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You're Not the Boss of Me

By
Real Estate Agent with BERKSHIRE HATHAWAY HomeServices, PINEHURST REALTY GROUP NC#280490

"Looks like you've been missing a lot of work lately." "I wouldn't say I've been missing it, Bob." Unfortunately, many of us know what it's like to work in an oppressive environment; stuck in a cubicle all day long. This is it? This is my life? We rationalize we "need" the job - the money - the stability - you fill in the blank. Fear keeps us there. Stuck. Vapid.

We believe the lies in our head; its just "the way it is" and we should "make the best of it." We have other desires but are scared to leave. What if it doesn't work out? What if I'm not good enough?

The negative tape recorder continues unabated until we become the shell of a person we hoped we'd become. Why?

Perhaps it's a rhetorical question. One I would like to unpack and try to answer personally. Here is a little excerpt of how it all went down for me.

"Self, I would like to be a Realtor someday." "You are mathematically and direction-ally challenged. You'll never be able to pass that test." Right. So, I listened. Didn't even try. For years.

Then, after a lot of life change and prodding, I decided to at least try

Guess what? I did it. I figured the math out. I'm actually quite good at it. Need a tutor? Siri is my bestie and tells me how to get everywhere. 

I am now able to chose who I work for and with. It's so liberating! I truly believe we can do anything we set our minds to. I am not a naivee' newbie Realtor. I know everything is not always sunshine and rainbows. 

Life isn't fair. Sometimes hard work doesn't mean "success" in the eyes of the world. Just because life get's tough doesn't mean we are on the wrong path. Success, to me, is freedom. I like that I am the boss of me. 

Virginia Youngblood
DO-STAGE! LLC - an ASPM® Home Staging Company - Charlotte, NC
DO-STAGE! LLC - Home Stager - ASPM®

Rachel,

Thanks for the excellent post! You write so well.  I love having my own staging company! I can work within the time frame that suits me and still keep my family as a priority.  So many companies in the corporate world don't reacognize this as important.  Thanks again! May you have great success in all of your real estate endeavors.  And YES . . . You CAN do math and anything else you put your hand to!!  GREAT, encouraging comments, everyone!

Aug 04, 2014 04:25 AM
Gary Woltal
Keller Williams Realty - Flower Mound, TX
Assoc. Broker Realtor SFR Dallas Ft. Worth

Being your own boss if a success is awesome. Unfortunately in real estate it has a 90% washout rate. AND it gets tougher each year. But for those who find the magic keys, nothing like it. You do get to choose who you work with, excellent point.

Aug 04, 2014 04:49 AM
Endre Barath, Jr.
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties - Beverly Hills, CA
Realtor - Los Angeles Home Sales 310.486.1002

Rachel how true, having been in the Military as well as the Corporate World I would not trade this i.e.: being a Realtor for anything else...even here I pick and choose who I work for i.e.: managers and reputable Brokers, Endre

p.s.: let's not forget I have been doing it for close to 20 years now...

Aug 04, 2014 05:50 AM
Anonymous
Emily Hudkins

I had worked in the "cubicle" environment most of my adult working career and changed jobs numerous times for various reasons. All long making a living for myself and my family. Actually thought I loved my jobs and the good salary. About 8 years ago my husband suggested real estate as a new career, me the nonsalesman in the family. I am now a Broker with a great company and enjoy not being the "boss". I have as much free time as I can get when the market is slow or I just need the time. I do not feel that I need to be my own boss so to speak as I am responsible for getting myself up, dressed and off to work on the days I am on duty and the days I choose to go to the office. I have my own office with windows and a door for privacy, which I did not have in the corporate world. I am happy at this time with the status quo. I congratulate each of you who have chosen to be your own boss and maybe some day I will join your ranks. I enjoyed reading your comments, thanks for sharing them.

Aug 04, 2014 06:17 AM
#28
emily hudkins
Llano, TX

Sorry about the post above.  I had not signed in therefore no information was posted. I had worked in the "cubicle" environment most of my adult working career and changed jobs numerous times for various reasons. All long making a living for myself and my family. Actually thought I loved my jobs and the good salary. About 8 years ago my husband suggested real estate as a new career, me the nonsalesman in the family. I am now a Broker with a great company and enjoy not being the "boss". I have as much free time as I can get when the market is slow or I just need the time. I do not feel that I need to be my own boss so to speak as I am responsible for getting myself up, dressed and off to work on the days I am on duty and the days I choose to go to the office. I have my own office with windows and a door for privacy, which I did not have in the corporate world. I am happy at this time with the status quo. I congratulate each of you who have chosen to be your own boss and maybe some day I will join your ranks. I enjoyed reading your comments, thanks for sharing them.

Aug 04, 2014 06:26 AM
Marte Cliff
Marte Cliff Copywriting - Priest River, ID
Your real estate writer

Rachel - Congratulations on finally telling that negative voice to be quiet. So many people don't do what they want in life - either because of their own negative voices or those of their friends and family. 

Aug 04, 2014 07:52 AM
Anita Allen
Levin Rinke Realty - 850-377-4410 - Pace, FL
Your Realtor for NW Florida, Pace/Milton/Pensacola

Congrats on a great post.  I like that I am the boss of me too!  There is no other job that I would rather have.

Aug 04, 2014 01:59 PM
Stacy Ann Stephens
Keller Williams Realty CT - 860-704-9070 - Wallingford, CT
Realtor, New Haven & Hartford CT Homes For Sale

Rachael, congrats on crossing over. The common advice here from the veterans in the industry is that it's not easy.  The key is to focus on your goals and why you left the cage. Keep working and don't ease up on gas, before you know it your closer to your dream than your past.

Welcome to the grind!

Aug 04, 2014 09:09 PM
Tammie White, Broker
Franklin Homes Realty LLC - Franklin, TN
Franklin TN Homes for Sale

Rachel, I chose real estate just because I wanted to be my own boss. It has some great perks and the pay isn't bad once we figure it all out.

Aug 05, 2014 06:06 AM
Rachel Hernandez
BERKSHIRE HATHAWAY HomeServices, PINEHURST REALTY GROUP - Pinehurst, NC

Thanks Tammie White for the comment. I love working with people and truly enjoy this business. Wish I did it sooner!

Stacy Ann Stephens - pushing the petal to the metal! 

Anita Clark You can be the boss of me!

Marte Cliff very true! No one is going to boss me around more than me. I can be my worst enemy! 

 

Aug 05, 2014 10:40 AM
Rachel Hernandez
BERKSHIRE HATHAWAY HomeServices, PINEHURST REALTY GROUP - Pinehurst, NC

Pamela Seley, REALTOR® thank the Lord for GPS!

emily hudkins I love that your office has a window! That's dreamy! 

Endre Barath, Jr. , first thank you for your service. Second, very cool we are both part of BH family. And third, I''m glad you found the work of your dreams!

Aug 05, 2014 10:44 AM
Rachel Hernandez
BERKSHIRE HATHAWAY HomeServices, PINEHURST REALTY GROUP - Pinehurst, NC

Gary Woltal I hope I find my magic keys. I keep losing my real ones. 

Virginia Youngblood, ASP Home Stager  - thanks for the kind words! I don't think we are too far from one another. I secretly want to be a home stager too. I 100% believe staging can help sell a home! I always staged my personal ones and they always sold within 2 weeks. 

Aug 05, 2014 10:48 AM
Virginia Youngblood
DO-STAGE! LLC - an ASPM® Home Staging Company - Charlotte, NC
DO-STAGE! LLC - Home Stager - ASPM®

Rachel,

You are right! We ARE close in distance from one another! What a small world! Wouldn't it be cool to meet one another for the day sometime.  I love being on AR!  Such great conversations with terrific, talented people!

As far as staging goes, you can get accredited as a Realtor by taking the class through stagedhomes. You would not be able to get paid for the staging of your listings but you could offer that as part of "your package" - I still appreciate when a Realtor/Broker assigns me the staging task and they handle all of the other 'stuff' -- major stuff, I might add! My hat goes off to you and other Realtor/Brokers who are often not thanked enough or appreciated for what they do for the Homeowner. It is my desire to be a helpful part of their team!

Blessings to you, Rachel!

Aug 05, 2014 02:13 PM
Charles Stallions Real Estate Services
Charles Stallions Real Estate Services Inc - Gulf Breeze, FL
Buyers Agent 800-309-3414 Pace and Gulf Breeze,Fl.

it is tough being in one of those cubicles for sure but we done away with ours a long time ago. 

Aug 05, 2014 03:56 PM
Larry Johnston
Broker, Friends & Neighbors Real Estate and Elkhart County Subdivisions, LLC - Elkhart, IN
Broker,Friends & Neighbors Real Estate, Elkhart,IN

Hi Rachel,  Good for you having the courage to do what your heart tells you.  You will do well, because you have the drive and of course you found Active Rain. Now you have a ot of helpers.

Aug 06, 2014 12:59 PM
Claude Labbe
RLAH / @properties - Washington, DC
Realty for Your Busy Life

Sounds like you may be new, but you are so having fun already. Surely, it's going to be a great ride for you.

Aug 06, 2014 01:39 PM
Tammy Adams ~ Realtor / Podcaster
Maricopa Real Estate Co - Maricopa, AZ
A Maricopa Agent who Works, Lives & Loves Maricopa

Now that you are your own boss, just remember to make sure your #1 employee (you) stays focus and on task and kicks major butt and delivers great customer service!    ;-)       LOL

Aug 07, 2014 04:45 PM
Inna Ivchenko
Barcode Properties - Encino, CA
Realtor® • GRI • HAFA • PSC • Short Sale • Probate

It is true, if you know when you are going, you'll always get there. The problem with us usually: we don't really have an exact plan of actions.

Aug 08, 2014 06:04 PM
Cheryl Johnson
Highland Park, CA

But, on the other hand, I always figure each individual CLIENT is like a "BOSS" ... so at any given moment a real estate agent might have 6 different bosses, 15 diferent bosses ... or more .... no wonder we feel a little stressed sometimes!

Aug 08, 2014 09:15 PM
Winston Heverly
Coldwell Banker Access Realty - South Macon, GA
GRI, ABR, SFR, CDPE, CIAS, PA

I think we have some of the best reads out there on Active Rain. Thanks for sharing

Mar 18, 2015 01:27 PM