I think the cost of independence can sometimes be too high. Let us not forget, we can always work but precious fleeting moments in our lives such as growing children and ailing family and friends are gone before you know it and unforetuneately many of us don't get that until it's too late.
As, commissioned people, we should all pace ourselves better because we are naturally more prone to an unhealthy lifestyles and the #1 Reason is MEGA Stress. Especially when things go wrong. We tend to comfort ourselves with the BAD instead of the GOOD and lack of time, exercise and poor eating habits are certainly all factors in the STRESS agents feel, the #1 Reason in Real Estate and other Sales and/or Commission ONLY jobs is WAITING for that COMPENSATION. That's WHY!
We eat at 10PM because the phone STOPS ringing then and we are finally ALONE! Pop a piece of candy, chocolate, chip or fast food in the mouth when we're on the road, an offer falls apart, is rejected or missing your son's 1st baseball game for a last minute listing appointment opportunity you you thought you nailed but was going to the husband's 3rd cousin all along but thanked you for the expert CMA you prepared for him to use or missed your daughter's ballet recital for out-of state buyers that canceled or never showed.
Traditionally, top producers are already financially independent and/or are supported by spouses. They don't "have to work" coming into the business. They are SUCCESSFUL & HEALTHY because they have the LUXURY and SECURTY of a steady stream of income outside of Real Estate. Cash Flow/Money buys you more than things! It affords you TIME, SERVICES, ASSISTANTS AND CHOICES necessary in sales to be successful.
Therefore, Real Estate is not for everyone! We all start in same...Good training, organization, due diligence hard work and commitment. However, for those of us that need to support ourselves or others, this foundation is not enough to sustain us for very long and life quickly slips away.
The real estate business model comprises of peaks and valleys for the agents, but not for the company/owner as they have a constant stream of income from many agents who "feed" them.
A typical, 3 month valley until a closing takes place is a lot of STRESS because ANYTHING can and does happen with only a MOMENT of PEACE when it does and the money usually takes care of past bills and the charge card we lived on to get there.
It's a VICIOUS cycle to say the least and in the end, most agents probably don't make more (if that) than a retail clerk or other hourly worker. We miss more family/personal events, lose more hair, grey faster, gain/lose weight, have more medical/health issues and probably don't live as long.
But HEY! We get to say, I'm a Realtor...I'm my own boss, set my own hours, have a home office, get to travel and make thousands of dollars selling houses. But at what COST?
If EGO is at the helm of your real estate career, the cost of independence can be too high and STARVE your ability to nurture ourselves and others....
So let us all honestly assess the PROPER Real Estate Sales Equation...
TIME vs. INCOME vs. STRESS, because STRESS is definitely a Factor!
A "Client" is a source of income and someone who is a husband, wife, mother, father, sister, brother, daughter, son, cousin, grandparent, grandchild or friend.
YOU are too!
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