When we start out as real estate agents, most of us have an answer:
“I want to earn more.”
There’s nothing wrong with that. I’ve been in this business for years too; I’m not going to tell you money doesn’t matter.
But over time, I’ve seen this:
Money can get you into this work. But on its own, it may not be enough to keep you in it.
Because this profession has days we don’t really post on Instagram.
You call, they don’t answer. You set an appointment, it gets cancelled. A listing you worked on for weeks sells somewhere else. Just when you say, “This month is going well,” life springs a little surprise on you.
And then, at the end of the month, the target sheet looks at you. You look at it. Neither of you says a word. :)
On exactly those days, the question stops being “How much will I earn?”
It becomes “Why am I doing this?”
In The Millionaire Real Estate Agent there’s a concept I value a lot: the Big Why.
Gary Keller explains that one of the things successful agents have in common is that they work towards a purpose, a mission or a need. He says the Big Why gives you tremendous focus and energy. (The Millionaire Real Estate Agent, p. 69)
For years I’ve seen this in the field in different forms.
For one person, the Big Why is building a different future for their children.
For another, it’s never having to depend on anyone financially.
For someone else, it’s being their own boss.
For another, it’s finally living the life they’ve put off for years.
And for some, it’s being the person others trust in one of the biggest decisions of their lives.
Which one is right?
All of them, I think.
As long as yours is truly yours.
Because goals borrowed from someone else don’t take you very far.
That’s why, if someone were thinking about becoming a real estate agent, my first question wouldn’t be “Do you have a wide network?”, “Can you sell?” or “How many listings can you take?”
I’d ask this:
What do you really want to change in your life?
If your answer is strong enough, sales can be learned. You’ll learn to win listings. You’ll learn to handle objections. You also get used to hearing “no” over time. Don’t worry, the industry is quite generous on that front. :)
But if you don’t have a why, even the best training may not be enough after a while.
And it isn’t only about money.
There’s another idea in the book I love: it says the money you earn can be a by-product of your own growth. (The Millionaire Real Estate Agent, p. 72)
I think that’s the real point.
Maybe our goal isn’t just to sell more homes.
Maybe it’s to become, through this profession, a freer, stronger, more useful person who makes their own choices.
So ask yourself just one question today:
“Even after the money lands in my account, what is the reason that will get me up again tomorrow morning?”
If you find the answer, I think the rest really can be learned.
“In this profession, grow your why before your portfolio. If you have a big enough why, you’ll learn the way.” — Neşet Birlik
If you’re in professional life and sometimes wonder, “Could I become a real estate agent?”, you can try the short test we’ve prepared. Maybe the result will surprise you too. :)
Could I Become a Real Estate Agent? https://www.kwavo.net/
To get to know me and my work better: https://nesetbirlik.com/
Neşet Birlik