Goals can be a great thing, but when they become unbalanced and extreme they can be fraught with unintended consequences. In the field of real estate, these unintended consequences often begin as relatively benign events.
Two common examples are occasionally working longer hours, and working with people who don't realize we have family lives, too. They're a part of helping our clients reach the finish line. They come with the territory.
But if the pressure to sell ramps up and goes unchecked, the occasional long hours and late work night can turn into a regular affair. This is when the more serious unintended consequences can pop up and reveal some uncomfortable truths.
Like the truth that we're short-changing our own wellbeing, and some of our most precious relationships. That we're spending an unhealthy amount of time scrolling on social media, posting about our successes, comparing ourself to others, and feeling like we don't measure up. That we're beginning to view our clients as transactions, not people, in our quest for the next sale.
Fortunately, there's a much better way to work.
It's making the clear choice to show up each day and use our careers to generously serve others. And the really good news here is that we have so many ways in which to serve.
As professionals, we can begin by choosing to carry out our duties with skill and care, and to always follow through on our promises. As friends and neighbors, we can host gatherings for our clients, and thank them for supporting our business. And as marketers (yes we still need to market ourselves), we can become known for our reliable market insight, for our helpful real estate advice, and for our connections to reputable local businesses.
When we choose a generous approach that aligns well with our values (and stick with it), the sales will come. Even better, we will have found a deeper purpose for our work that will sustain us throughout our real estate career.
For more of our thoughts on building a rewarding and sustainable real estate practice, check out our careers blog here.
