Real estate is tough.
I’m sure this isn’t a revolutionary statement. Everyone in the business knows how trying to keep up with the ebbs and flows of the market and various trends can wear you down, even after decades of success. I’ve been there too: I’ve had 14 people quit on me in a span of two weeks and lost million-dollar accounts due to errors. And in those moments, the temptation to throw in the towel is real.
Just ask Linda, a 20-year real estate veteran whose question we recently featured on a Stay Paid episode. She wanted to know how to remain optimistic when everything seems to be going crazy. After three closings in October, she’d done nothing since, and like so many agents right now, she was at a breaking point.
But a positive mindset isn’t a switch you flip; it’s a muscle you build. If you’re looking to strengthen yours, here are five basic steps you need to get started.
Find your why
My brother Stephen, leader of Acree Brothers Realty Team in Lynchburg, Virginia, and frequent Stay Paid guest, nailed it when he said that confidence starts with your goals. Nothing can help you persevere like knowing exactly what you want to achieve and the exact steps to get you there.
This can relate to your personal or professional life. For instance, say you want to pay off your house. If you owe $121,000 and earn about $10,000 per real estate deal, you’d need to complete roughly 12 transactions. But don’t forget about covering your living expenses as well; to be safe, you may want to double that number to 24.
That is an extremely doable goal, but it won’t happen if you don’t also break down what you need to do to hit it. The best predictor of future success is past performance, so look at where you are getting your deals from and what is leading to them. Say that you have closed two just from holding open houses. Consider:
- How many open houses are you holding?
- How many people walk through?
- How many of those turn into appointments?
- How many appointments close?
Work backwards from your goal to your daily activities. This will give you a clear road map to follow, helping you understand how your day-to-day actions can translate to long-term success.
Do the work
Forget “fake it till you make it.” Confidence isn’t found in mirror affirmations but in keeping the promises you make to yourself. You build belief by doing the hard things even when you don’t feel like it.
That means getting back to the basics, both in your personal life and your professional life. Are you showing up at the gym and eating right? Taking care of your body is crucial to ensuring that you have the energy you need to power through all your objectives. And speaking of objectives, how well are you executing your plans? Are you doing something every day that brings you closer to what you want to achieve?
It doesn’t matter how small the steps you take are, as long as you continually move forward, it’s proof that you’re making definitive progress.
Seek better resources
Think of your brain as a bank account. When challenges arise, you’ll only be able to withdraw what you’ve deposited over time. So not only do you need to continually give it new information to build up your stores, but that info must also be as useful, supportive, and strong as possible to guide you through stormy weather.
Ask yourself:
- What books are you reading?
- What podcasts are you listening to?
- Who are you surrounding yourself with?
Regarding the latter, if you find yourself constantly among people at your level or lower, it’s time to change rooms. Success leaves clues, making it essential to get near those doing what you want to do. Absorb their energy and mimic their habits, and your game will elevate.
Don’t do it alone
On that note, the hardest part of being in a slump is the isolation. You feel like no one gets it, which can make it difficult to include others in your planning or reach out for help with an obstacle.
But no one is built to go it alone. Find an accountability partner, a coach, or even just a friend, and check in weekly with them, discussing any wins and challenges and seeking their guidance. Even if you don’t come to any impactful solutions together in that moment, you’ll feel much lighter getting it all off your chest, making it easier to stand up to whatever you’re facing without feeling overwhelmed.
Give it time
Whatever strategy you decide to commit to—whether it’s open houses, referrals, or a new lead source—give it at least six months. Succeeding in real estate requires playing the long game. The seeds you plant today will bloom months from now as long as you have the patience to nurture them and see them through.
Final word
Linda’s call wasn’t just for her. It was for every agent feeling stuck and every entrepreneur wondering if it’s time to walk away.
Let this be your reminder: you’ve come too far to quit now. Get clear on your goals, put in the work, surround yourself with the right people, and give it time. You’ll be amazed at what you can achieve if you do.
Want more practical strategies? Subscribe to Stay Paid, and follow us @staypaidpodcast. And if you’re ready to take action, reach out! Let’s crush the next six months together.
