11 Months in Real Estate

T​his time last year I was studying for the state test, trying to find a job to keep me afloat as I build my real estate career, and wondering if I was making the right choices. Almost a year later, I am certain I did.

I had not planned on being a real estate professional, but when life throws you a curveball, you have to adapt. Now I cannot imagine where my life would be if I had not taken the leap.

2​021 has been an interesting year. From a financial perspective, it has not been my best. From a well-being perspective, top 5. I had always prided myself on being a workaholic. I was always available to cover shifts, work extra time, never took a vacation and I made myself believe I was happy. When it all came crumbling down I was forced to admit a hard truth: all my hard work made money for someone else, who found it all too easy to discard me. a truth I needed though, allowing me to actually set boundaries on my time and dedicate more time to myself and my personal relationships.

K​ my drive and applying it to my own business and happiness has been the greatest change ever. I am working hard, but I am working hard for my success. I answer to me and me . If I think ideas are a waste of time and not working, I have the power to try new ones. I don't stress about corporate higher-ups making bad decisions or yelling at me for I can't control. I see all the articles on workers being treated poorly and I feel bad for them, but I also feel relief that I escaped that world.

Not that the transition has been all butterflies and rainbows. I took on an admin role for my team and I have people in my life to help ease my financial burden. I would not be able to succeed without that kind of support behind me. 'm still learning what avenues work for me and which ones don't and building a clientele base in a city where I don't know a lot of people not the easiest thing in the world.

used to scoff at people making a living on social media, but now I too have gone down the rabbit hole that is and . am still figuring out how to these avenues to add value to people's lives as well as market myself. a learning curve, but a fun one. I even started a podcast, though not about real estate. A friend and I decided to start it as a way for us to discuss social issues and prove to the world we don't have to hate each other we have different views. It's become our own form of therapy.

A​s I am planning my success for 2022, I realize I need to be more consistent with content, even if that content is a quick market update or a new blog/journal about a day in the life or the reasons I love my job (which is why you are reading this). I still hold on to the hope that I can help some of my music hero's find a place to live here in Phoenix, but I also love seeing vets get their new homes and first-time homeowners realize their dreams. The sense of belonging and accomplishment that comes with being a real estate professional is something I truly cherish.

D​o I have it all figured out? No. I have a lot of room to grow and lessons to learn, but that makes it all the more exciting.