I am sitting in CCIM 102 right now.  This is a 5-day training sponsored by the CCIM organization in Chicago.  This training focuses on Market Analysis for commercial real estate.

Now, I do residential and commercial work.  I hold the GRI and CRS in the residential arena.  I am a broker here in TN.  However, I am pursuing the CCIM and CPM in order to practice more professionally and build a diversified business.

Why would I spend $1100 on a CCIM training in these hard times.  I can think of three reasons:

1.  Education / Knowledge is Power  -  The more I know, the more I can work the system and build my business.  The smarter I am the smarter I sound to other professionals that I may meet.  Opportunities are everywhere, we may just not know about them.  I've never met a person that knows too much about real estate.

2.  Learning Motivates Me  -  Growing and learning feels productive.  I think it is both directly and indirectly productive.  When I attend trainings, i get around other motivated (or desperate) folks.  I like the energy I get from other motivated people.  I want to be known as an up-and-coming broker.  At times, I need energy and motivation from outside sources.  Information and growth do that for me.

3.  Better Customer Service Means Referrals  -  More than once, I have sat in a training and realized my ignorance.  I love those moments.  It means that I am becoming a better broker.  Serving others well in real estate also means that I do my utmost to be an expert at what I do.  When I know how to analyze the market more effectively, I impress business owners and earn more referrals.

I hope you find time to grow, to learn, to realize what you don't know........