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Taking The Long Way Around

By
Real Estate Broker/Owner with Grants Pass, OR 199909023

Taking The Long Way Around - Melinda PetersonHey Girl,

Oh... the road you've traveled to get here.  You always liked the scenic route... the long and windy road, layered with potholes.  If I could've warned you about some of those twists and turns, I would've, but I'm certain you would've taken the long way around anyway.  You can be pig-headed that way sometimes.  And so it goes my friend, one must walk the trail and wipe the dust from our feet as we take the next fork in the road.

Let's kick up our heels for a moment and enjoy a cup of Joe while we chat about the twists and turns you've taken to get here.  First things first, you should've listened to me when I told you not to go to work as a Buyer's Agent for that crazy lady Realtor (you remember the one).  You knew it was going to end in disaster before it ever began.  That's okay though... you were a brand new agent, and probably still high from the drugs they gave you during your tumor surgery... so we'll give you a pass on that one!

I commend you for voting with your feet the day you decided to leave your first franchise office.  One thing you never thought of... you customized your email address with your old company's name... a big oops!  No worries... you figured it out pretty early in your career and you got another email address to match your private domain.  Live and learn baby.

Remember that buyer who begged you to write an offer for him on one of your listings?  You had a funny feeling about that guy, and you should've trusted me when I told you not to do it.  You kept telling him no, but he kept persisting, and after 1.5 hours of begging manipulating, he wore you down.  You knew he was a jerk, but you let circumstances dictate your decision.  It didn't take long before he was cussing you out on the phone.  Fortunately, that's one thing you won't stand for.  You fired yourself that day and you never looked back.  Way to go girl.

When the business was hot, you were making the big bucks, but you failed to notice some important things along the way.  You packed on 45 pounds and the stress caused you a lot of health problems.  Not to mention, you didn't put enough away for a rainy day.  Sadly, your glass house was about to shatter and nothing could've stopped it.  

It was incredibly painful to watch your whole world come crashing down in a heartbeat.  Would you have done anything differently?  Perhaps!  You could've slowed down a bit and smelled the coffee.  You always loved to buy flowers at the grower's market and spend time with your loved ones.  Even a date night at least once a week, and regular work-outs at the gym would've been a nice plan.  All those woulda, coulda, shoulda's.  The good news is... it's never too late.

And let's not forget the last couple of years when you decided to volunteer your time as MLS President.  Lord have mercy, what were you thinking?  The countless hours at bored board meetings... the joint venture... the politics... ugh!  You had no idea what a sacrifice it would be.  Your business suffered from your absence and the layers of stress took its toll once again on your health.  I know you wanted to serve... but please say you'll never do that again!  You know you're not getting any younger!

Okay, enough said... I see you eyeing the chocolate eclair across the room ;-)  I know there will be more forks in the road, but I'm confident you've learned some valuable lessons and you'll survive whatever life throws your way.  Just remember this... I'm always here for you when you need a shoulder to cry on... a kindred spirit to laugh with... or a BFF to travel wide open spaces... That's what friends are for! 

Love ya Kiddo!

~ Your Gut

Taking The Long Way Around ~ Melinda Peterson ~ What I wish I knew

Posted by

Mel Peterson

 Melinda Peterson, ABR, CRS

 Oregon Principal Broker

 Real Estate Cafe LLC

 541-659-1620

 TheOregonDream.com

 

 

Discover Central and Southern Oregon 

Adrian Willanger
206 909-7536 AdrianWillanger-broker.com - Seattle, WA
Profit from my two decades of experience

Mel, what a ride, and I'm sure it will have a few more twist and turns. Isn't it nice to be able to do what we do? Nice article.

Apr 30, 2013 07:19 AM
Paul S. Henderson, REALTOR®, CRS
Fathom Realty Washington LLC - Tacoma, WA
South Puget Sound Washington Agent/Broker!

It might be a long way around, but quite often, the experience is well worth the extra mileage and then some... 

Apr 30, 2013 07:36 AM
Mary Elizabeth Allen
Lake Monticello, VA

Oh Mel, wouldn't it be wonderful if we ALL periodically sat down with ourselves and had this kind of conversation over a cuppa joe? And wouldn't it be great if we got in that habit sooner in our lives rather than later? (Well, maybe not that last one, because then we might not have anything interesting to talk about!) 

I know I've looked back over some pretty serious errors I've made, and on the one hand I wish I could go back and change them, but on the other, as long as we learn, we grow :) Great post, my friend!

Apr 30, 2013 08:01 AM
Sharon Lee
Sharon Lee's Virtual Assistance - Jonesborough, TN
Retired and loving life

Well Mel-We are kindred spirits alright because I have taken many of those kind of roads and just think I talk to myself all the time but apparently too stubborn to take my own advice. You my friend are such a talent writer from the heart.

Apr 30, 2013 08:36 AM
Cindy Westfall
Premiere Property Group,LLC Portland Metro & Suburbs Oregon - Tualatin, OR
ABR,GRI Your Tualatin & Portland Metro Real Estate

Hi Mel, Love the way this was written! Now you just have to remember to have coffee (and a chocolate eclair) with your gut more often!

Apr 30, 2013 01:55 PM
Praful Thakkar
LAER Realty Partners - Burlington, MA
Metro Boston Homes For Sale

Mel, longer the journey, sweeter the memories. And that's okay to start as buyer's agent or customizing email address or packing 45 lbs....and finally, volunteering as MLS president!

Apr 30, 2013 01:56 PM
Donna Foerster
HomeSmart Realty Group - Parker, CO
Metro Denver Real Estate Assistant

Mel~ The Real Estate road is full of twists and turns, hills and valleys. It's a roller coaster ride for sure, even if you plan. We can't go back and frankly, who wants to. Let's look ahead and make it great!

<suggested>

May 01, 2013 02:34 AM
Nick T Pappas
Assoc. Broker ABR, CRS, SFR, e-Pro, @Homes Realty Group, Broker/Providence Property Mgmnt, LLC Huntsville AL - Huntsville, AL
Madison & Huntsville Alabama Real Estate Resource

Mel, I first stopped by because I noticed your new photo and wanted to tell you I liked it (not that you've been waiting by the computer screen for my approval).  Anyway, I guess we've all had a few twists and turns, but hopefully learned from them...after all they've made us who we are today...so, would you have done anything differently?

May 01, 2013 09:04 AM
Brian L. Sirota, Esq.
Bristar Realty (Realtor/Attorney) - Orange, CA
For Solutions: (714) 501-7660

Mel, has ignoring your "gut" ever yielded a delightful path?   Brian

May 01, 2013 09:50 AM
Scott Nowling
Prudential Starck - Saint Charles, IL
Prudential Starck

Mel, I'm with Nick, the psychedelic-you is very Oregon:-)  Perfect for your market:-)

Sincerely, I love the article.  This gig we're on is a crazy journey with spots where we look back and say "Yaay me" and spots where we go "what in the HELL was I thinking?" 

Enjoying the long way round is the key.  Hope today is a great one for you!

May 01, 2013 10:44 PM
Debb Janes
Nature As Neighbors - Camas, WA
Put My Love of Nature At Work for You

Hi Mel - this sums it up quite nicely. It is a sure fire path that leads to character and strength. I wouldn't want you any other way - so, if this is what it took to get you to the Mel I know and love - sorry, but I'm glad. And yes, it's never too late. (hugs from another BFF)

May 04, 2013 01:42 AM
Melinda (Mel) Peterson
Grants Pass, OR - Bend, OR
The Savvy Broker - ABR, CRS

Yes indeed... Adrian!  I've crash landed a couple of times in my life... once while parachute sailing and once in a hot air balloon.  It's probably time I keep my feet planted on the ground ;-)

Totally agree... Paul. There's never a dull moment from 'lift off' to 'touch down' ;)

Speaking of growing things... MEA, I'm like a weed that just keeps coming back to get wacked ;-)

I'm surprised we haven't run into each other... either on the trail... or on the crazy farm talking to ourselves out loud... Sharon ;-)

May 04, 2013 01:23 PM
Melinda (Mel) Peterson
Grants Pass, OR - Bend, OR
The Savvy Broker - ABR, CRS

Thanks Cindy... lucky for my gut, I'm willing to share my chocolate eclair ;-)

I've acquired some sweet memories too on the trail of life... Andover ;-)

I used to get motion sickness on some of those twisty turns... Donna!  Never goin' back ;-)

I was waiting all day... just counting the seconds on my watch (that I never wear) just to hear you say that... Nick!  Ha!  Since hindsight is 20/20, I'm certain I could've done a handful of things differently, but I have no regrets ;-)  Life is good!

May 04, 2013 01:34 PM
Melinda (Mel) Peterson
Grants Pass, OR - Bend, OR
The Savvy Broker - ABR, CRS

Brian ~ The jury is still out deliberating on that one my friend.  I hear it's come down to seven words ;-)

LOL... Scotty boy!  I know, I know, I fit the part quite psychedelically ;-)  I'll keep dancing my jig on the highway to heaven... guided by neon lights, of course ;-)

Where have you been... Richard?  Hiding under a Mission Viejo rock?  Glad you crawled out for a day to play ;-)  Your descriptive replays are always good for a smile ;-)  I like your advice too.  And I never say 'no' to complimentary chocolate and a cup of Joe ;-)

Debb ~ Thank you sweet lady... at least someone appreciates my sick sense of humor ;-)  Tell Bernie that your 'Rack of Lamb' from another Mother loves ya ;-)

May 04, 2013 02:02 PM
Charles Stallions
Charles Stallions Real Estate Services - Pensacola, FL
850-476-4494 - Pensacola, Pace or Gulf Breeze, Fl.

What TRIP were you own when you tackled that MLS WOW, ask someone when you decide to enjoy a day trip at night. LOL.

May 05, 2013 10:38 PM
Gayle Rich-Boxman Fishhawk Lake Real Estate
John L Scott Market Center - Birkenfeld, OR
"Your Local Expert!" 503-739-3843

Wow, if we all listened to our guts we would probably not need to live as long, because we'd have it all figured out at a very early age...but that's the nice thing about aging, we get to LEARN from ourselves and learn to be comfortable in our own skins. You're there, my friend. We all see it, your gut sees it....and sometimes the windy road IS much more scenic. Look at all of the interesting stories you have to tell us!

May 06, 2013 04:49 PM
Melinda (Mel) Peterson
Grants Pass, OR - Bend, OR
The Savvy Broker - ABR, CRS

I have no idea... Charles!  I got lolly-gagged into it by some colleagues... never again my friend!

Hi ya Kiddo!  Yeah... the long way around is very scenic, but sometimes weary.  Now... if I had a pad on a lake to come home to every day, I'd be done complainin' Lucy ;-)  It was great to see you and Debb... even though it was only a few hours.  You gals always make me smile ;-) 

May 07, 2013 02:26 PM