Getting Over It: A Better Way to Live

Have you ever worked hard for a Seller, sold the property more than once – then had it fall through as a result of the inspection? 

Did the Seller blame you? 

Did they post on Facebook that they are listing with a different Realtor? 

What about that listing you took that sat on the market without selling despite your investment of time, money and energy? 

When you asked for a price reduction again, the Seller dumped you.

What is the natural emotional response when that kind of thing happens?  Anger?  Heartbreak? Frustration?  Is there a lesson we’re supposed to figure out?  We’ve all heard the adage that if we don’t learn from our experiences, we are doomed to repeat them – and that’s the last thing any of us need.  So how do we respond to these adversities? 

Some might choose to guard themselves from trusting in the future. 

Yet, trust is the foundation of relationships, and we’re in a relationship business. 

We rely on our clients to trust us, just as they rely on us to be trustworthy. And trust begins with our attitude, so that’s where the real danger can be in these situations.

One of Michael Connelly’s books became a new series, Ballard, named for the lead character, L.A. police detective Renee Ballard.  She said something like this: “When a total stranger hurts you, you don’t trust the world. But when someone you know hurts you, you don’t trust yourself.” I think there’s a parallel in real estate when situations like this arise.

Let’s face it:  when you work with people, you’re going to have your feelings hurt. 

Sometimes, human beings say things and don’t do them.  They conceal truths too painful to confront.  They insult or shout at us.  They let us down.  That’s life.  It’s what we do about it that is critical. 

As Floyd always said, we need to put them in the rearview mirror and go on. 

Look for the lesson to be learned and put a safeguard in place to prevent it from happening again.  Give yourself some time to be angry or vent or feel sad.  But put a time limit on it.

Rather than moping around for a week, give yourself a day.  Or try limiting your feelings to an hour.

Most importantly, remember to trust yourself. You live and work by a Code of Ethics and a set of Core Values. You always make your client’s #1 goal, your #1 goal.

When someone breaks your heart, let them go and wish them well. They may even find their way back to you one day. Take the highest road with the longest view. The air is clearer, the view more beautiful, there’s less competition and it’s a better way to live.

If you need a copy of our full Core Values, copy them here:

Our Core Values

To Always . . .

. . . Live by the ‘Get By Giving’ philosophy

. . . Make my client's #1 goal, my #1 goal

. . . Live up to my standards, despite temptations to lower them

. . . Be willing to work toward a common good

. . . Do what I say I will do, sometimes more, just never less