How Being a Sports Fan Can Help This ActiveRain Newbie Reinvent Herself

I like watching sports. No, I love watching sports. Yes, I am a girl and I love watching sports. I can’t explain it. Maybe it’s from being raised in a household with two brothers. Or, maybe it’s from being exposed to numerous sporting events during childhood. I don’t know for sure. What I do know for sure is that being an avid sports enthusiast has undeniably prepared me for my new adventure into the Texas real estate business.

As a Chicago native, I’ve been an Illinois Real Estate Broker/Illinois Real Estate Instructor for many years. I recently acquired my Texas Broker’s License and have started on my latest professional journey. I learned about ActiveRain from some colleagues and reached out to a few Rainmakers for advice. Then, while simultaneously watching the World Series and contemplating my uncertain career path, I discovered a distinct parallel between the two and subsequently reflected upon lessons learned that surely should serve me well. And, I am writing about this epiphany in my very first blog ever!

When I was about 8 or 9 years old, my family had season tickets to the Chicago Blackhawks games and I fell in love with hockey instantly. If we could not attend a home game, my mother drove me downtown to the Chicago Stadium, and I would stand outside waving my tiny arms with tickets in my hands yelling "I Got Two … Anybody Need Two!" Clever strategy thought up by mom and me, no? After all, wouldn’t you rather buy tickets from an adorable, brave, spirited, little "ticket broker" than the box office? This taught me an early lesson about promoting yourself and the importance of finding inventive ways to stand out from all the rest.

In addition, like many others from Chicago, I have been a lifelong, loyal, diehard, Chicago Cubs fan. An emotional rollercoaster to say the least! It has been 103 years since the Cubs have won a World Series and I have often prayed to a higher power asking if the Cubs could please win a World Series in my lifetime. So, you can imagine the excitement I have felt being in a place where I could cheer for the home team beyond the month of September. Well, unfortunately, things didn’t work out for the Texas Rangers, and their fans have now adopted the all-too-familiar "Wait Until Next Year" Cubs mantra.

Nevertheless, I’m still holding out hope that my prayers regarding the Cubs will someday be answered. And, the Rangers will undoubtedly come back fighting again next season. But, all this World Series stuff swirling around in my brain has reminded me that setting goals, heading in new directions, exploring unfamiliar territory, and implementing change are all a lot like being a sports fan. They require patience, the ability to deal with disappointment, and the courage and strength to get back up and start over again. They require ingenuity, dedication, time, and perseverance. So, I’m familiarizing myself with a new environment, meeting new people, and learning new things every day. Although I don’t expect it to be quick or easy, I am confident that I will eventually find my niche. I just hope it happens before the Cubs win the World Series!