We all know that real estate is a lucrative industry. In fact, according to studies, it's one of the most profitable careers someone can pursue whether they have a degree or not. But just because it's profitable doesn't mean it is easy to become a real estate millionaire CEO or Rainmaker. It takes a lot of work, dedication, and, most importantly, the right skills. While skills such as cold-calling, marketing strategies, & social skills are important, they aren't the skills we will discuss. Every successful real estate professional needs three skills: grit, the ability to delegate, and the constant strive for self-investment.
Grit Is the Ultimate Skill of Success
Grit is the ability to push through when things get tough. As Dr. Angela Duckworth, recipient of MacArthur Grant, a.k.a. Genius Grant, says,
"Grit is passion and perseverance for very long-term goals. Grit is having stamina. Grit is sticking with your future day in and day out, not just for the week, not just for the month, but for years."
It's this dedication and tenacity that separates the successful professionals from the mediocre and the quitters.
Grit Can Be Learned
As a real estate professional, you're going through many rejections on a daily basis from potential clients, current clients, opposing agents, and even your colleagues. It takes a lot of mental strength and resilience to keep going in the face of it all. If at this point you think that you don't have what it takes, think again. Grit is something that can be learned and developed.
Find What Grit Mean In Your Business
What is your end goal in your business? Make a million dollars plus in net profit within a year? Closing 1,000 deals a year? Scaling your brokerage to the next level? Next, find your purpose and why you cannot fail and give up. How will achieving these goals make a positive impact on your life? How will your life be impacted if you don't grow at all from where you are today? Are you willing for that to happen? The more you make yourself accountable to your end goal, the more grit you will develop in your business.
Delegation Is Key to Success
Very few individuals in this world excel at everything they do. If you are one of these lucky individuals who can easily juggle your business, your clients, and your personal life, then kudos to you. But what happens if there is an emergency and you're not available? Unless you can clone yourself or have a time machine, there will always be situations where you cannot be in two places at once.
And for the majority of us mortals, we are only great at certain things, whether it is business, people skills, or creative marketing strategies. It is why delegation is key to success in business. Instead of learning to be mediocre at best at everything, focus on your strengths and delegate the rest. If you're great at generating leads but not so good at paperwork, hire an assistant to do it for you. If you are exceptional at negotiating and closing deals but struggling to make sense of your business financials, hire a bookkeeper to lead that area of your business. Delegating doesn't mean that you're weak or incapable. It means you're smart enough to know your limitations and seek help when needed. No one succeeds at a large scale alone.
Delegate with Like-Minded Individuals
Have you discovered that when you exercise with your friends, you tend to push each other harder and achieve greater results? The same goes for business. When you are surrounded by individuals who share the same values, vision, and work ethic as you do, you are more likely to hold each other more accountable and push each other to be better. And when these individuals happen to work for you, it's a win-win situation where your investment in these experts will pay off both in the short and long run. While your business runs smoothly and scales to the next level, you get to focus on making more money doing what you love.
Investment in Yourself
Your business grows to the extent that you do. The best business owners in the world often have one thing in common - they are students of their craft. Harry Truman once said, “Not all readers are leaders, but all leaders are readers.” The greatest investment one can make is in themselves. Take courses, attend seminars, listen to podcasts, and read books on whatever you feel is your educational gap of the moment. By investing in yourself, you're ensuring that you're always at the top of your game.
Keep Pushing the Limits
One of the best ways to invest your time is to hang with the best players in your field. Being constantly around people who are better than you will force you to up your game and reach their level. You'll be continuously challenged to rethink your business and find new ways to improve. And sometimes, you'll gain a fresh perspective that will completely change your operations. Once you reach their level, don't stop. Continue to push the limits and set your sights even higher.
Bottom Line
The sky's the limit with real estate. If you're having trouble getting into the same room as the top players, start by attending events and listening to podcasts like the ones on ClarityNOW’s podcast page. Not only will you learn the newest trends in the business, but you will also learn all the previous mistakes and lessons learned by some of the best in the industry. And once you've reached their level, continue to strive for self-improvement and reach even greater heights. Who knows, maybe one day you'll be the one sharing your story on a podcast.
Reference
Duckworth, Angela. Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance. First Scribner hardcover edition. New York, NY: Scribner, 2016. Print.
