Make Someone Happy !

     I was sitting with a new agent the other day. I was trying to get a handle on why they had chosen this profession. If I can determine what motivated them to join the ranks of Realtors, I can then delve a little deeper into what might be that one factor that will separate them from those that have tried and failed and those that are still active today.

     The young lad turned the question around and asked me..."Why are you a Realtor? You have had great success in other industries. Why are you still practicing this profession?"

     I gave it a moments thought. I have always known the why. I smiled and said this profession offers me an abundance of opportunities to make someone happy. Everyday, I have the chance to make a difference in one person's life. Why, I often have the chance to make a difference in many lives with just one transaction. As a Realtor.........I can make someone happy!

     Now I understand that there are some agents that are truly money motivated. When they think of a transaction, they immediately begin calculating how much they will earn. They will pause between different stages of a sale and gaze at the picture of the new car or new boat or new golf clubs that will soon be in their reach. They have vacation flyer's that offer tantalizing pictures of exotic places. They pause and dream.

     I will be the first to admit that I have failed every test administered to determine if I were money motivated. When I was younger and moving through different career paths, more than one human resources staffer scratched their head upon reviewing the psycho-evaluation test. Money never did it for me. That does not mean that those that are money motivated are any better or worse than me. Nope, you see I have grown wiser in old age and I understand that money can provide some people with the means to be happy. If it is money you seek, make transactions and you will be happy. The collateral benefit is that those involved in the transaction will also be happy.

     Some agents love the recognition and awards that come with success. I am never surprised to see the "top 1% of Realtors Nationwide" on business cards. I know that many of the best agents in my office have walls that are filled beyond negative space with plaques and awards from days gone by. I have seen the joy that recognition brings to their face. They are proud of their accomplishments.

     I don't think it is unusual to desire recognition of a job well done. Agents are usually beaming a wonderful smile when that step up to receive an award. They are happy. If awards and recognition are your goal, make transactions and you will be happy. The collateral benefit is that the transactions necessary to complete to achieve higher levels will have created lots of happy people.

     Maybe it is time that we set aside the dollar figures and the awards and stepped back from the recognition and admitted the base need that is being fulfilled every time we accomplish our goal. We make someone happy. The happiness certainly can begin with ourselves. The happiness may be measured in dollars and cents. The happiness may carry an award or special recognition. The happiness is our goal.

This is not the goal. This is a sign that the goal has been accomplished!

     I am both proud and privileged to be a Realtor. I firmly believe that those of us that have chosen this profession make a tremendous difference in our communities one deal at a time. We may not be as haughty as Attorneys or Doctors. We may not have to pass multi-hour exams to become licensed. We work and live in the communities we serve. Realtors are active participants in the ever changing landscape of our society. We are called on to be counselor, confessor, adviser and friend. We are required to possess general knowledge and the integrity to direct our clients to the proper professionals. We are Realtors and we should be proud.

This may be the symbol on our lapel.

This is the symbol of a career well spent.

     It is never to late to understand that your personal success is within reach every day. You need only get up, get out the door and be committed to the goal that today, you will....

Make Someone Happy !