In Search of a Role Model

Did you join this industry because of a role model? You met someone who you respect and admire, they are in the business and you thought you would be just like him or her?  Did the money that can be made fascinate you?  Are you essentially unemployable because of your work habits and approach to corporate systems so a commission based career was an only option?  Do you say you love people and that is why you think you would make a good realtor?

It makes no difference how you got here, here you are.  No matter what the industry you are better served as a professional finding people and systems that you respect and admire to emulate.  Find someone who is doing it right and follow his or her lead.  There is no end to the books, tapes and webinars you can absorb on every aspect of our industry, much of this is free.  Why not pick some of it up and see what would work for you.  It isn’t always easy to find a role model.  A role model is different than a mentor, which is even more difficult to find these days.  You don’t have to even personally know, or have even met someone you use as a role model.  You could have read their books, attended one of their seminars, logged into one of their webinars.  The point is that you are reaching beyond your own experiences to absorb the wisdom and experience of others.  This is a great thing to better yourself; to assess yourself.

When your office has no one to mentor you, don’t despair, keep looking.  Mentors are a rare breed, but they are out there if you search hard enough.  Just because you work for someone or inside their office does not mean they will mentor you; that should not be your expectation unless that is what was promised.  You have to judge promises on their actions and not on the words; words mean nothing.

The key point here is your own actions.  If your goal is to reach a certain number of listings, then find a way to do that, find someone who has been there—recently, because production from the 80’s or 90’s, or even early 2000’s has absolutely no bearing on what is happening today, none.

A commission based business demands personal action in the now, the then has no bearing good or bad.  If you are not getting what you need then look elsewhere.

I have found role models in many places.  I am an EXIT agent and EXIT has people I have met and admire who have made themselves available to me.  Social media platforms, like Active Rain, are filled with great people who are willing to share success stories, ways to accomplish goals.  Don’t allow yourself to be slowed by the lack of activity around you, find where the action is, ask them what they are doing and follow suit.  Once you achieve a level of success with your goals look around for someone to help and help them.  This completes your professional cycle.