17/12/2024
Goodbye ….. my time has come.
The personal events of January this year led me down an enormous, unplanned and unexpected journey of heartbreak, hurt & healing and in turn begun the journey of self-discovery. On the back of that, after almost 14 years, my time as a real estate agent has come to an end.
For 14 years I’ve tried so hard to be the “good guy” in an industry both known for and in all honesty full of lies, deception & manipulation.
For the last couple of years, I have struggled and been mentally tired: exhausted in fact. Exhausted from the internal frustration & struggle of trying to help people that don’t want to listen and then having to sit back and watch them get burnt time and time again and as an empath, that hurts: a lot!
Please don’t misinterpret these words, for the best part I have loved both being an agent and what being an agent offered me the opportunity to do (like attending my kids sporting events) and of course, I loved meeting so, so many wonderful people along the way.
I became an agent 14 years ago after financially losing everything: a big part of that was due to an agent (albeit I 100% accept responsibility for all things in my life, that was just how I felt at the time of getting into real estate). Going through the process of losing everything including our family home at the time, I had the misfortune to meet a number of agents that completely lacked any sort of moral integrity.
After that, I somehow thought I could become an agent and change the way agents were perceived. Early on I heard a lot about a local Nambour agent (that had not long passed) and how he was such a great human, an honest man, who had such an immense respect in the community. I remember a few years into my time in real estate, people started commenting that I reminded them of him. The ULTIMATE compliment for me at the time.
Even on the weekend, my daughter messaged me late Saturday night asking me if I knew a certain guy (a long term Coast agent she had just met and been talking to) and I replied “yes I know of him, he works at ….” – she replied with “he quite likes you, sounds like he looks up to you a little bit” …… then a few minutes later she sends “I’m so proud of you. I love you”.
I promised myself before I started that regardless of the situation and who I was dealing with: truth, honesty & transparency would always come first. I know I have stuck to my promise.
There are and have been people, that due to the industry reputation, may have thought differently in moments, but I can look myself in the mirror and with certainty know I have never swayed from my promise and for that I am so very proud of myself.
My honesty has cost my family & I a LOT of money over 14 years, but my integrity is worth so much more than the money.
Over 14 years I have met so many amazing people and had so many amazing experiences. There were hundreds of wonderful people that DID choose to trust me and believe my sincerity in trying to help. To all of those that have trusted me to handle their sale and/or referred me to friends & family, I sincerely THANK YOU. I am eternally grateful for your support and believing in me, who I am and what I do. Please know, you have my absolute permission to phone me ANYTIME!
14 years with the same office and same brand is crazy. Prior to joining RE/MAX I had never stayed at one job longer than 18 months!! (Haha, thanks ADHD)
RE/MAX as a brand, has been an incredible vehicle. So many great people, special mention to the entire Davoren family.
Of course, the Nambour Office has been a wonderful home for me. To all of those colleagues that I have worked with over the years, THANK YOU. I hope in some way I had a positive impact on your lives. I’ve enjoyed working beside you all.
Whilst I didn’t want to mention names initially, it doesn’t seem right to not mention several people that I spent over 10 years working beside: Steve Perry, Steve Pery and Richard Krausz. At one point the 4 of us had all been together in the same office for over 10 years. There are not too many agencies in Australia that can say that.
I have no idea whatsoever of what comes next, I have no plans, I truly have no idea: but after much healing this year, I have reached a beautiful place of surrender. Surrendering to what “God”, the “Universe”, “Source” or whatever energy that is out there, has install for me.
Who knows where I will be this time next year: backpacking around the World, living in Thailand or Dubai, working on some Island, or maybe creating some purpose driven business: I don’t know and only time will tell, but what I do know is, it is time.
Over the coming weeks, I will most likely disappear from the social media World. Early next year I plan on living in the mountains of Bali for a couple of months and listening to my heart and my soul about what comes next. I am incredibly grateful that I am in the position to choose to do this for myself.
Deep down I know I have a higher purpose in this World. I know I have the wisdom to help so many more people in this world and that at 51, I still have so much time to find and deliver that gift to the World.
I’m sure you will all see me again soon enough. For those of you that do not have it, please take down my number and know that you are always welcome to contact me (0411 123 888).
And so, with Love & Grace I shall ‘exit stage left’.
Love, Peace & Blessings to you all.
Until we meet again …… arrivederci
