The Question:
A friend posted the above picture on Facebook last week.
My first trip to Mexico. Great, right?
Not so fast.
The trajectory of my life changed on this trip.
It was on this trip, late at night, on the very first night, when Stacey asked me, “Should we get a divorce?”
This part of the story I’ve told you many times. The part I’ve left out (until now) will shock you. It’s the part of the story that I’m still a little hesitant to share.
You’re gonna have to be an adult to hear this.
So, no thumb-suckers, no soft-tees, no sissies – should read beyond this point.
Before I do, let’s remember why Stacey asked me such a shocking question.
I got my real estate license back in the 1900’s.
I chose real estate because there was no ceiling on the amount of money that one could make. I got into real estate for the money. Like most do. But rarely admit.
I didn’t get in because I liked “looking” at houses. Or, that I had the gift of gab (I certainly do not).
Once “inside”, the business (as you know) is completely different than it looks from the outside. There is very little in the way of training. No game plan. Other than, “There’s your phone. Have at it!”
So I began to do what others did, make phone calls. Hold open houses. Knock on doors. Beg friends and family.
Come to think of it, there’s a second element of my story that I’ve never shared (that I’m about to). This unheard part of the story will not shock you. Because you’ve already experienced it. Any and every time you cold-call and door-knock – you experience it.
More on that in a moment.
And don’t worry, I’m about to speed the story up to accommodate your “programmed” lack of concentrated attention squirrel brain (the same brain I have).
As I gained momentum in my business I worked more and more.
There were many weeks and months during 2002, 3, 4, 5, and into 2006 that I worked seven days a week.
By 2007, the team I cobbled together had the appearance of something special. I was working less hours and we were selling more homes.
In August of 2008, the subprime Wall Street scam had completely crippled the real estate markets to a point that finally dragged the nation’s economy down with it.
In 2009, I sat around my office and played online poker until the coast was clear (no agents working and I’d send my assistant home early) – and then I’d watch Breaking Bad on Netflix.
That year the company net profit was $100.
By 2010, I was ready for a comeback.
Oh crud, Stacey just yelled up to the lab (home office) and said it’s time to leave for the gym.
I’ll pick things up tomorrow…
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