5 High Performance Habits That Helped This Mortgage Leader Close 50+ Loans Per Month

Introduction

Want to know the secret habits behind top mortgage professionals? In this exclusive interview with Jeff Aronheim of CrossCountry Mortgage, we uncover the exact strategies that transformed him from an engineer to a mortgage lending powerhouse.

Jeff reveals his journey from struggling team leader to high-performance coach, and shares the daily rituals that have helped him build a thriving business while maintaining a 25-year marriage and competing as a physique athlete.

Ready to revolutionize your approach to mortgage lending? Let's dive into Jeff's proven formula for success.

Key Takeaways:

• Design your "perfect week" calendar system to maximize productivity
• Invest in multiple coaches to accelerate your growth curve
• Build leadership skills specifically for team management (different from technical skills)
• Use physical fitness to boost your energy and client-facing performance
• Surround yourself with professionals operating at your desired future level

What Truly Defines High Performance in Today's Mortgage Industry

What separates average loan officers from the elite performers? According to Jeff, it all comes down to two factors:

"High performance is really just clarity of purpose - knowing exactly what you want, knowing what that end post looks like, and going there."

But vision alone isn't enough. Jeff emphasizes that the real difference-maker is in your daily habits:

"High performance is sort of the day-to-day rituals and habits that you develop... what time you get up, what you do first thing in the morning, how you build out your calendar."

His secret weapon? A "perfect week" calendar system where he literally designs his ideal schedule and then simply executes it without wasting mental energy on constant decision-making.

This approach has helped Jeff become a top performer at CrossCountry Mortgage, one of the nation's largest retail mortgage lenders, where he runs what he calls "a business within a business."

From Technical Expert to Team Leader: The Hardest Transition in Mortgage Lending

Here's a truth most mortgage professionals don't talk about: the skills that make you a great loan officer can actually hold you back as a team leader.

Jeff learned this lesson the hard way after joining his wife in the mortgage business in 2005 (after taking a severance package rather than relocating for his engineering career).

"Everything I learned in engineering school was to be an individual performer and had nothing to do with how to lead people and manage people," Jeff reveals. "I was a disaster. I hired the wrong people, I was a terrible leader, we went through staff all the time, they didn't like working for me."

This struggle continued for nearly 15 years—a startling admission from someone now recognized for his leadership abilities.

The breakthrough came when Jeff:

• Invested in extensive leadership coaching
• Had painful conversations about his management style
• Took full accountability for team turnover
• Learned to build systems before hiring people

For mortgage professionals looking to scale beyond solo production, Jeff's experience provides a crucial warning: don't expect technical lending expertise to translate automatically into leadership success.

The Unexpected Connection Between Physical Fitness and Mortgage Sales

Perhaps the most surprising element of Jeff's high-performance strategy is his 13-year commitment to physical fitness, including competing in physique competitions since 2015.

What started as regular training sessions evolved into competitive bodybuilding after his trainer repeatedly suggested he had the right physical structure for competition.

The results went far beyond physical transformation:

"When I'm training, I'm emanating just this energy... when you're feeling good, you're high energy, and it's rippling like a pebble in the pond. I can see people feeling it—my team members, my clients feel it."

In fact, Jeff noticed that his business results peaked during the same periods he was training most intensely for competitions. The discipline required for physical transformation created a powerful synergy with his professional performance.

This connection between physical health and business success offers a powerful insight for mortgage professionals looking to gain an edge in client acquisition and team leadership.

Why Most Mortgage Professionals Hit a Plateau (And How to Break Through)

According to Jeff, the difference between steady growth and hitting a ceiling comes down to your relationship with discomfort:

"People say they want to do something and grow, but the process actually sucks. Like when you're in the middle of these competitions, it's not fun in the moment. You're just grinding, and it's a battle, but when you get through the other side of it, that's when you can celebrate."

This philosophy extends directly to his mortgage business. Rather than settling into comfortable patterns after initial success, Jeff continually pushes beyond his comfort zone through:

1. Multiple specialized coaches: Jeff maintains ongoing relationships with a business coach (12+ years), a body coach (13+ years), and a "mental coach" (since 2006) who helps him and his wife work together effectively.
2. Exposure to higher standards: A pivotal moment came at a coaching summit where Jeff, who was aiming to close 12 loans monthly, met professionals closing 50+ loans per month. "All of a sudden my vision went from here to here, and I'm like, 'Well, if this person can do it, and they seem like a normal guy like me, I can figure this out.'"
3. Constant skill development: Even after decades in the business, Jeff invests heavily in learning and improvement rather than relying on past success.

For mortgage professionals feeling stuck, Jeff's example suggests that breaking through requires both structured support (coaches) and exposure to higher standards of performance.

Your Action Plan: Implementing High-Performance Habits in Your Mortgage Business

Jeff Aronheim's journey provides a clear blueprint for mortgage professionals looking to achieve sustainable high performance. Here's how to apply his principles to your business starting today:

1. Design your perfect week: Block time for your highest-value activities first, and create a template you can follow consistently.
2. Invest in multiple forms of coaching: Consider not just business coaching, but also physical health and mental/relationship support.
3. Seek out mortgage professionals performing at 4-5x your current level: Their example will expand your vision of what's possible.
4. Build systems before hiring: Document processes and create automation before bringing on team members.
5. Approach leadership as a separate skill: Recognize that managing people requires different abilities than originating loans.

Whether you're an individual loan officer or leading a team, implementing these principles can help you achieve greater success while maintaining balance across all life domains.

FREE TRAINING: 3 Proven Strategies to Double Your Mortgage Leads Without Working More Hours

Want to build a stronger online presence and generate more quality leads for your mortgage business? Download our free training that shows you exactly how to implement high-performance lead generation strategies.

Don't wait to start implementing these high-performance habits in your mortgage business. The difference between where you are now and where you could be is simply a matter of applying the right systems consistently.