I recently attended another one of those “inspirational” seminars – against my own better judgment. But this one was so hyped about that I thought maybe I can learn something new there. So I went – and again, as so many times before, I sat there and in disbelieve watched a lot of people standing up on command by the guy in the front, clapping for some person who admitted that she wanted to spend more time with her family but worked too much to achieve that.
What am I? A seal in the circus?? Somebody orders me to stand up and clap? And I paid for that? Lady, if you cannot set your own priorities, what are you expecting from the guy in the front?
The essence of this seminar, if there was anything worth my time and gas, could have been said in 1-2 hrs max. Instead it started at 8:30am and lasted until 5. I left at 2pm.
I picked up my son from school and spend time with him that I thought he would have to bridge over alone at home until I came back. Time much better spent.
And then I thought about why I am not getting the hype about these seminars. Why do I need somebody to tell me how to work less? I like my work. Yes, there are days when I have a client who is awful and inconsiderate. But the absolute majority, I’d say 97% or even a bit more, are wonderful, thankful, great to work with, stay in touch, are repeat business or even are easing into friendship status.
So why would I try to pry myself away from this? I had clients with demanding schedules that were calling at 10pm to discuss their transactions but that was ok, they needed that timing and I understood and was not annoyed. And in all cases, that ends with closing.
I truly enjoy a Sunday Open House. I like the interaction. I have fun doing it, I have gotten a lot of business and a lot of contacts (private and business) out of them. And if nobody comes, well, I always have a good book with me and get some alone time out of it.
A new listing is not a burden, it is invigorating. A fresh start , a blank canvas, wonderful! A problem is not a problem, it is a challenge and I like challenges.
So to tell me I need to enable myself to work less, to set boundaries for clients, no, that is not what I want for myself.
I spend time on my profession but I hardly ever “work” because I love it so much. Real estate should be a passion. Yes, there are moments when I curse the mountains of paperwork or an occasional client who calls on a Sunday morning at 7am. But there is no such thing as perfection and that is just fine.
Not drinking the Kool Aid.
The two things nobody can seminar into a person is Drive and Self- Motivation. You have it or you don’t. If you have it, you still need education, but on the subject, not on the will to achieve. And if you do not have those two attributes, nobody can give them to you. So safe the money, ask yourself if you have what it takes and then start enjoying yourself or leave and find something better.
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