From the time my children were small I always told them that they could talk to me about anything. Now that they are teenagers I sometimes wonder if I really want to hear everything they tell me.  I'm constantly thinking, "Why can't you talk to Dad about this?"  In any event, one day my teenage son looks as though he has the weight of the world on his shoulders.  When I inquire about what he's thinking about, he hesitates than says, "Mom, what if you are doing your best and it just doesn't seem to be good enough"?

Good question right?  How many times have you wondered that as an adult, and more importantly, as a Realtor?  There are times in our career when it seems our clients take us through the wringer and we can't seem to do anything right in their eyes. Try as we might, they seem to find fault in all that we do.  So what do you do?

There are different answers to this question depending on the stages of your client "relationship".  If it is early on in the process, you may want to refer them to another agent. Saying this "isn't a good fit" is a kind way to bow out. But if you are under contract awaiting settlement, "leaving" the relationship is probably not an option.  So what do you do?

I think you can only wait it out.  Since you know you can't seem to please this client, just continue to do your job to the best of your ability.  There will always be people who will find fault in every little detail, but you can't control that.  But what you can control is how you handle the situation.  You are a professional, so handle the situation in a professional manner...no matter how they treat you.  Do you have any other suggestions?

Candy Miles-Crocker

Real-Life Real Estate Training

 
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51 Comments on When Your Best Just Isn't Good Enough!

20 Most Recent Comments Displayed Show All

APR
06
2011
1,126,750 Points 90 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Sometimes it's just not a good fit. Did your son tell you the origin of this statement? I hope he did and that you could help him on the right path.

If your best is not good enough, a choice must be made, no matter how hard it is. 
9:05pm • #32
25 Featured Posts Outside Blog

Erica, my son was having problems with his girlfriend at the time...we talked it through :-)
9:08pm • #33
244,267 Points 22 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Don't ever let someone else define what you are worth.  We cannot please everyone all the time.  Chin up!
9:56pm • #34
257,502 Points 2 Featured Posts

I believe in giving it your best, handling the complaints or concerns of the client, and just riding it out.  It's funny, some of my toughest clients, who I thought I would never hear from after the close, have given me referrals, and repeat business.  Sometimes I think it's just the pressure of the situation that gets to people.  I know it's all too easy to say, "don't take it personally", but in the end I think that's what we all have to do.  In regards to your teenage son's girl problems, as a former teenage boy, I would tell him, don't worry, there will be others. Sounds harsh I know.  But it's true.  Good post Candy and best of luck to you.
9:57pm • #35
177,169 Points 7 Featured Posts Called Shot Master

I would say your right on, pass the buck if its not to late. If it is too late, grin and bear it and do your best. It is hell working with some clients for sure! Just be glad it is only a temporary employment contract and not a traditional job where you are stuck with them a long time.LOL
10:54pm • #36
APR
07
2011
975,855 Points 6 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master
I would refer it out for a fair referral fee and save your sanity.
12:12am • #37
466,570 Points 50 Featured Posts Called Shot Master

Candy, sometimes our best is not enough. I've told some clients, I've done my best, this is all I can do for you. It's a nice way of saying, "take it or leave it." Like your son and in our profession, when we know in our hearts we've done our best, external circumstances may be showing us a different way, or path, to choose for our own happiness and well-being. Lovely post, thank you,
12:36am • #38
Outside Blog

Great post Candy. I coach a couple different soccer teams and I tell every team the same thing. All I ask is that you give me 100% during the game. Whether we win or lose is not important as long as you know that you have played as hard as you can. We may not win all of our games but I tell you my girls always give 100%. Makes me proud to be their coach.
12:45am • #39

Candy, excellent food for thought.  I certainly don't want to give my kids (or myself) expectations that can't be met.  But I want to keep the bar high, at the same time, and pass those values on.  I guess I'm learning that infrequently situations occur that we can't ace like we want to, there's a disconnect.  And then the best communication possible is essential and move forward.  Easier said than done with teenage relationship issues though!
Lori
10:46am • #40
146,424 Points 2 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Candy - All any of us can do is our best. As long as we live in the light of our truths, whatever that may be, that's all we can do.

We cannot control anyone else's actions but our own.

Hugs to your son. :)
10:49am • #41
986,706 Points 106 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog

Yes, I do have a suggestion. You can go on vacation and hand over your pending sale to an agent in your office for a pre-arranged fee paid upon closing. I don't care if your "vacation" is your back yard, either. Life is short and then you die. Too short to put up with people who don't appreciate it when you've done you're best and it's just not good enough for them.
11:17am • #42
270,432 Points 13 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Candy - great post.  I understand exactly what you mean.  I think that oftentimes clients think that THEY could do all of it without us.  Been there, done that.  Best of luck to you!
11:34am • #43
731,668 Points 15 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Candy, you can't please everyone all the time. All you can do is your best.
11:49am • #44

Candy:  Just seems like that is the most mature way to go about it.  Reflecting on what you said, I have just had a buyer (still do, supposed to close today) that at one point no matter what I did or said was the wrong thing.  Finally, I just said, you are the expert, go at it alone & when you have questions I be here to help.  A nice way of using the overused new phrase of 'we aren't a good fit'.
1:16pm • #45
1 Featured Post Outside Blog Hit Router

Candy, the reality is that sometimes our best is not good enough. In sports there is clarity because the score will reflect the winner. So even though your favorite team played at their very best and lost then the fact is their best was not good enough. In business when our best isnt good enough we need to do the same, in this case fire the client. I win because now I have time to go out and find another client who will be a better fit.

thanks for the post
2:14pm • #46

Whenever I have done my absolute best I've always felt great...even when I DIDN'T win.  On the flip-side, when I've done less then my best I've felt quite disappointed...even when I DID win.  Sometimes we do not win deals/relationships for reasons beyond our control (or not revealed to us).  Some deals just don't close, no matter who they go to (I've tracked some).  Regarding your title, when my best just wasn't good enough it was always an opportunity to learn what it would take to win in that situation the next time.  If winning that type of situation was really something that I wanted, all I then did was draw the line/steps in between where I clearly was and where I clearly needed to be to win.  Author, Max Lucado wrote about being a jigsaw puzzle piece in the world and working best in our "sweet spot" and not trying to force our piece into a spot that is more appropriately shaped for someone else's unique piece/gifts, but instead thriving in our own "sweet spot."
2:59pm • #47
1,330,006 Points 37 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Candy

All you can do is all you can do. When you give your best you become the best.

Good luck and success.

Lou Ludwig
9:08pm • #48
1 Featured Post Outside Blog

Candy, You summed it up beautifully. I wouldn't change or add a thing.
10:02pm • #49
APR
08
2011

Though i agree we can't please everyone, I also believe in setting the expectation at the beginning of the relation. Maybe laying out the rules and condition since the first time we meet the client is important. I think that we most take time to determine what this client is looking for and if he or she is a good match for us. I think if we do that it can save us from frustration and waste of time.
Michelle
8:52am • #50
APR
11
2011
135,812 Points 4 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Sometimes our best is never enough but we have to take it in stide. Build relationships with key clients so you can grow your business on referrals and work with who YOU want to work with.

Rich Gaasenbeek, IXACT Contact, The Easy Way To Manage Your Contacts
4:13pm • #51

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Candy Miles-Crocker Realtor Real-Life Real Estate Training

Chevy Chase, DC

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