On this edition of “Keeping It Real,” a recurring podcast series on Inman, Peter Lorimer discusses the crushing weight of self-doubt and why you should get comfortable with failing.
Even as I write this, I must admit this is something that I also struggle with. I am my own worst critic. You are probably yours, too.
What does this mean as we launch ourselves everyday into real estate? Well, if we start the game as if we’re going to lose — we will. Don’t stack the odds against yourself before you’ve even had a chance to begin.
Insecurity tends to foster mediocre decisions, and it takes courage to step outside of the box.
Do you want to do things differently? If so, you’re in the right place. And you’re probably feeling a bit scared, but the universe is begging you to stay the course. This industry needs you. We need agents who are willing to inject personality and creativity into real estate.
To overcome this crushing insecurity and charge forward toward your career goals (and kick mediocrity out), I have three pieces of advice:
- Learn your trade: Treat your business like athletes treat their careers. Work hard, every single day. Wake up early, train and stay in the zone. Listen to podcasts, read books and watch videos.
- Get comfortable with failure: Put on your sweatpants, grab a soft blanket, and snuggle right on up to it kind of failure. Because each failure brings you that much closer to success. I see fear driving way too many mundane decisions in real estate.
- Just go for it: What’s the worst that could happen? Maybe you’ll end up right back where you started. I doubt it, though. Instead, I believe you’ll most likely find yourself with more clients and more listings. But you’ll never know if you don’t start.
As we say in the United Kingdom: Just have a crack at it. If you could use a push toward the light and away from fear of failure, give this podcast a listen.
Peter Lorimer is the CEO of Beverly Hills, California-based PLG Estates.
