The 15th Protocol – Your Mid-Month Business Reset

Welcome back to Coach’s Corner on the Double Duty Agent Podcast! In this episode, Coach Carla shares a game-changing strategy to keep your momentum strong and ensure you hit your real estate goals every month—The 15th Protocol.

By the 15th of the month, you should be 60% of the way toward your goals. If you’re not, the 15th Protocol helps you adjust, refocus, and increase your efforts to make up for lost time. Instead of waiting until the last days of the month to scramble, this system prepares you to pivot and implement a pre-planned action strategy to close the gap and finish strong.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

What the 15th Protocol is and why it’s a must-have strategy in your business.
How to assess your progress by mid-month—Are you at 60% of your goal?
What actions to take if you’re behind—practical strategies to course-correct.
Examples of 15th Protocol adjustments, including:

• Increasing prospecting efforts (evening calls, open houses, door-knocking).
• Expanding lead generation methods (social media blitz, mass texts/emails).
• Strengthening skills (roleplaying, blitz days, FSBO/expired outreach).
  How to make the 15th Protocol a habit—setting up your own plan so you always have a go-to strategy to stay on track.

Key Takeaways & Action Steps:

Evaluate Your Progress: By the 15th, check if you’ve met 60% of your monthly goal in appointments, conversations, and database growth.
Implement the 15th Protocol: If you're behind, increase your activity immediately (e.g., additional calls, more open houses, FSBO visits).
Stay Proactive, Not Reactive: The market, distractions, or unexpected events can throw you off, but the 15th Protocol helps you pivot before it’s too late.
Plan for Future Success: What you do today determines your paycheck in 90 days—make sure April, May, and June reflect the work you put in NOW.
Set Your Personal 15th Protocol: Know ahead of time what extra efforts you will make if you’re not at 60% by mid-month.

Open House Mastery Workshop! If you’re listening on February 14th, don’t miss Carla’s Open House Mastery Workshop on February 15th! Learn her full open house system and supercharge your lead generation. Register at DoubleDutyPodcast.com.

Missed the live workshop? No problem! Visit DoubleDutyPodcast.com and check under "Coaching" for the recording.

Share & Subscribe!

Enjoyed this episode? Leave a 5-star review! It helps others discover the podcast and builds our Double Duty Agent community.
Have a question or topic idea? Submit it at DoubleDutyPodcast.com and Carla may feature it on a future episode!
Share this episode with another agent who could benefit—let’s grow and support each other on this journey.

Thank you for tuning in! Remember, being a double duty agent means leveraging your time, your existing relationships, and your unwavering belief in yourself. Stay consistent, stay focused, and keep moving forward—just like Meesha. Until next time, keep striving, keep rising, and keep rising as a double duty agent!

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Unlocking the Power of Agent to Agent Referrals: Tumikia’s Roadmap to Real Estate Success

In this inspiring episode of the Double Duty Agent Podcast, host Carla Higgins sits down with her former coaching client and longtime friend, Tumikia Gilbert. Tumikia shares her unique journey from first getting her real estate license at age 21, stepping away to start and grow a daycare business, and eventually returning to real estate to build a thriving, sustainable career—all while still running her daycare. If you’ve ever wondered how to successfully balance two businesses, this conversation will give you practical insights, mindset shifts, and proven strategies to manage it all.

In This Episode, You’ll Learn:

1. Tumikia’s Real Estate Origin Story
   • How she first got licensed at 21, why she stepped away from real estate, and what brought her back years later.

1. Owning & Operating a Daycare While Selling Real Estate
   • The day-to-day challenges of juggling both businesses.
   • How leveraging employees, assistants, and systems allowed Tumikia to scale.

1. The Power of Leverage and Hiring
   • Why hiring an assistant from the start can turbocharge your business.
   • How training programs like Monica Reynolds’ Perfect Real Estate Assistant help build systems that last.

1. Growing Through Coaching & Education
   • Tumikia’s decision to invest in her own growth with coaching, classes, and personal development.
   • How she uses ongoing education to strengthen her listing and transaction systems.

1. Where Her Business Comes From
   • How sphere of influence, past clients, and agent-to-agent referrals generate the bulk of her income.
   • Why attending national real estate events can build a powerful referral network—and new friendships.

1. Mindset and Worthiness
   • The critical mindset shift Tumikia made to believe she deserved success.
   • How operating from contribution (rather than a “get” mindset) fosters trust and connections.

1. Celebrating 25 Years in Business
   • Tumikia’s daycare is commemorating 25 years of service.
   • How she’s combining this milestone with real estate relationship-building through a client/family tea party celebration.

1. Advice for Double Duty Agents
   • Top takeaways for those balancing more than one commitment or business.
   • Practical tips on leveraging systems, open houses, and consistent client follow-up.

Memorable Quotes

“I knew from the beginning I needed help and that I didn’t like paperwork. I hired an assistant right away, and it was the best decision.”
—Tumikia

“One major mindset shift for me was realizing that I am worthy of success. Sometimes, we don’t believe we actually deserve what we’re seeking.”
—Tumikia

“Our business grows to the extent that we do. Keep investing in yourself and your education.”
—Carla

Links & Resources

• Double Duty Agent Podcast Website:
  DoubleDutyPodcast.com
  (Check here for workshop replays, including Carla’s Open House Workshop.)

• Want to Learn More About Open Houses?
  Carla is hosting her Open House Workshop on February 15 (available as a replay if you’re tuning in later).
  Visit DoubleDuty

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Welcome back to Coach’s Corner on the Double Duty Agent Podcast! A couple of weeks ago, we dove into the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA) and what it means for real estate agents like you. Today, we’re following up with some important updates and reminders that could impact how you connect with potential clients.

What’s New?

On January 24, 2025, the FCC announced a postponement of the highly anticipated rule change requiring one-to-one consent for automated calls and texts. While this gives agents a temporary reprieve from implementing stricter regulations, it’s crucial not to let your guard down.

What Happens Next?

The FCC will publish a Public Notice in the Federal Register to announce the new effective date. If the Eleventh Circuit issues a decision upholding the rule, the effective date could come sooner than January 26, 2026. Until then, here’s what you need to know:

1. Prioritize Consent
   Even with the delay, it’s essential to obtain clear and documented consent from potential clients before sending automated messages or making robocalls. Don’t wait until the last minute to adjust your practices—start reviewing your procedures now to ensure you’re ready when the rules eventually take effect.

2. Manual Outreach Is Still Allowed
Agents can continue to make manual calls to FSBOs and expired listings. However, you must:

• Check the Do Not Call list diligently.
• Document any consent properly.

Here are several ways to check if a number is on the Do Not Call (DNC) Registry:

• Manually check a number by visiting the official National Do Not Call Registry website. https://telemarketing.donotcall.gov/
• Utilize a bulk scrubbing service to scrub large contact lists.
• Deploy compliance software that automatically includes DNC checks.

If you’re purchasing leads, verify what kind of DNC scrubbing the provider is doing. Ignorance isn’t an excuse—if the numbers aren’t properly scrubbed, you’re still liable.

Remember, manually dialed calls without pre-recorded messages don’t require prior express consent under the current TCPA rules, provided the number isn’t on the DNC list. If someone asks you not to call again, even if they’re not on the national DNC list, that request must be honored as part of your own internal DNC list.

3. Understand Potential Penalties
While the new rules are postponed, neglecting to prepare could lead to hefty fines when they’re enforced. As it stands:

• TCPA violations incur penalties of $500 per call.
• Plaintiffs can demand up to three times that amount for willful violations, leading to fines in the millions.
• Even innocent mistakes, like missing disclosures, can result in hundreds of thousands in fines.

Exceptions to Consent Requirements:

• Calls that are manually dialed without a pre-recorded message.
• Calls made for emergency purposes.
• Calls not made for commercial purposes.
• Calls delivering pre-recorded health care messages under HIPAA.
• Calls made by tax-exempt non-profits.
• Calls made for a commercial purpose that isn’t telemarketing or advertising (e.g., calls related to ongoing transactions).

Common TCPA Violations to Avoid:

• Unsolicited robocalls for marketing.
• Insufficient or missing identification and disclosure.
• Automated messages sent to mobile devices without prior express written consent.
• Autodialed calls to numbers on the Do Not Call registry.

What About Text Messages?

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Can you believe it’s already the first week of February? Today’s episode is all about kicking off February with a powerful month-end debrief—an essential tool to stay on track with your goals. This is a process you can use at the end of every month to make adjustments and ensure you’re moving toward success.

In This Episode:

• Celebrate Wins: We’ll start by celebrating our wins—big or small. Wins can be transactions, personal growth, or any achievement that moved your business forward. Remember: Don’t judge your wins! What we focus on expands.

• Self-Assessment & Grading: I’ll guide you through grading yourself on key job responsibilities:
  • Conversation Practice & Skill Building
  • Consistent Lead Generation
  • Lead Follow-Up & Pipeline Building
  • Going on Appointments
  • Negotiating Contracts (or learning contracts if needed)
  • Maintaining a Growth Mindset Use a grading scale that resonates with you—whether it’s A, B, C, or a numerical scale from 1-5 or 1-10.

• Reflective Questions: We’ll dive into four reflective questions to gain clarity:

1. What went well that I need to do more of?
2. What didn’t I do that I should have?
3. What got in my way?
4. What could I have done to prevent it?

• Gap Review: We’ll compare your results to your goals:
  • How many closings do you need for 2025?
  • How many have you closed so far?
  • What’s your Gross Commission Income (GCI) goal, and how much have you earned? This will help identify your GAP and where to focus your efforts.

• Revisiting Your GPS: We’ll review your GPS (Goal, Priorities, Strategies) and determine the gaps in your three key priorities. This exercise will help you adjust your plan and stay on track.

Download the Month-End Debrief Worksheet:

Head over to https://doubledutypodcast.com and download the Month-End Debrief worksheet to guide your review process. I’d love to hear how this exercise brings you clarity!

Join Me for the RISE of the Double Duty Agent Webinar:

Join me on Thursday, February 6th from 7:00-9:00 PM Eastern for the first RISE of the Double Duty Agent webinar.

• Register at: https://doubledutypodcast.com.
• If you’re listening after the 6th, grab a free recording at the same link.

Next week we’ll be back with incredible stories and interviews from rockstar double-duty agents that will inspire and motivate you on your journey.

Thank you for tuning in to this episode of Coach’s Corner on the Double Duty Agent Podcast! If you have a question or challenge you'd like to hear featured on a future episode, head over to https://doubledutypodcast.com and share it with me—I’d love to hear from you! If you found value in today’s episode, please consider leaving a 5-star review—it helps others discover the podcast and lets me know I’m on the right track. And don’t forget to share this episode with another agent who could benefit. Together, we can grow our community and support each other on this journey. Until next time, keep showing up, keep striving, and keep building the life and business you’ve been dreaming of! And keep Rising as a Double Duty Agent!

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In this episode of The Double Duty Agent Podcast, host Carla Higgins takes a detour from traditional business-building and mindset topics to explore the Lunar New Year and its lessons for double duty real estate agents. Carla unpacks how the moon’s cycles, the principles of the Lunar New Year, and even the symbolism of the Year of the Snake can help agents reset, refocus, and launch into a year filled with success.

You’ll learn about:

• The fascinating differences between the Lunar and Gregorian calendars and how the Lunar New Year begins with a fresh 15-day cycle.
• Practical ways to declutter your physical space, mental headspace, finances, and even your client database to create clarity and focus.
• The power of cultivating relationships in the spirit of giving, enhancing client loyalty, and generating more referrals.
• Embracing prosperity by letting go of past mistakes, challenging limiting beliefs, and focusing on growth in all areas of life.
• Using discipline and time-blocking (inspired by the moon’s phases) to stick to your goals and maintain work-life counterbalance.
• Reflecting on your wins and challenges to commit to a fresh start for the year ahead.

Carla also shares actionable strategies to align with the Lunar New Year energy, like setting intentions, building momentum with small steps, and aligning business goals with personal values.

Action Steps:

• Take one step today to declutter or reset an area of your life or business—whether it’s organizing your workspace, reviewing your finances, or reconnecting with clients.
• Reflect on your goals and ask yourself: What’s one area where I need a fresh start?
• Embrace the Year of the Snake by trusting your intuition, staying disciplined, and setting clear intentions for success.

Visit https://doubledutypodcast,com and submit your questions or challenges for a future Coach’s Corner episode!

If you found value in this episode, please leave a 5-star review and share it with another agent who might enjoy learning about the Lunar New Year. Together, we can build a supportive community of double duty agents striving for success. Until next time, keep showing up, keep striving, and keep building the life and business of your dreams!

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In this episode of Coach’s Corner on the Double Duty Agent Podcast, host Carla Higgins dives into the critical topic of staying compliant with the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA). With updated regulations that could result in hefty fines, it's more important than ever for real estate agents—double-duty or not—to understand and adhere to these laws.

Carla breaks down:

• What is the TCPA? An overview of the federal law designed to regulate telemarketing calls, texts, and more.
• Why the Changes? Insights into the recent updates aimed at combating robocalls and spam texts.
• Key Updates: What you need to know about text message regulations, written consent requirements, and more.
• Practical Steps for Compliance: From checking the Do Not Call Registry to avoiding automated tools and understanding written consent, Carla shares actionable advice to help you stay compliant.
• Real-World Scenarios: Tips for handling FSBOs, expired listings, and ensuring your caller ID meets requirements.

This episode is a must-listen to protect your business from fines, maintain your reputation, and foster trust with clients.

Resources Mentioned:

• National Do Not Call Registry
• Consult with your managing broker or a qualified legal professional for specific guidance.

Disclaimer: This episode is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Please consult a legal professional or your managing broker for compliance guidance specific to your situation.

If you found this episode helpful, leave a 5-star review to help others discover the podcast and ensure you’re on the right track. Share it with your fellow agents to spread awareness of these important regulations.

Have a challenge or topic you'd like Carla to tackle in a future episode? Visit DoubleDutyPodcast.comand let us know! Until next time, keep showing up, keep striving, and keep building the life and business you’ve been dreaming of. Keep rising as a double-duty agent!

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Welcome to another episode of the Double Duty Agent Podcast! I'm your host, Carla Higgins, and today we’re diving into the 10 most common reasons agents tell themselves they can’t or shouldn’t call their database—and why those reasons are holding you back from success.

Your database is a gold mine, filled with people who already know, like, and trust you—or know someone who does. Building relationships and leveraging referrals is a faster, more cost-effective way to grow your business than starting from scratch with strangers. In this episode, we’re debunking the excuses, including:

What You'll Learn in This Episode:

1. "I don’t know anyone who wants to buy or sell right now."
   • Why your SOI is about planting seeds, not immediate results.
2. "I don’t want to be that annoying real estate agent."
   • How to offer value and build relationships without being pushy.
3. "My friends and family will expect discounts or kickbacks."
   • The importance of knowing your value and how to handle pricing conversations with confidence.
4. "I don’t believe in mixing business with pleasure."
   • Why being professional strengthens relationships and helps you better serve people you care about.
5. "My family doesn’t take my real estate career seriously."
   • How to build your success and let your results speak for themselves.
6. "I don’t want my friends and family to feel obligated to use me."
   • Respecting their decisions while still keeping the lines of communication open.
7. "My broker says I need to cold-call, door-knock, and farm instead."
   • Why your database is the perfect starting point and complements other lead-generation strategies.
8. "Everyone I know lives out of state."
   • How out-of-state connections can lead to referrals and mailbox money.
9. "I haven’t talked to them in so long; it will feel weird to call."
   • Reconnecting with a simple framework to break the ice.
10. "The creepy guy from the bar."

• Why it’s okay to delete certain contacts and focus on quality over quantity in your database.

Key Takeaways:

• Your database is more than just names—it’s a network of opportunities waiting to be tapped into.
• Avoid letting fear or assumptions keep you from reaching out. Most people appreciate genuine connection and value.
• Start small with five calls a day (the Double Duty 5x5) and watch your confidence and business grow.
• Always ask the magic question: "Who do you know that might need my help with real estate?"

Special Offer: Join Momentum Monday!

Momentum Monday is your chance to build consistency in your real estate business. Each week, we:

• Practice lead generation, lead follow-up, and pipeline management.
• Do market research and plan social media or drip campaigns.
• Set intentions to create unstoppable momentum.

Special Deal: Join now through January and receive 30 days free and no setup fee! After that, it’s just $99/month. Go to https://doubledutypodcast.com to Sign up and take advantage of this offer.

Call to Action:

If you found this episode helpful, please:

• Leave a 5-star review to help other agents find this podcast.
• Share this episode with

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In this episode of Coach’s Corner on the Double Duty Agent Podcast, host Carla Higgins addresses a heartfelt challenge from a listener who feels paralyzed by fear. This double-duty agent, balancing a full-time job, family commitments, and a growing real estate business, shared that her fear of failure and the overwhelming amount of work in her real estate business leaves her doing nothing—a vicious cycle many agents can relate to.

What You'll Learn in This Episode:

1. Unpacking Fear: How fear is often a mask for deeper insecurities and doubts, and why naming your fear is the first step toward overcoming it.
2. The Growth Zone: Fear is a natural sign you’re stepping outside your comfort zone, where true growth happens.
3. Small Actions, Big Results: Why every success story—including Carla’s own podcast journey—starts with small, consistent steps.
4. Reframing Failure: Learn to view failure as a valuable opportunity for growth rather than a roadblock.
5. Practical Steps to Break Paralysis: Discover actionable tips, like the “15-minute timer trick” and celebrating small wins, to move past overwhelm and take control of your goals.

Carla’s Personal Journey

Carla shares her own fears when starting the Double Duty Agent Podcast: the fear that no one would listen, imposter syndrome, and concerns about wasting others’ time. Now, at Episode 51, she reflects on how facing those fears has helped her grow as a coach and podcast host, and how it’s created a platform to help agents thrive and build a supportive community.

Key Takeaways:

• Fear is a natural part of growth and an indicator that you’re on the right path.
• Big achievements are the result of small, consistent actions—and often, a series of failures.
• Embrace imperfection and focus on progress over perfection.
• Start with one small action today. Whether it’s a quick task or a single call, every step matters.

Your Challenge:

• Write down what you’re afraid of.
• Choose one small action to move forward.
• Take that action today—no overthinking, just do it!

Do you have a question or challenge you’d like featured in an upcoming episode of Coach’s Corner? Visit https://doubledutypodcast.com to share your story.

If this episode resonated with you, please leave a 5-star review and share it with another agent who could benefit. Together, we’re building a community of agents ready to rise and achieve their dreams.

Until next time, keep showing up, keep striving, and keep building the life and business you’ve been dreaming of!

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