled against numerous challenges upon her return to mortgage in December 2020, she’s since begun working with Mortgage Marketing Coach, and having turned her previous yearly income into her monthly earnings, it’s safe to say she’s not about to look back! To find out more, go to: https://www.linkedin.com/in/terricore/

One of the hardest pills to swallow in mortgage is most LOs just won’t achieve champion-level results, and that’s because they’re taking the wrong approach.   What are1% income earners doing that the other 99% aren’t? Where is the average Joe going so wrong, and what are the first steps to course-correction?    In this episode, I’m discussing the M3 strategy that’s helped our clients get bigger results, faster, without needing to work harder.    "Get your mindset, habits and emotions in sync with your dream." -Doren Aldana   Takeaways    The power of having effective marketing How can we create marketing strategies that target top producers, so we never need to deal with low-level lead sources that never convert, again?    How to create a more productive mindset What can we do to set the tone for a more successful day, every day?    Why mentorship is more important than most think Think of expert mentorship like baking cookies. Why wing the recipe when we could look up an award-winning formula that guarantees we get the best results?

Something human beings in ANY profession know all too well is procrastination (and the devastating effects that accompany it). The question we should be asking ourselves is, how can we nip it in the bud?   What’s causing us to procrastinate in the first place, and is there anything we can do to stop it from stopping us?   In this episode, I’m sharing 3 ways to beat procrastination, so it never has to hold us back again!   "There’s never a perfect time, there’s always something too inconvenient to get started. If you let that stop you, it will!" -Doren Aldana     Takeaways    The importance of knowing our end goal What big, hairy, audacious dream are we giving up on when we procrastinate?    Why positive visualization is the key to achievement How can we get up each day, excited about what’s to come, even if we haven’t achieved all our goals yet?   How to quit holding back and just start DOING it How can we get into the habit of taking action, even if it’s just one small step, everyday?

Whether we're facing lockdowns or inventory shortages, there's no doubt that we're in a time of great adversity. However, even in the wake of challenges, some LOs continue to win.    What are they doing differently from everyone else? How can we mimic their moves and stop falling short of our potential, no matter how many difficulties we face?    In this episode, I'm diving into how to stay winning in ANY situation (and what's holding you back from prosperity right now!).   "The difference between champions and the mediocre majority is, champions find a way to turn adversity into opportunity." -Doren Aldana Takeaways    Why networking and visiting open houses can only take us so far Is it possible to create lifelong, fruitful friendships with Realtors without going out of our way to schmooze them?    1 thing to be mindful of with social media Are we doing blogs and social media posts because they offer a great ROI, or simply because everyone else is doing them?    How to get agents champing at the bit to work with US How can we flip the script on Realtors and get them hot for what we've got, even in a tough market?

Most of the time, LOs fail to reach their full potential because they’re unwittingly choosing to do things the hard way. That said, it’s surprisingly easy to slip into bad habits that hold us back, and that’s why so many mortgage pros get mediocre results.    What are the most common mistakes we’re making, and how can we root them out, for good? Why are we falling for so-called ‘strategies’ that only waste our time and money in the first place?   In this episode, I’m sharing 3 mistakes mortgage pros make on the regular, so we never have to make them again!    "Stop getting caught up in the ‘follow the herd’ mentality. The very nature of the herd is they do what average people do and get what average people get!" -Doren Aldana   Takeaways    Why internet leads in isolation are a recipe for disaster Are internet leads ever our best bet?    Why BLOGGING could be holding us back from bigger, faster results Is it worthwhile doing all the minutiae of a weekly blog or social media post if we’re not getting immediate results?    1 Thing to remember before running paid ads When is it a good idea to forego paid advertising, and what should we be doing instead?

We all have a tendency to play it safe, because that’s part of the human experience. However, by staying in our convenience zones, we’re only stopping ourselves from moving into our CONQUER zones, so we have to figure out where our comfort lies and how to break free from it, for good.   What are we doing to stay in the easy, breezy space we’re in, and how can we shift away from it so we nullify our chances of stagnation? Which of our day to day activities are taking us to the precipice of mediocrity, and what do those who SOAR do, instead?    In this episode, I’m shining a spotlight on the 5 places LOs hide from their own greatness, so we can cut them out of our lives, once and for all.   "Step into your champion self, feel the fear and do it anyway." -Doren Aldana     Takeaways    When social media does more harm than good If social media isn’t the main thing we should be doing to grow our businesses, what should we be doing instead?    Why perfectionism is holding us back from brilliance Is trying to be ‘perfect’ stopping us from getting the best results possible?   How to kick imposter syndrome to the curb We’ve all experienced imposter syndrome at some point in our lives. The question is, how do we push past it?

There’s no faster way for LOs to grow their business than by partnering with top-producing Realtors. However, as many mortgage pros know, that can feel like a mammoth task.    What is it that’s stopping us from building strong relationships with top Realtors, and what can we do about it? How can we go from feeling like a loan leech to coming at agents from a power position where we hold the cookie?   In this episode, I’m delving into what’s holding agents back from stepping into their best season yet, so they can kick those barriers to the curb, for good!    "You can have it exactly the way you want it, if you don’t settle." -Doren Aldana     Takeaways    How to crack the code of the words that WORK The right ‘hook’ for top producers ain’t ‘great service’ and it’s DEFINITELY NOT ‘great rates’...so what is it?   How to position ourselves as welcome guests (rather than annoying pests!) Are we showing up attractive, or are we grovelling at the feet of Realtors, begging for crumbs?    The key difference between loan hawkers and problem solvers Are our strategies making us easily replaceable in the eyes of top producing agents?

More often than not, our failure to reach our goals isn’t coming from incompetence, but because we’re unknowingly getting in our own way. The good news is, once we pinpoint the things we’re doing to self-sabotage, we can cut them out for good.    However, identifying the things we’re doing to hold ourselves back can be easier said than done. How can we diagnose our problem areas, so we can bounce into a season of health, wealth and prosperity? What are the common blindspots for mortgage professionals and how can we quit letting them shroud our success?    In this episode, I’m summing up the 3 ways LOs are holding themselves back from their biggest wins, so we can put a stop to them TODAY.    "There is no breakthrough WITHOUT that isn’t preceded by breakthrough WITHIN." -Doren Aldana   Takeaways    How a poor self image is robbing us of happiness How much joy are we giving up by believing that we’re only worthy of love, acceptance and success when we’re actively doing something?    How to stop letting sucky emotions dictate our next moves Are we making poor business decisions because we’re too caught up in fear?    The key to kicking bad strategies to the curb Why are we choosing to do things the hard way and what can we do to break the cycle?

If we waste all our time on mediocre lead sources, we’ll only ever get mediocre results, and none of us got into this business to be average!   Which lead sources are most likely to get us the results we want, and what makes them so much better than all the rest? How much harder do we need to work to secure the lead sources that separate the good from the GREAT in our business?   In this episode, I share the 3 lead gen sources GUARANTEED to put LOs in the top tier of mortgage professionals (and how to get them!).   "The better quality the lead, the better quality your life!" -Doren Aldana     Takeaways    How to partner up with top producing Realtors Reaching out to top Realtors is daunting at the best of times, so how can we get them to partner with us when they’re already married to their current lenders?    How to generate pre-sold referrals from past clients Is there a systematic way to turn past clients into red-hot referrals?   The key to tapping into our personal networks How can we get referrals from our personal networks without feeling awkward and uncomfortable?

We’re living in crazy times and Covid lockdowns have certainly created more turbulence in our market, but the reality is, ebbs and flows are a given. Our best defense? Being prepared in advance!   How can we safeguard ourselves from the coming fallout? What can we do to ensure our businesses are the last and least affected by market downturns?   In this episode, you’re invited to a special training guide on how to stay winning in ANY market.   "In the wake of the upcoming impact on the economy, it’s now imore imperative than ever to protect yourself against the coming perils." -Doren Aldana     Takeaways    How to maximize repeat and referral business How many deals are we leaving on the table by neglecting our past clients?    How to build stability through diversification The parthenon stands today because it has multiple pillars holding it up. Why should our mortgage businesses be any different?   Why mentoring ALWAYS pays in dividends How can we leverage the expertise of those who have gone before us, so blindspots stop tripping us up on the path to success?

Most LOs aren’t reaching their dreams, and it’s all because they’ve been fed LIES about what it takes to make it in mortgage.   What are those lies, and how can we root them out for good, so NOTHING stands in the way of our goals? Where do the lies come from in the first place?   In this episode, I’m sharing the biggest, most common lies told in the industry, so we can impeach them, once and for all!   "Stop being realistic and start realizing you can have it any way you want it." -Doren Aldana     Takeaways   How to flip the idea that success takes time on its head Should it really take 12, 24 or more months to reach our income goals?   How to break free from the strategies that hold us back If something hasn’t worked for us in the past, why the heck would doing MORE of it do anything to change that?    When to take the leap into our dreams Should we play it safe until we feel truly competent and confident in what we know?

None of us want to spend our lives in reactive mode, but we don't want to lose a paycheck either, so more often than not, LOs end up stressed out and anxiety-ridden as a default.   Is it even possible to break free from the cycle of reactivity? If being available round the clock isn't good for us, what should we be doing instead, and how can we do it without putting our livelihoods at risk?    In this episode, I'm sharing 3 ways to minimize pressure while MAXIMIZING prosperity. "If you want to make big moves, being in reactionary mode does not bode well." -Doren Aldana   Takeaways    The magic of a morning routine Just how valuable is a healthy routine, and why does it need to take place in the mornings, specifically?    Who to show up for, first and foremost Who is our most important client and what are the consequences if we don’t serve them at the highest level?    How to break Parkinson’s law How can we kick procrastination to the curb, stat?

For many of us, the thought of an LO being in the driver’s seat is akin to the Loch Ness Monster: we hear about it, but we never see it for ourselves. Why is it that a mortgage pro holding the cookie seems so foreign to us?   Where have loan officers gone so wrong, and how can we start re-positioning ourselves, so Realtors give us the respect we deserve? Is it possible to do it WITHOUT reinventing the wheel?   In this episode, I’m diving into the 3 things that have made mortgage pros meek and weak- and how to flip the switch! "When you don’t have the right dynamic in your relationship with Realtors, you will feel forced to answer calls every minute of the day." -Doren Aldana     Takeaways    Why begging for business will only stunt our success Are we chasing business, or are we attracting it?    The importance of differentiation Great rates and service are a GIVEN. What are we doing to offer Realtors unique, exclusive value?    The risk of having a SCARCITY mindset Are we bending over backward for Realtors because we’re scared to say no?

Very few mortgage pros do 10 deals a month, and even fewer do it consistently. What are the secrets of those who are getting it right, and where are the vast majority of us going so wrong?     How can we start thinking like industry top dogs, so 10 deals a month, EVERY month, becomebest-kept a given?    In this episode, I share the 3 biggest weaknesses holding mortgage pros back from greatness (and how to stop them from stopping us!)   "Even 1% doubt will take you out, so you have to show up every day with your beliefs in alignment with your dreams." -Doren Aldana     Takeaways    How to stop letting weak marketing stunt your growth What are the key clues that our marketing is all wrong?   Why we need to kick stinkin' thinking for good How can we start showing up feeling like the champions we are and quit cowering in the shadows of self-limitation?    How to pick the right mentors Is there a way to pinpoint those guaranteed to get us to our full potential?

Diversification is the best way to stay afloat in any market, so if we've been focused on REFIs exclusively until now,  it's time to shift into the purchase market. However, to make the most of the purchase space, we have to approach it the right way. The question is, how do we do that?    What can we do to stand out to the best Realtors in the business, so we're not just getting any purchase deals, but the cream of the crop? More importantly, is it possible to do that without begging, pleading, and annoying everyone along the way?    In this episode, I'm sharing 3 ways to build a purchase business quickly and effectively, so we can reap the long-lasting benefits in no time at all. "If you keep doing what you've been doing, you'll keep getting what you've been getting, and that's unacceptable!" -Doren Aldana   Takeaways    How to make the most of our networks How can we tap into the GOLDMINES that are our networks? Is there a way to reach out to our existing spheres without coming across as annoying?    How to turn one and done transactions into repeat and referral business How can we continue to be the first (and only!) LO people think of when mortgage comes to mind?    What it takes to get into the inner sanctum of top dog Realtors How can we pick a more lucrative Realtor partner?

Refis are a great add-on to our revenue streams, but thanks to the low rates we've seen over the past few years, too many LOs have based their entire business on just one activity.   What are mortgage pros risking by putting all their focus on a refi? Could a refi-based business be harming MORE than our professional lives? If relying on refi is such a bad idea, where should we be channeling our energies?    In this episode, I'm diving into the top 5 ways refi holds us back from bigger, more consistent results in our businesses and beyond.   "Set up your business so you have a military freight ship that allows you to weather ANY storm, at ANY time, in ANY economy." -Doren Aldana   Takeaways    How to quit pinning all our hopes on 'good weather' Refis are great when rates are low, but is it wise to hope for smooth sailing? How can we build a BARGE to withstand any storm, instead?    What makes Refis less FUN Sure, refis can make us money and save our clients a buck, but are they life-changing? Which aspect of the business can help us make a real impact?    How Refis hold us back from a recession-proof business How can we grow consistently in any market- and is it possible to keep having fun while doing it?

As any LO will know, breaking into the business isn’t easy, and many of us have ended up in survival prison at some point along the way. The question is, how do we bust out of that and shift into freedom for GOOD?   How can we create a more stable income for ourselves, so we never have to wonder where our next deal is coming from again? How can we invest in ourselves to the point where we show up as champions every single day?   In this episode, Accutrust Mortgage Broker, James Petrick shares how he went from survival to “thrival” in only 2 months.  "Unprecedented results don't happen by accident, they happen by design." -Doren Aldana     Takeaways    How to partner with our market’s top Realtors The sad truth is, most Realtors already have their dream team of lenders. How can we break into the inner circles of our markets’ elite players and get a piece of the pie?     How to overcome our fears of making bold investments in ourselves How can we quit thinking in terms of what we’ll lose by pouring into ourselves with coaching, and start thinking about everything we have to GAIN?   How to shift our focus to the activities that matter most How can we stop getting sucked into low-income-producing activities, and where should we be putting our efforts instead?   Bio-    James Petrick is a loan officer at Accutrust Mortgage, passionate about what he does. James enjoys nothing more than being of service to his clients and partners alike and lives by the idea that when you love what you do, you’ll never work a day in your life.    To find out more, go to: https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-petrick-77707395/ https://www.instagram.com/mortgageswjames/

We tend to think it takes several years before we start making decent money in this business, which is why most newbies get chewed up and spat out before they ever get their business off the ground. However, that couldn’t be further from the truth!   How can we bypass the slow grind up the 20-story staircase and just press the "P" button on the elevator, so we can get straight to making PROSPERITY money right from the get go? What are the common barriers we’re most likely to deal with as a newbie, and how can we kick them down in advance?   In this episode, Main Street Home Loans Consultant, Brett Clark shares how he went from not even knowing the mortgage industry EXISTED, to consistently producing $3M+ month in volume in just 3 months. "Pay attention to your mindset. You can have all the tools but without wanting to reach your goals, you won't." -Brett Clark       Takeaways    How to make powerful connections with Top Realtors without calling When nobody knows who we are or how much experience we have, how can we get them to trust us with their clients?    How to take control of our brands, right out of the gate Our companies are usually telling us to do the stuff that worked 20 years ago, but that stuff just doesn't work anymore! How can we take control of our careers and position ourselves on a trajectory of prosperity from day one?    Why knowing our WHY is mission critical to our success It's not enough just to "want more money" - that is rarely enough to drive us to success. How can you find your PURPOSE that will propel to rise above the ground and accomplish the EXTRAORDINARY?   Guest Bio -    Brett Clark is a home loans consultant at Main Street Home Loans. A US Army Veteran, Brett got into the mortgage industry after completing his MBA in early 2021- and despite not even knowing the industry existed until recently, his drive, passion, and perseverance have all culminated in his unbelievable success. Brett is passionate about serving his clients and partners at the highest level, so he can make a bigger impact on more people.   To find out more, visit: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brett-j-clark

Great rates and service aren’t a value proposition, they’re the bare minimum! How can we take our strategies a step further and offer our partners more than the average Joe?    How can we zig while everyone else zags, so we can provide the kind of out-of-this-world service that gets Realtors hot for what we’ve got?   In this episode, I share 5 add-on services GUARANTEED to get agents lining up at our doors. "Bring real unique value no one else is offering and help your partners take their value to the next level." -Doren Aldana Takeaways    Why getting pre-approved buyers will always stand us in good stead Why sit around watching agents leave money on the table when we could speed up the process from the start?   How to find motivated sellers What wicked effective systems can help us seal the deal with motivated sellers in today’s market?    How to set up more repeat and referral business for our partners What if we were able to help our partners get an extra deal or 2 EVERY month, just by having a more sophisticated marketing system?

The path to prosperity isn’t a tough one to walk if we know which steps to take. The only problem is, most people don’t know what those steps are.   What does a foolproof journey to success look like, and what can we do to emulate it, starting TODAY? Is it possible to fast-track the process without putting in a ton of extra time, energy, and effort?   I’m sharing the 5 best-kept secrets of success in this episode, GUARANTEED to take mortgage pros to the next level.    "Don’t do the minutiae of the building of your business: be the architect." -Doren Aldana     Takeaways   Why it’s VITAL to celebrate prosperity in advance Can we really expect to live lives of abundance when all our energy is centered on lack and despair?    How to get better at creating value in our absence How can we quit getting muddled up in minutiae and get on the path to sipping Mai Tais while making money?    The truth about paying ourselves first Sure, it’s important to pay ourselves first financially, but how can we pour more into ourselves ENERGETICALLY?

Success is an easy enough concept on paper: it's the one thing we all want. However, when it comes to making it a reality, it's not always clear-cut. What is it that makes mortgage pros so great at overcomplicating their approach?    How can we simplify our strategies so we can make our dreams a reality without adding unnecessary steps to the mix? Could cutting out the complexity actually improve our results?    In this episode, I share how elegant simplicity can get us working less, making more, and having a whole lot of fun along the way.   "Come back to the fundamentals that will get you to your income goals faster and easier." -Doren Aldana     Takeaways    Why buying leads is a bad idea Why waste a ton of time and money sifting through gravel, looking for diamonds?    Why internet leads should only ever be an add-on Does putting all our focus on smaller prizes really sound like a good idea?    How saving a buck trying to DIY comes at a price Getting it right ain't an easy code to crack, so why take the risk of getting it wrong and adding another hurdle to the mix? 

Every prudent mortgage professional knows that we’re on the brink of a market shift. As the seller’s market shifts into a buyer’s market, you want to position yourself ahead of the storm.   You have to build a stable of top-producing VIP Realtor partners who see you as irreplaceable and indispensable. But how do we do this without begging, chasing, or cold calling? How can we breeze past the brush-offs, and escape being the last-resort LO who gets all the crappy deals?   In this episode, I share a new training that will help you attract top-producing Realtor partners, and why it’s the most powerful tool you can possess in today’s market.   "In this rising interest rate environment, you have to be proactive and preemptive. You don’t want to be wishing you had built your purchase business, you want to be glad you did." -Doren Aldana        Takeaways    How to attract agents by solving current market pain points Realtors want pre-approved buyers and motivated sellers. How can we solve this problem using cutting-edge technology, and put ourselves head and shoulders above the competition?    The most valuable thing we can provide to Realtors A solid marketing strategy is a mission-critical must but many agents don’t have it. How does the Unfair Advantage system provide a stack of awesome they can’t get anywhere else?    How to put yourself in a power position with top-producing agents If you’re sick and tired of chasing Realtors, you have to attract them with an irresistible value proposition. How do we create the ultimate bait that puts us in the power position?

Fear plays an important role in keeping us aware of risks, but when it informs our decisions so much that we're too afraid to move forward, something needs to change.    What are the biggest fears felt by newbie LOs, seasoned mortgage pros and everyone in between, and how do we kick them to the curb, once and for all?    How do we strike a balance between the damaging delusions of total fearlessness, and the devastating stagnation of pervasive paranoia?    In this episode, I explain how fear is stopping us from making our dreams a reality, and what to do about it.    "The more we focus on our fears, the more we tend to attract them, because what we feed, we fuel!" -Doren Aldana     Takeaways    How too much trepidation stops newbies from making their mark How can newly minted mortgage pros move past second guessing themselves so they can start making an impact in their markets?   Why veterans need to stop stressing the 'what ifs' and take action What can seasoned LOs do to stabilize their businesses, so the thought of 'what if' never even enters the equation?    How to stop letting market concerns steal our shine How can we get over our market-related fears and serve our customers, instead of projecting our anxieties onto them?

The internet is bursting at the seams with advertisements for mortgage marketing coaching, but as we know, not all programs are created equal. The problem is, sorting the good from the bad isn’t always easy.   Trying to figure out which coaching program to pick is overwhelming, and that’s before any of the hard work begins! How can we get better at discerning the magnificent from the mediocre?    What do the most effective coaching programs have that others lack, and how can we pinpoint those features before wasting a ton of time and money on an ineffective product?    In this episode, I share the checklist we should all consult before committing to a coaching program. "Ask yourself if your coach’s life is worthy of emulation." -Doren Aldana     Three Things You'll Learn In This Episode   The elegance of simplicity Why sign up for anything needlessly complicated? Wouldn’t it be a lot more painless to go for the simple solution?    Why quality beats quantity, every time Is it worth using a system that can only guarantee poor quality leads that take an insane amount of time and effort to convert?   Why we should look to programs that prioritize attracting over chasing Sure, cold calling worked 20 years ago, but how effective are caveman strategies in the age of technology?

Many mortgage pros fall short of making their dreams come true, but that doesn't mean they're not good at what they do. More often than not, failure is a symptom of the beliefs we tell ourselves.   We can have the best marketing strategies in the business, but without the mindset to match, we're going to be held in place, trapped on the proverbial hamster wheel. The problem is, many of us don't know which beliefs are holding us back.   What are we telling ourselves, day after day, that's keeping us from our full potential? How do we get to the root of our negative thoughts, to stop them from doing more damage?   In this episode, I'm sharing the most commonly held beliefs that hold LOs back from making their dreams a reality.   "Your subconscious mind is what governs your habits and ultimately your results,  be careful with what you tell yourself." -Doren Aldana   Takeaways How to kick impostor syndrome to the curb, for good! How can we stop believing we’re not good enough, so we can step into the confidence and competence required to make our dreams a reality? Why we need to quit telling ourselves success comes at a price How will we ever feel compelled to put in the hard yards when we’re constantly telling ourselves success is a burden? Why doing it all on our own only hurts us What’s the likelihood of attracting top talent who allow us to step into the rainmaker position when we’re hung up on micromanaging every move?

For many LOs, the prospect of working with Realtors is nothing more than a necessary evil, but it doesn’t need to be that way. Wouldn’t it be great to partner with Realtors who not only impact our business, but inject more fun and fulfilment into our world?   One of the inevitable facts of life is that not everyone’s energies will gel with our own, so at some point we’ll all run into Realtors who do no more than drain our batteries. However, if we fine-tune our strategies, we can keep those interactions minimal.   How can we start connecting with the RIGHT Realtors? Is there a way to attract them without sorting through the hordes of agents whose goals and energies will never align with ours?   In this episode, I share how to create stronger, more enjoyable partnerships with the right Realtors.   "The dream picture for most mortgage pros is never having to deal with Realtors, but working with Realtors can be an absolute joy if we’re working with the right ones." -Doren Aldana     Takeaways    Why we need to quit offering Realtors the bare minimum Could we be making ourselves easily replaceable by having a not-so-unique value proposition?    The importance of nipping entitlement in the bud How can we stop thinking in terms of what Realtors can do for us, and start thinking about what WE can do for THEM?    Why failing to plan is planning to fail Why meander in the wilderness unarmed, naked and entirely reliant on HOPE? Wouldn’t it be great to KNOW where we’re going?

A ton of mortgage pros are shaking in their boots right now, and that’s because they’ve pinned all their hopes and dreams on just ONE aspect of the business. We could spend dwelling on why that was a massive mistake, but the question remains: what now?   What’s next for LOs who have channeled all their energies into the refi boom? Is there a way to come back from this?   What can we do to diversify our businesses now, before it’s too late?   In this episode, I share how to shift into CONSISTENT success by hopping off our one-legged stools for good.   "Too many people are sitting on one-legged stools with 50, 60, 70, 90% refi business. In a rising interest rate environment, that is an absolute death rattle to your business." -Doren Aldana Three Things You'll Learn In This Episode   How to make the most of the purchase market Are we investing enough time in our purchase business, or are we leaving a ton of money on the table? How to differentiate from the masses Do we have a unique selling proposition that distinguishes us from everyone else? How can we decipher what separates us from the herd? The key to building SUSTAINABLE stability through diversification How do we diversify our business without adding a ton of extra responsibilities to our plate and doing it the hard way?

Comfort is the mortal enemy of greatness, but even the most aspirational loan officer wants a sense of stability in their business.  Mortgage is full of ups and downs, and that can become soul-crushing pretty quickly for aspirational LOs and average Joe’s alike. The question is, how can we beat the unpredictability? What can we do to take our earnings from a fluctuating nightmare to firmly grounded bliss? In this episode, Partner at Gold Star Mortgage Financial Group, Jelani Dorsey shares how he’s created enduring economic prosperity in the space of 3 months.  "When it comes to coaching you’ve got to pay to play, and the best people charge what they’re worth." -Jelani Dorsey Takeaways  How to beat the hit one, miss one nature of mortgage In the mortgage business, it’s common to have one exceptional month, followed by 90 days of nothing. How can we quit putting ourselves on the rollercoaster and cultivate stable successes? Why we need to back away from budget business coaching How can we expect to see champion-level results when we’re only willing to put down a chump-level investment? How to define our why What does our fed-up threshold look like? What will it take to say enough is enough?    Guest Bio -  Jelani Dorsey is a Partner at Gold Star Mortgage Financial Group. Prior to his most recent previous role as admission and community outreach coordinator at Breakthrough Public Schools, Jelani spent a decade in the finance industry, both working and interning at a hedge fund. He first entered the mortgage space in early 2020, and thanks to his astronomical growth, it's safe to say he hasn't looked back.    To find out more, go to https://www.linkedin.com/in/jelani-dorsey

None of us want to feel like we’re loan leeches, begging Realtors for their time, but so often, that’s what happens. How do we break that cycle? We know we add a ton of value, so it’s time to stop haggling Realtors and let them know we hold the cookie. How can we adopt an attraction-based approach and kick our prospecting pleas to the curb, once and for all? Is it possible to get maximum results without buying into dark age techniques like cold calling? In this episode, mortgage specialist at Directors Mortgage, Kristin Keith shares how her experience at Mortgage Marketing Coach SUPERSIZED her business in just 2 months.   "When it comes to success, there is no ‘try’, you're either doing it or not." -Kristin Keith Three Things You'll Learn In This Episode How to spend our time doing what WORKS Networking events aren’t all bad, but are they really the best, most productive use of our time? How to get more RELIABLE results Are we really willing to sit with feelings of angst and sleepless nights for the rest of our working lives? Why mindset matters more than we think Whether they’re athletes, world leaders, or business owners, all of the greats have a strong mindset in common. Why would it be any different for mortgage pros?    Guest Bio - Kristin Keith is a mortgage specialist at Directors Mortgage in Eugene, Oregon. Passionate about helping people, Kristin has spent over a decade in loans and the last four in mortgages.    To find out more, go to: https://www.directorsmortgage.com/loan-officer/kristin-keith/  https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristin-keith-a2487515

We all want to make it in this business, but far too many of us are being held back by stumbling blocks. What's stopping us from making our dreams a reality? Unfortunately, most of the time the obstacles in our way come in the form of mythical ideas, taken for granted as fact. We're not being held back- we're holding ourselves back! What are the myths we're telling ourselves, and how can we quit believing them, once and for all?  In this episode, I count down the 5 fallacies keeping us from financial FREEDOM.  "Shatter the myths you’re buying into so you can step into power and prosperity." -Doren Aldana Three Things You'll Learn In This Episode Why lack of experience puts us at an ADVANTAGE How can we get over feeling like we're too young, new to the space, or inexperienced to get mind-blowing results?  How being an aggressive salesperson holds us back None of us enjoy dealing with aggressive salespeople in our own lives, so why would our clients be any different?  Why investing in a coach is more important than we think Something all the world's greatest athletes have in common is coaching. Shouldn't we follow their lead?

Most of the time, our sales managers aren't teaching us the strategies we need to build super-sized businesses, and that's because they can't teach what they don't know. This is a situation of the blind leading the blind, but what happens when we have crystal clear visions of what we want?  Which vital tools are our mentors neglecting to tell us about, and how can we right the wrong?  Where can we turn when the people tasked with taking our business to the next level just don't know what to do?  In this episode, I share the 5 pivotal keys to a successful business that our sales managers aren't telling us. "Let your daily agenda be governed and molded in light of the fact that you’re in the marketing business." -Doren Aldana Three Things You'll Learn In This Episode  Why cold calling is only setting us up for mediocrity Why use marketing from the dark ages and spend days on end throwing yogurt at the fan hoping something sticks, when there's an easier path to the cash? Why only using our company's CRM puts us at a disadvantage We wouldn't build a house on someone else's title, so why would we limit ourselves to only using our company's CRM? Why we need to be willing to invest in ourselves Enough of doing it the hard way! Wouldn't it be great to have a foolproof tried and tested roadmap to success? Here's how...

Among mortgage pros, there’s no shortage of big dreams, and everyone wants to reach astronomical heights. However, what sets the industry elites apart from the mediocre majority is the willingness to genuinely believe we can achieve whatever we set our minds to.  It’s one thing to have a goal in mind, but it’s another to be defiantly committed to making our dreams a reality. Our mindset makes all the difference, and if we want to become winners, we have to start thinking like them.  How can we start channeling a champion’s attitude? Is it possible to stay positive even when all the odds are stacked against us? In this episode, loan originator at FirstTrust Home Loans Inc and Mortgage Marketing Coach client, Debbie Knight shares how the right mindset and skillset took her from struggle city to Planet Prosper.    "When you know you need to win, failure isn’t an option." -Doren Aldana Three Things You'll Learn In This Episode    The importance of shining a light on our current trajectory:  No one wants to hear about what they’re doing wrong, but how can we expect to change our reality if we aren’t willing to face it? How to adopt a champion’s mindset:  What would happen if we quit the negativity and shifted our mindset to what could go right, instead of what could go wrong? How to start BELIEVING we hold the cookie:  The cold, hard truth is that Realtors need us way more than we need them. How can we start believing that with every fiber of our being?   Guest Bio - Debbie Knight is a mortgage loan originator at FirstTrust Home Loans, Inc. While a newbie to this industry, she has an impressive track record in the finance business, with almost 3 decades in the industry. Prior to entering mortgage, she served as the Executive Vice President and Chief Deposit Officer at Encore Bank.  To find out more, go to: https://www.linkedin.com/in/debbie-knight-3239a780 https://www.firsttrusthomeloans.com/debbie-knight/

From the outside looking in, it often seems like top producers have some kind of superhuman capacity that sets them apart from the rest of us, but that just ain’t so.  No one comes into this world as a top producer, and all it takes to reach the next level is having the right skills. The great news is, that means all of us have the latent ability to become elite players in the industry. What skills have top LOs learned that the rest of us haven’t, and what really makes the difference in their ability to thrive versus those who struggle to survive? Is it possible to follow their lead without putting in more hours?  In this episode, I’m sharing the 7 characteristics that separate the elite 1% from the mediocre majority.  "Own success as yours, in advance." -Doren Aldana Takeaways  The importance of having a defiant commitment to success:  We were made by greatness, for greatness. Are we living like we believe that to be true?  How not having a bias towards DOING only slows us down:  Why spend eons drawing up a perfect plan when we could start taking imperfect action TODAY and get a step closer to reaching our goals?  Why the industry’s elite aren’t looking at LAGGING metrics:  Are our activities doing enough to generate a fruitful harvest for the future, or are we getting too caught up in instant gratification? 

When it comes to lead gen, LOs aspiring for greatness tend to want to make the most audacious moves possible. However, this might just be the one time we want to play it safe and start simple. Implementing a range of lead gen pillars in our businesses is the only way to stay prosperous no matter what’s going on in the market, but if we’re not starting with the low-hanging fruit, we may end up dangling from a 24-foot ladder.  Which lead gen pillars should we avoid until we know we’ve got a solid foundation? Does starting small mean accepting average, or is it possible to make big moves while sticking to the basics?  In this episode, I share how to expand our pipelines WITHOUT taking on too much, too soon.  "The goal is to work smarter, not harder. Why grind your buns off in the staircase when you can go to the elevator and press ‘P’ for penthouse?" -Doren Aldana Three Things You'll Learn From This Episode How our most basic resource can be our most profitable one:  Every single person in our personal network has their own SOI (Sphere of Influence), so what’s stopping us from taking advantage? Who to partner with for MAXIMUM results:  If we’re dealing with partners, we might as well have the ones who send us the most deals. Which category of Realtors is most likely to do that, and how can we connect with them? Why local organic search should be a priority for ambitious mortgage pros:  How can we expect to stand out to would-be leads if we’re not the top-ranking, top-positioned LO in our market?

It doesn’t matter how much drive and ambition we have... if our marketing game isn’t on point, we’re only going to end up spinning our wheels and grinding our gears. As loan officers, we often make the mistake of thinking mortgage is our area of expertise, but that just ain’t so. We’re in the marketing business, and until and unless we acknowledge that and adjust our strategies accordingly, we’ll never reach the goals we’ve set for ourselves. The problem is, most LOs just don’t know what they don’t know. Where have we been going wrong until now, and what does audacious, effective, and result-driven marketing look like? How can we kick our efforts up a notch and blast our businesses to new heights? In this episode, I’m sharing the 5 most common marketing mistakes in the mortgage business, and what we can do to make sure they never happen again.  "Success comes from your ability to market effectively." -Doren Aldana   Takeaways  Why marketing is the NUMBER ONE component of a booming business:  Why would any ambitious mortgage pro want to be the ‘best-kept secret’ in their market?  The importance of working ON our businesses, rather than IN them:  Sure, we’ll make a living by working in our businesses, but why stop there? Wouldn’t we rather make a fortune? Why chasing isn’t a marketing strategy:  Does chasing after partners, hoping they’ll toss us any spare bones really sound like the path to industry dominance?

When pushing our businesses to the next level, many of us think in terms of what we should be doing, but sometimes it’s more important to think about what we need to stop doing. No amount of pressing on the throttle will give us a smooth ride if we aren’t letting off the brakes. The question is, what are those brakes in our businesses?  Which activities are keeping us stuck in place, and how can we root them out of our routines for good?  In this episode, I share how to stop spinning our wheels and start moving forward in a smooth ride to flow, fun, and fulfillment.   "If you're constantly being sucked into paper-pushing, you’re putting the brakes on in your business." -Doren Aldana Three Things You'll Learn In This Episode How stinkin’ thinkin’ holds us back:  We all have an unlimited capacity for greatness, so what’s stopping us from making our dreams a reality?  How to put a stop to paper-pushing, pronto:  How can we expect to reach new heights when we’re trapped under the muck and mire of minutiae?  Why weak systems set us up for mediocrity:  Repeating each step of our processes each time they need to be undertaken isn’t the same as having a business. Have we created glorified jobs for ourselves?