CHAPTER 8: BE YOUR OWN BOSS
If you don’t know where you are going you will end up somewhere else or if you don’t know where you are going how do you know when you get there?
Just after Christmas while we were on MLS ™ Tour I overheard two very busy and likely successful veteran realtors talking about their holidays they took. Each of these realtors had been in the business almost as long as I have been alive. One realtor was so surprised and ‘’green with envy” because she had heard that that realtor had taken four weeks off and stayed in Hawaii. This realtor commented that that was her goal and both realtors agreed it was important to take more time off.
I listened and smiled to myself as I had taken about 12 weeks off just one year before planning to take 14 months off! (Note: I have only been back in business less than 3 years!!) I know for a fact that both of these realtors grossed way more in sales than I did but I grossed way more in being my own boss and enjoying the rewards that being my own boss provides.
The limitations most of us face are those that we place upon ourselves. I meet so many people that work for others and are constantly complaining about their bosses, their work, or just about anything they can that anyone will listen to. Even realtors (believe it or not) are chronic complainers. Realtors are supposed to be independent business people also known as professionals yet so many are tied into a cycle that will see them making their franchisors’ richer and richer. The best thing I ever did was getting my Agent’s license and establish my own firm.
The first two years I had to work under another Agency and it was hard for me to be in the office with a bunch of other realtors ‘hovering’ over perspective people who would peer at the house listings posted on the front exterior windows. Not only that, negativity breeds negativity. The office was a great place to go and get ‘depressed’. Positivity breeds negativity in a real estate office because realtors not making money don’t want to hear about someone else’s great month of sales. If you are a realtor, have been a realtor, or know a realtor, you have heard some of the stories – there are no shortages in that department.
It behooves you to begin thinking for yourself. To not do so is nothing short of insanity. Insanity can be defined as doing the same thing over and over again yet expecting a different outcome. That is exactly where most realtors get stuck. It is a vicious circle. Admittedly, I am one of the laziest people around. Yet most people wouldn’t necessary describe me as such. Admittedly, I will look for the absolute easiest and quickest way to accomplish a desired result.
I know myself better than anyone else and therefore know my strengths as well as my weakness. I am the best person to decide how I can achieve the most and ultimately that is what life all about – utilizing your God given gifts to their fullest. For example, I’m a morning person and I am most productive at that time so don’t tell me to do most of my work in the evenings when I value my time with my family and have little motivation to do business.
To be your own boss you need to know what needs to be done and just do it. Cut out all the other things that are time wasters. I won’t mention examples at this time because what may be a waste of time in my opinion maybe valuable to you. You must focus on what you must do and how to get it done. After all, it is you who has to make the mortgage, car and credit card payments and not Mr. REMAX, or MR. COLDWALL BANK, OR MRS. SUTTON.
Real Estate is a perfect profession to be your own boss. For example, the two veteran realtors mentioned at the start of this chapter (and all franchised realtors) have to sell 300% more than I do to produce the same net income!! For a lazy guy like me, those are pretty good odds to making good money, saving time and having fun!!
Advice: If you want to be your own boss and decide for yourself how things are going to be than start your own firm and pay yourself – not the franchisor! Not doing so will keep you ‘spinning’ in the cycle of ‘why am I not there yet’!
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