Embarking on a New Career
I wouldn’t have believed it, but it became truth as golden as a ticket around the world: My decision to quit my fruitful job as an English teacher to work as a writer/real estate practitioner just one year ago resulted in a newfound freedom with full-time benefits.
In the six months I have been working as a part-time real estate agent in Honolulu, I discovered the key to happiness and Timothy Ferriss’s “4-Hour Workweek (Crown Publishers, 2007).
Initially, changing professions to pursue a part-time career in real estate didn’t appear to be the best alternative for me, but my life as a teacher had reached an all-time low, and I was in desperate need of a lift — and a drastic one at that.
As I bid farewell to my teacherly lifestyle, and embarked on constructing the real estate practitioner part of me, the following three important and necessary benchmarks planted me firmly onto a path of success.
1. Get a grip.
Undergoing a professional transformation takes time and my success as a real estate practitioner did not happen overnight. After quitting my job as a teacher, I took two months to get a grip on life and to prepare myself for the changes that would certainly come.
It’s really important to be in the right mindset when you change professions. I realized that I needed to take some time to gain perspective on life and what was important to me. I did it by traveling abroad, but whatever you do during this time off should involve some form of clearing your head.
2. Balance work and play.
I sought part-time work in real estate because I wanted “me-time” back. As a teacher who frequently burnt out from overworking, I wasn’t able to read and write for fun.
Now I’m able to balance work and play much more effectively. Working in real estate can entail
long hours, but the inevitable lulls allow for quality time to do what you love without sacrificing income.
Your clients will be happy if you are responsible both as their agent and as a person. Taking the time to keep your life balanced will benefit you and the people you work with and for.
3. Seek a solid mentorship.
I am lucky enough to have one very nurturing mother and mentor. Her 10-plus years of real estate experience helped me get on track right away. She showed me the different approaches as a buyer’s versus seller’s agent very quickly, as well as taught me how to organize and prioritize tasks and paperwork.
With a knowledgeable real estate mentor you will be able to cut out time and increase productivity and income.
Brenda Yun spent five years as a middle- and high- school English teacher, prior to becoming a real estate sales associate for her mother’s brokerage, Hawaii Rainbow Realty in 2007.
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Comments
Congratulations Brenda! Your new career will be great with your mentor's help and your tenacity.
I too used to be a teacher, I used to teach English as a Second Language, and Basic Computer Skills. I was laid off and dove head first into real estate last year.
While it has been a tough transition I am glad I made the change. I love my freedom, and the fact that I am my own boss. We will be successful if we hang in there persevere through this downturn.
Good Luck.
Posted by: Ulises Romo | February 19, 2008 07:29 PM
I hear you. I was a teller in a bank after college, but recenty joined the family buisness be am now doing good balancing fun, work and life.
Posted by: brian | February 20, 2008 01:53 AM
Brenda, Your advice on work and play is right on the money. I left my 9-5 4 years ago to focus on real estate, writing and now the growth of my coaching business. Even with all that on my plate finding time to enjoy life is top priority, without it we would burn out and be less effective. Kudos to you!
Posted by: Courtland McPherson | February 20, 2008 08:04 PM
I took the plunge into real estate full time back in 1981.
It was scary and exciting, but I have never looked back....
27 years later, my 23 year old
daughter who is a college graduate and young mother, is ready to join me inspite of all her protests growing up, to not follow in my footsteps!
I am truly amazed and flattered.
Posted by: Jolyn Crawford | March 2, 2008 11:06 AM