I prefer smaller, character-rich homes to huge Mc Mansions any day. I don't like buffets. I order a "tall" not a "venti." And one good piece of rich dark chocolate is better than a whole milk chocolate candy bar in my book.

Americans in general have been conditioned that more is better. But is it, really? I guess it depends on your personality, but I generally don't think so.

When I first became a real estate agent, I modeled my business after an agent that I had met through my former job as a real estate paralegal. This agent wasn't what anyone would consider a super top producer but in the eyes of her clients she was the best agent in the world. She truly cared about each and every one of her clients and offered excellent service as a result. This resonated with me and I decided to focus on building a similar business for myself, concentrating on serving fewer clients, better.

Unfortunately, the real estate community (and sometimes the general public) tends to define a successful agent by sales volume or commission dollars earned. How many deals an agent has closed or how many listings he or she carries can certainly be an indicator of success, but the true measure of success is how happy your clients are at the end of the day.

Will they recommend you?

Do they like you?

Would they use you again?

One of the benefits of being a real estate agent is that you are the CEO of your own corporation. Therefore, you get to decide what type of business you will build. I've chosen to build a smaller, more boutique-like business even while under the umbrella of "the big balloon" while others may choose to build a larger, department-store type of business. Neither business model is right or wrong, just different. Your personality will determine the type of business model you gravitate towards.

My way of doing business allows me to offer top-notch, professional and personalized service to each and every client at a level that would be hard for me to sustain if I were juggling 20 or 30 listings at one time. It enables me to build relationships with most of my clients...so much so that they consider me to be their friend...not just their real estate agent. I like that. It suits my personality, who I am and who I want to be.

I'm not going to be famous or a super top producer anytime soon. You won't find me on a billboard, a grocery cart, or in one of 20,000 mailers that go out every two weeks (which is bad for the environment, by the way). I will only take listings that I can sell, at a price I can support, and will give 100% to each and every client, both buyer and seller. I may not become wealthy, but I will be able to go to Target without being recognized!

My thought for today, no matter what business you are in, is to be true to yourself. It's your life...define your own success...and enjoy.