Visit most real estate training sites and you'll pretty quickly see references to being a Superstar or a Champion or a Hero or a Top Producer or some other high-falutin' descriptive term for a tippy-top level of real estate production. You'll see testimonials from agents who bought whatever system is being marketed claiming to have tripled their income or hit the half-million mark in commissions or sold 167 houses their first month on the program.
Wow. That's something. I'll admit to being intimidated by such marketing, both as an active real estate agent AND a real estate trainer myself. Gee, I never made $500,000 or sold 300 houses in a year. Neither has anyone I've ever coached or mentored or trained.
Do I believe the claims? Sure I do - no real reason to believe that such levels aren't attainable just because I never did it or know anyone who did.
But I don't believe that the majority of agents are going to see anywhere near those production levels, regardless of what system, program or philosophy they follow. No, not even in a good market.
And that's okay! I have a loyal following of several thousand real estate agents who don't want or need to set the world on fire - they just want to make a consistent, comfortable living, doing business in a manner they're proud of, making more people happy than unhappy. They also want to have time for their families, their hobbies and their naps. They don't want to be Power Prospectors who generate business 14 hours a day and then hand it off to their harem of assistants and specialists on their way out the door to drum up even more.
Hey, there's nothing wrong with wanting to be the Top Dog in your office, neighborhood, city, county or state. But if you don't, that's okay, too. There's plenty of room (and commission checks) here in the middle for those with slightly less-grand aspirations.
So, don't fret if you doubt you'll ever be a Superstar. You're in very good company.
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Nice post. I fall into the category. I do not want to be a suoer star .
While I wouldn't mind being the top producer in my office, I'd be quite content with occasionally having the most listings or units sold for the month, and have a somewhat regular income.
Success in real estate can be achieved on many levels. I think it's more important to have a life you love than superstar status.
AMEN! BRAVO! WHOO-HOO! Yep, that me, Ms. Average, Never Been a Superstar but like Norma says "it's more important to have a life" and boy do I have a life. I love my life (most days). I have a good life and while it would be nice to have more money in the bank than I do or go on exoctic and fabulous vacations a couple of times a year, I'm not willing to do what it takes to do that; the sacrifices wouldn't be worth it to me.
I cant be a superstar. But I'm a superstar in my own ways. Just because there is a "list" or an achievement out there, I want my name on it. I think you work the same way too. But trying to get that has been unhealthy for my marriage and I have to recognize that.
I have been at the top, and it is fun! you just need the systems in place and work effeciently and most importantly.... NEVER forget to have fun along the way, not just in work, but make time to play and stick with it or you will go crazy!
I'm one of those that believe success has to do with balance in all aspects of my life. Top Dog means giving something else up...I'm at the age....I'm not giving up anything for something else. :)
There's no wrong answer to this..what level you want to reach in life that's fine...we all don't want the same things. I like to be among the top producers in the office, state, city, etc. though there is a balance i want to have...which means i go hard from when I wake to the time I go bed. I love this business though I'm still tweeking details on how i want to run it...i know i will get there....can't settle for average...i want what life has to offer.
Thanks for the comments! Here's where my mind was when I wrote this... I've been talking to a lot of agents lately who seem to be really down on themselves because they aren't anywhere close to being Superstars. But they're doing okay - probably better than most, actually. No, they're not selling 50 houses, but they're out there, doing their thing, serving their clients, attending closings on a semi-regular basis. And I don't think they realize how impressive that is in a difficult economy.
When I was at the peak of my career, I literally had no idea I was the top producer in my office - I figured that all the other agents who were always posturing and bragging and looking so terribly busy were blowing me away in production. And of course, since I wasn't doing all those activities you "had" to do to be a top producer, I had to assume I was a disappointment to the industry!
Anyway, just know that if you are showing up to work and taking great care of your clients and prospects, you're a Superstar in my book!!! (is that sappy, or what?)
As long as you "show up" and Service the CRAP out of them! Do your job and do it well and you will not have to beg for referrals! (and have fun doing it)
I set my goals and work hard to achieve them. So far every year I have made them and in our current bad market I have actually surpassed them. My goal is to be the agent who makes the client sitting in my car or across me at a desk happy. If I don't make another 500 clients happy that year so be it!
Jennifer, I guess you know how I feel about. You were actually making me nervous on the webinar when you started talking about me a s a "top producer". That is soooooo not me. I'm just a simple guy doing a good job for the people I choose to work with. Balance is every thing for me.
I can't wait to start reading the new book.
I don't need to be the top producer but I do want to do well what I produce.