Not long ago, I was speaking with a friend of mine, and I explained to him that one of the quickest ways 
to get me to do something was to utter one of the following phrases:
"Jason, you won't be able to do that."
OR
"I doubt you will be able to get that done."
OR EVEN
"That seems pretty unlikely, but good luck with it."
In 1996, I was working as a retail manager for CompUSA. One of the other managers at our store in north Austin mentioned that he had an idea for a business that "someone should develop". He was perturbed by the fact that he and his wife were looking at homes, and all of the fliers they picked up were black and white Xeroxes.
"I think it would be a great business to offer to use these new digital cameras and great color printers to produce color fliers for real estate agents."
I asked him if he minded if I were to run with the idea, since he was not interested in doing it himself.
"Sure, go for it," he replied.
About four months later, I quit my job there to run a company called Digital Homefront full-time. Can you guess what our service was?
A few months after that, I got my real estate license, and I have been self-employed ever since.
Along the way, I heard from my naysayer friends about how frequently small businesses fail, and how much money you have to have in savings to get started in real estate. When I started my own brokerage almost five years ago, there were a few who seemed skeptical then, too. Now that we have 18 agents, I don't hear those types of comments anymore, thankfully.
When I started blogging on ActiveRain in August 2007, a fellow member left a comment on one of my posts, stating that it might be hard for me to ever be #1 in Austin on AR. Looking back, this one actually seems humorous now. Needless to say, it didn't take me that long to hit that mark with consistent effort.
Why am I telling you this stuff, anyway?
Well, it's simple really. I wrote this in an effort to get you, the reader, to give some thought to what really motivates YOU in your industry. Do you like the idea of a challenge? Are you in your business to help others? In my own case, tell me that I can't do something, and stand back while I figure out how to get it done. I like the notion of achieving something that isn't easy. I also like being my own boss.
Give some thought to what your TRUE motivators are (hopefully, something other than money alone).
Photo above courtesy of starbuddie84 from Flickr.com.
If you enjoyed this post, why not connect with me elsewhere?
If you're looking for a home in the Austin area, you can visit my primary Austin real estate website at www.austintexashomes.com. If you're interested in social media training, visit 210 Consulting. Thanks!
Oh you one the same wavelength guy you.......;-) I just did a post on What Motivates You last week...............and a while back i did one on Tell Me I Can't Do Something - or that it Can't be Done is a Sure way of getting me to prove you wrong! lol (your fav letters!)
I just like houses! :) And land . . . and buildings . . . :)
Self-realization and true confidence are unstoppable.
I've had the fortune of getting to that point myself about a year ago and I feel limitless.
Everyone who's a big #1 now has gone through the same before truly realizing they can do it.
I wish you could take a pill for that. This would be an amazing world!!
As with all things, I am motivated by an all encompassing fear of drowning.
Long week with ridiculously long days. Call you in the next day or two once things settle back down.
Hi Jason~ When I first started out in Real Estate, I was told I wouldn't make it because I was not from the area. I just thought to myself, "watch me!" but I said "that is a chance I am willing to take!"
Jason, Best way to motivate me...tell me it can't be done. I love sellilng "unsalable" listings..the ones that are not "cloneonials", the ultra contemporary, the unusual etc. BTW have you taken the Type E quiz?
Jason all of the naysayers in my life have had a similar effect on me. Rock on.
Jason, I enjoyed reading your post. By far I really enjoy helping people. It's nice when a deal actually closes too.
I got into (or back into) the business because so many friends were asking for help when buying homes, since I had gained knowledge from years in the family business even before I went into real estate.
I remember the day I told my family I was interested in the real estate business. My DAD, thought that paying someone to work for them, well was a little backwards from his day and time. He really tried to convince me not to do it. I was wasting my skills, my education, no benefits, etc. 13 yrs. later...I have no regrets....love the business.
Give some thought to what your TRUE motivators are (hopefully, something other than money alone).
Hi Jason,
Like you, I enjoy doing things that people tell me are impossible to accomplish. I also enjoy helping other people become more successful. On a related note, this is the verse I read to my youngest son at his college graduation party:
And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.
- Colossians 3:17
Jason, I am a type "A" and I am succeeding at what I strike out to do motivates me...
Your building consultant for life in Nashville, TN
Jason - Yeah, I doubt you'll ever be #1 in Austin, that's just way too hard. Haha. I never thought I'd reach the first page of San Antonio, let alone the number 4 spot. "You have to believe in yourself, because no one else will do it for you." Someone told me that once and it's quite true. They may believe in you, but they won't put the drive and motivation behind it that you can. So, I bet you can't be the #1 blogger ever on ActiveRain. Now go get 'em! P.S. Thanks for the Rocky statue...that statue is a great one, I've visited it many times at its various homes (they moved it from the Art Museum at one point because it wasn't "art" and sent it to the stadium complex and now it's back at the Art Musuem, only this time on Eakins Oval - it's had quite a history that statue).
Jason, yeah! Just tell me it won't work and I'll show you! Love this post!
Jason - You will never hit one million points.
(Now.... quiet. This is me sitting back watching you do it.)
Great post.....I have thrived this year in real estate as the naysayers have whined all around me. I am now in a position to expand my business and bring on new agents. So....
I love being able to share in the excitement of somebody finding the home they were dreaming of - & I love that I don't have to pack up & move - sharing in the excitement vicariously is perfect!
Jason,
What a great story. Thanks for sharing. I'm thinking one day you will be number 1, but not in Austin or Texas but at Active Rain.
Jason, nice post----it is amazing what obstacles others will "try" to put in our ways to thwart our dreams. This is usually the result of their own inability to do what they really want to do or are too afraid to do.
Hi Jason,
I was always a sink or swim guy. I think if you look at most serious agents there is a common thread that runs through our fiber. I been self employed most of my adult life for better or worst. You have to swim.
Steve
Jason... Like you, there's nothing that get's me more motivated than: "it hasn't been done, if you guys could only (_____) fill in the blank, and that's a good idea, but I think it's impossible."
Thanks for sharing this look into your story...
Rene'
I got into real estate in 1989 after my retail businesses folded. Like many I thought I did this because of failure, and for awhile I was guilty about being a Realtor. Thank Goodness that didn't last. Now after 20 years I could not be happier, and for those of us who have been around for that long, Web 2.0 and blogging has rejuvenated me.
I don't understand people who say "you can't . . ." whatever. My answer as far back as I can remember has always been,, "what makes you think I can't." Sadly the people who believe they can't are right, at least in their world.
I remember a conversation I had with a broker I was hoping would sponsor me when I first went for my license. He said, "why do you want to get into real estate?" to which I answered, "I love people and I love houses." Almost before I got the whole sentence out he replied, "wrong. The only reason to be in real estate is because you want to make money." He did wind up sponsoring me and I've always been in it for the love of what I do and for the privilege of being a catalyst in the process. I'm motivated by the look on people's faces as they reach their goals.
Real estate needs to be a passion.... this is a tough career and too many get in because it looks easy. Too many get in to be a part-timer and those may never truly know the potential successes of this industry. I enjoy every minute of this career..... even in a down market. Great post.
Years ago i watched Realtors go to listing or selling appointments in the middle of the morning and drink coffee. Then lunch when and where they wanted. Maybe knock off early and play golf, what a life. The next morning they came to the office when they wanted and no one chewed them out for not being there when it opened. This beat my punching a time clock and couldn't leave when i wanted. Now I find that there's a lot more to it than it looked like. After 6 years in this business I wouldn't trade it! But its not what it looked like from the outside.
I just sort of fell into it, but stayed because I love it. I love houses and I love helping people find a place that's "home" to them.
Hi Jason! LOVE this post--excellent points and I have to say, I love a challange--just tell me it can't be done and I'll find a way--if it KILLS me!
Have a wonderful Memorial Day!
Hey Jason,
Nice post (as usual) but I'm starting to wonder why you never give any credit to learning at Real Estate Webmasters? I remember the thread on REW where you asked what AR was?? LOL!!
My mother motivated me when I was young: "You'll never amount to a thing." I had no contact with her from 1965, when she gave me up for adoption by placing me in the Thomas D. Dee Memorial Hospital in Ogden, Utah, to 1993, when I located her in Slidell, Louisiana.
Interestingly, I'm currently estranged from everyone on both sides of my family except my mother.
I know this sounds cilche, but what truly motivates me are my clients' results. I get a big kick out of finding out what we do together is getting them leads or otherwise building their business.
Another motivator is schedule freedom. I have always been self motivated, so no one has to tell me what to do or how to do it. Great post!
Jason - Great story. What ever became of the flyer business? Laraine
I read in a sales book once that some people are motivated by gold medals and others by german shepherds....in other words, do you want to win the race so you can have the shiny gold medal or are you just trying to outrun the german shepherds that are chasing you down? Both are great motivators and different people relate to one more than the other. I'm mostly a gold medal guy but sometimes I need a snarling dog nipping at my heels to get me to run faster!
I have been in real estate since I was 19. At the time money motivated me. 17 years later as a Broker/Owner what motivates me is seeing agents learn more about and grow their business. I gave 3 different leads to my agents this weekend and their thankfulness motivates me.
Real estate is a rewarding profession. I never intended to be an agent but just got my license to learn more about real esatate. That was the beginning.....
For me, I hate hearing my husband being negative. I tell him to shut the freak up and stop being a buzz kill.
Sorry that was a little strong.
Jason: What a GREAT MOTIVATION post here. One sust strive to get what they want.
Jason, we must be a lot alike in that respect. I am where I am now because my X husband told me I would never be able to stand on my own two feet. OH YES I CAN!
Jason, I like that you listen to yourself and not others. The true mark of a champion. I always view myself competing with myself and am motivated by that feeling good inside that I am satisfied with myself. It is truly "self-motivation" and nothing on the outside for me.
Jason:
Great post. Right on the money and very timely. Thanks for sharing.
Inside drive. As irritating and annoying as naysayers can be, it has always been internal for me, no matter what it is. Oh, that and being told that I should do/not do something because (you fill in the blank). Being a contrarian, and being good at it, has never failed me in 35 years.
Jason,
I bet you can't refer 27 clients to me in the next 6 months that are ready, willing and able to
buy/&or sell in the Bryan/College Station area. (The devil made me type this) ;)
You are so right! I had a high school guidance counselor tell me that "I wasn't college material!" It ticked me off enough to go to college (I put myself through working in my parents real estate company) and graduate with honors. I got out of real estate and did the marketing gig for awhile, my degree is in graphic design and copywriting and I got back in by doing...marketing for agents! Flyers, postcards and eventually websites. Fastforward...today I am a broker with my own office, an MCE Instructor and I write curriculum for MCE classes...not bad for a chick who was deemed "not college material" by some jerk in high school! I do my best work when people tell me something can't be done! Kudos to you on your success!
Hello Jason,
A challenge motivates me first of all and what the end result might be is next.!
Have a great Memorial Day weekend.
Patricia Aulson/Portsmouth NH Real Estate
What motivates me is my kids, and before them it was younger siblings that I took care of. They've been the reason to embrace this life so often, and keep going when the going gets tough. Now with my youngest having just graduated and getting married this summer, I'm entering an abyss...I may just go sit on a mountaintop & smoke a pipe. I'm definitely not a type A. A challenge doesn't motivate me, but a cause does---like keeping a roof over our heads, food on the table, education, etc.). Although... my older sister, who has been in this biz @ 20+ years, told me I'd be terrible in this biz because I wasn't outgoing or tough enough...that motivated me a tiny bit, I'll have to say. I became a realtor 4 yrs ago & not doing too badly....But I tend to look for meaning & significance rather than recognition---which is probably why I don't have any designations & don't even have plans for them...isn't that awful?! I can't seem to figure out the REAL world, just the one that survives.
Hello Jason - thanks for the post. It couldn't have been needed more at this moment. I have found myself a little less than motivated and this will help me get back on track. I think my main motivation is the satisfaction of helping others and the smile on their faces when things fall into place. I just need to keep that in sight.
Jason: So you are one that responds to being slapped with the proverbial white glove. Me too! I love challenges. I had many naysayers too about my devling into short sales. They are all jumping on board now. Congrats on your success.
Jason- Excellent post. It hits home with me as I come from a musical background in case nobody knew that. I have been pretty much not listening to anyone else my whole life and doing what I have had a passion for that being music. Falling into the Real Estate profession was quite accidental on my part because my wife Lisa had been doing it for a few years while I was going to computer school and getting certifications so that I could help people in that capacity. Now I'm helping my wife along with many questions from all the agents that I run into because they know of my background. My motivation has always been to help people because it is very gratifying paying things forward in my humble opinion. I just feel better about myself. My integrity is strong and I sleep well at night. No guilty feelings in my life. So it's all good. Thanks for this post. There's my two cents.. Have a great memorial weekend!
:-)
Great post.....like it and your style. But I think you could improve :) Loved that one! I love seeing people creating their dreams and being along for the ride. I also love my agents grow the busienss and have fun along the way. I also love finding new and creative ways to doing things plus exploring new ventures. Change motivates me......love it!
My motivation is to be the best problem solver I can. This market has forced me to think outside and I really enjoy the fact that I can help people with their problems and at the same time be compensated for it. There is no better satisfaction then when I can help a buyer purchace that first home or help a seller sell a home quicker than they ever imagined...Great Post!
@Angelia - LOL, my husband is always on the dark side, too. Mr. Gloom and Doom. I have been proving him wrong for awhile now. :)
...why I am in Real Estate...? Like to be challenged every day. The most rewarding time is when I can put first time home buyers in their first home....seeing the look on their face after closing,when they finally have the key, is priceless.
Bettina
I love working with buyers... and I love looking at the different architecture in New England... so much of the time, this job is fun!
eh, we both came from retail.....mine was high-end men's clothing. One of my employees quit to go into real estate. OK, whatever. His first deal he got a check for $60k+. This was in 1982. I got my license in 3 months.
Hi Jason, I enjoyed your story on what got you into real estate and reading everyone else's comments as well. I so enjoy helping other people find the home they've been dreaming of...especially if they are a first-time home buyer. This is a great industry to be in; one that I'm enjoying learning about more each day!
Have a great Memorial Day weekend,
Anne Rains
What motivates me is building a business and helping others. I like be a positive influence instead of being just a salesperson. I don't want to sell anything. I want to help people buy what they want.
That's how I am, too. I finally have a broker who doesn't say "you can't do that" and I appreciate it, because I'm busy enough without another challenge!!!!
I like a challenge and I like change. What motivates me is always trying to improve my game. My background in the film business has been a great asset in real estate, along with working for attorneys during and after college. I'm also motivated by points! Love the points on AR!
Sharon
Jason - I really enjoyed your post about what motivates you, and the commentary that you inspired. It seems most of us are motivated by the challenges and the hurdles that must be overcome. I have always been in a service business and the people are really at the core of what I enjoy doing.
Jeff
What motivated me to go full time real estate is freedom of the tyranny of having to be somewhere at 8:00 a.m.! Now if I am up and going at 8:00 a.m. it is because I chose to be there!
What keeps me motivated is the fear of having to return to a Job which means "just over broke" and makes you miserable as the Biblical character Job. The serendiptious thing about real estate is that the long hours are a lot more enjoyable than my 8-5 jjob was.
I got my brokers license in 1979 and sold one home. Then did other things (like be a copywriter). One day I was bowled over by the awareness that I would one day inherit my parents estate (whatever was left of it) and that I needed to learn more about investments and responsible money management. Heck I had my broker's license... real estate was the perfect fit. That was in 1989. It's been a full tilt boogie ever since.
Now I'm motivated by the feeling of success at helping people I like get into homes they like... or out of them, as the case may be.
Making your own decisions and having to live with them. Working for someone else can be simple, but it is no fun. This is a great business, and yes, the money is good.
Hi Jason -- It's so easy to see why you are successful, thanks for sharing. I have always been the adventurous type, although as time goes on, I also try to temper this with reason and logic to ensure decisions are not haphazard and also the execution is consistent and measurable.
Jason, there are sooooo many people out there that need good competent help. Aside from my family and the obvious reasons for earning a living, it's the people out there that need me the most, THEY are the ones that motivate me. Factor in that I have personal beliefs in how I am put in their lives (or they in mine, whichever) and their success is inevitable - call it providence.
I am driven by competition, and really enjoy being able to do it better than my competition!
- When I left my very solid day job, everybody said I would fail!
- When I started Gladiator Real Estate Group, they said I would fail!
- When I did not quit the real estate business when the market tanked, they said I would fail!
Guess what? I am still here and kicking butt!!
Great post! you have me extra motivated to go out and CRUSH IT next week!!!!!!!
Have a Profitable Day Everyone!
- Harrison Painter
Jason, great post, and on this Memorial Day am reminded of the vets and their families who, one day at a time, continue to do the impossible, heal, move forward, love, and to think that I have the opportunity to pursuie a career like real estate becauseof it.
Jason - it is interesting how your career evolved, and now self employed - great story!
Jason, what a great post. I think that is a FANTASTIC motivator and I am glad you took the bull by the horns and RAN with it! Congrats!
Thanks for the post. It is always good to get motivated, especially on a Monday!
Good from the heart sharing. Listening to your own voice in your head, having a group of mentors to bounce off for support and guidance, and passion to be the best the key. Funny how your previous path led you to this point and got you into the monitor of all these AR bloggers. The Little Red Hen had the same problem you encountered along the way. Everyone else is an expert on how you should run your life...if you let them.
Jason: Thanks for the post. When someone tells me I can't do something, I get fired up. Granted, these days all my friends and acquaintances encourage each other. It's all about who we choose to hang with. If we're hanging around positive, self-motivated people we really don't have any excuses! Thanks again.
Jason, Great story! 18 agents? That's awesome! My husband wants me to open an office...I may call you to pick your brain.
I think Real Estate has to be in our blood, to be a success. I LOVE people and LOVE houses. I also have the attention span of an ant, so this is perfect for me. Always something new and exciting going on. I thrive on stress, as I'm sure many of us do.
I have been very motivated since Day 1 in Real Estate. Just recently introduced to Active Rain, tho, I see that I am highly motivated to increase my ranking and lovin' it!
I love the postive attitude, its very inspiring!
Jason: Nice post. I think maybe of us self starters are challege junkies with a will to succeed where other fail.
Most people think that they are motivated by money, but very few really are. When I was a retail manager I figured that out pretty easily... I'm motivated to find something just a little better... all of the time.
Jason, my poor husband has finally learned to avoid telling me I can't do something. I grew up poor and determined to be more. If anybody tells me a thing cannot be done I will do everything in my power to make it happen. Often just pure determination is all it takes but a positive attitude is one of my greatest gifts and strengths. Sounds like you are the same way. Oh, I think I just had a great idea for a new blog. Thanks Jason.
Jason--I love this post and all the great comments. Guess that describes the majority of us.
The whole reason I went to school for my MBA was just to see if I could do it, so I totally get the challenge thing. I am the first person in our family to graduate from college ..... I put myself through secretarial school and then went to college for my undergraduate degree for 9 years at night (so that my employer would pay for the classes).
It seems to me that the biggest thing standing in the way of our success is ourselves!
Thanks for sharing your story with us!
Jason: Great success story and very inspirational. As soon as someone tells me it can't be done, I'm off and running. That comes from an ex boss many years ago who was constantly holding me back. His attempt to keep me down only made me more determined, so even though his true motive was to hold me back, I owe him a great big thank you because that was probably the time in my life when I really discovered that I can do whatever I set my mind to.
I always imagine the different ways my life could end up based on my current actions. I will not be one of those sad souls that looks back on their life and can count their greatest accomplishments on one or two fingers. I want fingers and toes, y'all! I want memories of hard work and goals achieved. Most of all, I don't want any major regrets. Life is short and to live well requires sacrifice and integrity. Thanks for the post.