Facing an unexpected challenge
Real estate sales had been strong and I was expecting a highly productive year. Then, we experienced a severe snow storm in early January and all activity came to a halt. Our house was buried in the snow and it was too dangerous to show properties that were also in deep snow. Most of my sales were in the foreclosures sector so the walkways and driveways were not cleared.
We did not expect to leave home but the newspapers were out front on a snow drift and I wanted to get them. I went out the back way and dug a path to the garage that would allow access to the alley that had been plowed during the night. The snow out front was several feet deep. Walking was risky but I was very careful since there was a sheet of ice under the newly fallen snow in the alley. Then, it happened. I slipped on the ice and hurt my right knee.
My right knee had given me problems over the years since a high school football injury so I thought it was an injury that I could overcome with rest and care. I struggled to get back into the house and to my favorite chair. The office of my doctor was closed and it would be a few days before I could be seen.
As it turned out, I had severe damage that would require an operation and was advised that I would be out for a number of weeks. The question was how to sell real estate when I could not go to the office and meet with clients. My was anxious to maintain my income and my associates were counting on me to be a rainmaker for them.
Fortunately, my wife, Dolores, is licensed but her work had been on the support side rather than handling sales. I set up a work station in my family room chair and worked the phone as my associates showed properties. Then, I would write the contracts and have Dolores meet with the buyers at the office for their signatures. This was not the way I liked to do business but you need to be creative to meet the circumstances.
After the operation, we arranged for my physical therapy to take place in our home so I could be as productive as possible. Unfortunately, I did not respond well to the physical therapy and the doctor told me that I would need more surgery to be able to bend my right knee. So, I went in for another operation and as soon as I got home, I continued working from the family room and again had physical therapy at home.
The months were going by, production was going well, but the recovery was slow. Then, the doctor told me that I would need surgery for the third time. As you might imagine, this process was no fun at all.
I was working from home from January until mid August when I was able to return the office and my normal activities. Business continued to be good and I was still able to qualify for the RE/MAX Platinum Club for the year. (Income over $250,000).
All of us will face unexpected challenges in our lives. The results will depend on how we cope with the challenges and what we do to maintain our business and personal objectives.
This post is an entry in the Active Rain Challenge: What Doesn't Kill You Makes You Stronger.
Petunia, Kentlands, Summer Flowers IMG_5455
Photograph by Roy Kelley using a Canon PowerShot G11 camera.
Roy and Dolores Kelley Photographs
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