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Is Real Estate your dream job?

By
Home Stager

Realtor Magazine Online recently reported that nearly four out of five U.S. workers - 84 percent - say they aren't employed in their dream jobs.   This statistic really surprised me.  It means that only 16% of Americans are living the dream.  Another thing that I found surprising was the at jobs that reported the highest job satisfaction do not correlate to the highest paying jobs.  Here is a list of the top 6 rated professions: 

  • Police and firefighters 35 percent
  • Teachers 32 percent
  • Real estate professionals: 28 percent
  • Engineers: 25 percent
  • Travel industry: 22 percent
  • Nurses: 18 percent

Careers in Real Estate are way above the national average with a rating of 28%.  So the question is - Are You Living the Dream???  Tell us about it.

I found my way into the real estate field after a career as an elementary school teacher.  I took several years off when my children where young but when I was ready to reenter the workforce I realized I needed a change.  I needed to find my passion.  I always loved helping people look for homes and I did briefly consider becoming a real estate agent but quickly realized that wasn't exactly the creative outlet I was looking for.  I feel blessed to have found my niche after opening http://www.rocklandhomestaging.com/ Rockland County NY.  I was able combine both my passions - interior design and real estate. I am my own boss, make my own hours and I get to help clients make more money and improve the quality of life.  I really can't ask for much more than that. 

If you are not currently living the dream what are you going to do to change that?  No one should settle for complacency in their career or their live.  This is a call to action. 

I was introduced to the concept of a 30 point day at a networking meeting that I recently attended.  The premise is simple - you assign a point value to the things you need to accomplish to have a successful day.  Here is a sample day for me.

  • Make follow up phone calls (3 pts each)
  • Reach out to new prospects via phone or email to generate new business (3pts each)
  • Spend 1/2 hour book keeping / managing files (10 pts)
  • Attend business / networking events (5pts)
  • Manage inventory shop for new items (10 pts)
  • Spend 1/2 hour book keeping / managing files (5pts)
  • Home Staging consultation (15 pts)
  • 1/2 Day Staging (20 pts)
  • Full day staging (30 pts)
  • 1/2 hour blogging (5 pts) No more than 5 pts per day are awarded for blogging.  You gotta get out there!
  • Laundry (2pts per load)  OK I work from home!

I find that by turning my work life into a game with points awarded to each activity things are less mundane.  By planning out the day and adding structure I am also more productive.  It gives me incentive to do the things that I don't really enjoy like book keeping.  The 30 point day also pushes me to spend some time on the things that take me outside my comfort level like networking and generating new business leads.

If you are generally happy with your career choice then the 30 point day can help you to improve productivity and job satisfaction.  It will generally follow that if you get more organized and actively try to generate more business you will be more successful. 

If you feel that there is no way to turn your current occupation into your dream job then maybe it is time to make a change. You can use your 30 points to finding a career that will be more fulfilling for you.  Either way you are responsible for your own success and job satisfaction. 

Inquiring minds would like to know why do YOU love real estate?

I wish you all a happy, productive and successful day!!!

Comments (48)

Marci Toliver
438-4642 - Mauldin, SC
Anderson SC, Spartanburg,Greenville SC, Home Staging
Maureen, I m with James.  My dream job would involve doing nothing all day if I could!  Seriously though, I love staging!  and I am glad that it found me!
Mar 04, 2007 05:15 AM
Maureen Maureen
Orangeburg, NY

Stephen - Thanks for the invite to the group.  It looks like it will be a great resource. 

Karen - I think you hit the nail on the head - you need to be fulfilled by your career. 

Melissa - Thanks for sharing your story. 

Ummm Marci - I'm going to be James's assistant.  You'll have to find your own dream. ;)

Mar 04, 2007 05:21 AM
Laura Monroe
Inman News - San Francisco, CA
Dir. of Industry Engagement & Social Media

Hi Maureen~ Good post.  I have my dream job, but not enought time in the day to pursue other dreams:( What a great way to look at your day! Those points would keep me motivated on days I feel like I get nothing done! Being a business owner you do where many hats, sometimes its hard to give ourselves credit for what we accomplish~

Mar 04, 2007 05:35 AM
Anonymous
Anonymous

I love what I do and it .....shows!   It is a great way to be out and about meeting nice people and seeing beautiful homes and towns.  You can make your own schedule, for the most part, and I feel I am doing an important  thing locating a home for buyers.  That's the place they will live, enjoy and raise families in and I start the dream rolling for them.

Patricia Aulson/SEACOAST NH & ME 

Mar 04, 2007 06:55 AM
#32
Maureen Maureen
Orangeburg, NY

Laura - The points help keep me motivated also!

Patricia - Glad to see you are making the most of every day.

Mar 04, 2007 07:44 AM
"JT" Prevatte
Former Agent - Fayetteville, NC

Ok, I thought I might not respond to the blog but I think I will.

Addressing the satisfaction issue...yes, Real Estate is my dream job.  I love it.  I am excited everyday I go to work.

Now...on the other side of the house.  I don't usually tell this especially to clients, unless they bring it up.  I am a fireman.  I have been since I was 17 years old ( 18 years ).  I started as a volunteer for a couple of years and then went full time.  I have to say it has been a fun ride but it is one of those things where you get your fill and move on.  Now don't get me wrong...some guys are through and through and will have to be forced out.  But I found a new love....real estate.

I guess my changes came when I got married and found out I had a baby on the way.  I want to be here to see him grow up.

We do have fun at work so there is satisfaction there.  It is hard to believe sometimes, when we aren't running calls that involve standing in the rain, freezing in the winter, sweating in the summer, etc, etc, etc that we actually get paid for that.  It is kind of a romper room for grown ups.

Anyway....I can actually say that real estate is my dream job...well it is at this stage in my life. 

 

Mar 04, 2007 12:06 PM
Maureen Maureen
Orangeburg, NY
Jeffery - Thank you so much for taking the time to write such a thoughtful comment.  I'm glad you did.
Mar 04, 2007 01:10 PM
Brande Bradford
Keller Williams - McDonough, GA
Realtor

Maureen,

I have truly found my calling in Real Estate!  I love the excitement, the suspence and all the ridiculous things that go along with it!! Before Real Estate, I sold health insurance.  I was a top producer in the country, but it was nearly as rewarding and exciting to me as Real Estate. Gotta Love It!

Mar 04, 2007 01:57 PM
Carl Guild
Carl Guild & Associates - East Hampton, CT
Central Connecticut Real Estate

I am surprised Real Estate Professional Ranks 3rd!

But then again I am not because I absolutely love being an agent! The satisfaction of helping people is truly rewarding! 

Mar 04, 2007 02:09 PM
Maureen Maureen
Orangeburg, NY
Brande and Carl- I was surprised also.  Actually all of the top ranked careers surprised me.  Thanks for you comments.
Mar 05, 2007 01:03 AM
"The Lovely Wife" The One And Only TLW.
President-Tutas Towne Realty, Inc. - Kissimmee, FL

Here's my comment... LOL...

CLICK HERE...

ROTFLMAO ;-)

TLW...ROAR...(Is that redundant now?) LOL...

Mar 05, 2007 01:47 AM
Maureen Maureen
Orangeburg, NY

TLW- I think you bring up an interesting point.  It is really important to make time for family.  Thank you for your inspirational comment. 

I don't think people get ROARed at enough in life.

Mar 05, 2007 02:08 AM
Phyllis Pafumi
ReStyled to Sell Home Staging New Jersey - Old Bridge, NJ
ReStyled to Sell Staging Homes NJ

Great post Maureen and yes when you spend your day doing what you love it does not seem like work at all. Staging and real estate is something I love doing. My former job as a real estate paralegal really taught me alot about this business because I would be the one handling all the home inspection issues. This has really helped my staging business.

100 pts should be awarded to us when we allow ourselves a day off, LOL

Talk with you soon,

Phyllis Pafumi

Mar 05, 2007 08:53 AM
Maureen Maureen
Orangeburg, NY
Phyllis - Great idea - I may have to revamp the whole system. 
Mar 05, 2007 10:46 AM
Tom Giansante
The Title Company of Jersey - Wildwood, NJ

Maureen,  The great thing about the industry is that it is constantly evolving.  Each day is a moving target, you never quite know how it will play out.  My day can change direction dramatically on the next phone call.

It's great and I love it!

Mar 05, 2007 10:51 AM
Kimberly Wester
Valparaiso, IN

Maureen - Great post, as usual.  I am almost living the dream - it will be when I can do this job without having to market myself!  Should that never happen, it will be pretty darn close. 

Otherwise, I'd say that should Disneyworld ever be looking for a food taster in EPCOT, I'll fight to the death for that job!

Mar 05, 2007 11:50 AM
Maureen Maureen
Orangeburg, NY

Tom - I thrive with constant change also.  I think that would be a nightmare for a lot of people though. 

Kimberly - I love the marketing end. I think the most mondane part is the book keeping.  My favorite part is going to Realtor morning meetings.  Realtors are across the board a lively bunch.

Mar 06, 2007 01:11 AM
Ann O'Connell
Real estate agent at Oak Real Estate - Boulder, CO
I love the point system for your day. I'm getting to my dream - I left a highly stressful but lucrative career to give staging a shot. It can be stressful, sure, but it's the kind of stress I love! With hard work hopefully I'll be able to make it lucrative! :)
Mar 06, 2007 08:30 AM
Cindy Lin
Staged4more School of Home Staging - South San Francisco, CA
Host, The Home Staging Show podcast

this isgreat, thanks so much for sharing. also love you using a scrabble pic :) and dishes.... is the bane of my existence!

cheers,

cindy 

Mar 06, 2007 12:09 PM
Sheron Cardin
California Moods Inc - Selma, CA
ARTIST - A Home Stager/Sellers Best Friend!

OMG - this is my first return since my comment and I have missed so much. You cannot be serious Maureen so let it go honey...did I tell you the story about when I went to real estate school and couldn't figure out how to get my calculator to remember? And the same day they showed us some kind of map on the board that looked like a huge tic tac toe board and asked us to find an address. I folded up my book and left the room never to return. This was before the decorating thingy.

I got 25 points and I am retired!!! 

 

Mar 06, 2007 12:15 PM