Walk it off-

From a day, when I had had enough, and the thought of one more thing was making me crazy. When I wrote this, every word was true, and my intent was to write it and delete. From a week's perspective, I decided that it wasn't all bad, and that I had actually learned something.

Please grit your teeth, and read through to the end:

I've hit a milestone today.

I am officially burnt out.

I hate the clients that suck your life force right out of you.

I hate the buyers that want an  old house, in mint new condition, for garage sale prices.

I hate the appraisers who want to use comps that are nowhere near what buyers would consider comparable.

I hate inspectors that know how to build a house, from the footings to the attic.

I hate lenders, that promise the moon, get everyone fired up, then don't answer the phone when there is an issue.

I hate  auditors, that can't get off their butt to check their file or emails for documents they think are "missing".

I hate the 3rd party websites, that want to sell leads to me on my own listings.

I hate vendors that want to do the work later, and asset managers that want a new house condition but won't pay.

I hate ink signatures, time deadlines, and blinking lights on my phone.

I really hate voicemail.

I hate feeling this way.

SO, that was grim, wasn't it? All of these things individually are big deals, at the moment in time, and I am able to work through them- coming out as a more proactive individual.

What did I learn from that week from h#!?

*That it is possible that what doesn't kill you does make you stronger-I am infinately stronger, having survived each of those challenges.

*That challenges stretch my creativity, my patience, my resourcefulness, my problem solving ability. Those stretches will only enable me to help the next client with the same challenges.

* That writing the above list really helped me let off steam! Having a pressure relief valve like blogging or writing in a journal saves not only my sanity, but that of the people I live with- they didn't have to listen to either my whining, my cursing, or my stony silence.

*That detaching from the outcome is the best thing. I often tell clients that I am not a transactional agent- that part of my value is the relationship I build with inspectors, clients, co-op agents, appraisers, and even office staff. Those relationships are crucial when the above "bumps in the road" occur. I'm not just here to get the deal done and move on. That detachment enables me to outline possible solutions. I once had a conversation with a co-op agent that told me, on the brink of the deal not closing, "My kid's Christmas is riding on this commission!" Never, ever put yourself in this position!

*That there are bright spots, even on gloomy days- talking to a first time buyer about their home search, reaching an agreement with 2 parties when just the day before it felt hopeless;  attending a closing where the sale is a relief to the seller and a blessing to the buyer.

* That having home team support is immeasurable- without it, I wouldn't be able to do my job with any success at all.

* That solutions often occur when I take a time out- do something that outwardly appears as wasting time, but allows the mind a stress free zone.

*That compromise won't kill anyone- it doesn't even sting.

This is my "walk it off" strategy and lessons I learned.