THERE ARE SO MANY stories of agents climbing the ladder of success. The definition of success does vary, but as agents we have a lot in common. We want similar things from our lives: peace of mind, good health, meaningful and loving relationships, recognition for what we do, and financial freedom. A real estate career can be the perfect way to achieve this life – when you know how, says author of How To Have It All Christina Guidotti.
MANY IN THIS industry work long hours and achievement still escapes them. It’s not enough just to get things done. I’ve also met a lot of agents who are high achievers but are not fulfilled. There is often something missing. Sometimes we are ignoring truths about our real estate career. This story is so common. Many climb the ladder of success to wake up one day to find that their ladder is actually leaning on the wrong wall. Many work hard but with mediocre results, or high achievement but little fulfilment.
A TIPPING POINT
Success begins with making a decision not to be passive and not to settle. The decision to live a life of both achievement and fulfilment as a real estate agent is the first step to creating and maintaining extraordinary and sustainable success. This is the crucial tipping point – when you move from wishing to having!
Agents divide into two groups:
- Group Wishing: Agents who remain wishful without taking responsibility.
- Group Having: Agents who take responsibility to make their wishes come true.
Group Wishing says:
- I wish my real estate career was different
- I wish I had more time and energy to get things done
- I wish I had more listings and sales
- I wish I didn’t have to work long hours
- I wish I could finally reach the goals I set each year!
Group Having says:
- I’ve made a decision to take responsibility for my life
- I’m clear about the direction I am going in
- I make quality choices on a daily basis
- I’m disciplined and productive
- I’m moving with purpose towards my destination.
CHOOSE YOUR GROUP
Success requires you to decide which group you will belong to. Strive to be the very best you can be and move from wishing to having. Choose Group Having!
PRODUCTIVITY IS A NECESSITY FOR GROUP HAVING
I’ve been in business nearly 20 years and for 12 of those years in the real estate industry – highly successful, personally productive, with highly productive and profitable teams. I’ve always been obsessed with productivity. Being productive was a necessity – for me, my family and as a business leader. In my real estate career I was juggling myself, husband, son, daughter, family, friends, sellers, buyers, team, career all while building and renovating several houses. It was rewarding and hectic.
My team achieved brilliant results and built and maintained an excellent reputation. We won industry awards and recognition. The wealth was also fantastic. But even with such high achievement I know the challenges we face as agents to maintain all the important areas of life – to try to have it all.
HOW TO HAVE IT ALL
As the author of How To Have It All I know for many ‘having it all’ may sound like a high aim. At times in our lives this possibility could appear close; at other times it may seem unreachable. Having it all is about finding achievement and fulfilment across all areas of life. It’s about living with your very best health, wealth and relationships.
BUT WHAT’S REALLY GOING ON?
In the Western World, the standard of living continues to improve with better food, clothing, housing, medical services, education, travel, technology, entertainment and career opportunities. We have so many choices, and we still want more… but in particular we want to be happier. Agents are no exception. Many agents are having it tough – struggling under great pressure from juggling work and life; pulled physically, psychologically, emotionally and financially.
WHAT’S NOT THE SOLUTION?
Most work longer hours to try to meet all the commitments or to get ahead. Increased choice and demands bring increased stress and more conflict between work and family life. This daily ritual is overwhelming.
The World Health Organisation reports on the debilitating effects of depression and anxiety. There is no better investment than you! And to say ‘I don’t have time’ is not the solution. We cannot afford not to take this time now, because as life goes on the pressure compounds and so do the consequences of doing nothing.
THE SOLUTION
It begins with taking responsibility by implementing a few steps that will reduce the pressure of life: a bit of short-term effort as opposed to a lifetime of pressure. It’s about delivering on the promises you make to yourself.
Achievement and fulfilment in real estate is about five steps:
- The Who: taking responsibility for your work and home life
- The Why: finding clarity around what really matters
- The What: consistently making the right choices
- The How: being inspired and driving productivity
- The Bigger Why: discovering a purpose with high achievement and fulfillment!
LEARN HOW WITH PRODUCTIVITY
The major difference between those who succeed and those who don’t is that the former know how. They have learnt to be productive. Life becomes a lot simpler when you know how.
I have seen people who feel strongly about why they want something, but fulfilment escapes them. I’ve also seen people study for years to learn so much; they know the what but then don’t take the right actions. To find great achievement and fulfilment you need to master all five steps.
The how (step 4) – being inspired and driving productivity – often presents an obstacle when we don’t know how to make success happen. The solution is to learn to be productive. Productivity is a skill
that needs to be studied and practised and mastered over time. It is a crucial element of the how.
Without learning to be productive, you are likely to have a bunch of things you want but never quite get. Being productive increases your motivation as you can’t wait to get to work – that is, get to work on your life!
Learning how may be all that’s missing to ignite your inner fire. The fire that’s needed to climb the ladder of success to both achievement and fulfilment!
