Good for you, Stevers. I was not following your last thread, so I'm glad you started a new one to catch my attention!

I drag so much stupid burden around with me.
Thanks for inspiring a way to start leaving it behind.

My first "giving up" is a little harder to define--
I spend way too much time at my work,
compared to the benefits I get(I would like to be able to make more than an eked-out living, and have recovery time.)

Other agents are out prospecting for new clients,
while I spend tons of time & energy serving the one or two I have, that come to nothing or little.

I have to give up something here,
to make room for enough clients
to support my business & myself beyond fear & subsistance.

I might be in the wrong business.

I'm a real estate agent. Agents whom I admire, and my past clients, describe me as one of the best they have worked with. All that great stuff--contientious, accountable, informative, not pushy, responsive, integrity, proactive. OK, yay, I'm proud & glad. I ask for referrals. "Please let your friends know how great I am, I'm happy to take care of them just like I cared for you."

But where are the next clients? I need to eat. I need new glasses. I've written 3 contracts and taken 2 listings in the last 5 months. Only one has produced a paycheck.

I see plenty of agents, who do crappy-crappy jobs on behalf of their clients, selling homes and collecting paychecks. AND these agents never seem to be at classes or trainings beyond the minimum to keep the license, and never serve on community projects.

Agents who seem to have the easiest time making new clients
are the ones who have a military spouse,
or are in the PTSA, or soccer moms,
or formally worked in small town grocery stores.

I'm not in that position.
I'm not much of a joiner, no kids in school.
I'm very down to earth,
and I avoid cheap flashy gadgets,
drinking parties, television,
cheesy gas hog cars & trucks.

My former landscaping clients
seem too freaked out by my career change
to buy or sell a home with me.

So, what is it I have to give up?
Can someone else see what I'm not seeing?

Is it my real estate career? (5 years in December.)

Is it the care I take in a transaction,
to protect my clients' investments and net values?

The whole thing has been a new world to me.
Literally, I dug in the dirt for a living
before I switched to Real Estate.
I worked in garden centers and did some landscape design.
I'm a lifetime status Wa State Certified Nursery Professional.
The garden center business is disappearing around here. Besides, it did not pay a living either.

Sometimes I feel that I'm missing a piece of my puzzle,
--or a whole corner! --and if I could get that piece in place,
the rest will follow naturally.

Can some fellow LS patron make
any suggestions on what I need to give up?
I am grateful in advance!

Thanks again Stevers, for posting it fresh.


Last edited by Linda Carroll; 08/03/09 04:42 PM.

Warmest wishes,

Linda
Washington State