08/18/2021
Story Time-
A few years ago my life was heading in a direction I wasn't sure how it was going to work out. I was happy in a new marriage, we bought a house, adopted a 2 year old German Shorthair mix and life could not have been better.
Wait strike that, I started to have an employment problem, So I made a decision to take charge of my own future and get licensed as a realtor in the state of Michigan. I was not sure where it would take me or even if it would stick. At that point in time my main motivation was to make some money. Just like every Joe Shmoe that sees successful realtors or had a good experience with one and says oh well I can do that to make that kind of money.
Once you pass your test and get signed up and join a broker. You pay some start up costs and you are given a blank canvas that is your real estate career. Its usually like holy crap now what do I do, sort of like drinking from a fire hose. You realize very fast wait this isn't so easy after all. In many cases people will join a broker some are great others not so much. But depending on the broker you choose you want to find one that is going to give you some mentorship and guidance. A friend of mine from high school who I won't mention who he is had seen a post on Facebook that I had passed my realtor exam. He referred me to meet Janis DeGregory. I was nervous meeting her as I did not know what to expect. When we met I found a very motivated hard working kind woman who gave me her good graces and gave me chance at her brokerage. My life has changed so much. As I went through some of the initial training and stuff I really felt I had a feel for this.
Little did I know all the gifts that were going to enter my life. Since joining with this agency I have met so many amazing people through networking and meeting with clients. I have had a slow start partially because I have a full time regular job too and partially I have made excuses. I will say I am not sure what I have been afraid of because just about every phone call I make people are nice and friendly, even the dreaded for sale by owner. In this business I get to meet so many interesting people. Most importantly for the first time in a very long time I have felt very good about myself. In real estate you win some you lose some, no doubt I have taken a few tumbles but I keep getting back up. My clients that I have worked with do tend to have a good experience. One thing is for certain if I do not have the answer you are looking for I will make sure I get it. I am not only working with the training knowledge and a few years experience but also with the combined experience of all the professionals in my office.
See we are a family at Janis DeGregory and Associates. They have my back I have their back. They have been very patient with me while I have learned this crazy industry called real estate.
My life can only get better from here. I look forward to continuing to grow as I expand my knowledge skills and confidence. As a high school kid I played for the best football team in Michigan ( Some will debate that but lets go with it) I wrestled for one of the best teams in the state. I had so much confidence doing those things because doing makes you confident. After many many years as a young adult with a lot of trials, several years ago I was sleeping on a blow up mattress in my brothers basement while I found a home. I have come a long way since then. But I did the normal, I woke up I paid my bills I went to work, I got drunk on the weekends, rinse repeat. You do that enough times without expanding what you can do and your confidence starts slipping your life starts to get boring. I now have an awesome opportunity to live my best life and I owed it to stepping out of my comfort zone and doing it. For those looking for inspiration just go out there and do. So what if it doesn't work out or you fail, do anyway. It is much better than watching reruns on TV and just doing nothing productive.
