There have been posts here relating to short-term vs long-term thinking. Throughout my business career I have noticed the two mindsets and have come down heavily in favor of the long-term mindset.
I have also come to realize that the long-term mindset can be learned; however, it is much easier if someone naturally gravitates towards that way of thinking.
One thing I have come to believe is that success in business is almost impossible unless the business person adapts a mentality that sees beyond immediate security and immediate gratification. Much has to be sacrificed short-term, in most cases, in order to achieve long-term success. There is risk involved, also. Risk is a part of long-term success.
Some agents who have worked with me and failed never became comfortable with the risk, and when short-term gratification didn't come in their safety zone, they bailed.
Investment, risk and sacrifice. These are not easy concepts to embrace. Some people are terrified with the prospect of borrowing money to keep a buisness afloat long enough for it to succeed. They want security and garuantees, and there are none in free enterprise. That is why the payoff is great when it succeeds -- conversely, the losses can great if it doesn't succeed.
To me, this is what every new agent, and every agent at a crossroads during a slowdown has to come to terms with. I don't think a person can be happy in business if they don't first come to terms with risk, investment and sacrifice. As we have said before, a real estate license is a business license.
Uncertainty is not for everyone, and I suggest to people all the time, that if they don't have the stomach for business, there is nothing to be ashamed of -- find a secure job in the industry and accept you weren't cut out for business. Hell, in a way, it is nutz to start with. You have to be a little off to embrace risk, investment and sacrifice and go forward like a wild-eyed zealot into the unknown.
But if I have any advice to anyone who is not happy with the uncertainties of business, it is -- come to terms with it, or you will not be happy.
Mike from Savannah