Who says that your career can’t be profitable and a heck of a lot of fun? Not me. In fact, as a real estate broker and trainer, I proclaim that the more fun you have selling real estate, the more real estate you will sell!
Okay, sure, that sounds nice, Jennifer, but what do you mean exactly? How do I have FUN?
Well, first, you need to enjoy working for a living! I mean this in a general sense — that you have a reasonably strong work ethic…that you get up early in the morning or work past 5 p.m. at night. Or both. That the idea of earning lots of money makes you smile. Note, I didn’t say “being handed” lots of money; I said “earning” lots of money. There’s a difference.
I love to work. I love making money. I get a real thrill out of doing something a little better or a little smarter than I did it last week and seeing an increase in my compensation as a result. Not to say I haven’t had jobs I hated; no, I’ve had my share of those, just like you. But I’ve never considered leaving the working world altogether; in fact, I’ll bet there hasn’t been one day in the last 12 years that I haven’t worked, even if just for ten minutes. I doubt I ever retire. What on earth would I DO all day?
One of the primary impediments to fun is Other People. There are certainly lots of unpleasant Other People on this planet. My advice is simple. Stay away from them. Let them go. Refer. Delete. NEXT! Find someone new to play with. Open your mind to the idea that you can choose your friends, clients, associates and service providers.
Another way to kill your fun is to do things that make you feel icky. A lot of sales training programs require you to knock down doors and call up strangers - if these activities make your stomach churn, don’t do them. Truly, there are dozens of ways to drum up business besides these traditional methods! Of course, you need to be doing something and the quicker you figure out what works for you, the quicker you’ll start having FUN. (And making money.)
I’m a big fan of staying in my comfort zone. I don’t see any need to stress myself out over a marketing activity I don’t wanna do, just because some guru tells me I should. I think I’m pretty wonderful the way I am, and I feel just fine about accommodating my own personality when planning my business activities and initiatives. And you know what? Maybe one day I’ll wake up and decide that I want to call up FSBO’s or Expired Listings and at that point, I’ll do it. Before then...nah. I have other things to do.
For 12 years, I've run a nearly 100% Sphere of Influence business (that is, all my business came from people I knew or people I met instead of through overt prospecting to strangers). Now let me tell you...THAT is fun.
In short, make your career work for you. YOU. Part of the joy of owning your own business is the freedom to be YOU and do it YOUR way.
Have fun!
Jennifer Allan is a former top producing real estate broker, a published author, a speaker and a trainer. She has written five books about the business of selling real estate, including her flagship book: Sell with Soul: Creating an Extraordinary Career in Real Estate without Losing Your Friends, Your Principles or Your Self-Respect.
Jennifer's message to agents and other self-employed salespeople is that they should strive to be competent advisors, rather than simply competent prospectors. Her books are written with this philosophy in mind. The title - Sell with Soul - is really just a catchy phrase for following the Golden Rule in the salesperson’s day-to-day practice. Treating clients and prospects respectfully, as the salesperson him or herself would like to be treated. Being competent, reliable and fair, and motivated by a true desire to earn a commission, not just show up at closing with hand outstretched.
She is a regular columnist at Realty Times and RIS Media, a member of the RE/MAX Hall of Fame and one of the industry's most popular bloggers. To learn more about Jennifer's books and philosophies, please visit her website SellwithSoul.com.