Ultimately the reason we have careers is to fund the IDEAL life we envision.   

Gary Keller, in The Millionaire Real Estate Agent talks about "THE BIG WHY" and makes it the driving force behind doing ANYTHING business related.

In order to survive and succeed in this market or any market - you must b e passionate and focused! Along with the "BIG WHY", I believe you must really understand what you want and what you want it for!! A quote I got at a recent seminar summed it up for me:

"Wealth - the ability to fund your purpose without working."

Ultimately it is a job and I need to get paid; however, real estate works for me because I love so many facets of the business, from contract negotiation, to design and new construction and remodels, to the social aspect of working with my clients.  I never worry about my commission because I know if I treat my clients right that works itself out.  My greatest joy is working with the people in this business.  My clients become good friends.  I love solving a problem by helping them find the home of their dreams.  I love looking at houses, but most of all I love my clients.  I find it to be a very rewarding profession.

I agree, however; The "BIG WHY" should be the founding force behind your passion and focus...else you're absent both passion and focus without a reason or WHY.

There is no "why" as to why I chose my profession (Notary Signing Agent).  I feel like my profession chose me...or I fell into it...(well, if you consider working 25 years in an entirely different profession that proved to be unrewarding and unsatisfying then finding the work that I was meant for falling into it)

Why I work? My wonderful wife and three great kids provide me with every incentive to keep the great life I live.

If you want to know why I am passionate about what I do?...I tell you that I LOVE WHAT I DO!!  I love it because I am good at what I do, I can help others by providing a much needed function/service, I get to meet new people daily and drive all over-two things I love to do.

The best "why" I know of is because I am now self-employed...I answer only to myself (and perhaps the bill collector...and the IRS...and God...and any number of other things that are blowing my whole self-employed rap...)

Thanks for sharing and reminding me about my own "why"

"A Quick Note"

Because I like people that like cars.  And trucks.  And boats.  And motorcycles.  And I like people that put them back together or race them or modify them...  And they are fun to hang out with.  This is a great excuse. 

That and I love to spend time with my kids. 

Maria, I appreciate your comments and yes, I agree that when your job is as gratifying as real estate and more about understanding that by assisting others to realize their dreams you can also realize your own, it is a profession that people can fall in love with.  My thoughts on this matter are more of a "gut check"...to realize the reason that sometimes we miss the mark is because we lose sight of the reason why we were trying to hit the mark in the first place.  My WHY restores my spirit and relentless disposition to succeed every day, it drives me to explore and diversify myself and my business...to inspire and to be inspired.  Thanks for sharing.