Don't Jump Into Sales When You Can't Be Social

If you've ever read my bio or blog you know that last year around this time we lost our then 8 year old daughter to cancer.  7 months from diagnosis to death.  It was a whirlwhind full of highs and extreme lows.  In the months after that I decided I needed to make a career change.  I had been in the mortgage industry for quite some time but on the operations side.  I have never really liked the idea of other people being in control of my schedule and this life event really highlighted this.  So shortly after she passed I made the decision that I would become a loan officer but I didn't want to do so at the large national bank I worked for at the time, even though it was probably safer as they offered a base pay plus benefits. I probably don't really need to tell you why though.  I jumped in head first and completed my required education and licensing in no time.  What I hadn't anticipated was how the way the grief cycle (it's not really a cycle, more like a pinball machine) worked would effect my ability to make and maintain new relationships needed to grow my business.  At first I was so excited that I called every real estate agent I could to set up appointments and talk about all the amazing tools and services our company offers on top of the outstanding service levels the large national bank I worked for couldn't provide.  But after that initial excitement wore off I hit a point in the grief cycle that leaving the house was a daunting task.  I didn't work hard to maintain the relationships I had begun to build and for a couple of months my business suffered because of it.  Had I realized that this would happen I would have waited to make the jump.  Since the beginning of this year I've been able to return and remain focused on building my business with the occasional short term extension.  Bad days don't turn into bad weeks, etc.  Thursday the 9th will be the one year anniversary of her passing.  She was a strong, happy, relentless little 8 and a half year old.  She would be disappointed if I didn't do my best because I was sad over her.  I'm ready to be social again and the growth in my business is reflective of that.  Sales, especially in real estate centered industries, is about building and maintaining relationships.  If you're not ready to do that for any reason then a sales position might not be the best choice for you.  

SIDE NOTE: If you're reading this please help me honor Abby's memory by posting why you love the day on April 9th.  Please use the #ILoveThisDay hashtag as that was kind of her catch phrase and we'd love to see it trending on social media in rememberence of her positive and wonderful spirit.  If you'd like to know more check it out here:  https://www.facebook.com/events/350934451767741/

Thanks