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And She Said it Was Simply "Too Many"

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Real Estate Agent with Long and Foster Real Estate VA License # 0225089470

And She Said it Was Simply "Too Many"

Last year I had a moment in our office bull pen with a colleague who may be confused for Debbie Downer.  I was chatting with my mentee and another agent about my goal for 2019.  At the time, it was 30 houses.  My menteee and the other colleague, who were in fact the ones I was speaking with, enouraged me.  Debbie Downer budded into the conversation with, "Chris Ann, that's too many!!"  Debbie Downer's encouragement was to lower my goal.  Nevermind the fact that late in the summer, I had 24 of those 30 sales accounted for in either closed sales or on rails to closing. 

Debbie's line of, "That's too many," has become an inside joke with the agents that truly do lift each other up in our office.  Today, when I called to tell one of my office besties that I had indeed made it to 30 closed transactions this year, she gave me Debbie's line.  We both laughed.  

No one can tell you what you are capable of.  Sure, I only made it to 28 homes last year, but Debbie's thought was 24 was more than enough.  Having a goal always gets me further than if I didn't have one.  This year's goal was 35 homes.  My logic was simple.  Pushing myself to 35 may be the only way I get to 30.  I reached beyond where I was happy.  And I couldn't be more pleased to have sold 30 homes this year, of all years.  My clients made this year feel about as normal as a pandemic panic year can feel.

Comments(8)

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Ron and Alexandra Seigel
Napa Consultants - Carpinteria, CA
Luxury Real Estate Branding, Marketing & Strategy

Chris Ann,

I am delighted for you, and a big congratulations for having sold so many...Your Debbie Downer story reminds me of a line in Amadeus (Mozart), were the ignoramus King is reviewing the music sheet of Mozart's work, and dubs it as "Too Many Notes!"  Happy Wednesday!  A

Dec 23, 2020 11:56 AM
Chris Ann Cleland

To break through in whatever you are doing you have to go against the norm or accepted.

Dec 24, 2020 09:36 AM
Joe Jackson
Keller Williams Capital Partners Realty - Columbus, OH
Clintonville and Central Ohio Real Estate Expert

This is a great post. Have a great day!

Dec 23, 2020 12:40 PM
Joe Jackson
Keller Williams Capital Partners Realty - Columbus, OH
Clintonville and Central Ohio Real Estate Expert

I hope everyone at Active Rain has a very safe and Merry Christmas!

Dec 23, 2020 12:41 PM
Anna "Banana" Kruchten
HomeSmart Real Estate - Phoenix, AZ
602-380-4886

Wow nothing like selling too many LOL Chris Ann Cleland !!! What an odd thing to say to a fellow agent. Can't figure that one out other than......in the group of Debbie Downers.

Dec 23, 2020 01:49 PM
Chris Ann Cleland

It may have made her feel insecure Anna Banana Kruchten CRS CRB, Phoenix Broker .  Another agent in my office, who says exactly what is on her mind the moment it is on her mind, got mad at me when I let my grays grow out.  I remember her wagging her finger at me, "You need to dye your hair again.  Everyone knows I'm older than you.  What must they think my hair color really is."  Unbelievable.

Dec 24, 2020 09:37 AM
Paul S. Henderson, REALTOR®, CRS
Fathom Realty Washington LLC - Tacoma, WA
South Puget Sound Washington Agent/Broker!

Chris Ann, you can never aim to High, but you can short change yourself 🎅

Merry Christmas Eve Eve Chris Ann Cleland 

Dec 23, 2020 04:45 PM
Chris Ann Cleland

Paul S. Henderson, REALTOR®, CRS --Pushing oneself is never a bad thing when aiming for a goal.

Dec 24, 2020 09:38 AM
Ed Silva, 203-206-0754
Mapleridge Realty, CT 203-206-0754 - Waterbury, CT
Retired Central CT Real Estate Broker

We use my commission sales towards our yearly vacations.  I have yet to hear my wife complain about where it takes us

Dec 23, 2020 06:55 PM
Chris Ann Cleland

My husband would never complain about how we live either.

Dec 24, 2020 09:38 AM
Nina Hollander, Broker
Coldwell Banker Realty - Charlotte, NC
Your Greater Charlotte Real Estate Broker

Congratulations, Chris Ann, on your accomplishment, This story totally illustrates why I rarely go into the office and why I never listen to most agents..

Dec 24, 2020 04:53 AM
Chris Ann Cleland

Most agents in our office are very supportive.  It's a rare thing from what I understand.

Dec 24, 2020 09:38 AM
Rocky Dickerson
Realty One Group - Las Vegas, NV
Superior Service!

Good morning Chris Ann Cleland unfortunately I can say that I have been there in my distant past. I didn't feel I was worthy of that level of success. Luckily, I have grown.

Dec 24, 2020 09:09 AM
Chris Ann Cleland

You do it once you know you can do it again.

Dec 24, 2020 09:39 AM