May 12th, 2016

TOO MUCH PERSONAL PRIDE IN REAL ESTATE SALES
© by M. Mitch Freeland
 
It’s not what you do sometimes that doesn’t make you a success in real estate sales; it is what you refuse to do because of personal pride.  I’m not talking about having pride in your work or taking pride in your appearance, I’m talking about pride by believing you are “above this” or “above that” when it comes to work—that is, work that is necessary to grow your business, expand your venture or make you a better you. 
 
Let me demonstrate what I mean here so we’re all on the same page.  For our example, let’s say you are a real estate agent—a very mediocre one at that.  You closed four transactions last year and made a whopping $24,000.   If all you are making is $24,000 and you say you are a full time agent, then why are you in this business, you’re a fraud—you’re pretending to be something you’re not. A professional, full-time agent should be making $100,000 per year.  You are completely independent to work as hard and as intelligently as you possibly can and your income will be evidenced by how much effort you put out.  To boost your income, you’ve got to meet more people, market yourself (promote), and simply hustle to get the business.   Many people do not succeed because they are unwilling to due activities that might make them look average, foolish or beneath their dignity.  If the activity or task is not immoral or unethical, and if it does not offend God, then our activity is perfectly all right. For example: Have you ever seen a car with magnet signs all over it advertising the services of a real estate agent and said to yourself “How tacky—I could never do that.” 
 
Have you ever walked up and down streets, knocking on doors and meeting homeowners, introducing yourself and asking if they are in the market for selling or buying another house or investment property?  Have you ever seriously farmed an area heavily for two years, getting to know many of the resident home owners, and getting to know them on a first name bases?  Some agents would rather go broke than work an area on foot. Smart agents know that you have to get in front of customers to get listings. They also know that people do business with people they know, people they like and people they respect.  When you are out there hustling, meeting people, and working hard, you will earn the business because you will earn the respect of customers who witness to your efforts. Don't let personal pride stand in the way of your success. Get out there and meet lots of people in your neighborhood.
 
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