If we already know we can, then to me, that’s ordinary, not extraordinary. Every single one of us can assess ourselves and our capabilities. When we know that we can do things, we usually go ahead and take on a challenge — knowing full well that we are capable of overcoming that challenge. That’s ordinary.
We already know that we can do it. Hence, the challenge no longer becomes a challenge. It becomes a mere activity. The true test of extraordinary is when a person does not know if he or she can overcome a challenge but still works and exerts effort to overcome it — and then actually does.
What is extraordinary?
Extraordinary is when you face the unknown, acknowledge the fear that’s bubbling up inside you and still move forward.
I know of such a man. In fact, I had the opportunity to interview him. His name is Greg Harrelson. He has invested more than 20 years in the real estate Industry. His team has been ranked the No. 1 sales team in Myrtle Beach since its inception.
Since its inception — how is that possible? Didn’t they go through birth pains and trial-and-error phases? How did they become No. 1 the first time they ventured out into real estate? The answer is simple. It was a team that did not give up. The team probably whined and complained, but it did not wallow in its misery.
Often, failure has purpose
In fact, Harrelson said, “Sometimes our failures are put in front of us for a purpose, and the purpose is to learn and prepare us for something much bigger than we had actually set the goal to be at that time.”
From the very beginning, the team knew that it could be something more. It was a team of individuals with different skill sets; they were diverse, but they learned to complement each other and work as one. They never knew if the team would be successful in this chosen field, but they worked together and exerted all the necessary effort and more.
The team learned that when things don’t go exactly as planned them, quitting is not an option. In the course of the team’s career, giving up was never on the table. This is what made it extraordinary.
During our interview, Harrelson said that if you know how to get to 100, you can get to 200. It’s just whether or not you’re going to choose to make the commitment and put in the time and effort.
In the world of real estate, it’s always the commitment that counts. You will encounter customers who, unintentionally, might give you a hard time. You will also encounter customers who would want to have more options. Throughout the course of your transaction, you might get tired, or you might get annoyed.
It’s how you deal with the situation that counts. Circumstances are what life throws at you. Your attitude is what changes these circumstances to opportunities or obstacles.
Some agents are challenged when it comes to generating leads. They get bored and eventually give up. Some venture to other industries. However, with Harrelson, he kept reminding his team that giving up is not an option. It is always darkest before dawn. The challenge with lead generation will always be there. What will you do about it?
When you bring a problem to the table, always partner it with a couple of solutions. Do not give up. You can generate leads by going online and by creating your own website. You can recycle them or send out email blasts. There are a lot of options. When you don’t like the options available, by all means create another one. Life is what you make it. Do not give up.
Know your limits and your capabilities
The challenges that every single real estate agent is going through have all been experienced by Harrelson and his team. They are still standing. In fact, they are now coaching and helping other real estate agents fulfill their potential.
Sure, there will always be obstacles, challenges and even pitfalls. There will always be people who will banter you and advise you just to choose a different career, but ultimately, you get to decide.
You know what you’re capable of. You know what you can do, and you know your limits. Other people will tell you that you can’t do real estate — that you’re incapable of selling homes or renting vacation apartments.
They will tell you a lot of things, and you will hear a lot of reasons that will make you want to give up. You will hear a lot of negativity dressed up as positive advice and feedback. You will come to a point where you’re ready to give up.
When you’re at that very point in your life, remember two things.
- It’s failure if you quit
- When everyone is telling you what you can and cannot do, always keep in mind that you can learn
You don’t know if you will succeed, but therein lies the challenge. You can learn. So I ask you, what are you going to do that’s extraordinary?
Please click here to listen to the full interview.
Pat Hiban is the author of NYT best selling book “6 steps to 7 figures – A Real Estate Professional’s Guide to Building Wealth and Creating Your Destiny” and the host of Pat Hiban Interviews Real Estate Rockstars an Agent to Agent Real Estate Radio Podcast with Hiban Digital. Follow him on Instagram or Twitter.