The world is made up of all kinds of people, all kinds of religions, political believes, different moral compasses, different ideas of ethics and different measure sticks for success.
I am a square peg who's hovered by the round hole all my life. My motto, why be normal?
I don't measure someone's success by:
- the car they drive
- how clean their desk is
- their shoes
- what they are wearing
- the cost of their home
- their haircut
I just sit back and giggle when I read on social media "I'm a real estate agent, what kind of car should I buy?" or "OMG, I went to a showing today and the listing agent was wearing jeans, gasp!" or "to be successful you must do this laundry list of things each day"
In the words of my friend Susan Mangigian "pffft"
And in the words of my friend Margaret Rome, Baltimore Maryland "61 phone calls yesterday"
When you are a real estate agent success is about results. And while you have to have transactions to accomplish results it's not YOUR number of transactions that make you successful. My "measure of success" in business is meeting the needs of those who hire me. Now of course I mean those with realistic expectations. I know we all get people who think their home is worth three times what it really is or call us up and want a McMansion for $50 which clearly isn't going to happen.
I felt immensely successful when my seller listed to me about photos and getting things sparkles and shiny for a photographer and we were under contract in a few days. And successful when another seller agreed to "let it go" when it cam to a row of hedges that detracted from the view. I felt successful when the buyers from another state with limited time here to find a home before they had to get home and pack for a closing and move date had found the perfect home for them. And all of this success in sneakers, jeans, having a messy desk and driving a Toyota. In fact some days I was so busy I'm sure I actually even did more than towel dry my hair when I stepped out of the shower. My business success is measured through happy clients.
My personal success.... although it's another blog post, is my happy life filled with love and friendship. And this post was inspired by one of those friends who is also very busy and successful that took the time out of her busy day toay to call and chat a bit. Thanks Margaret, it's always a pleasure to talk with you.
And a word of advice to agents... be who you are and you will find the best path to success.
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