Real Estate is unique work. It's both a "JOB" and a "BUSINESS". A job because Agents DO answer to their Brokers/Office Quotas and to Clients. A Business because there is NO MONEY, unless YOU make it. In a nut shell...DOUBLE the pressure!!
Like all work, it can come and go but precious fleeting moments in our lives such as growing children and ailing family and friends are gone before you know it and many of us unfortunately don't "get that" until it's too late as we pave our career. As commissioned people, we should all pace ourselves better because we are naturally more prone to unhealthy lifestyles...
The Real Estate Agent vs. Broker business model is squeued towards the Broker and tainted with RISKS for the agent. It's comprised of peaks and valleys for agents, but little or none for the company/owner as they have a constant stream of income from many agents who consistantly "FEED" their business. The cost of independence associated with sales can sometimes be too high if you let "things" consume you.
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, or is rejected. Miss a son's 1st baseball game for a last minute listing appointment opportunity you thought you nailed but was going to the husband's 3rd cousin all along when they thanked you for the expert CMA you prepared for him to use or miss a daughter's ballet recital for out-of state buyers that didn't call to change the time or never showed. We can ALL relate!
MEGA Stress occurs when things go WRONG regardless of how hard you've planned and worked.
We combat the problem even more because we tend to comfort ourselves with the BAD instead of the GOOD. Lack of time, exercise and poor eating habits are certainly all factors in the STRESS an agent feels but the #1 Reason for STRESS in Real Estate and other Sales and/or Commission ONLY jobs is WAITING for that Commission Check!
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.
Traditionally, MOST Top producers were/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 SECURITY 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. Finacial support equals prosperity, so RE is not for everyone!
We all start relatively the same...Good training, organization, due diligence, hard workand 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.
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 alone is at the helm of your real estate career, the COST of independence can be too high and STARVE the ability to nurture yourselve and others.
Let us all honestly assess the PROPER Real Estate Agent Equation...
TIME vs. INCOME vs. STRESS... because STRESS is a given FACTOR and a real and continuous part of RE.
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!
MAKE it worthwhile and always remember when riding the bumps in the road. "THINGS" lost can always be re-gained but precious "TIME" once spent is gone forever. So use it wisely. Like the ever-changing faces of small children...THIS TOO SHALL PASS...
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