Real Estate: Where Dreams Go To Die (Unless You Fight Like Hell)

There is more change in the air than usual, and when that happens there is opportunity. This is for you Real Estate Agents. 

Here’s one thing most brokerages and team leaders forget to tell you. Real estate is relentless and an unforgiving arena. When I jumped into real estate I was told to have “Rhino Skin” by my mentor, but I didn’t quite understand what that meant. I later learned that it means that you can’t hang on to one outcome for a long period of time and that you must adapt quickly. I learned that possessing thick skin is more than just advantageous; it's vital armor. 

Resilience isn't optional for us—it's core to our survival and growth. Every market brings its challenges. Think of it as an entrepreneurial bootcamp where every setback is a lesson in disguise, pushing you to innovate, adapt, and evolve or pushing you to get out of the business. Each rejection, every tough negotiation, lawsuit, NAR settlement, interest rate challenges, inventory challenge, and the constant pressure to perform are not just hurdles but invaluable lessons that forge stronger, more adept professionals.

Grit in this context goes beyond mere persistence; it's an unwavering commitment to your priorities in the face of adversity. Many of you have lost your priorities though, you need to refocus on what is important. Real estate is not for the faint-hearted, and unfortunately that’s a truth some agents are learning right now. It demands a level of tenacity and endurance that can and will break you on some days. I know it’s hit me hard in the past, it’s anything but easy. 

This is a domain where only the persistent and resilient thrive; continually honing their skills, expanding their knowledge base, and pushing the boundaries of their comfort zones. For agents, every day is a lesson in perseverance, a test of how creatively and effectively they can navigate through challenges. 

You’re watching what the general consumer thinks about real estate agents. You're listening to what the media is saying and are twisting and convoluting about real estate agents. Here’s the key lesson: when the focus is on commission it’s always a race to the bottom, but what about a different race. A race to the unreachable finish line, one that focuses on relationships? 

Here, success is not just about closing deals; it's about continuously redefining excellence, relentlessly pursuing personal and professional growth, and building a reputation that's rooted in expertise, reliability, exceptional service and that ultimately has you question one thing daily until you internalize it. How do I want them to feel?

In the beginning, in the middle, and at the end. The key question revolves around this: How do people feel when they work with you, when they read your emails, when they read your texts, when they meet with you, when they interact with you?

Let’s start working closer together and share our wins and our losses so we can learn and grow as a community. All for one outcome: To lift this industry up, not from top to bottom, but from bottom to the top. We are the heart of the industry.