Life at Ten Tenths

Latest Episodes:

Swimmers vs. Surfers: Thriving in Today’s Real Estate Market w/ Matthew Ferrara Sep 10, 2025

Show notes

Join us for daily motivation, tips, and connection on the Inside Track at https://www.lifeattentenths.com/#subscription-options

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What if the “real estate market” isn’t actually one market at all?

In this episode of Life at Ten Tenths, we’re joined by the one and only Matthew Ferrara — philosopher, speaker, and real estate expert.

Matthew was our very first guest after having switched podcasts. (Episode 14) We are incredibly excited to have him back for this conversation about today’s shifting market.

Together we dive into:

Why there’s no such thing as one real estate market (there are millions!)
The big difference between being a surfer vs. being a swimmer in business
How to stop chasing price reductions and start mastering listing inventory management
Why consumer confidence comes from you — not from AI, algorithms, or the latest tech tool
How mindset + emotional intelligence shape your success in any market

Matthew brings his signature mix of wisdom and energy to help you see this market for what it really is: an incredible opportunity to build skills, deepen relationships, and grow your business with intention.

👉 Want more of Matthew’s insights and stories?

Subscribe to his weekly newsletter here: https://www.alwaysinspiring.com

👉 Want more? Subscribe to Life at Ten Tenths for fresh episodes every week, plus tools, strategies, and conversations to help you live at the pinnacle of your ability and purpose.

The 10-10-Forever Rule: How 10 People Can Transform Your Business & Life Sep 08, 2025

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What if your entire business — and your whole life — could be transformed by just 10 people over 10 years?

In this episode of Life at Ten Tenths, Garrett and Matt break down the power of Sharran Srivatsaa's 10-10-Forever Rule. They get into the difference between friends of convenience and friends of excellence — and why both matter when building a thriving, relationship-based real estate business.

If you’ve ever felt frustrated when friends don’t refer you — or wondered how to balance business and personal relationships — this conversation is for you.

In this episode, they cover:

The 3 types of friends in your world: Right-Now, Convenience, and Excellence
Why you don’t need hundreds of close friends to build a $30M+ business
How to know which relationships deserve deeper investment
Why you should stop keeping score if you want genuine connections
How 10 incredible people can become your “forever” circle and change everything

Be sure to subscribe and like for more episodes of Life at Ten Tenths, where we help real estate professionals build businesses by relationship — and live life at the pinnacle of their ability and purpose.

📲 Ready to go deeper?

Download the Life at Ten Tenths App and join our Inside Track community for daily content, resources, and coaching: https://lifeattentenths.com

Let's go!

From Wanting Out to Being All In - Meet John Griswold (Building a Real Estate Business) Sep 04, 2025

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In this episode of Life at Ten Tenths, we sit down with San Diego Realtor John Griswold, who opens up about the reality of hitting burnout after running a $45M real estate business—and how hiring a real estate coach helped him rebuild a stronger, more balanced $30M+ business.

We talk about:

The hidden danger of “What if I fail?” thinking
The importance of designing an end-of-day shutdown routine
How simple, repeatable systems can double your real estate production
Why choosing the right coach can help you create both success and a life you love

If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed, stuck, or unsure of your next step, this episode will give you the tools (and the mindset shift) to move forward with confidence.

To connect with John or his team, go to https://griswoldgroupproperties.com/

(Thanks, John! Such a pleasure to have you in our world! )

Double Your Real Estate Business with 2 Simple Systems Sep 01, 2025

Show notes

What if doubling your business didn’t mean doubling your hours?

In this episode, Matt and Garrett share the two simple weekly systems that have helped countless Realtors build sustainable, referral-driven businesses. Drawing on their experience coaching top-producing agents across the country, they break down how to:

Use consistent customer service calls to spark new opportunities
Leverage Market Impact Reports to stay relevant with your database
Create an “end-of-day” routine that keeps you clear, focused, and energized
Avoid the chaos of chasing business — and build a business that feels good to run

If you’ve been feeling overwhelmed, stuck in the weeds, or wondering how to get more results without working 24/7, this episode is your roadmap to clarity, consistency, and growth.

🔑 Listen now to learn how to implement these two simple systems and start doubling your real estate business.

The 325-Person Database Behind 100 Deals per Year - Meet Ian Schwartz Aug 28, 2025

Show notes

.How do you build a referral-only business that reliably closes ~100 deals a year?

Chicago agent Ian Schwartz walks through his 325-person SOI, monthly touches, and talkable client moments like Pint Night—a system he’s refined over 28 years with Coldwell Banker, now nearing $1B in career sales.

You’ll learn

Why a focused database outperforms a massive one—and how each contact hears from him monthly.
The postcard formula listeners notice (and keep).
How “Pint Night” + reviews become referral fuel.
The long-game of consistent $30–60M/year volume.

Links

Lowball Offers: Don't Get Offended—Win the Counter (Agent Tactics) Aug 25, 2025

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Join us on the Inside Track, click here for the details.

Lowball offers aren’t insults—they’re signals. In this episode, we show listing agents how to keep emotion out of the negotiation, present every offer with confidence, and win the counter by protecting strong terms while moving price intelligently.

You’ll learn

The mindset shift that stops deals from dying on your side
The exact way to present “bad” offers without triggering seller defensiveness
Why you should break the contract down line-by-line before talking price
Which terms matter most (financing, timelines, appraisal/inspection, rent-back, credits)
When to pick up the phone or meet in person (and stop negotiating by text)

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End of Day Routine Every Agent Needs: The Beauty of Closing Open Tabs Aug 21, 2025

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Are you one of those real estate agents who lies awake at night with your mind racing through tomorrow's to-do list, wondering if you forgot to follow up with that client or send that important email?

In this essential episode of Life at 10/10ths, hosts Matt Bonelli and Garrett Fry tackle one of the biggest challenges facing modern entrepreneurs: the inability to truly "shut down" at the end of the workday. They reveal why most morning routines fail and introduce the game-changing concept of proper day-end closure.

In This Episode, You'll Discover:

Why your brain keeps mental "tabs" open all night and how to close them systematically
The 4 C's framework for perfect day shutdown: Collect, Categorize, Calendar, Close
How to stop the cycle of checking emails "one last time" before bed
Why successful agents review their next day's calendar during shutdown
The difference between being "always on" and being strategically available
Practical techniques for communicating day-end status with team members
How to create symbolic rituals that signal work completion to your brain

Key Topics Covered:

End-of-day routines, work-life boundaries, mental overwhelm, productivity systems, calendar management, team communication, stress reduction, sleep quality improvement, business organization, and sustainable work practices.

Matt and Garrett share insights from their recent 11 Circle group coaching session, including real questions from agents struggling with work-life balance. They provide actionable frameworks drawn from Cal Newport's "Deep Work" principles and share personal examples of effective shutdown routines.

Perfect for: Real estate agents feeling constantly overwhelmed, entrepreneurs who struggle to disconnect from work, business owners dealing with mental clutter, team leaders seeking better communication systems, and anyone whose work thoughts interfere with personal time and sleep quality.

Featured Strategies:

The "punch card" mentality for business owners, TV channel switching technique for mental transitions, Simon Sarver's assistant communication protocol, cardboard project tracking system, AI-powered brain dump methods, and symbolic closure rituals.

About Life at 10/10ths:

Life at 10/10ths inspires real estate professionals and entrepreneurs to live at the pinnacle of their ability and purpose. Hosts Matt Bonelli and Garrett Fry provide practical, tested strategies for building successful businesses while maintaining fulfilling personal lives and strong family relationships.

Connect with Life at 10/10ths:

Download the Life at 10/10ths app for exclusive community access and resources
Visit lifeattentenths.com for comprehensive training programs and coaching options
Join the 11 Circle group coaching community for weekly sessions and peer support
Access Inside Track for daily productivity content and business growth strategies

Subscribe and Review: If this episode helped you create better work-life boundaries, please subscribe and leave a review. Your feedback helps us reach more entrepreneurs who need these essential business systems.

Tags: end of day routine, work life balance, real estate productivity, business systems, overwhelm, time management, entrepreneurship, stress management, sleep quality, mental clarity, business organization

Stop Asking 'What If I Fail?' (Ask This Instead) Aug 18, 2025

Show notes

Are you trapped in a cycle of "what if I fail?" thinking that's keeping you from pursuing your biggest goals and dreams?

In this episode of Life at Ten Tenths, hosts Matt Bonelli and Garrett Frey tackle one of the biggest obstacles to success: the natural tendency to focus on negative "what if" scenarios instead of positive possibilities. They reveal why our brains default to worst-case thinking and provide practical strategies for flipping the script.

In This Episode, You'll Discover:

Why we always focus on negative "what ifs" instead of positive outcomes
The board-breaking exercise that helps eliminate fear-based thinking
How to use the "crumple and throw away" technique for negative thoughts
Why asking "what if nothing changes?" is the most powerful question
The difference between objective analysis and fear-based excuses
Real-life examples of successful "what if it works?" thinking
How negative media consumption amplifies worst-case scenario thinking
Practical frameworks for making decisions based on possibility, not fear

Key Topics Covered:

Fear-based decision making, mindset transformation, goal achievement, risk assessment, positive thinking strategies, overcoming limiting beliefs, business decision making, life transitions, confidence building, and success psychology.

Matt and Garrett share personal stories about their own "what if" moments, including their decision to launch Life at 10/10ths and major life transitions. They provide actionable techniques for identifying when you're stuck in negative thinking patterns and how to redirect your focus toward empowering possibilities.

Perfect for: Entrepreneurs facing big decisions, real estate agents considering career moves, anyone feeling stuck by fear of failure, people contemplating major life changes, and business professionals looking to overcome limiting beliefs.

Connect with Life at Ten Tenths:

Download the Life at Ten Tenths app for exclusive content and community access
Visit lifeattentenths.com for coaching programs and resources
Join the 11 Circle group coaching community for weekly sessions

Subscribe and Review: If this episode helped shift your perspective, subscribe and leave a review. Your feedback helps us reach more people who need these mindset strategies.

Tags: mindset, fear, decision making, goal setting, success psychology, entrepreneurship, real estate, business growth, personal development, limiting beliefs, confidence, risk taking

The System Check Every Real Estate Agent Needs to Do Aug 14, 2025

Show notes

Are you a real estate agent feeling overwhelmed, missing follow-ups, or watching deals slip through the cracks? It's time for a critical system check.

In this episode of Life at Ten Tenths, hosts Matt Bonelli and Garrett Frey reveal how to identify and fix the "holes in your boat" before they sink your real estate business.

Whether you're dealing with longer listing times, client communication gaps, or feeling completely overwhelmed, this system audit will help you build a more efficient and profitable real estate business.

This conversation gets into:

How to spot hidden problems destroying your real estate systems
The time audit technique that reveals where you're losing money and opportunities
Why customer service calls are the #1 missed opportunity for agents
How to prioritize which business problems to fix first (and which to ignore)
The difference between quick fixes vs. permanent solutions for your systems
Strategies for handling increased business capacity without burning out
Real examples of system breakdowns and how to prevent them

Key Topics Covered:

System audits for real estate professionals, capacity planning, customer service frameworks, time management strategies, business bottleneck identification, market shift preparation, productivity systems, client communication protocols, and business maintenance strategies.

When you're moving fast (busy market), you might not notice the holes. But when things slow down, or when you add more capacity, those system failures become obvious and costly.

This episode is perfect for: New real estate agents building foundational systems, experienced agents hitting growth plateaus, team leaders managing multiple people, and anyone feeling like their business is "leaking" profits and opportunities.

Subscribe and Review: Be sure to like and subscribe Life at Ten Tenths and if you are feeling particularly connected today, leave a review. Your feedback helps us reach more real estate professionals.

Tags: real estate business, real estate agent training, business systems, productivity, time management, client communication, real estate coaching, business growth, market strategies, real estate success

How to Rehearse Real Estate Conversations & Negotiations Effectively. Aug 11, 2025

Show notes

Build Confidence in Real Estate by Practicing Before Client Meetings

Are you a real estate agent struggling with confidence during client conversations and negotiations? In this episode of Life at Ten Tenths, Matt Bonelli and Garrett Frey break down why practicing and rehearsing your real estate skills before client meetings is essential to success.

Learn how to:

Prepare for key conversations and negotiations without risking your client’s experience
Use role-playing, mental rehearsal, and peer practice to sharpen your skills
Avoid common rookie mistakes that can hurt your reputation
Build authentic confidence that shows up in every interaction
Leverage tools and techniques to simulate real-world scenarios before “game time”

Whether you’re a new agent or a seasoned pro, these strategies will help you bring your A-game to every client meeting, reduce stress, and close more deals with confidence.

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