Labor Day weekend is the unofficial end of Summer as school gets back in session. Some people celebrate this time (usually parents) while others groan (many kids). Growing up I was like many children, I wasn't really a fan of school. After all school often got in the way of all the fun I was having playing in the park, riding my bike, and occasionally getting into trouble.
Numerous times I tried to get out of going to school for one reason or another. I vividly remember skipping school one day. I don't remember why, but a few friends of mine and I got the wild idea to skip. We acted like fugitives ducking and hiding most of the day wondering when the notorious Truancy Officer would come looking for us and take us to jail or even worse, home. Looking back it really wasn't much fun due to the fear of getting caught.
As I matured and got further into my academic career I began to appreciate school. When I entered high school I grew into a better appreciation for school and the efforts of my teachers. Some teachers I really grew to love because I started to realize they were pouring themselves into my life. These teachers weren't just doing their job, they had a passion for teaching and seeing their students grow. They passed along a passion for learning that I continue to this day.
Primary education eventually ended and I decided to head off to Virginia Tech to get a degree in Architecture. Those five years were more than just an education, they were a better understanding of how I learned and what my passions were. Later in life I went to graduate school at Virginia Commonwealth University to get a Master of Science in Rehabilitation Counseling on the path to becoming a Licensed Professional Counselor. In graduate school I learned how to teach myself and how to seek out learning opportunities.
When I went back to my life-long passion of real estate I sought out more learning opportunities to get up to date on current trends, methods, and ways of doing business. I have taken several formal classes and typically attend 2-3 webinars or seminars a week to learn new tools, improve my skills, or work more efficiently. Just this week I was in a seminar about an advertising tool lots of Realtors use and don't understand, took a class on Residential Purchase Agreement Realtors in Richmond, VA use, and attended two webinars; one on better meeting the needs of clients, the other on a tool to help me manage my business better.
These days I don't dodge opportunities to learn. Seeking out development allows me to do my job better, be a better resource to my clients in the Richmond area, and help other agents become better at serving their clients. One of my mantras is it's always a good day when you learn something and I'm always on the look out for opportunities to learn. One goal of mine for the future is to be an educator so I can train others in the skills I am learning and using today.
In the next two weeks I will complete my Graduate Realtor Institute designation after over a year of hard work. The GRI
designation is heald by only 19% of all Realtors and is one of the top designations Realtors can achieve. It will be a nice recognition of my commitment to becoming a better Realtor and an outward expression of my capabilities I work so hard to develop.
designation is heald by only 19% of all Realtors and is one of the top designations Realtors can achieve. It will be a nice recognition of my commitment to becoming a better Realtor and an outward expression of my capabilities I work so hard to develop.
Are you looking for a Great Realtor in Richmond, Virginia? I hope you'll consider talking to me to consult on your real estate needs in any of the surrounding areas of Glen Allen, Mechanicsville, Short Pump, or Ashland to name a few. Great Realtors seek out education opportunities and learn to use the tools available to them effectively. When was the last time you went back to school?
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