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Are you committed to the day? I am, because I have to find a job today!

By
Real Estate Broker/Owner with Richard Weisser Realty

Wildflower with Raindrops by Richard WeisserOne of the main reasons I obtained a real estate license in 1984 was the notion of "being your own boss, and setting your own hours." How marvelously appealing is the thought that you are obliged to no one but yourself ...and the day!

And yet, since I have the ability to set own work schedule, I am also forced to be the only one to dedicate myself to the reality of making a living, and I have the sole responsibility for the success or failure of my business.

And so, I commit myself to the DAY! I rise out of bed at 6 A.M. seven days a week, 365 days a year. I perform my "routine" functions with the same zeal and vigor every morning, regardless of how I feel or what I would rather be doing.

If I have appointments scheduled, I do all of the necessary preparation required to maintain a competitive edge. If the day offers flexible time, I have about a hundred ordinary chores that need attention, so I fill the voids with all of the mundane but necessary ancillary tasks.

Vacations are a thing of the past, because I am a stern and difficult taskmaster. There is work to be done, and it never ends. Each day in the real estate business presents this awesome certainty:

I lose my job every day, and I have to find a new job every day!

Oh, what a blessing and joy it would be to have a nine to five job, so I could go home at night and rest without the phone ringing and the Internet maintenance. How sweet it would be to get three weeks off each year with pay. That seems like a dream to me.

Instead, on every new day, I have a new job. And I must prove myself to my new employer.

Over, and over, and over again!

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Comments(107)

Celeste "SALLY" Cheeseman
Liberty Homes - Mililani, HI
(RA) AHWD CRS ePRO OAHU HAWAII REAL ESTATE

I love the different aspects of my job....new faces...new jobs...every day. New employers and old ones who stay in contact....it's a wonderful day each day isn't it?  Not easily obtainable but seemingly better just for the variety lol

May 19, 2009 03:12 PM
Kellie Fitzgerald
Kellie Fitzgerald - Chiricahua Real Estate - Pearce, AZ

What a great way of looking at our business.  I had never thought of it that way, but you're right on.  Thanks for bringing this to my attention...brings a whole new sense of urgency to things!

May 19, 2009 03:31 PM
Terry & Bonnie Westbrook
Westbrook Realty Broker-Owner - Grand Rapids, MI
Westbrook Realty - Grand Rapids Forest Hills MI Re

Just the morning you decide to take off is the day a buyer calls wanting to buy.  I sure like the freedom also but the ups and down can get you.

May 19, 2009 04:03 PM
Courtney Cooper
Cooper Jacobs - Seattle, WA
206-850-8841

amen:)  I have tried to explain this to my husband while he is looking for a job.  This is how I feel all the time:) 

May 19, 2009 04:18 PM
Christine Donovan
Donovan Blatt Realty - Costa Mesa, CA
Broker/Attorney 714-319-9751 DRE01267479 - Costa M

Being self employed is a tough task master, then I've added my own brokerage and law firm on to it, just for fun ; )

May 19, 2009 04:26 PM
Mike Henderson
Your complete source for buying HUD homes - Littleton, CO
HUD Home Hub - 303-949-5848

Great post.  I'm going to be teaching a class next week, "The parallels of real estate and poker" next week.  I'm addressing this very issue.

May 19, 2009 04:28 PM
Dean Moss
Dean's Team - Keller Williams Realty Partners Chicago IL - Chicago, IL
Dean's Team Chicago IL Real Estate Team

Richard -

Like Zig Ziglar, pump hard enough to get those first drops of water, and continual easy pumping keeps the torrents flowing.

You are so right - every day, you wake up in this business - you are unemployed.  Need a new job!

Those that think this is easy have it wrong - and they don't have the gumption, likely, to make things happen like we do, every day, on our own.

But don't forget to carve out time for things really important in life - your family, your children, those who love you.

Years from now, when we're gone, the words "He (She) Was One Hell of a Realtor" will not appear on your tombstone!  But your legacy of love and caring, and sharing with others, will never die!

You hit the nail on the head, my friend.

Take Care!

DEAN & DEAN'S TEAM CHICAGO

May 19, 2009 04:54 PM
Lisa Hill
Florida Property Experts - Daytona Beach, FL
Daytona Beach Real Estate

Real estate ain't for sissies! And it certainly isn't for those with lackadaisical attitudes! It requires self-control, self-motivation, dedication and discipline. It's a sink or swim career path... not for the faint at heart.

Excellent post! =D

May 19, 2009 06:44 PM
Sue Gabriel
Cleveland, OH

When I was in my 9 to 5 job, I also loved the free evenings and weekends. But the reason I loved that time off, was because I didn't like my job! Now I LOVE my job...and don't mind doing it in the evenings and on weekends. And I can go grocery shopping in the early morning when everything is new and fresh, or head to the gym and actually not have to wait for a treadmill! It's a trade-off, and I absolutely love it!! Last night, I even took my husband with me showing some bankowned houses. He kept me company in the car, and we had some "us" time to catch up on our day. Plus the neighborhood wasn't the best, so I felt safer...as did my client. Finding that family balance is the most challenging part of this business...and having the support of our loved ones is paramount!

 

May 19, 2009 10:57 PM
Kim Peasley-Parker
AgentOwned Realty, Heritage Group, Inc. - Sumter, SC

Richard- Great post.  I like your comment about receiving your "severance package"  some of those packages you are so ready for!!!!  What you have said is sooooo true. 

May 19, 2009 11:43 PM
William James Walton Sr.
WEICHERT, REALTORS® - Briotti Group - Waterbury, CT
Greater Waterbury Real Estate

From a slightly different perspective: while I love the thrill of real estate, the uncertainty of it all leaves me somewhat grateful that I actually do have another job that answers the questions of medical benefits, vacation/sick/personal time and specific pay raises on a regular basis. Outside of that, you are right on the money - and I am also looking for a new job every day, when it comes to real estate - because each prospect that I am after to convert into a client is a new job for me.

May 20, 2009 12:10 AM
Dana Wilkinson
Connect Realty, The Woodlands, TX - The Woodlands, TX
Broker-Your TX agent for The Woodlands-Spring-Conr

I liked the comment:  Need a job, schedule a vacation!  So true.  Need rain, wash the car. Need some internet leads, leave the house and the lead will have no phone number attached, but need immediate information.  It is the thrill of living on the edge that must make us do it!

May 20, 2009 02:31 AM
Ed Vogt
Midwest Properties of Michigan - Grandville, MI
Grandville, MI Midwest Properties

I think I will hire myself to get my office organized today :)

May 20, 2009 03:26 AM
Gene Riemenschneider
Home Point Real Estate - Brentwood, CA
Turning Houses into Homes

Although I have been in Real Estate 5 years I have been self-employed or on commission most of my life.  The problem is when things are busy you cannot take a vacation and when things are not busy you are too scared to take a vacation.

May 20, 2009 03:43 AM
Lyn Sims
Schaumburg, IL
Real Estate Broker Retired

You bet, every day it starts again.  That's what I hate about New Years - start the year at zero.

May 20, 2009 03:56 AM
B B
Peachland, BC

ABSOLUTELY TRUE!!! This was GREAT! Thanks buddy, that was very motivational, well other than the vacations being part of the past that was depressing cause it's true. LOL

May 20, 2009 10:16 AM
Cristal Drake
Prudential California Realty - Fullerton, CA
Realtor - Fullerton Real Estate

All work and no play makes Richard....exactly like my husband! You had me until the vacation thing....sorry, I work hard too but I need a vacation every now and then!  We have to re-charge our batteries for that daily job search!

May 20, 2009 02:42 PM
Anonymous
Debbie Logan Realty Executives Nevada's Choice

Is anybody whistling out their? I like to work hard and play hard. Miss the regular paycheck, wouldn't change a thing. Remember whistle to while you work.

May 20, 2009 04:20 PM
#106
Kenneth Young
Uni International LLC - Virginia Beach, VA

99% of business owners have the same kind of day.... and so, Business Brokers have to work with them on their schedule....

But, it's the freedom of choice.......

 

Jun 12, 2009 09:06 AM
Sonja Adams
Keller Williams Realty - Purcellville, VA

Great post for those that are losing steam...thanks!

Jun 28, 2009 11:36 PM