Meet Craig Michaels | Morning & night routine

We had the good fortune of connecting with Craig Michaels and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Craig, do you have any habits that you feel contribute to your effectiveness?
One of the simplest things I strive to do is staying balanced with my diet, exercise, and sleep. I have been a pescatarian (fish, fruits and veggies) for about 7 to 8 years now. I try and reduce the amount of sugar I eat as much as possible. I am an avid hiker and schedule my Bikram yoga class two days a week to maintain a healthy body. I try to get a minimum of 6 to 7 hours of good sleep and have a nighttime routine which includes shutting down my phone about 45 min before bedtime and lowering the lights. I make a list of the things I want to accomplish the next day and I meditate and pray before bed. Sometimes I will put some essential oils in my diffuser to help calm my body.

This year I set a goal to write down a morning routine to follow and it has made the biggest difference of all. I have heard over the years most successful people have a strong morning routine. So, I read the book Miracle Morning by Hal Elrod. The book is just what I needed to jumpstart my mornings. I now wake up at 5AM and spend the first 30 minutes in silence and mediation. This is followed by reading positive affirmations and journaling. I read for an hour or so, usually motivational books. I then do a min yoga stretch and some light exercise. I am showed and had coffee by 8am and start the day with clarity and intention.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I have always been outgoing and a very social person. Prior to real estate I worked in radio and TV here in the Palm Springs market. For much of the 90’s and early 2000’s I worked as an on-air personality on various radio formats and later in TV as a weather anchor and entertainment reporter. In addition, this I had an entertainment company which promoted events and booked entertainers. I learned to connect with people and the psychology of promotions. This would later come in handy when I segued into real estate.

After more than 25 years of working in the entertainment business I was not feeling challenged and felt I was ready for a change. I had an interest in real estate for many years and wanted to learn more about investing in properties. Many people thought I was crazy for switching careers in my 50’s but I knew if I committed all my energy to it, I would be successful just as I had in previous careers. I decided to get my real estate license in 2017 and began working at Better Homs and Gardens Desert Lifestyle Properties working hard at learning the legal and contractual information. The first few years were an eye opener. I realized being a real estate agent is much harder than putting a sign in the ground and holding open houses. I continued to take classes to expand my industry knowledge, but sales were not enough to pay my bills. In my third year I was given a great piece of advice by an instructor who said, “Use the skills you already have and incorporate them into your real estate business.” Being in front of the camera was what I loved so, I began making lots of videos. I had a short-lived partnership with an agent named Alexandra Miklosova I collaborated with to produce a real estate TV show called Palm Springs Open House. This polished and produced show boosted our market exposure and branded us as experts in our field. I continued networking at every major event and began using my networking skills to further propel my business. I recently partnered with the Palm Desert Design Center to produce monthly mixers called Wine & Design. We invite the public and I blasted it out to my sphere of influence and clients. At the monthly mixer guests can meet interior and exterior design professionals. We invite local artists to display their work at the event as well. This is a free mixer with complimentary wine, champagne, and appetizers. The cost of the mixer is split between sponsors who are all on the advertising. This has been highly successful so far and a fantastic way to meet prospective clients and build my data base. Using my networking and promotional skills to build my business I have been fortunate to regularly land in the top ten producers list each month at my brokerage. After living in the desert for 35 years I have found it’s easy to sell the place I love so much and has done so much for me.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
The Coachella Valley comes alive during the season from October through April. Depending on the time of year someone visits there are lots of annual events from the Palm Springs Film Festival to Coachella Music Festival to the BNP Paribas Open Tennis Tournament. Places that are a must visit while you are here are the Palm Springs Aerial Tram which takes you from the Desert Floor to the top of Mt San Jacinto at 8,516 feet. A hike through the Indian Canyons is breathtaking especially in the spring when all the wildflowers are blooming and the water from the melting snow is flowing through the canyons. Another great hike is Ladder canyon in Mecca. The polo fields in Indio are amazing and beautiful. I would take my guests to watch a polo match or take in the Coachella Music and Arts Festival that happens there as well. When it comes to dining and shopping there is no place like El Paseo in Palm Desert. I live just a few blocks from there. It is known as the Rodeo Dr. of the desert. Some of my favorite restaurants are Armando’s for great Mexican food and the best margaritas. Porta Via, Kitchen 86, Tommy Bahamas, La Fe Wine bar, and Piero’s Pizza Vino are some of my other favorites. There are also lots of activities happening on El Paseo like the Annual Golf Cart Parade and First Friday Cruise Night with classic cars cruising the street. No trip would be complete without a trip to one of our casinos. Agua Caliente Casino Rancho Mirage and Cathedral City on the west side and Fantasy Springs Casino on the east side are some of my favorites

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
My shoutout goes to my six children, Tyler, Brie, Kaitey, Kara, Kourtney & Cameron. While helping to raising six children with my ex-wife was no easy task, I can say it has been the most rewarding job I have had. I was fortunate enough to be self-employed while my children were growing up which enabled me to be present at their schools, coaching them in sports, and supporting them in extra circular activities. Parenting teaches you many skills you don’t get the opportunity to hone while you are single. Learning patience, putting your children’s needs before your own, and trying to set a good example of how to love others unconditionally are just some of the parenting skills I’ve learned that have made me better personally and in business. My children are a good reminder of my why! I have learned so much from them over the years as well. I can say they are my best friends. We enjoy hanging out, going to concerts and sporting events and going on vacation together. I am motivated to work hard to demonstrate to them that being successful takes hard work and sacrifice, there are no shortcuts

Website: www.realestatepalmsprings.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/realestatepalmsprings/?hl=en

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/craigmichaelsrealestate/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RealEstatePS

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCiYbl1fxB2p88EF9SRI6nnw?view_as=subscriber