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Did you Choose your Profession? Or did IT choose YOU?? How many of you can say you LOVE what you Do?

By Laura Cerrano

Home Stager with Feng Shui Manhattan Long Island #888

May 21, 2007 02:04 PM

Many of us I believe from reading the wonderful MEME'sthat are posted have had many career changes during their lifetimes. While some have had more then others, being on the Activerain Community has made me wonder if you truly LOVED the work you are doing now? It is something you fell into or is it something, perhaps without reason, that you felt DRAWN to and decided to pursue? Despite the difficulties you have encountered (or are Still encountering), you know and feel THIS is what you were meant to do?

Or is it a "stepping stone" to something that moves you closer to what it really is you desire to do? For years I couldn't answer the question "What do YOU want to be when you Grow Up?" because I simply didn't know. And while some of the professions I've had previously were interesting or I liked them for one reason or another, it wasn't to be something that was meant to last forever.

I am asked often by clients and others what led me to Feng Shui and I can only reply that I was absolutely drawn to it. And in speaking with some of the Home Stagers, they were also 'working their magic' for others long before there was an official "name" for it. Though they often encounter trials and some setbacks, they have a wonderful mindset of this is what they love and this is what they are going to DO. Period!

Some of the Real Estate Agents I work with feel that way as well, even in a sometimes difficult market. They LOVE what they do and it's not all about money. They are thrilled to have found people a home, they also develop, establish and keep real relationships and friendships they have made with homeowners. They are doing their work because they love it.

I wondered how many people on Activerain, who have all found ourselves together on this site for one reason or another, truly love what they do? And if what started out to be a stepping stone into some other work, did they stay because they now love what THEY do? I have always believed and always will that you will never fail at something you love....

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Dena Stevens

Rocky Mountain Realty - Canon City, CO

Putting The Real Into Realtor Since 2004

Carole, I can tell by your posts that you LOVE your job. It called to you and you answered. Same goes for me. Real Estate called me for years and years, I kept putting the call on hold. Finally a friend smacked me up side the head and told me to go get my license. Best thing I ever did for myself.

May 21, 2007 03:11 PM

Coach Steve Toth

Real Coaching Radio Network™ - Broomfield, CO

With the little wisdom I have, I can now say without a doubt that life is too short not doing what we are passionate about and love. I know, because for more then twenty years I traded my precious time for money and security in corporate America. Not anymore, for years now I have been doing my passion coaching and radio. I LOVE it. Thanks Carole for bringing up this very important question.

Coach Steve
Tune into Real Coaching Radio-putting a spin on Coaching & Personal Development

May 21, 2007 03:16 PM

Nattalie de la Mothe

Maximum One Greater Atlanta Realtors - Atlanta, GA

Selling Atlanta Homes like a Boss

I absolutely love what I do...

I definitely choose real estate... has always been interested in it..

May 21, 2007 03:16 PM

Sheri Sanders

Berkshire Hathaway C Dan Joyner Realtors - Easley, SC

Realtor/Broker - Easley, SC Real Estate

I have wanted to be a Realtor since I was 5 years old! I truly love what I do!

May 21, 2007 03:32 PM

Blaison Samuel

Blaiz Properties, Inc - Newark, CA

I love real estate, helping others to find their dream home and sell their house within their time frame....that's why I'm coming full time in couple of weeks.

May 21, 2007 03:36 PM

Daniel Gates

Insure Consulting - Palm Bay, FL

I like to work, always have. I am not always in love with the work I am doing though. I have been a teacher, trade show manager, bellman, catalog designer, swiming instructor, chemist, cook and lots of other stuff. I definately like being a business owner, but I am not sure I will ever have a job I simply love.

May 21, 2007 03:48 PM

Jean Elmore

Prudential Northwest Properties - McMinnville, OR

GRI, e-PRO

While my children were in school I worked as a seasonal tax preparer-- a necessary evil,that nobody REALLY trusts explaining rules and regs that change constantly, and you are positioned squarely between them and their money. It was a seamless transition into real estate. And yes, after 11 years I love putting people at ease with the complicated rules and stressful decisions. No two situations are ever the same.

May 21, 2007 03:53 PM

1SG (Ret.) David Kucic

Hawaii Military Realty, Inc. - Ewa Beach, HI

President and Owner

Carole-There is only one thing that I would love to be more than a REALTOR......a professional golfer! However, I probably wont ever be able to be that. I love what I do. I wouldnt trade it for anything (except golf). There is truly no better feeling than to being a part of someones life the way that we do as REALTORS. You know the feeling.....I just cant put it into words.

May 21, 2007 07:26 PM

Lenn Harley

Lenn Harley, Homefinders.com, MD & VA Homes and Real Estate - Leesburg, VA

Real Estate Broker - Virginia & Maryland

I love what I do until I have a buyer that can't buy that lot because the tree 100 yards away will cause some problem or that we can't have a side load garage on the left side of the house even though that is the only place the lot will permit.

May 22, 2007 12:36 AM

REMOVE REMOVE

International, IT

Hi Carole,

I didn't choose my profession but I can say I love it... on occasion. When I have the chance to really help someone out of a bad financial situation or help a nice couple (or family) get into their first home, it really means a lot to me. When I get someone who is a hassle from start to finish, bugging me constantly, not sending in their documents in a timely fashion but always asking "when are we closing?" and "why is this taking so long?", it drives me nuts. I've actually had a client close in less than a week and complain the whole time that he could've got the loan closed cheaper and faster somewhere else, and we basically did the loan for cost. Ridiculous.

Now I fire those clients. The way I see it, the customer isn't always right. You don't walk into the grocery store and haggle over the price of everything and tell them to move the meat upfront because on that particular day it's what you need and you don't feel like walking to the back of the store. This is my business. Things get done my way or people can take a hike.

That being said, the really good people who appreciate my help and send me nice letters thanking me and such, they make up for the jerks 100 times over. It's so worth it.

Jason

May 22, 2007 02:17 AM

Anonymous

klaus nicholson

I fought real estate for about 7 years. My wife had been doing it for about 12 years and I used to tell her, "you're crazy for doing all those things". I was convinced that a lot of the things she was doing could wait until the next morning or the next business day. Well a year or two later I started putting out her signs and I had always printed her flyers and advertisement one thing led to another and another. In order to make her job a little easier I went for my license. Now I'm the one running around getting paperwork signed at strange hours and I'm the one doing all the things I thought were crazy. I learned very quickly that due dilligence means right now. I don't thnk that I'm in love with the real estate process, but I certainly love many of our past clients. I have seen clients toddlers grow to school age and teen agers going off to college. How can you not love the excitement of first time home owners when they move in.

May 22, 2007 02:29 AM

#17

Midori Miller

Talk 2 Midori, LLC - Daytona Beach, FL

Online Marketing For Real Estate Professionals

Carole-I love what I do, there is no doubt about it! While I did enjoy a wonderful real estate career in selling, my strengths are patience (to a certain degree), learning new things and sharing them. Think about it, I have a great gig, I get to talk to people all day, I get to give my opinion on a lot of things and I actually get paid to do it!

I did not originally set out to be trainer but I have had about 4 different opportunities in my life where I took them and this is where I ended up. Thank Goodness I acted on every opportunity!

There are so many facets of real estate that people can do.....I am just happy that I chose one that I love!

May 22, 2007 03:08 AM

Beth Young

Holler Law Firm - Milford, CT

Been there, Done that...

Carole-Your post made me laugh as I thought back to my start in real estate. At the time I was 19 years old and an aerobics instructor. I wanted to move out on my own and needed something more financially stable. I applied for a job as a receptionist at a real estate attorney's office. I had never worked in an office and had never even seen a fax machine. I beat out 9 other applicants (later the office manager told me I was chosen because the attorney "wanted people to see a pretty face when they walked through the door"). But I showed him...I built a career out of what I do, am vice president of an amazing transaction management company and I LOVE WHAT I DO!

May 22, 2007 03:25 AM

Laura Cerrano

Feng Shui Manhattan Long Island - Locust Valley, NY

Certified Feng Shui Expert, Speaker & Researcher

I love to hear that most of you really love what you're doing! I have met (and still meet) so many people who are miserable in their jobs and it saddens me. They don't look forward to getting up or getting out, they just plug through their days until the weekend; and aren't happy then because Monday is always coming up. I love my work for many different reasons and the wonderful people I meet. The most wonderful part is getting a follow up letter or phone call on how things have turned around for them, I think I am almost as excited as THEY are!

Rich, I am so glad you love what you do, I always think when people love what they're doing it's exactly where they're meant to be.

James, I can agree with you about being your own boss! I almost NEVER argue with myself. But is is very difficult not having a back up if you need it.

Eloise, I have read that book many times myself. I always feel for some reason your instincts have you take the right road. And believe it's in the obstacles that we overcome that have really made us who we are.

Joe, you love your industry....I wonder if you just haven't had the absolute perfect FIT yet. And if you haven't, it's sure to be on it's way.

Phyllis, I KNOW you love your work! It shows in every post and your determination to stick with it. And I couldn't agree more, it IS a blessing to love what you do.

Dena, I love that you didn't ultimately let anyone stop you from what you know you wanted to do! I try to stay away from negative people that aren't behind you rooting for YOUR decisions.

Nattlie, I also love hearing that you love what you do. For too many years I didn't and things are SO different now for me.

Tim, I LOVED your website with the Video! And energy....people LOVE good energy and if I know anyone who is coming to Atlanta (hey, you never know!), I would send them directly to YOU!

Sheri, You knew since you were little? Did you have someone in the business or just love houses?? I think that must be wonderful to grow up really knowing what you want to do!

Coach Steve, you must have had some life changing events yourself and I'm sure you love what you're doing now. You're in the "business" of HELPING people now!

Blaison, I feel as I wrote above, there is no better feeling then that you've helped people. There is nothing better---unless I'm missing something.

Daniel, If you're still not sure, maybe you're not there YET. I also had many jobs before I found a profession that I loved.

Jean,it looks like one thing led you to find what you really love doing...I often think it happens that way. You can't imagine how you found yourself in a place you don't really like and then see other opportunities open!

Lenn, getting around the obstacles isn't easy....but do most work out for you? And make it all worthwhile?

Jason, thankfully I have had only a tiny handful of clients through all these years that just didn't open their minds to things. Most of mine are like-minded and absolutely wonderful Energy!

Klaus, I too LOVE hearing from past clients. Some have moved and still keep in touch, others I see socially, people who we've really connected with are terrific.

Midori, Your posts show your love too. It's wonderful to meet new people all the time, learn every day, and make use of our knowledge that will help others.

Beth, GREAT STORY! Pretty face turns to Fantastic Real Estate Agent....and loving every second of it!

I HOPE I didn't leave anyone out....I am the impractical, eternal optimist and hard as I've tried over the years to become practical, I don't think it's going to happen.

May 22, 2007 11:05 AM

Coach Steve Toth

Real Coaching Radio Network™ - Broomfield, CO

Carole;

"I have met (and still meet) so many people who are miserable in their jobs and it saddens me."-they are Prime for getting some coaching-send them over!-LOL

Coach Steve
Tune into Real Coaching Radio-putting a spin on Coaching & Personal Development

May 22, 2007 11:36 AM

Laura Cerrano

Feng Shui Manhattan Long Island - Locust Valley, NY

Certified Feng Shui Expert, Speaker & Researcher

I actually do, Steve, refer them to Coaches when they just can't figure out what they want to do....and it has helped them tremendously. That's your talent, to help them find theirs. You can bet I'll be sending them over!

May 22, 2007 11:40 AM

Val Allocco

Staged 2 Sell New York & Long Island - Northport, NY

HSE; ASHSR - Home Stager, for Manhattan, Brooklyn & Long Island

Carole,

Congrats on the Featured post! This is truly a blog that everyone on AR can relate to, no matter what aspect of the 'industry' they are involved in.

You know that I absolutely would rather be Staging and decorating than doing anything else in the world! This is truly my calling and when I look back I see that I have loved decorating since I was about 7 and have loved it consistently ever since....the only problem is that I got 'blind-sided' by too many other things along the way!

The way that I look at it is that I've saved the 'best' (career) for last!

VAL

May 22, 2007 01:30 PM

Debra Brodhecker

House Dressing - Branchville, NJ

House Dressing, New Jersey

Carole,

I agree with Val--I've saved the "best" for last also. Everything else I have done--educator, sales clerk, riding instructor, parent has prepared me for staging which I love. Like Phyllis I have been staging all my life--finally there is a name for it and a way to make an income.

Deb

May 22, 2007 11:19 PM

Karen Otto

Home Star Staging - Plano, TX

Plano Home Staging, Dallas Home Staging, www.homes

Hi Carole! - It seems like forever since I've left you a comment - forgive me! I do love what I do when I'm actually doing it! it's the pounding the pavement and head banging to get to the end result that wears me out. But staging is a passion I have and I "feel it in my bones" that it's something I've been meant for all my life.

May 24, 2007 03:28 AM

Laura Cerrano

Feng Shui Manhattan Long Island - Locust Valley, NY

Certified Feng Shui Expert, Speaker & Researcher

Val, with your passion and energy for what you do that you LOVE, there was never a doubt in my mind to where you would go!

Debra, It sounds like many of us saved the Best for Last....and what a wonderful way to end up!

Karen, there will be a time that you absolutely won't be pounding the pavements, the jobs will be coming to you. It's your passion and it won't be a struggle anymore. It's difficult getting anything NEW off the ground but it will.....

May 24, 2007 02:10 PM

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