We read about Great leaders who have overcome tremendous obstacles to achieve... well... Great things. We hear stories of tippy-top producers who found themselves at some point living in their cars... but today make gazillions of dollars. Closer to (my) home, there are stories like Jack Canfield's where he had to peddle his idea for the Chicken Soup for the Soul book to dozens of publishers before one bit... and it became one of the best-selling books of all time.
Stories like these are supposed to be inspiring. But can I be brutally honest for a moment? I find them more intimidating than inspiring. Call me humble (ha!), but I'm just not sure I have what it takes to reach such Greatness and prosperity. Besides that, I've never lived in my car, which seems to be a pre-requisite for Greatness, although I have run out of gas a few times. Does that count?
I find far more inspiration in mediocrity. When I need to rev myself up to work on a chapter in my next book or prepare for an upcoming speaking gig, I seem to magically stumble upon someone in my industry who does their craft poorly, or at least, without Greatness. Many of whom are quite successful, I might add! Just the other day I was reading a fairly popular book about entrepreneurship (which is the topic of my next book) and was stunned at how superficial and obvious, not to mention poorly edited the material was. I mean, DUH. This stuff comes straight from Old School Self-Promotion 101 -- and the book was touted as revolutionary!
Anyway, after reading about half the book, I couldn't wait to get back to working on mine which I'd backburnered earlier this year. Heck, if this guy's stuff can be considered "revolutionary," to what heights might MY stuff climb?!
This approach could easily apply in a real estate career. Sure, there are a handful of real estate practitioners who are Great but the vast majority is, by definition, average. Many, of course, are less-than-average, but darnit, if they don't do okay!? Frustrating, isn't it?
Well, take that frustration and be inspired by it. Visit open houses on Sundays and observe how poorly many agents handle them - their signage, their (lack of) knowledge of the home and neighborhood, and their often-uncomfortable rapport-building skills. Eavesdrop on the other agents in your office and hear how unprofessional some of them sound while talking to prospects and clients. Preview listings in your area and notice how poorly they are priced and marketed. Read through several MLS listings and see how many fields are incomplete and the descriptions dull. As you work your own deals, note how long it takes for other agents to return your calls, and how unfriendly or unprofessional their outgoing voicemail messages are.
I could go on and on, but I think you get the point.
If you, like me, are intimidated by the Great, look to the mediocre for inspiration. You can do better, significantly so, and in today's world of increasing mediocrity, you might find yourself among the Great!
Nice post today!
Thanks,
Patricia
Jennifer what a GREAT post! Thanks for sharing.
I always tell people that the biggest secret to success in the RE industry is answering your phone and returning messages. There's a lot of mediocre out there.
The story that comes to mind when reading this blog is the story in the Bible of the widows mite. In the context of your bloh , how many "great " folks passed in obsurity, while this one determined average person is one we remember 2000 years later. The fact that we do not know the name of this person is perfect for message. Thanks for this post I really liked it
Thanks. It is the mediocre I admire - for they are my friends!
"I've never lived in my car, which seems to be a pre-requisite for Greatness" That is so funny.
Just do it! I feel really mediocre when I bump into "greats" and they feel the need to tell me how "great" they are, how much money they've made so far this year, how many deals they have in the hopper. Funny though, I don't tell them my numbers, and they never ask!
Jennifer, thanks for the well written, funny blog.
If mediocrity is averagicity than mediocre is better than half the population and there is nothing wrong with that aannnnd, we must pass through mediocrity on our way to greatness. Wow, I have profoundictiy this morning. :o)
Wanda - I've tried to read the "inspirational" books by the leaders in our industry, but the overall tone of Greatness just turns me off and yes, intimidates me...
Steve - It's true, doncha' think?
Gary - Excellent!!
Charlie - You always have such interesting comments! I'm glad you follow my blog...
Julia - You are SO right.
Jeremy - LOL
Patricia - Thank YOU for being the first one to stop by!
Wanda - your comment reminded me of a blog I wrote last year... http://activerain.com/blogsview/360369/newbies-don-t-be-intimidated-you-can-do-it
Bill - Indeed! I'm not sure exactly what you said, but I'm positive it was profound.
This is a good post. I hate mediocrity and I think that we all have times of burnout or just dry periods that we need to struggle through. I think that people just need to never "let go" of their dreams and plans!
I don't know, Jen. Mediocrity is a big turn-off for me. I wouldn't be inspired by it...much...but I do get your point in looking at something that is sub-par and thinking, it can be done better...
It is true, when you go to talk to someone who is at "the top of their game" they are a lot of the time self absorbed... and kind of full of themselves.... it takes away from what they can give out to others..... since they are so into their own success....
Talk to the regular "Joe' on the street, just living day by day and week by week... succsessfully... and you might be suprised at what you learn..... they will talk "to you" and not "at you"... you will more than likely take away a LOT more inspiration from that person....
Great post, Jen... (I am enjoying the newsletters too!)
=-)
It all boils down to the fact that we shouldn't try to compete with anyone but ourselves. Are you running your business better than last year? That's a success. Are you getting in front of more people each week? That's a success. I only compare my numbers to my numbers. I'm trying to perform better each year - more transactions, more site visits, more, more, more...but only in comparison to what I've done in the past. I don't need to know what a "top producer" stats look like to determine if I'm meeting my own goals.
Jennifer - First of all not all people who reach greatness had to suffer to get there. Second of all I was so inspired by your book "Selling with Soul" that just today I bought two more copies to give to agents in the office I work in. They will be Christmas gifts to two very deserving hard working agents who are just trying to achieve greatness in their business. I have no doubt your book will help them get there.
Third and I guess last: Greatness is in the eye of the beholder.
Bob - I appreciate all your support! But doesn't it seem that those who claim to be "great" all had some personal tragedy to overcome?
Lisa - I'll buy that. Great stuff.
Alex - so my newsletter isn't too naughty for ya?!
William - I think we agree! I, too, am turned off by mediocrity which inspires me to be better!
Larry - Although during these low points, sometimes it's okay to just Take A Nap, eh?
So true on so many levels... The book side... some books people say are great (T&GR) I hate, just the little engine that could written over and over!
and dont get me started on the lack of professionals... when you can drive up to an open house and tell it is 100k over priced before you step in side, WHAT the heck is the point????
Thank you for the post, well written
Robert - what's T&GR?
Jennifer, as always a great post.
Early in my career in RE, I bought about 20 books on half.com's real estate offerings...there HAD to be so much wisdom there as I started out...
then there was this article by some young blonde lady in Realty Times...I ended up buying her book and loving every page...now I have finished her second book...
I still have 16 of those other guruworks to go, and read through them, shaking my head, laughing, but underlining the bits of "good stuff" that isn't absolutely obvious. As I work toward my Green designation...so much of their stuff is such a waste of natural resources :) :)
Sad that so much mediocrity is viewed as cutting edge.
This post is so inspiring! You are so right! Many, many times I have thought to myself "Wow, if this person who doesn't return phone calls, doesn't use photography to its fullest, etc., can do so well, then surely I can do better!" Thanks for putting it so eloquently!
I went back to the work force at 45 after being a home-market mom for many years. I had to figure out what I was going to do to make a living. I had thought about going back to my roots and going into the restaurant business. But I'm just to broke down and can't stand for as long as that would take. Oprah says, do what you love and the money will follow. I was a real estate junkie. One of my friends and I would go on line and look at real estate in other states just for fun. ( I realize how sick that sounds) Buy hey everyone has a hobby. So I took a couple real estate classes, took the test and bam, I'm a Realtor. But the one thing that convinced me beyoned a shadow of a doubt, that I could make a living, was the agents that I dealt with before. I figured if I listened to people and show up on time. I could make a living. Guess what. My plan worked. I'm very grateful to have run across the SOS idea. It just fit who I am. Thanks Jennifer!
Think and grow rich. HATE that book!
Hi, Jennifer. How funny; I hadn't thought of it that way but most of the time I AM motivated by the mediocre because it is so rewarding to leave them in the dust.
Great po.....errr excuse me.... Mediocre post, Ms. Allan. :)
Some of the "great" figures in history were ordinary Janes and Joes who rose to the occasion when destiny summoned.