When The Little Birds Fly

I have a small real estate team-consisting usually of myself, a buyer specialist or two, my right-hand woman/closing coordinator/etc, and my virtual assistants (who ROCK).

The time comes for the buyer specialists to fly the coop periodically-usually after about a year in real estate.  They get their chops, figure out enough about the mechanics of the business to make it on their own, and they fly free.

Nothing makes me prouder than seeing someone who worked on my team succeed on their own.  It means that I was a decent teacher and that they are able to take what I've learned and apply it to their own ideas.  After all, I do feel that it's one of my duties to pass on what I've received from so many others who were gracious enough to share.

Recently, though, one of my buyer specialists threw in the real estate towel.  She was doing well, selling houses, making the clients happy, but SHE wasn't happy.  She was tired of rejection.  Tired of the phone ringing non-stop.  Tired of having to stop what she was doing to return a call (hey-when you're new in the business, it's what has to be done-you can have the luxury of controlling your hours once you get a little established).  Just plain tired.

Real estate can do that to you.  You live it, eat it, sleep it, breathe it-it becomes a part of your blood.  For the right people-that energizes you.  For the folks who don't quite find the right fit-it drains you.

I want to see people be happy.  Life is too short to be miserable...and after all, it's just a job.  The job should be fulfilling-not a drain.  This particular woman is a good woman.  She's kind, nice, intelligent-just didn't have a tough skin.  She mentioned that she'd rather be in a cubicle than deal with the general public.  And you know what?  That's okay.  I'm just glad that she gave it a whole year before giving up.  That's a fair shake, and she shouldn't have to question her decision.

If she had decided to make a go of it as a solo agent, I would hope that she learned enough to be successful (and to stay ahead of the tax man).   As it is, I wish her nothing but the best wherever she lands.