Tennis great Roger Federer won more than 80% of all the single matches he ever played. There would have been tens of thousands of individual points within those games over his 20-year-career.
And yet the most he ever won those games by was 54%. That’s 4% between winning and losing. Between winning one singles title and winning 20 grand slams. Between a mediocre career and one that some consider the best ever.
For those who think there is a big margin between good and great, I encourage you to think again.
The number is deceptively small, meaning that you’re much closer to achieving your goals than you think.
And the key to doing so? Your habits, your mindset and your strategies.
Here are my top tips for those looking to level up.
1. Fall in love with hard work
We work in an industry where good enough is simply not good enough.
Our clients, our communities and our colleagues deserve more than that – and so do we. In real estate we’ve all worked hard to get to where we are at this present moment.
Many of us have proven we’ve got what it takes and are enjoying the success we’ve worked for.
But what you have now and the strategies you’ve drawn on, won’t necessarily serve you to the same degree in the future.
To unlock that next level and achieve the greatness that’s possible for us all, we need to fall in love with that next frontier of hard work. That next level of grit and dedication is what will see you edge ahead and set you on the path to where you want to go.
It’s one extra call every day, it’s one extra face-to-face meeting, it’s one tough conversation – whatever it looks like for you – make it a call to action and see how much momentum it generates.
2. Lean into agitation
One of my all-time favourite sayings is ‘agitation is the edge where learning is beginning’. Agitation between wanting to do one thing and choosing to do another is what triggers your brain to re-wire itself.
When others run away from agitation, I want you to run towards it.
Why? Because one of the greatest disappointments we can have is the feeling of having “permanent potential”.
So lean in to what feels difficult or different. Ask for feedback. Take it on graciously and continue to adjust until you unlock the next level. You might not exactly know when you’re there, but your results will start to reflect a shift.
3. Master your mindset
It’s all in your head – in a good way. When we learn to master our mindset, we can master our day. This is not about never facing tough feelings or showing vulnerability.
It’s about resilience, and your ability to remember that you have the power and choice to change your life at any moment.
What I find useful is to constantly check in with yourself. Question whether the story you’re telling yourself is a positive one. Is it setting up you up for success or is it preparing you for eventual defeat? Someone is going to raise the bar so it might as well be you – and it starts between your ears.
4. Choice management
How you spend your time and energy, day in day out, will impact how your days look. How you feel.
The people you’re speaking with and the responses you’re achieving.
Days turn into weeks; weeks turn into months. You know how this goes.
Don’t get to December and wish you’d done things differently.
You want to look back on it and reflect on what an absolute bumper season of growth 2025 was for you.
5. Be a light for others
We all know those people who have great energy. We can’t be like that 100% of the time, and there’s no expectation to be.
But I want you to remember the simple but significant impact that you can have on others just by how you show up.
Speak positively about your clients and colleagues and the path that you’re on.
The ability to continue to do so even when you are faced with challenges or setbacks is the key.
All of these will be feelings of agitation that you will need to lean into.
They will be in your head. They will be a choice, and they will be hard work. But they’ll be worth it.
And remember that at 4%, whatever you’re looking for, is within reach.
