Vol.III, No.6
www.renewssource.com
March 15, 2017
Do You Experience Stress? By Pat Farrell
PRSRT STD U.S. Postage PAID San Antonio, Texas Paid Permit #1590
Well, Duh! - Dumb question! If you are among the thousands that work in the local real estate industry, stress can, but does not necessarily have to, be a constant part of your daily life. It is unfortunate that so many folks come into this business because they have heard that this is a piece of cake job where you can be your own boss, with hours so flexible that you can work whenever you want to, and that with little or no training you can make a ton of money! And if you don’t believe that’s how it is, just look at the upscale cars that all REALTORS® drive! No doubt, before one decides to become a licensed agent in real estate sales, mortgage, escrow, inspections, etc. they have preconceived ideas of what the job entails, a lot of which comes from the hype one is exposed to about the current booming housing market. It is always quite nat-
ural to want to get in on the action while things are looking so good and these jobs are perceived to be ones in which the money just keeps rolling in. However, licenses are not just handed out because you are good looking, but are rather earned as the result of a long and hard study of subjects that may initially seem foreign to most students. Granted, one can climb on board any of the areas in the now very active real estate industry and succeed if they are willing to put forth the effort required, but if they are expecting a nine to five work environment, Monday through Friday, with water cooler breaks, they have definitely made the wrong choice. So, once all the myths about working in the industry have been dispelled, which should really not take too long, reality sets in! It has been recognized that between 70% and 80% of those who obtain a real estate salesman’s license will have failed or have decided that the business is not for them, before the end of their first year. And, as we know, since we’ve heard it often enough, those that take the job seriously have a good shot at maintaining a rewarding career because they are doing all the things that those who fell by the wayside found too difficult to do. Being a real estate agent is thought to be among the top most stressful jobs in the nation, which could very likely have been a factor for many of those who did not choose to continue to make it their career. By definition stress is “a state of mental or emotional strain or tension resulting from adverse or very demanding circumstances.” It could most likely help us if we can recognize when stress comes knocking, how we are reacting to it, and the best way for us to deal with it so as not to become a statistic of the downsides to
stress. Those who left that full time employment job to work in the real estate industry will soon recognize that they have just opened their own business and are now solely responsible for whether it succeeds or fails. And, rather than having the choice of if and when they will work, they quickly learn that success will come only if they are available to their clients when they are most needed, i.e. 24/7. Anyone who works strictly on a commission basis will immediately recognize that if they do not solicit, and then do the work, there will be no commission. Helping homeowners sell their homes or prospective purchasers find the home that is right for them has the potential to put real estate agents on the equivalent of an emotional roller coaster. They can be on top of the world today because they have taken several listings and they are all showing well or perhaps they have several prospective buyers and have spent considerable time showing them homes that are sure to meet their criteria. But then comes the downside, when a couple of their sellers decide they really don’t want to sell, and remove their homes from the market, or maybe one of their buyers determines they are not really ready to buy after all, and another of their buyers decides they don’t want the agent to help them and choose to find someone else. Also, those who have been in the business an extended period of time will point out it is either feast or famine, the market is on the high side today but one better prepare for the low side tomorrow! It can be comforting to know that stress is not selective but ultimately affects everyone as it may be job, family or perhaps even education related. Stress may
result from ongoing issues like wartime or continuing family problems, from negative changes like divorce or job loss, or from onetime events such as accidents. All stress brings with it a potential risk to both physical and mental health, especially if it is experienced over extended periods of time, and how one is able to deal with the associated pressures will determine if stress or the individual is the ultimate winner. But stress is not always all bad as it can spur one to action when they had not found that to be necessary before. For the real estate industry that would mean when the coffers are getting empty it is time to take action! Knowing how to deal with stress before it deals with the individual is the key to avoiding, or at least minimizing, any associated health risks. As we have heard often enough it is essential that one establishes their priorities in life and sets goals to attain them. Depending on the individual’s tastes, there are a variety of exercise routines and relaxation techniques that if one is familiar with them can be called into play when most needed. Maintaining close friendships is not only a satisfying way to live one’s life but can later serve to offer a lifeline when it is necessary. And as with most situations in life, if it all becomes unsustainable then it might be time to seek professional help. Yes, being in the real estate field can be very stressful but it is not unique to any one agent as others before them have experienced similar pressures and survived them, so perhaps they would be willing to provide the newly affected agent some counsel. Often, having to deal with difficult people, as agents do, is not always pleasant but as any gambler will tell you, “you’ve got to know when to hold ‘em and know when to fold ‘em.”