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I show up to work terrified, everyday.

I started my first real mini-business in 1994 when I was still in high school. It was called Paradigm Interactive Media (pimedia.com) and we were a web site development company. Since I didn't know anything about developing websites, my job was to go out and sell the websites to local business; jewelery shops, hair salons, restaurants, etc.

Every time I entered one of those businesses looking for a sale, I was terrified.

Right after high school, my family went through some financial setbacks and I wanted to do what I could to help, so I got my real estate license and started to sell houses.

Every listing appointment and each time I met with a buyer, I was terrified.

After some time I got less terrified being a real estate agent and actually got kind of good at it, so I decided it was time to push myself one-step further and I recruited a group of my peers and created a real estate brokerage.

I bootstrapped the brokerage and grew it while being incredibly underfunded. Because I didn't has sufficient credit, capital, or experience to license a franchise, I created the company as an independent; without any sort of support infrastructure I had no idea what I was supposed to do. Every day going into the office I was terrified, but I went in anyways.

One thing led to another and now I find myself running a business that is blazing a trail of innovation and yet at the same time foraging for survival. Everyday I am charged to do at least one thing that is well beyond my knowledge level, skill level, talent level, or experience level; often times it is beyond my level on all four fronts. But I do that thing anyways. I put myself into the position that I have no choice but show up and do my best. Calling in sick is not an option.

I show up to work and don't know what the day will bring. I try things where the outcome is unknown. I am terrified everyday, but I would have it no other way.

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Seattle real estate search

Posted by Jon Washburn on 01/25/2009 03:17 PM

Comments (44)

Motivation in the Training Channel

motivation, success

Originally posted at: jonwashburn: I show up to work terrified, everyday.

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44 Comments on I show up to work terrified, everyday.

JAN

2009

That is a great learning experience. You overcame your obstacle and succeeded.

thanks for sharing.

I really love your comments-you should read my blog I just posted about failing! I like the picture.

We all hold ourselves back because of our fears, whether they are of success or failure. You proved that not being scared can really lead to amazing accomplishments!

Good post. I know what you mean about calling in sick not being an option.
I really appreciate you sharing your story--- it's inspiring!

TD

I remember how anxious I was when my first buyer said they wanted to write an offer (over 23 years ago). I hoped they would change their minds and not want to proceed, but they were adamant they wanted to buy the place.

I overcame my anxiety, wrote and negotiated the offer, and closed the sale!

We don't know our abilities until we try .... and we're often surprsied at what we can really achieve!!

I believe that everyone experiences a fear that they might not succeed in a particular situation or at least becomes uncomfortable in certain environments. Congratulations on meeting those fears head on! You won't have to sit there far off in the future saying...I wish I had...

Overcoming ones fears is critical in our profession. If you are successful, you'll be 'on the stage' many times each month. Displaying confidence in ones abilities and empathy for your potential clients are the best ways to prove your worth.

Amen... I can so relate! Kind of the style of my life. I describe it like, jumping out of the airplane then check to see if you have your parachute on. My intro to computers essentially was getting a faculty development grant and going to Grad School for electronic music. I knew nothing about it nor did I understand a word anyone was saying for months. I hung in there, busted my buns, and made it.

Great story... thanks.

Rene'

Jonathan----you are a living example of what it takes to get to the place you are. Nothing would happen in our lives if we waited for fear to go away.

The reality of real estate. If you aren't terrified, you probably aren't learning anything or stretching yourself enough. It's a great thing - there is always something new and different in this field. Good luck and enjoy Washington.

Jonathan~

As you prove here in your post, being terrified can have a positive outcome. Performers also experience "stage-freight" - I've heard that veteran, established entertainers still after years of performing experience that freight!

"A good scare is worth more to a man than good advice." ~ Edgar Watson Howe

Real Estate In Miami // Mott Kornicki // Associate | Broker

Aventura-The Waterways // Bal Harbour // Sunny Isles Beach • Florida

As they say "Courage is being afraid and doing it anyway." Thanks for sharing!

Jon, You feel the way you do because you are a success. you were a success before you were successful. Success is a mindset and you have it. Good for you.

Jon,

You're not alone!!! You're in good company! There are thousands and thousands just like you and me doing the same thing and sharing the same challenges...Be comforted and keep going!!! Thanks, Fran

You do a really great of faking it till you make it :) and we are all so happy it that you show up every day and drag us along on this wild ride with you!

Well I never would have guessed. But, I appreciate your transparency and honesty. Everyone who achieves greatness goes through these things. Not sure it would br good if a person was cocky. You have accomplished so much and I am excited to know you.

The best things are sometimes the scariest. Getting married, having a baby, starting a business...when you go ahead and do it anyway, you usually find out that with most of life, it's best to just jump in with both feet!

We can preform best when we are under pressure. It does seem like a project is overwhelming until we dive in and take it on. Great advice.

Jon, It's refreshing to hear that people sometime fear their jobs because I think we all do. I still get nervous when I hear short sale but I know that I can get lots of help from those that know more than me.

and what is it you are trying to do?

and seriously, you absolutely rule (you and Bob:)) Thank you so much!

Jon, if you aren't getting stuck, the terrain isn't challenging enough for you. At least that is what we say about Jeeping.

You're doing ok.

Jon, I am so happy that you demonstrated I have at least one of the ingredients for outrageous success. To "Do It Anyway" is the only way.

"Everyday I am charged to do at least one thing that is well beyond my knowledge level, skill level, talent level, or experience level; often times it is beyond my level on all four fronts." I think it is very important to push yourself everyday to do something uncomfortable and unfamiliar. Without those experience, there will be no growth or learning, nor earning...!

Jon, your a success because you challenge yourself. To become comfortable and not keep striving for better is for most people that start of failure. Your a prime example of what a lot of us hope to become one day.

John, I know just how you feel. I get the same way everytime I meet a client. But like you said, if I don't meet them, I don't eat. So running away is NOT an option.

Hey Great Story Jonathan...Nothing wrong with being scared, I might think some was wrong if you were not,or me many times. We all get sacred at times, it's healthy, and shows you care and you're human.

Cheers, thanks for sharing!

Profoundly inspiring J-Wash !

Not that you need it, but you are part of the reason that over 130,000 members here have a little smile every time they sign onto this website.

... thems some pretty big numbers partner !!!!

Fabulous job you have done, and great story.

Cheers mate !

Sheldon

JAN

2009

Jonathan- This is incredible... blasting through the fear everyday. I love it!

I may be going against the grain here, but being terrified every day doesn't sound very healthy. Should we all be worried about your blood pressure?

That terror is one of the most healthy feelings you can have as a leader, Jon. Not only does it drive you to overcome it, it drives you to get to that point where you're no longer afraid. I think all of us are, at times, afraid to come into work everyday for fear of what news may come or what might explode, but still...we come to work. I think you've hired a staff that feels that pull, that lullaby of fear that pushes us all to get the job done. Without that fear, your cockiness would run away with you and you would be so lost in the future in your head that you would forget the present. As my grandmother used to say, "Don't count your chickens before they hatch, Red."

It isn't always about your comfort level, is it? It is more about stepping outside your boundaries and trying something new and different. Congratulations to you for persevering through not knowing what's coming! You've done some incredible things as a result.

~Renae

Jonathan- Fear is the misuse of the imagination. Or at least that is what I tell myself over and over again when I take risks. You have to take risks in order to be successful, it is working through that fear that we grow into better leaders. Congrats on moving forward! Katerina

This is very motivating (which was probably the point, huh?). You need to push yourself because you just don't know what's right around the bend!

Kathy

I guess this falls under "the greater the risk, the greater the reward" category.You may be terrified but there must be some inner drive that keeps you going. There are lots of people who would rather just go in 9 to 5 and pick up a check wvery two weeks.

Maybe, at some point, you could share the "why" of what you do. What is it that drives you to "...do at least one thing that is well beyond my knowledge level, skill level, talent level, or experience level; often times it is beyond my level on all four fronts."

Just curious.

JAN

2009

Jonathan,

And how cool is that? It makes life intersting. I felt that way when I was raising kids and I feel that way now. Something new crops up everyday. I may not know the answer, but I'm really good at finding someone who does. Ain't life grand!

I have only two words. Loved that.

JAN

2009

Yes but those with energy, passion and vision - always succeed AND have fun along the way !

JAN

2009

That is a great blog post and it is so typical of what so many of us go through but will never admit to. Love your posts and read them all.

FEB

2009

Every reward worth having in life involves some element of risk. Successful entrepreneurs weigh the risk vs reward and act accordingly.

I'd say your risk has paid off quite well so far wouldn't you?

MAR

2009

Jonathan - love your persistence despite the fears! Very good writing style, too! I loved your post. Have you thought about getting a job at ActiveRain? ;-)

JUN

2009

Great post, very inspirational. As a newer agent, I know the terrified feeling a little too well- looking forward to gaining more confidence in the future. Thanks for sharing!

JUN

2010

Thanks for putting yourself out there and admitting that you're terrified every day but at the same time, looking forward to the challenge and would have it no other way. I worked for someone else for most of my 25 year career and was in a way forced to do something else. For the last three years that I've been in real estate, I would say that I wake up scared almost every morning. But like you said, you can't call in sick and have to get up and face every day and take what comes your way. After 38 months in the business, i would not say I'm a roaring success, but I am more successful than I was my first two years and all my transactions to date in 2010 are referrals. And this is in a very unconventional market so I am starting to see how this business can build on itself if you hang in there, do a good job for people and don't give up. In fact, a lot of my friends still working at the large corporation that eliminated my position are starting to see me as a credible, experienced Realtor who is in it for the long haul and complimenting me for my persistence and tenacity. As I said, I am by no means a roaring success yet and still wake up scared every day, but it is getting better and I am starting to believe "you reap what you sow."

NOV

Fear is one heck of a motivator for me:) I star in the RealEstateEffie reality show every day, before I meet new customers for a showing I get that little tickle of fear in my stomake every time.

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Jon Washburn

Seattle, WA

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ActiveRain Corp

Cell Phone: (425) 753-3006

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Originally created to interact with the ActiveRain community this blog has taken on a new life as my time leading ActiveRain has waned. My writing has now taken a turn to chronically the joys and challenges of creating a new community: DailyTicket.

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