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Luck, Hard Work or Good Fortune?

By Tori Stamps

Real Estate Agent with Stamps Realty

July 28, 2006 03:35 PM

This year I've had the good fortune of my business picking up speed rather quickly. I don't feel that I've worked overly hard (I'm not working 80 hours a week - I'm making a concerted effort to work smarter, not longer). I'm happy about it, but I'm also having a hard time being happy about it. Does that make sense? I feel "lucky" - almost like it's not my dedication and hard work that goes into it, but it's actually a fluke of some sort and it's going to come crashing down at any moment. I'm a very analytical person, so when I start feeling this way, I try to "step out" to evaluate the situation. I can see that I'm doing a good job marketing the properties, as well as advertising myself and providing exceptional service to my clients. Only then do I start to let up on myself and stop being over-critical. Only then do I start to feel truly happy about it - which of course, then motivates me even more to keep it going.

How many times do we hear a non-successful agents say another agent is "really lucky" that he got all those listings/sales? Or that the other agent is on a lucky streak? It might have been a lucky streak, but I personally believe it's a combination of all of these elements.

You can luck into someone calling you, but you have to be able to turn that person into a client. Even if your turn that person into a client, it takes hard work to KEEP that client. Good fortune only comes after you've done what you need to do.

I just have to keep reminding myself of that!

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Ken & Mary Deshaies

SnowHome Properties - Breckenridge, CO

Tori, when we were with Re/Max, in a weekly meeting when discussing a new policy, one agent complained, "It seems all the policies we adopt favor the Deshaies Team!" I stopped her right there and said, "When I see you here late at night instead of heading home promptly at 5 p.m., when I see you here on weekends, or anytime that you are not on floor, when I see you truly making the effort to be successful, then you MAY have a right to complain. Until then, consider changing your ways." Never had another complaint. And after 12 years of sacrificing our time to build our business, we now have a successful brokerage and are bringing much more balance to our lives.

Jul 28, 2006 04:38 PM

Tim Fennell

The Legends of Real Estate, REALTORS® - Jacksonville, FL

Jacksonville Real Estate

Tori, I just want you to know that you are not alone with your feelings. During our continued growth in business, we have heard a bit of "whispering" that we were just lucky; got all the good leads; were in the right place at the right time and therefore able to take advantage of an expanding market.

Of course, at the same time we were increasing our marketing budget several hundred fold, increasing our web presence, increasing our services to our customers and becoming daily 'students' of the business.

In short, we made our own luck... and yet I still have moments of 'doubt' wondering if it's all an illusion of our own making. But then I look at the numbers - the stats, if you will - and see that even in a declining market, our sales are up 75% over last year so we shall continue doing what we've been doing.

Thanks for your post(s) - all of them. You are an inspiration!

Jul 28, 2006 10:59 PM

Bryant Tutas

Tutas Towne Realty, Inc and Garden Views Realty, LLC - Winter Garden, FL

Selling Florida one home at a time

Hi Tori, I can relate to that as well. I got into Real Estate 12 years ago and worked constantly. I knew even back then that I wanted a balanced life so I gravitated towards working with Sellers exclusivley and staying focused on one area instead of spreading myself to thin. It paid off and now since I work out of my home it seems like I am never "working". I try to make my appointments on the same day so I can literally go out on one day during the week and place 3 or 4 homes on the market. The majority of my time is spent on the phone talking to past and current customers searching for referrals. I have to constantly remind my self of the times I worked 2 and 3 jobs while raising a family so that I can relax and enjoy my success. So enjoy yours too. If people are jealous then so be it. There is no such thing as luck. A lot of people want what we have but very few are willing to do what it takes to get there.

Jul 29, 2006 01:18 AM

Jim Lee, REALTOR, CRS, ABR

RE/MAX Shoreline - Portsmouth, NH

Buying or Selling? Ann & Jim are the local experts

Usually I find the harder I work the 'luckier' I seem to get.

There will always be people jealous and envious of the success of others. Just consider the source and go on with what's working for you.

Jul 29, 2006 07:54 AM

Margaret Rome Baltimore 410-530-2400

HomeRome Realty 410-530-2400 - Pikesville, MD

Sell Your Home With Margaret Rome

When someone comments and says "You are so lucky" I agree!

As stated above -The harder I work, the luckier I get.

-The more risks I take, the luckier I get!

-The more people I "touch", the luckier I get!

Boy, am I lucky! And loving this wonderful career!

Baltimore,Md

Jul 30, 2006 03:16 PM

Jodi Kevern

Arizona Focus Realty - Gilbert, AZ

I just came across this post. I know it is an old one but the questions- and answers- are still the same, I think. Getting a new lead or contact may be lucky but performing for that client is work and skill. The longer you are in the business, the more referrals you will get, obviously. I hope you still enjoying the fruits of your labor. You probably worked your tail off awhile before this started to happen to you. The payoff is not instant. Sometimes, it takes years. Congratulations to you!

Mar 29, 2007 08:27 AM

Luck, Hard Work or Good Fortune?

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