This post is inspired by Chris Alston's Ever been to a training event/class and afterwards thought... What was it that I learned???? and Charles Edwards's "Make it work people" .
It reminds me of the beginning of my real estate career which was 3 years ago, it was in February. I remember it like it was just yesterday, I went to the office from 9-5 from Monday to Friday in the first 2 months, reading everything I could from the computer, any real estate related sites, I even "studied" the roster on our MLS so I would know the agents a bit before they called for setting up appointments. Was I weird or what? Then I would also drive around different subdivisions just to remember the street names, I drew map to help myself to remember them, I kept doing the same thing until I was familiar with them.
But I also needed to get very familiar with the market and neighborhoods to sell something, I considered. How could I sell anything if I had no clue about the areas, how could I answer customer's question, what types of house, price range, etc, etc.
Phones were ringing in the office, but I didn't get any business. I didn't know how to get business! I listened to my brokers's conversation to their clients, I observed, tried to see what might work for me or not. And one day, I decided to go out to do something regardless I was fully ready/prepared or not.
- When would I know I was ready or not if I didn't give it a shot?
- How would I know what kinds of questions I would be asked if I didn't go and meet people?
- Was I nervous? Sure I was! I hope nobody noticed that.
- Was I trying to "perfect" myself in front of a prospect?
- Was I good enougn to convince someone to use me as their agent?
- Questions, questions, and more questions.
But you know what, I just didn't think about it too much anymore, and got out there and do something. Yes, I may have made some mistakes here and there, but I learned a lot more and faster than reading from the computer, I put it in action, I have to practice somewhere somehow.
I started it by doing open houses in a brand new subdivision, like me. There were only 3-4 houses at that time, all brand new. I sat there every weekend, I met many people, I answered question, if I didn't know the answer, I found it for them.
Then it started to take off for me just after a couple of months sitting there weekend after weekend, many many hours, no kidding. I had new clients and 1 referral to work with in my first 7 months of career. I did $1.7 million of sales during that time. I was absolutely in heaven. Not knowing 2008 was going to be a slump, haha.
The rest is history. My point is, the best way to learn is to put it in action. Don't over worry yourself to death, you will never know if it will work or not until you try.
Take it by the horn and don't be afraid to try.
Disclaimer : picture clip from www.elite-view.com
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