01 Jan Are You Still Playing Small?
Are You Still Playing Small?
Your playing small does not serve the world. Who Are You Not To Be Great?
The wisdom and vision of a certain Nelson Mandela. A story of incredible fascination and inspiration.
It's no different for any realtor - you have equal greatness within you.
The problem is that so many condition us to NOT be great.
Be good but not too good.
Be confident but not arrogant.
Be passionate but don't enjoy it too much.
Be charming, polite and professional rather than kind.
Too much of this, not enough of that.
Be what others would have you be!!
Estate agency "training" will tell you to incrementally improve. Your skills, your knowledge, your performance.
What they don't tell you is to become more of, at your best, who you are.
God forbid that others might find more fascination and inspiration in Who you are, than in what you do.
That would make you different. That would let you stand out.
So, instead, your are encouraged to fit-in. Worse still, to compete. So that when you eventually "lose", you can be fixed.
Let's not hesitate - you don't need fixing.
Not as a person. What you need is to be more of Who you are.
At your best - that's the key.
As someone worth knowing (you are worth knowing?), when at your best, what will we see?
"Most people are other people. Their thoughts are someone else's opinions, their lives a mimicry, their passions a quotation." - Oscar Wilde.
We are mostly an unfinished work of Art - as we sculpt ourselves into something of which we can eventually be proud.
It starts off with a block of stone and gradually we smooth out the imperfections. Adding symmetry to shape and form.
For some it turns into a still imperfect masterpiece. For others, an amateur hour. What matters, though, is the intent.
The intent to be "at your authentic best". That others might choose to connect on a more than superficial level.
Or not.
The alternative is to be less than we are capable.
To still play small. to not be great.
And that would be a tragedy.
It would not serve ourselves and would not serve the world.
More of who, at your best, you are. You can do this.
It requires self-awareness. It requires choice. The choice to ditch those parts that do not serve us as we create and build.
It requires transparency and the courage to invite others, not to judge, but to find affinity.
Judge, though, many will and that should be OK. Those that belong in your life will find you.
Unless you blend in - kind of like a smoke-alarm. Thousand of followers and "friends" - none of whom would miss you if, tomorrow, you were gone
Competition and the "advice" from the "trainers" to demonstrate expertise, to be an authority and to "over-deliver on value" is slowly, but surely destroying the real estate sector.
Most people don't need an "expert" - they need someone they can trust.
It's sadly lacking if you scan through real estate.
Those that simply can't be trusted. That will do "whatever it takes" to win an instruction,
Those that believe they can be trusted. and are happy to tell everyone. If you have to tell anyone that you're honest and trusted, the smoke alarm should be going off.
Or, those that don't understand what it means. They confuse trust with respect.
And those few that can be trusted but don't know how to share their message.
It's worth repeating - estate agency ranks bottom-three on The Veracity Index of Trusted Professions.
That's the problem that needs fixing.
Are you up for the challenge?
Here's how to know you're playing small.
You check out the "competition."
You set your fees based on what others charge.
You appraise homes based on "market evidence".
You chase 'leads'. You rely on social media approval. You hire others to keep you accountable. You value market share.
Playing small.
Playing small is not the size of your agency or brokerage. Some solo agents play much bigger than even the most recognised brands.
It's the courage to play "great."
So ask -
Who are you not to be great?
A Personal Brand that is shouted from the rooftops. Personal Brand that is original, authentic and transparent. Personal Brand that makes you vulnerable.
Personal Brand that makes you trusted.
Imagine a real estate sector where every agent, every agency, is remarkably different.
Where vendors have a choice, based on culture & values - instead of having to make a competence-based comparison they are ill-equipped to make.
Wouldn't that be nice?
Here's how to reach me if you're tired of playing small. Tired of not being great.
chris@andsothestorybegan.co.uk
Mob: (44) 07369251435
Chris.
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