“Choosing to become a real estate agent is like choosing to become an extrovert.” That was what I said in one of my recent stories. I was at an open house, there wasn’t a whole lot of traffic so I had some time to contemplate my new job. All I could think was that I was failing at this whole real estate thing because I didn’t have people knocking on my door asking for my help. That sounds like I have an ego problem but I don’t…at least, I don’t think I do. Let me explain.

From That To This

I chose upholstery. Well, it kind of chose me, but you get what I’m saying. I chose to make a career out of something I could do with my hands and that gave my creative mind an outlet. I chose a job that I could control. See where I’m going with this? For the last 13 years I have been happily and actively making old furniture look like it just came off the showroom floor. Whenever a bump in my universe happened I would go to my upholstery table and work it out. I mean physically, as in, I am going to get my frustrations out my pulling this ugly fabric off this chair! If I wasn’t up for that I would sit at my sewing machine and contemplate the ins and outs of motherhood while carefully avoiding any thoughts that would lead to dealing with myself. *cough cough*

Fast forward to the new place in my life where I have time and space to deal with my own self-care. AND am willing to! I thought, “ya know, upholstery was built around my son’s needs, not for me, I should try something else.” Um, untrue. It is that epiphany that we are currently discussing.

So…Real Estate

My thought pattern, as previously mentioned in my New Kid on the Block—Again: Navigating a Mid-Life Career Change with Curiosity & Courage post, was to go from helping folks with decorating their home to finding the home itself. That thought pattern is still accurate but not nearly as straightforward as I thought. My real estate career is all about relationships, and I love that, but I have been forming relationships through upholstery. The rest of my time was used raising kids and caring for my son with Spina Bifida. In other words, I wasn’t super social and now I kind of have to be.

Finding What Works For Me

A couple of weeks ago I was surprised by my husband with an opportunity to open a studio space just down the street from where we worked. It turned out to be a very industrial space and it still needs some work but I was thrilled! I figured it would be a great way to connect with people in a way that makes sense to me and that I have confidence in. My broker was less than impressed but that reaction actually spurred me on. It took an adverse reaction (we are used to our group being nothing but supportive) to make me see that it is okay for my path to look different. It is mine and I can only be successful if I have the courage to move forward in a manner that supports my uniqueness. This is the magnet that we all possess.

It all comes back to being vulnerable and willing to look like, or feel like, a fool. A good example of this happened last Friday. I had a couple come through to look at the house and was asked about the staging. I told them I did it and got into a quick chat about my upholstery. The openeness on my part allowed me to shake off the awkwardness I felt about being a newbie agent. Good stuff!

After a great walk through (visit) they said they’d get back to me. I patiently waited the entire weekend before reaching out to ask for their info. It was a little nerve racking but guess what? I asked and they were happy to oblige! I am in fact, not trying to become an extrovert, I am just re-learning how to come outside of my own insecurities. Learning to do this in an authentic way is key.

The Gist Of It

Every day I am finding a way to return to the comfortability I had before I added real estate to my life. Oddly, I am finding that real estate comes up in just about every conversation these days. I may not be super confident in what I am doing yet but it is a part of my life and work now so it will come up naturally. See what happens when overthinking takes a backseat? (She said to herself)

Listen, I don’t have it wall figured out. But I am willing to share my triumphs and failures in an effort to not feel so alone in my stuggle. I am always thrilled when one of my posts encourages someone to reach out and share their story with me. Keep it up! You are in good company!

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