Being a rookie agent can be a nerve-racking journey, but as Eview Group Chief Executive Officer Manos Findikakis explains, new starts often have key attributes every agent should aspire to.
I love working with new starts. I love the apprehension, the nervous energy, the enthusiasm to learn and the raw determination to make things happen.
What I love most, however, is seeing those agents go from being rookies to elite status in record time.
Rookies have an infectious attitude. It’s that rookie mindset that takes you back to when you first started and reliving the excitement of your very first deal. Your first listing and your first sale.
It’s a key characteristic of those that wish to continually grow, both personally and professionally. It’s a mindset and attitude that separates the seasoned professional who keeps breaking personal bests from the ‘know-it-all’ who is constantly stuck.
At its heart, the rookie mindset is an energy state.
It’s when the new kid on the block aspires to become the next million-dollar agent.
I’m not making any judgment or taking anything away from those that may not wish to (and in most cases believe they can) reach such lofty heights, but it’s simply put as a measure of success or target. It’s the excitement and fist pump in the air and controlled yell on securing a listing or sale that never leaves those with ambitious aspirations.
Such goals and aspirations are the catalyst that set the foundation for a stellar start in real estate, whether your start is in sales, property management or taking the leap into business ownership. Maintaining a rookie mindset throughout your career, and at all stages, works.
The following are the key things newcomers do to propel their careers to elite status in record time.
They learn the rules of the game
By learning the rules of the game, they learn to find and anticipate opportunities.
The ‘what comes next’ and ‘what should I say’ become automatic. Once they master the game, they work hard to play better than anyone else.
A mindset of perpetual learning
The time to leave this industry is when you think you know it all. It’s the most dangerous of mindsets.
If there has been one thing in the industry that has remained constant, and that will remain constant, it is ‘change’.
The fundamentals may stay the same, but how we do what we do will continually change.
We must continually ‘sharpen the saw.’
They work with a mentor
The transference of knowledge from an experienced agent to a newcomer is not as easy as most think.
Often the gap between what we know and how we got there is more detailed and verbalising it is difficult.
Working with an experienced agent in the field, or being surrounded by a team or network, fast tracks learning and more importantly results.
The access to high achievers who are willing to share has never been more important and relevant.
This is why we are seeing many agents reach the million-dollar status in record time, when part of a mentor group.
They invest in brand ‘you’
There is no secret or denying the fact that today’s real estate professionals must become their own brand.
It’s not to say they need to start their own business with a logo, colour and office, but they must get their personal brand, and promote their name in the community.
If you are working in an environment that does not promote your personal brand look at making a change. I know it’s a bold statement, but if you want to make a mark in this industry, you cannot do it in the shadow of a brand.
Rookies and newcomers to our industry have never had more access to tools that can fast track and propel their careers in record time.
Established and seasoned professionals have never had more opportunity to leverage their past successes to win even more business.
As we rapidly approach the Spring selling season, and as the country navigates the continued uncertainty and changing trading conditions from imposed lockdowns, we will see individuals not only make the best of a difficult period, but come out the other end thriving.
Make sure you’re one of them.
