Today’s topic is all about being new at something. More specifically, new at something after being “old & good” at something…for over a decade. It’s a real thing and it can definitely trip you up. Let’s dig in, find some grace and name a few ways to get through it.

I want to start by saying am 5 weeks into being a realtor! This was a HUGE decision for me as I have been a small business owner and upholsterer for 13 years now. My kids went and grew up on me and with my business being built around them I felt it was time to move in a different direction. I love upholstery but now it can just be a hobby. Now that I am in the new career I feel swamped with worry all the time. How do I get out there and drum up business, or get over the feeling that I am bugging people? Basically, how in the heck am I supposed to be new at something and not feel like a fool while I stumble through it. There are so many stories out there about people making mid-life changes and killing it in their new career path. Um…can we get a little more real about that storyline for just a minute? I want to hear about the struggle, the doubts, and how they coped with it all.

I ask that question to a lot of folks and the standard answer is to just show up and do the work. Okay, that’s valid in any endeavor you want to kick ass at, but I am looking for something more specific, a roadmap per say. At least, I think I am. For there to be any roadmap though, I need to know and align my priorities.

There is no way I am going to say that money isn’t my top priority right now, becasue it is. It is hyphenated with being successful, a good student, a knowledgable agent, and connecting with people. Walking away from a brick and mortar business to work from home and/or an office makes it tough to get out and chat with people. You guys were doing that for me by walking into my door! Now I have to get comfortable with calling people and talking about my new career. That is to say, I need to get out of my introverted tendencies and reach out.

Back to the roadmap theory. I took the time to find a brokerage that will work with the education and support I need. That was step one on the roadmap. Step two is to find a good mentor/coach. I found two that speak to my needs in different ways. ⬅️ That is an important tip ➡️ Know how you learn and what emotional support you are going to need that way you can identify those characteristics in others. Step three is to dive in with the understanding that you are not going to get it for awhile. You just have to immerse yourself in the information and ask qeustions as you go. Step four is talking, i.e.: getting out there. I struggled with telling people I am a real estate agent now but you know what, there is almost always an opening for it! Generally, we like to know how others are doing and what they have been up to. At least, I do. It helps me feel connected and gets me outside of myself and that is where all the magic happens.

At my brick and mortar I was always chatting with people about their lives. The family, the work, the hurts and the joys. It gave me opportunities to listen and help if warranted. Now I am the one reaching out to check in with people. I realize that right now most are agents or in the business. That is okay though, because there are still connections and at the end of the day that is what I am looking for right now. Connections that will help me feel like I am on the right path and capable of doing this new thing.

Step five: take a break when you need to. I hit my wall last week and cried in my broker’s office. Ugh!! It is always a bit embarrassing to shed tears in front of people but he was very gracious about it. Being the new person and not really knowing what the hey you are doing is hard! It requires and emotional fortitude and stamina that you don’t realize you’ll need until you’re in it. I took the time to find a few things for my office that would make me smile, then I found a few different people and asked advise. My last “get okay” to-do was to schedule time with my coach. It made all the difference.

Starting something new, being that new kid in your 40’s or 50’s, it’s not easy. It takes work but more than that it takes determination. I don’t feel like I have anything figured out yet or that what I am doing is making any kind of difference for my financial future but I am doing it. Show up and do the work…and acknowledge that this is not a solo sport. Reach and find ways to spend time with people, it really does help validate this decision to start again.

A quick recap on how to create a roadmap:

1. Be intentional about where you want to work and/or who you want to work with
   • even as an artist/maker you will need people
2. Find someone that is knowlegable in your field. Every field has a person/group of people that have a fantastic knowledge base and willing to teach.
3. Understand that you are going to be lost for a little while but go after it anyway
4. Get your hiney out there! Be brave and make those connections!
5. Listen to your needs and if stepping back for a day or binging your favorite show is what you need then do it! Feel your feelings as in taking a minute to feel sorry for yourself. When that minute is up get back at it!

As alway, you are appreciated and I adore that you are here with me! Have a great weekend and to all you newbies like me, IT WILL ALL WORK OUT!! (We can’t be new forever, right?!)