Forget about sales and focus on human connection

As the new year began, I took time to reflect on its events. Human connections with business and family as well as overall achievements, disappointments and heartaches all come to mind. As a real estate agent, I know it can be easy to get caught up in year-to-date sales, statistics and personal accomplishments, especially in a competitive profession.

Although I feel it’s important to have goals, be motivated, work hard and be successful, I also have to take a step back and remember — it’s not all about the numbers.

Yes, I like being able to help support our family and give our kids those extras and live comfortably, but the past eight years in real estate have taught me that there are more precious things than money.

Instead of letting my end-of-year totals define me, I think back to how I made people feel with each encounter they had with me.

One of the highest compliments I’ve ever been paid didn’t come from a luxury homebuyer, another broker or a happy seller whose home sold for more than they thought possible.

It came from the buyer of a $25,000 Housing and Urban Development (HUD) home. After closing, the buyer said to me, “I want to thank you for helping me. Throughout this long process, I had a hard time finding an agent willing to work with such a low purchase amount. You’ve treated me this whole time like I was buying a half million dollar house, instead of a $25,000 house, and I appreciate it.”

Shouldn’t each person you encounter deserve to be treated with kindness and like a human?

We are all on this earth for a temporary amount of time, so let’s leave an impression on those around us including our customers, children, friends and servers at restaurants.

It costs nothing, and when we leave this place, nothing will come with us, but we sure can leave something behind.

Shawnia Meuser is a Re/Max marketing specialist in Florida. Follow her on Twitter.

Email Shawnia Meuser.