What does it take (for me) to be a great Realtor?

What does it take to become a 'great' Realtor?  To be an expert ? Let me mention first that I am not a 'great' Realtor - yet.  I never wanted to be a Realtor. Most of my working years have been as a lender and I did not grow up wanting to be a lender either. I only  wanted to make a living, enjoy life, and support my family. These are probably not the ambitions of a 'great' Realtor or Lender.  But along the way I discovered that I like helping people and that I am really good with basic numbers and solving puzzles. 

I have pretty much accepted life as it presented itself to me. I am a magician but it was after the age of 40 that I got into magic and even today (this will sound strange to many) I am not a magic fan. But I found out I am pretty good at presenting magic and making people laugh so magic became part of my life. And as I go along I want to become better and better - Embarrassing confession; I am only now learning to shuffle a deck of cards ! Not being able to shuffle a deck of cards is a hole in my completeness - and I am now choosing to be an expert.

Music. I always wanted to play guitar. Why? I don't know but find it relaxing and meditative. I started taking lessons 15 years ago and told my instructor I only wanted to learn to play some relaxing tunes but did not want to learn to read music. Well, time has changed and now I am learning to read music and study music theory. Not really understanding music and reading music is a hole in my completeness - and I now choose to be an expert.

Real Estate - I just "did" real estate and learned as I went along the path. I never thought of being an "expert" or being "great" (great meaning excellence as opposed to success; I choose excellence) I know the holes in my magic and music. I certainly know the holes in my dieting !  But what are my holes in Real Estate ? What is my base line and what will it take for me be become an 'expert' or achieve excellence?

Here is what I have come up with so far--- For me to be great or excellent as a Realtor:

1. Desire. Where does that come from ? Honestly I don't know. Where did my magic desire come from after the age of 40 or my music desire come from after the age of 50? I do know that it is now becoming prevalent and the way for me to fan the desire is one word. Focus. Focus on wanting to become an excellent Realtor.

2. Curiosity. What do I need to know, think, act on, study, and do to become an excellent Realtor ?
What can I learn, study, read, think about to become better? Not just Curiosity but Intense - Intense Curiosity.

3. Body of knowledge. The license is page one of a blank book. I will write single words of areas I want or need to know more about: Legal aspect, contracts, paper work, what are the law suits I need to protect clients from? appraisals, available loan products, computer technology, local customs all over the state, deeds and title work, escrows, tax law, renters rights, property inspections, property reports, - this list goes forever !  How can I become an expert with so much to learn ? Blog and Videos - find a weak area. Study it. Write a blog or produce a video. I have to become my own Teacher.

4. Desire - Motivation. What motivates ME, not  what motivates others. I am motivated by helping others. I will make it a point to "fall in love with my clients and everyone involved in each transaction"
I take pride in helping and want to be known as the person who helps and gets the job done. 

5. Declare. Announce to myself and to the world that this is now my path. I choose to be an excellent Realtor. I choose excellence. i choose to be an expert. To be the best I can be. Declare to the world by being "out there" by being approachable, by learning, by sharing and by extending my talent to everyone who chooses to travel with me on my journey.

Until today I have never thought about becoming a good Realtor much less becoming an expert and becoming a great Realtor. Today I choose and declare that I will be the very best I can be and to serve with ultra professionalism, dignity, and integrity.