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Sometimes Quitters ARE Winners

By
Services for Real Estate Pros with The Scene Lab

The DipHall of Famer, Vince Lombardi is quoted as saying, “Winners never quit and quitters never win.” While his point is well taken (we need to persevere during tough times), quitting can be a good thing when done selectively.

If you are a real estate professional and you are wondering whether you should keep hanging in there with the market in a funk, it is vital that you come to grips with this concept. Best selling author, Seth Godin in his latest book, The Dip, talks about how quitting can be the best career move you ever make.

The book is not simply about quitting your profession, but rather how to determine when to abandon certain tactics, ideas and services that are stealing your time and energy. We make it a habit to laud individuals who are well rounded. In certain cases however, being well rounded equates to having a lack of focus and spreading oneself too thin, both of which will have catastrophic results. If you are finding yourself in the position where you are an average agent, an average home stager, an average photographer, you have a decision to make.

You can continue to be average and find limited success, or you can quit the things that you are not very good at and do not have a passion for, and become the best at something. How do you figure out if you need to get out of your profession altogether? Let me not spoil the book for you, it is a great read, (or for those of you like me who are on the go, a great listen). Noone wants to be called a quitter. But some times we have to quit certain things in order to find ourselves a winner.

Patricia Aulson
BERKSHIRE HATHAWAY HOME SERVICES Verani Realty NH Real Estate - Exeter, NH
Realtor - Portsmouth NH Homes-Hampton NH Homes

Thanks for the list of books.

 

Patrica Aulson/REALTOR Hampton NH/ME & MA

May 18, 2007 06:32 AM
John Caylor
Infinity Financial Group - Post Falls, ID
Post Falls, ID Mortgages
Great post...thank you!!
May 18, 2007 06:35 AM
Eric Carlsen
The Scene Lab - New York, NY
Patricia - I think there are some worthwhile gems in a few of those books.

John - Thanks for dropping by, and for leaving some feedback as well.
May 18, 2007 06:41 AM
Ricardo Bueno
Diverse Solutions - Los Angeles, CA

Sounds intruiging enough...I think I'll pick it up!

Thanks for sharing!

May 18, 2007 08:28 AM
Eric Carlsen
The Scene Lab - New York, NY
Not a problem Ricardo, hope you enjoy the book.
May 18, 2007 08:59 AM
Jeff Fulgham
T.U.P. Realty - Tupelo, MS
Broker E-Pro ABR
Good points. I see so much turn over in this business you would hope that someone gets through to them before they even get started. The good Realtors will survive no matter what kind or market we are in.
May 19, 2007 08:02 AM
Eric Carlsen
The Scene Lab - New York, NY
Jeff,
Good points on both counts. Thanks for your comments.
May 20, 2007 12:34 AM
Christina Lackey
Coldwell Banker Prime Properties - North Syracuse, NY
Syracuse Central New York Real Estate
Eric- This is a good point.  It is sometimes hard to distinguish what we need to do from what we THINK we need to do.
May 20, 2007 12:58 PM
Sharon Simms
Coastal Properties Group International - Christie's International - Saint Petersburg, FL
St. Petersburg FL - CRS CIPS CLHMS RSPS
Good review - I like Seth Godin's books. You may want to add your post to Active Rain Book Club so it will get more exposure among readers.
May 28, 2007 10:25 AM
Christina Ethridge
The North Idaho Dream Team powered by SKE Realty Group - Coeur d'Alene, ID
Ok - you've just added another 'must read' to my long list.  Thanks!
Jul 05, 2007 03:17 AM
Maura Neill
RE/MAX Around Atlanta - Alpharetta, GA
North Metro Atlanta Real Estate

Hi, Eric! Thanks for reminding me about this book. I had heard about it awhile back from a colleague and then promptly forgot its name! Now I have written it down and can order it!

Thanks again!

~Maura Gebhardt

Jul 17, 2007 04:19 PM
Sally Smith Smith
Lost AR member - Amboy, MN
Thanks!  Just a reminder change in inevitable and if you don't change with the times you will be left behind.
Jul 18, 2007 12:09 AM
Steven Shewell
Primary Residential Mortgage, Inc. - Ephrata, PA
The Mortgage Maverick
Good advice.  Too many times people let the competitive edge get the best of them and don't know when to fold up their tent and go home.  If you no longer have the passion for the business, it's time to do something else.
Jul 18, 2007 12:40 AM
Maribeth Messineo Peters
214-566-1210 - Dallas, TX
Dallas native-Preston Hollow Greenway Parks expert

Thanks for the link to Seth Godin's blog! He is so inventive and one of the best marketing minds around. I just bought his book  Purple Cow: Transform Your Business By Being Remarkable. I will have to add his new book The Dip to my must read list as well.

Maribeth Peters - Dallas

Sep 01, 2007 01:32 PM
Melissa Marro
Keller Williams First Coast Realty - The Marro Team - Orange Park, FL
Jacksonville Real Estate and Home Staging
Seth - I often talk about finding a niche.  It is so important in this day & age to be great at something.  Average just doesn't cut it.  Great post!
Sep 01, 2007 01:59 PM