Nine years into this thing called real estate…

Saturday, August 10th, 2024 and Sunday, August 11th, 2024

Dear Realtor,

Below you will find some passive advice from me. ❤

Today, I am thinking about the advice I wish I had been given at various moments or stages of my life. I have been a realtor for nine years and have always craved a mentor. The problem was that I never found the right one to look up to. If you encounter an individual you think might make a great mentor, please do a little social media and Google search deep-dive. Look at their current life and ask yourself, “Do I want to go in the direction they took their life?”

// Be careful who you follow.

A part of me wishes I had been more careful with the mentors I selected. I know I have learned a lot from all of my mistakes, and they all brought me to where I am today but looking back, having the right mentor would have made my journey smoother.

Growing up and growing older, I have realized that you can’t have it all. While you can have anything you want, you cannot have everything you want. True success, I believe, lies in aligning our actions with our values and finding harmony that allows for growth in all essential areas of life. It’s about thoughtfully choosing what matters most and creating a life that reflects those priorities.

Sacrifices are a part of life. We must ensure that in our pursuit of success, we don’t sacrifice the very things that give our lives meaning. Don’t forget: You get to define success. I didn’t know this until it was almost too late, and I am thankful I finally stumbled upon it.

// You get to define success.

Rather than solely focusing on metrics such as wealth or status, seek a balance that aligns with your values and goals. Your story might not be as extreme as mine, but sometimes you have to lose yourself to find yourself.

Finding yourself can be found in finding what you love. You should love your life. It doesn’t need rainbows and unicorns, but it should be peaceful. You should be in alignment with the ones you love most. For me, these are the ones within my “four walls.” My dad gave me advice when I started growing my family. He told me to “protect my four walls.”

// Protect your four walls.

So many people before me have illustrated this concept better than I can do it justice, and Winston Churchill is one of my favorites. He said, “We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.”

Giving is the best way to get what you want out of life. I discovered this inadvertently one day as I shadowed my mentor on a listing appointment. I had always thought there was a secret to real estate. That day I learned two things: there is no secret to real estate, and all you have to do is be nice.

// There is no secret to real estate.

I have always been very patient, and I love giving everything my all. But one way to rise above the others is to go a step or mile farther. People need to know they are important to you. Of course, you need to be able to do your job well, along the lines of competency, but that can be learned. Being a good person can’t be learned. You either are or you are not.

I don't know how long you have been in this industry, but there is a high concentration of real estate agents who are only in this career field for the money. They are the “are nots.” While they may find short-term success, they often miss out on the more profound satisfactions of the profession.

The true magic lies in believing in the value of service. When we focus on others, we help our clients and find greater purpose and satisfaction in our work. By choosing to see real estate not just as a money-making venture but as an opportunity to help people find homes and build communities genuinely, we create a more rewarding professional experience for ourselves.

Ultimately, the paradox is that by focusing less on what we can get and more on what we can give, we often end up receiving more—not just in financial terms but also in personal fulfillment, professional reputation, and the quality of our relationships. This principle of reciprocity, when genuinely applied, can transform not just individual careers but the entire culture of the real estate industry.

// See real estate not just as a money-making venture but as an opportunity to serve others and build community while transforming the entire culture of the real estate industry.

Focusing on others will allow you to get what you want out of life. I can vouch that this is true.

Before I say goodnight, I want to leave you with two quotes. I started Saturday morning and am finishing late Sunday evening…“Success is not the key to happiness. Happiness is the key to success. If you love what you are doing, you will be successful.” — Albert Schweitzer

“Success is getting what you want. Happiness is wanting what you get.” — Dale Carnegie

We can change this industry. Let’s start a movement together.

With love, Jordan.

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Connect with me — http://joandcoaching.com/call